Budgie Shak

I have worked in the design industry for nearly 20 years, however , working in Ceramics is a relatively new medium for me but one which I love and feel passionate to develop.

Having graduated from the University of Northumbria in 1995 with a degree in fashion design, I began my 15 year career as a fashion designer. I worked in New York and London for various highstreet chains and eventually ended my career as a womenswear designer for Tedbaker.

In 2003 my husband and I decided to move back up north to Lancashire to be near our families.

In 2009 I decided to take a career break to raise my daughters. It was during that time I met the very talented ceramicist Christine Cummings and had the fantastic opportunity to begin working for her. This is where my ceramics journey began.

I have always had a passion for ceramics and through my twenties and thirties would spend much of my free time scouring vintage stores and antique fairs for ceramic gems to add to my collection. In particular I love 50’s and 60’s ceramics which I hope is reflected through my work.

My love of budgerigars and birds comes from my childhood pet memories. We had a few budgies, some more well trained than others! Bubbles was the most tame and talented of all and memories of her antics still make me smile today.

It is the combination of these two influences that have inspired my work. Although my journey into the field of ceramics has been a fairly recent one, I am hoping it will continue and develop for many years to come.

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