Ceramist Zara Speke holding two hadn built decorative ceramic plates with floral patterns.
Ceramist Zara Speke sitting at a table with art supplies and brushes in a jar, working on hand painting a ceramic plate

Yearning for a little more play and creativity in my everyday, over the years I dabbled in several crafts. Each one bringing out a creative side that I’d long since forgotten how much I love working with my hands. And each one leading me slowly towards ceramics. As soon as my hands touched clay, I was all in. Bought a few supplies and started making plates for family and friends from my kitchen table.

I fell in love with the medative and rhythmic nature that a creative practice often brings. Through many trials and many failures, I’ve developed a style that expresses my ideas in my a way that is authentic to myself.

Taking inspiration from the natural world and my childhood growing up in the beautiful Northumberland countryside amongst wildflowers and my Mother’s much loved garden, I hand paint each plate in a style inspired and influenced by Indian decorative painting and the beautiful craft of block printing, to create finish pieces that are as individual as you and I.

With a focus on handbuilt decorative ceramic plates (for now!), I hand make my own moulds to create plates with a flattering profile, that further undulate and soften through the firing process and result in a truely unique and bespoke piece each and every time.

I hope my play brings a little joy into your home.