The budgerigar paperweight has layers of printed and hand painted decoration, fired on in stages. Each layer is printed on a sheet together with the subsequent layers printed in ‘soot’* to enable correct positioning.

The budgerigar’s essence is in this skin, it’s form is smooth and simple. If this skin is on something else it is still recognisable – can a cup pass as a budgerigar? If it wants?

Envisaged for general production and development across a range of forms.

Self-initiated project during a three week work placement in July 2009 at Royal Crown Derby, a fine bone china manufacturer whose products have been made in the UK since 1750.

 

* This would once have been actual soot/carbon, now it is a beautiful bright red vegetable dye. Both burn away in firing.