The Wacki Story:
My name is Emma O’Donnell. I have always adored living by the sea, being outdoors, and surrounded by nature. This passion led me to spend ten years working as an outdoor instructor. In my spare time, I enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities including surfing and sailing. My love for nature also inspired me to study Zoology at University College Cork, which deepened my appreciation for animals and especially marine life.
I have always had a strong interest in art. As a child, I spent many rainy days doing arts and crafts and making handmade gifts and cards for my family. When it came to secondary school, I naturally chose Art as one of my subjects. Ceramics quickly became my favorite part of art class. I still remember the excitement of working on my Junior Cert 2009 project, “As Nature Awakes.” For that project, I created a ceramic octopus lamp. My teacher loved it and told me I could make and sell it. That idea stayed with me ever since and eventually inspired me to start my business, Wacki, which stands for Wild Atlantic Ceramics in Kinsale, Ireland.
The idea began to blossom during Kinsale Arts Week 2020. My mum encouraged me to participate, and although I was nervous, the supportive and positive reaction exceeded all my expectations. After that weekend, I decided to open my Etsy shop, WackiArt.
Wacki has continued to grow since then. My creations are now available in five different shops across Cork and Kerry, with hopes for even more stockists in 2026.
With Wacki, my goal is simple: to add a little fun, a little quirk, and a lot of smiles to your home. Life is too serious to be ordinary, so why not go a little Wacki?