Featured Seller: Kaye Bustin

Ceramicist Kaye Bustin lives and works from her home in Waikanae Beach, Wellington, creating mini artworks inspired by the intricacies of seedpods and sea shells. Her simple designs draw on her experiences living in India and reflect a fascination with tiny treasures collected from New Zealand beaches and native bush.

Box Framed Seedpod Buttons by Kaye Bustin

What do you make?
At the moment I’m making clay buttons with seedpod impressions marked into the surface. I then glaze them to highlight the wonderful pattern they make. Once the buttons have been fired twice in my ever-trusty kiln, I turn them into rings, earrings, brooches, pins, necklaces and some I mount on board and box-frame.

How did you get into your craft?
I’ve worked in clay since I was 11 years old. I love the tactile medium that it is and especially handbuilding techniques. My ceramics teacher has a lot to answer for!

A ceramic wallhanging by Kaye Bustin

Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
I trained as a secondary school Art and Dance teacher and I love encouraging and helping others to create, whether in clay or other mediums; it’s mutually inspiring. I taught at a school in India for 6 years and loved the richness and colour of the culture, food, art and craft. Texture and pattern are always present in my work and I think that comes from living immersed in it for so long.

"I love encouraging and helping others to create, whether in clay or other mediums; it’s mutually inspiring."

Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
Natural fibres and tactile materials – clay, paper-pulp, wool, seedpods, leaves, cloth… Oooh, and my wooden block prints from India.

What inspires you?
The intricate beauty in natural form, whether a tiny seedpod, an amazing landscape or rain making patterns on a window pane.

Image montage of Kaye in her studio and her seed pod inspired ceramics

Describe your workspace:
A wonderful garage, in my garden, that has space for me to create and for me to give classes and workshops too. I’m very lucky.

Five words that describe your mind: Focused, flitty…

Your favourite feedback from a customer:
“Your work doesn’t look like it’s ‘made in China’, it’s definitely ‘handmade’”. I took that as a great compliment as I love clay to look like clay and not to be too finished.

What are you currently listening to? Le Onde by Ludovico Einaudi

Recommend an album: Zee Avi by Zee Avi

Seed pod ceramic rings by Kaye Bustin

What are you reading now?
I need complete stillness and quiet to read and don’t seem to get that very often in my house with my children but I am attempting to finish reading Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

A favourite quote: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” William Morris.

What was the last handmade item you bought? A gorgeous linen dress from Froufrou…
 

Visit Kaye’s Felt shop to see more of her work, or meet her in person at the fabulous Autumn Knack on Saturday 31 March at Berhampore School, Wellington.

10 thoughts on “Featured Seller: Kaye Bustin

  1. Kaye, how wonderful to see pictures of you at work creating these wonderful pieces! They are so delicate, detailed and just radiate nature. I love the boxed piece, beautiful. Would love some door knobs for my somewhat dishevelled chest of drawers – would look amazing! Hope the inspiration keeps on coming and New Zealand appreciates the one of our finest UK exports. much love as always xxx Jo

  2. Hey, so fabulous to see you on here, thanks for the link and letting me know that you’re ‘featured’ I love the ‘allium’ type imprint and love seein you working in your garage. Well done you for all you’re doing and I hope one day I can get my kiln firing again.
    big love you all x x x

  3. Wow! Well done, Kaye. You are certainly coming into your own. And a garage to do all your work and run classes. Wish I lived nearer and I would join you. I still have the various ceramic items you made some time ago – I should have asked you to sign them!
    Looking forward to seeing you later in the year. love to all and God bless dear. A.D. and U.T

  4. Kayzee, congratulations…your work is soooo beautiful and so “you”. You always have enjoyed the details in nature and have this amazing ability to keep things simple but sophisticated ! So thrilled that you are stuck in to making things in clay again…I am also getting back into it, now that both kids are in school . All the best with the sales! Wish I could pop over and come see that market where your work will be selling. Proud of you gal ! much love and God bless you and your efforts ! lv Tiff

  5. Just beautiful !! Your pieces look like they come straight from nature.
    Well done on the featured seller and best of luck with your shop.

  6. Hi Kay,

    These look so fab and it is a pleasure to see you in your element!!!
    I still have the one you gave to me on the amazing card you had made.

    Wishing you all the best of success !!!
    from wet&cold England ;o)

    Ulrike

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