For ceramic artist Sabrina Ayling, Christmas in summer is a source of festive inspiration from which she draws bright colours, playful patterns, and profound joy. Emerging from the sleep deprived throes of early motherhood, Sabrina found in pottery a restorative creative journey that she has built into a thriving career learning, making, teaching, and immersed in the world of ceramics.
What do you make?
I’m a ceramic artist with a love for Christmas. Growing up in England, Christmas was in winter, so themes of snowflakes and cold elements were expected. However, since New Zealand’s Christmas is in summer, I’ve always found cold-themed decorations here a bit odd. In my designs, I’ve retained some festive iconography like trees and stars, but I’ve used a more summery colour palette of pinks and blues with a splash of white and gold. I aimed to create happy summer vibes. By embracing brighter hues and playful shapes, I strive to capture the essence of a Kiwi Christmas – filled with sunshine, beach outings, and gatherings with loved ones.
When it isn’t Christmas, I make cute little succulent plant pots. Using my background in horticulture, I designed the pots to be shallow to house these shallow rooted plants without them getting too damp. They are great for succulent cuttings too, because new plants take a while to grow it is nice to have them in a pretty pot whilst they are doing it. The drainage holes are smaller too so that the finer succulent potting mix doesn’t all wash out the bottom. I put a lot of thought into the design and they have always sold out when I’ve taken them to markets, so I’m quite proud of my little pots.
How did you get into your craft?
Honestly? I got into pottery because my baby was a bad sleeper. Two solid years of sleep deprivation and endless nights led my husband to insist on me picking a night of the week to get out of the house and have some time away. I found a beginner’s pottery class and threw myself into it. The first time I held that cool, earthy ball of clay in my hands it just felt right. I was hooked at that moment. I felt grounded by the feel of it, but also thrilled by the potential of what I could do with it. It didn’t take me long to start making stuff outside of class. I’d come up with design solutions for the things I wanted to make, research techniques, and try them out. I read heaps, watched videos, and tried some more. All the time wondering how far I could take my pottery journey. Could I actually make something that I could sell? Could I make lots of things? A whole product line? Can I turn this into a real business?
Three years later, I’m selling my work online, doing craft markets, teaching my own courses, running a pottery club, and working on sculptures to submit to the Ceramicus Exhibition in Wellington. Thanks baby.
Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
I learnt to throw pots at the Wellington Potters Association, and did a handbuilding beginner’s class at the Upper Hutt Art Society run by Rebecca Pubben. But also, I have to give a lot of credit to pottery YouTubers and Instagrammers and the algorithm that sends their videos my way. I’ve spent a lot of time watching and absorbing tutorials. I researched techniques that I was interested in, learnt about the quirks of clay, and the science behind kiln firing. Most importantly, I’ve tried, failed, and then tried again. I’ve also discovered that teaching is an excellent way of learning. Somehow by explaining things to others has concreted my own knowledge to the point that I have surprised myself – in a good way.
Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
There are two products that I love working with. Firstly is Mayco’s Stroke & Coat glazes. The selection of bright colours they have is awesome. I use them a bit like piping icing on a cookie, by filling an applicator and squeezing the glaze onto the area I want. It’s great for creating small details or filling colour blocks without getting brush stroke marks. It dries quickly so I can get a lot done in a short time without having to wait. Once fired they have a lovely gloss finish without having to add a clear glaze over the top. The second is Masking Tape for Curves. It is made of thin flexible adhesive plastic that can bend and stretch into a smooth curved shape without bunching like paper masking tape would. I use a 3mm wide tape to mask out curves or stripes onto the pots surface, then fill the areas with Stroke & Coat. When dry, it is sooo satisfying to peel the tape away to reveal beautiful crisp edges.
What inspires you?
Bright, geometric patterns and curves are what draws me in. I find the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, especially his stained glass windows, aesthetically pleasing and inspirational. I like the blocks of colours. Before my pottery journey started I was heading down a surface pattern design route and spent about a year creating repeating patterns. During this time, I really started to get a feel for colour palettes and what styles I’m drawn to. Mid-century Modern and Scandinavian Folk Art with their simplified colourful shapes always catch my eye and ignite my creativity. Each piece I create in pottery is an exploration of colour and shape inspired by those vibrant influences.
Is there a philosophy behind your work?
My driving force is closely linked to my mental health journey. I create art because it makes me feel calm, focused, and uplifts my soul. Every piece I’ve made represents a moment in time when I’ve been healing old wounds and striving towards the version of myself I want to be. I believe many other artists can relate to this. The act of creating offers freedom from expectations and routines that can often feel overwhelming. Ultimately, I hope that my art resonates with others on their own journeys, knowing that a piece they have just purchased is not just a ceramic object, but represents an act of positive mental health.
Five words that describe your mind:
Slightly messy but soul driven.
What has been a highlight of your maker journey so far?
By far, my highlight has been buying my own kiln. It’s going to take me years to pay it off, but the freedom that comes with being able to fire my own work and do glazing experiments on my own terms is so wonderful. It has catapulted my career from being a wishful hobbyist to a productive potter and teacher. Having the right tools for the job is just priceless and an investment in myself that I don’t regret.
Describe your workspace:
I have two main workspaces, or three if you include my laptop on the kitchen bench. I have a workshop for the ‘messy’ clay stuff where my wheel, glaze station, clay recycling, and kiln are located. My studio is where the ‘clean’ work happens – where I do fine detail painting, handbuilding, and product photography. When I first started pottery I was just working on my dining table but clay, and its dust, can get everywhere, so I relocated to our garden shed that we converted into an office. My husband shares half of the space for his own hobby, painting Warhammer figures, and I have the other half. The problem with pottery is that it’s addictive. There are so many things to make and techniques to try, that my collection of tools and equipment started to take over the room. When the lure of buying my own kiln and wheel finally won, I had to relocate my addiction to the tool shed underneath the house. It isn’t a glamorous space with its dug out earth walls, pipes, wires and exposed insulation, but it’s mine. My own pottery workshop. It allowed me to stop dreaming and start doing.
What are you currently listening to?
When I’m working I always have an audiobook playing. I use the free app Libby from my library and get through about two books a week. I recently finished, and I’m now mildly obsessed with, the Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas. If you are into romantic fantasy, I highly recommend these. Her characters are so well developed that it’s hard not to fall in love with them. I’ve never been one for romantic fiction but the storytelling is just so well done, I honestly couldn’t guess what would happen next.
Who is your hero/heroine? Why?
I’ve given a lot of thought to this question. I originally was going to say ‘strong, confident, professional women’ like Dana Scully from the X-files was professional and held true to her own beliefs, or Captain Janeway from Star Trek Voyager who lead her crew with strength and compassion, even Jacinda Ardern for staying cool and confident whilst making tough decisions. But do I aspire to be any of them? Do I want their jobs? No thanks.
I aspire to be me – on a good day. Without meaning to sound egotistic, I’ve become my own hero. I have a long history struggling with depression, feeling lost and trapped. I never thought I would find my ‘thing’, let alone be any good at it. But since delving into the world of pottery I feel like I’ve been soaring, especially this year when I became a ceramics teacher. When a class has just finished and I’m driving home I cannot stop smiling. I did this, I made it happen. My joy is something I created for myself. That is the moment that I want to capture and aim for everyday. Those good days are priceless.
What’s your favourite childhood book and why?
Matilda by Roald Dahl. The thought of being able to move things with my mind got me through a lot of boring classes at school, daydreaming amusing scenarios like the ones Matilda found herself in. Although the BFG and the Witches come in as pretty close runners up.
Tell us about your pets.
In the past year I have welcomed a kitten and puppy into my life. My ginger kitty Oscar is a pretty chilled out dude, he spends his days napping in the greenhouse or hanging out with my four sheep. They’ve grown so accustomed to him that they nose touch in greeting.
My miniature poodle, Woody, is a crazy hyper six-month-old pup. He never leaves my side and loves napping on my lap. I never considered myself a poodle kind of person but I have to admit that grooming him is kind of fun. I’m going to enjoy all the different creative haircuts I can give him.
What would your advice be for those starting out in a crafty business?
The best advice I was given when starting out was ‘do one thing a day’. Just one thing, every single day that takes you closer to your goal. You’ll be surprised how much you can get done when you dedicate a tiny bit of time everyday. Keep the momentum going and good things will happen.
Oh, and stay away from social media gurus and their courses. Not worth it!
Why do you think it’s important to buy handmade and/or locally made goods?
A real person put their heart and soul into that item. Spent months planning, making, and hoping. Buying ‘handmade’ means that that real person can then continue doing what they love, feel worthy that their work is valued by someone else, and also pay for their kid’s gymnastics classes.
What does it mean to you when someone buys your creations?
The actual words that come out of my mouth when I make a sale is “Somebody likes my work!’ followed by an excited squeal and happy dance. Every Time.
Being a creator can be challenging, we are our own worst critics. When we spend so much time and love on a piece, it is easy to feel doubt that someone would want it. Especially after working hours alone in the workshop without anyone’s feedback. Self critique and comparing our work to others can be a massive confidence killer. But when that email from Felt pings in my inbox saying ‘You’ve made a sale’ the reassuring feeling of self worth floods in. Somebody DOES like my work. It was worth making.
What was the last handmade item you bought and what attracted you to it?
Every Sunday in Upper Hutt, Brewtown has a farmers and craft market. It’s a fantastic market with half vegetables and fresh produce, and the other is handmade vendors. I’ve recently taken to wearing big colourful earrings. I love having a pop of colour to match the clothes I’m wearing, it makes me feel happy and expressive. Big earrings can be a conversation starter and I often get compliments. So my recent purchase at the market was two pairs of polymer clay earrings by Fern Footsteps. One pair is bright yellow with a white floral pattern, and the other turquoise blue, because I wear that colour more than any other. Having done a few markets myself I know that every sale makes a vendor feel good and reassured about the time and love put into their craft.
What’s in store for next year?
After the Christmas season, it’ll be full steam ahead making things for the Otaki Festival of Pots in January. I’ve also got a hankering to start making clocks. I have a brightly coloured clock in every room of my house, they are essential decor for me. So I’ve already starting sketching out some designs and I’m forcing myself to finish this year’s projects before getting stuck into a new one. Watch this space for some unique ceramic timepieces early next year.
