Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cameron Busch. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Cameron thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
Frequently, like many creatives, I doubt my abilities, yet I always reaffirm that I wouldn’t want it any other way. As a self-taught ceramicist, I took the plunge into full-time entrepreneurship after just a year of learning the craft. Despite the risk, particularly amidst the post-Covid uncertainty, I craved more than the typical 9-5 grind I grew up with in my small Minnesota town, where blue-collar jobs were the norm for generations. From a young age, I yearned for something greater, and moving to NYC made me realize that financial freedom and a life beyond work were attainable. Despite the challenges, I’d choose owning my own pottery business over traditional employment over and over again. There’s always growing to do on this journey, and I can do so at my pace.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi, I’m Cameron, a redhead originally from Minnesota who now calls NYC home. Prior to immersing myself in ceramics during the pandemic, I worked as a full-time nanny for two years in Los Angeles before landing a job with a family in NYC. Despite my fondness for childcare, I knew I wanted to pivot careers both before and after the pandemic, and self-employment seemed like the best option. While I’ve always admired pottery, I never considered myself capable of being a professional artist and selling my creations (thinking about someone wanting to spend their hard earned money on something that I made felt outlandish!). However, with no other job prospects or sources of income, I delved deeper into ceramics just as quarantine was coming to a close. I joined a local pottery studio and taught myself through YouTube tutorials. The more I learned about clay, the more enamored I became with its timeless appeal. In May of 2023, after outgrowing all of my member based studios, I opened up Hello Homebody Studios. I now teach and make pottery full-time.
In a world inundated with mass-produced goods, I sought to offer unique items crafted by hand in my small studio, each piece bearing the unmistakable mark of its maker. There’s a special connection that comes from using handmade pottery; sipping coffee from a mug lovingly crafted by hand simply tastes better. While my ceramic style and approach are continuously evolving, Japanese ceramics serve as a significant inspiration. Neutral tones, organic textures, and wabi-sabi-like characteristics are what make me the happiest, and what make Hello Homebody what it is. I specialize in wheel-thrown functional wares, aiming to evoke joy and lasting memories with each purchase from my store. My ultimate goal is to bring a smile to people’s faces and have them cherish my creations for years to come.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, one of the most rewarding and satisfying parts about being a ceramicist is completing a project, feeling deeply proud and utterly captivated by the finished piece. Then, experiencing a renewed sense of excitement when someone expresses interest in purchasing that item- this adds a whole other layer of fulfillment to the process.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I would just say to be authentically you, and you will find your audience. Building my platform took a while, and I had a few reels that went semi “viral,” but I think the most important thing with social media is to not let it get in your way and to NOT COMPARE YOURSELF OR YOUR WORK TO OTHERS. I sometimes still need to take my own advice on this. Just be you. That’s all the world needs.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hellohomebodyny.com
- Instagram: _hellohomebody