Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carter Longville. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Carter, appreciate you joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

When I first started Bare Minimum my goal was to have just that: the bare, raw clay and let those be the focal points of my work. I wanted to have minimalist glazes and a bare-bones style, something that reflected where I was at in my own life. There was no agenda, no final destination. Just me and my clay. As I have evolved as an artist and human, I’ve found that my style nowadays tends to lead towards the opposite of minimalism. I battled with the thought of changing my business name numerous times, but I found what I needed to do was to really reflect on the name I chose.

In the beginning, I really did start with just the bare minimum, I had no idea where to start or where to go. I had no proper equipment or training/schooling. But ceramics is one of those mediums that is constantly pushing you to grow constantly, constantly find your shape, your form; imperfections and all. And to me, Bare Minimum Ceramics will always portray my true values of what I want this business to be. Because I may have started with the bare minimum, but I, and my work, are anything but.

Carter, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Carter Camille and I am the one woman show behind Bare Minimum Ceramics. I create unique functional pottery that’s meant for everyday use. What started as a hobby in high school quickly turned into a passion. I never thought I would end up as an artist; this was never the path that I had visioned in my head. But life is kinda funny that way, huh?
The truth is, pottery was the first thing I never gave up on and in return it has never given up on me. I feel my safest and most “me” when I am creating with clay. Sculpting and molding beautiful functional art from a mound of dirt.
Authenticity and vulnerability are at the core of who I am and what I value most. My hope is that when people acquire my work that they not only possess a physical piece of artwork, but also to feel the energy, emotions, and connection that is infused into every piece.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I have grown my audience on social media completely organically and I am so proud of that fact. I think my biggest piece of advice would be to show up authentically and try to relate as much as you can to the people in your corner. I have kept my platform a safe and vulnerable place where I feel everyone should be heard and included. I feel as if I have my own little family on my instagram platform and 98% of those people I’ve never met in real life! But we share a love for pottery, life, and everything in between and I value so hard the connection that a silly little app has brought me.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

That I’m my own boss! And there’s no rules or one way to do things!

I’ve lived my whole life thinking I’ve had to follow a set of instructions… “stay confined to the parameters of the box that you were born into.”

But once I broke away from that idea and realized that I can literally do whatever I want and that I am in charge of my own life, the whole narrative of life switched. And I promise, you can do it too!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bareminimumceramics.com/
• Instagram: @bareminimum.ceramics

Image Credits
Danny Temme Studio (the outdoor photos)