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Ceramicist Freya Bramble-carter on the importance of self-care when building a business
What is your background?
I am from London, where I lived with my mother. On weekends, we would visit my father. Occasionally we went to the studio to help with normal studio chores and that’s when my passion for ceramics secretly started. Both of my parents were self-employed growing up. I used to pick up on the stresses and struggles of life and think it put me off wanting to have a business as I did not want the same for myself. My creative endeavours as an artist lead me to the contrary opinion – I really couldn’t have it any other way.
Where do you look for inspiration?
Creativity gives me the opportunity – with imagination – to take myself into my own utopia. I look at everything around me, not just when I am travelling, exploring and connecting with newness but most moments of my day. I use these thoughts and feelings to create new ideas, while filling sketchbooks with squiggly drawings that depict my next best piece.
Can you tell us about your technique and equipment?
Sculpture really was my first love, now I mostly throw on the wheel, so I combine both methods. I have learnt most techniques there are to learn with clay, which now gives me the freedom to execute in whichever way best suits the idea. For the last couple years, the clay has been a huge mixture of grogged stoneware clays recycled together, mostly from my students’ waste. There are many different types of mud and I appreciate the qualities different clays will give you but ultimately
I’m friends with all of it.
Tell us about your studio...
I share a studio with my father and friend, the sculptor/ceramicist Chris Bramble. It has a beautiful atmosphere: kind, nourishing and nurturing.
What’s the average working day like for you?
I used to go to the studio for 10am every day and then do evening classes back to back. I was obsessed with serving others and forgot about me, so now it’s the other way round, trying to find a balance – it’s a work in progress. I’m realising more and more, I can live life how I want and that’s the whole point. And others can too. I noticed that self-judgement and fear were brainwashing me. I now love each day, sometimes I have deadlines and timings to respect and other days anything will go.
What’s been your biggest success story so far?
This year it has been working with Gemma, my friend and co-creator. Having a professional in communication is everything. Especially when my default position is mute – no one would know it, but it’s a twin thing. I was the quiet one. We spend time developing and exploring new ways to create and share work, whether that is online through partnerships, with galleries, on social media or at shows – we have three coming up this year. I am also showing my work at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
What would you say to someone who is struggling?
Understand that you have never done this before and so you can forgive yourself before you’ve even started. Run with excitement and don’t let fear hold you back. When you are focused on building a business, it is easy to put the priorities of yourself second, but if your body and mind fail, the business has little to stand on, so you might as well take good care!
How would you advise anyone starting their own business?
Be open. Enjoy the process pot by pot. Build and expand yourself into a community; support is needed.
“WHEN YOU ARE BUILDING A BUSINESS, IT’S EASY TO PUT THE PRIORITIES OF YOURSELF SECOND, BUT IF YOUR BODY AND MIND FAIL,
THE BUSINESS HAS LITTLE TO STAND ON”