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I’m a prairie girl with big dreams, a wheel-thrown pottery artist, creator of the Elemental Claycation retreats, and a passionate teacher with 25+ years of experience.
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Very into: cozy highway store finds, strong coffee in handmade mugs, and helping people unlock their creativity. Making the world a little more beautiful, one piece of clay at a time.
I'm Marea

Get to Know the Heart Behind the Clay...
I’m Marea Olafson, the creator behind this one-of-a-kind pottery experience. With over 25 years of teaching visual arts and a deep love for crafting functional, wheel-thrown pottery, I’ve built Freba Pottery as a space to inspire creativity, connection, and self-expression. From my cozy highway store to the immersive Elemental Claycation retreats, everything I create is rooted in my passion for art, teaching, and fostering meaningful moments. Whether you’re here to shop, learn, or connect, I’m so glad you’ve found your way to Freba Pottery.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
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If you told me years ago that clay would become the cornerstone of my life and business, I might not have believed you. But here I am—25+ years of teaching visual arts and 21 years of wheel-throwing pottery later—living a life that feels equal parts dream and purpose. Freba Pottery started as a spark of inspiration, born from my love of creating and sharing. What began with small steps in my cozy studio has grown into something bigger than I ever imagined: a space where creativity meets connection, and people leave feeling empowered and inspired.
WHERE WE'RE HEADED
Freba Pottery isn’t just a business—it’s a little slice of magic I get to share with the world. From stocking my highway store (because who doesn’t love a perfect find on a road trip?) to hosting Elemental Claycation retreats that help people reconnect with their creativity, everything I do is rooted in helping others discover what’s possible. Whether you’re here to shop, create, or retreat, this space is for YOU—a place to unplug, get messy, and leave with something beautifully unique (just like you). This journey isn’t just mine—it’s ours, and I’m so grateful you’re here. Let’s make something incredible together.

Currently...
Creating wheel-thrown pottery for my cozy highway store, planning unforgettable weekends for Elemental Claycation retreats, and putting the finishing touches on my online store. I’m all about embracing creativity, connecting with amazing people, and balancing the chaos of running a business while chasing big dreams. Always fuelled by a tea, clay, and the magic of making something by hand.
Learn More About Me
Since then, Freba Pottery has been run on the honour system, inviting travellers to stop, leave cash, cheques, or e-transfers. In 2019, I introduced subscription boxes, and that summer, a semi-truck stopped to buy pottery, achieving all my goals. In 2020, I launched this website to take online orders!
After 25 years of teaching Arts Ed, I transitioned to full-time pottery in June 2021. In January 2023, I began offering immersive pottery retreats in my 1919 heritage house, creating experiences where creativity and connection thrive.
Freba Pottery now operates on three pillars: CREATE, RETREAT, and TEACH. I create functional pottery, offer monthly Elemental Claycation retreats, and teach hand-building techniques.
Welcome to Freba Pottery!
— Marea Olafson