Since Summer 2013, I have been operating Freba Pottery Highway Store year round and on the honour system. I started with just hoping people would stop and spread the word. Visitors were always abundant in the Summer months but still the vehicles stopping throughout the year was happening. As more and more people know about Freba Pottery, more and more people stop. In May with The Saskatchewander Reel, exposure was incredible and traffic stopping increased 400% in the summer months.

I was not prepared for that growth in my business based on how I had been doing my business. I had an online store on my website, I had Elemental Claycation booked and goals set, I was booked into 4 markets for the spring and fall and I am only one person. I had marketing plans and business development goals and hopes and dreams. I have a word that is on a necklace that is very meaningful to my "PIVOT" and for 2025 I am pivoting and really focusing on Freba Pottery and what I want it to be. Oh don't get me wrong...I LOVED 2024 and so many wonderful things happened, but I have to streamline and lean into where Freba Pottery is going and stay focused on what fills my soul.
In 2024, I was not going to chase the shiny objects and stick to the plan I had created for my business the end of 2023. I didn't chase shiny objects, I just tried to keep up with what was happening. I spent many hours thinking and planning and have decided for 2025, I will stick with my three pillars of CREATE, RETREAT, and TEACH. For CREATE, I make wheel-thrown functional pottery and moving forward I will not do markets anymore. I will focus on the highway store as you all are showing up and I don't need to haul my pottery to shows, but rather keep my highway store stocked. I am in the process of adjusting my online store on my website to streamline it as I got sooooooooo far behind in trying to keep up with those demands as well as the demands of the store. The website will continue to grow and change and I hope once the year progresses I can do product drops for those that can't visit the store.
The mural mug project that I announced in September 2024, got lots excited and lots of exposure. The 6 mug collection is actually a project that is going to fund a new stand alone studio in my yard as I mimic a one room school house for people to come to the Elemental Claycation and create in the school house studio so that my basement studio can be earmarked for my production. Don't worry Claycationers you will get an incredible studio experience come fall when that project is done. Unfortunately, when I came up with the mural mug project, I was using a different method that threw me for a loop. I was not as proficient in the process and was having a lot of imposter syndrome which paralyzed the project. I can report that I am back on track and more will be forthcoming for this project. I GOT THIS!
For RETREAT, I have 12 dates on the website for the 2025 year. I will be doing two in June, two in September and two in October. In April, the stand alone school house studio will be started and come fall there will be so much more space for creating. By not going to markets, I can focus on having more claycations. The time it takes to pack pottery, haul pottery, set up pottery, do a market and then repeat to return home will free up time that allows some balance.
For January, know that my goal is to get the highway store busting with stock as I am marketing that year round shopping at the store has always been a thing, but now you will see on socials and my website that I am encouraging you to stretch your legs, put your winter gear on as you get out of your vehicle and see what pieces I have created.
The TEACH aspect of my business is getting some tweaks and in February/March I will share that. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey and know that 2024 growth and expansion was exactly what I asked for, but wasn't prepared. I am preparing for even more growth but with more integrity, presence and soul filling activities.
Stay warm,
Marea Olafson
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