Celebrating 50 Years
A Half Century of Pottery with Olsons Stoneware…
When Greg and Susie Olson first rolled into Trinity County in the summer of 1975, they weren’t thinking about a legacy. They were just chasing a quieter life – one shaped by clay and the ethos of the back-to-the-land movement.
Five decades later, Olson Stoneware in Weaverville has become more than just a shop; it’s a beloved fixture on Main Street and a symbol of endurance, artistry and local tradition.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Olson Stoneware, a charming and eclectic pottery and gift store inside a historic building that was constructed when the town was a hub for gold miners. Inside, shelves brim with Greg’s distinctive handmade mugs, bowls and vases alongside a carefully curated selection of jewelry, nature-themed toys, cottage décor, candles and garden accents that reflect Susie’s eye for warmth and whimsy.
“We never imagined we’d be doing this for 50 years,” Greg says with a laugh. “Zero percent chance I would’ve believed that back then.”
Before Weaverville, the Olsons got their start in Kenwood in Sonoma County, where Greg’s first studio was a modest 10-by-10 space on a deck – Susie’s parents’ porch – overlooking the Valley of the Moon. With no formal apprenticeship available, he relied on his high school pottery experience and a lot of trial and error. “I always loved working with my hands,” he says. “Clay is pliable. You can shape it endlessly. The possibilities still amaze me.”
In 1975, drawn by a longing for remoteness and nature and inspired by Susie’s childhood memories of visiting her grandfather’s Trinity County cabin, the young couple relocated to an off-grid cabin near Lewiston. It had no electricity or running water. Greg spun pots on a kick wheel while Susie, pregnant at the time, adapted to rugged living.
“We couldn’t stay there through winter,” Susie recalls, “so we moved into a tiny rental in Weaverville and started selling Greg’s pottery through the Highland Art Center. That first Christmas season, we set up a little display and got a great response. We were on our way.”
In 1986, they bought the current shop building on Main Street, originally constructed in the 1850s and used as a grocery store for more than a century, and transformed it into what would become Olson Stoneware.
The Olsons’ formula for longevity isn’t flashy: it’s a blend of passion, shared purpose and an impressive work ethic. Greg still throws every pot himself, balancing tradition with subtle experimentation in glazes and forms.
He’s known for his mugs – each shape slightly different, all functional and giftable – but says bowls and tall vases are among his favorites to create.
“I’ve never been bored by pottery. Not for one minute,” he says. “There’s always something new to try, and you never quite know what’s coming out of the kiln.”
While Greg works with clay, Susie brings the shop to life with her merchandising touch. “I handle everything that isn’t pottery,” she says. “From managing the books to sourcing the jewelry and garden decor to arranging displays. It’s all stuff I love, and it all has to fit the feel of the store. Even the kids’ toys are nature themed. It’s not random. It just fits or it doesn’t go in our store.”
The Olsons now live in Redding, but they remain deeply tied to Weaverville. Susie drives up weekly to restock and refresh the store, while a trusted team of eight part-time employees keeps things humming on the ground. “Our staff is invaluable,” Greg emphasizes. “We absolutely could not keep the doors open without them.”
Olson Stoneware’s survival over five decades has hinged not just on love and labor, but on adaptability. Several major wildfires impacted Trinity County in the late 2010s, and then came the COVID-19 pandemic. The shop shuttered for a few months, but the unexpected downtime gave Greg a chance to recover from shoulder surgery. They were able to reopen with minimal financial loss – another small miracle.
Despite challenges, Olson Stoneware has become a tradition for countless visiting families. “We’re right on Highway 299,” Susie says. “Families who stay at Trinity Alps Resort or come camping every summer make a stop at our shop part of their tradition. We see the same faces year after year, and now we’re seeing their kids and grandkids. It’s beautiful.”
As they celebrate 50 years in business in 2025, the Olsons are reflective but not finished. “We still love it,” Susie says simply. “We love our work. Have you been in our shop? It just feels good in there.”
Greg, who once dreamed of becoming a pro golfer, now enjoys playing the game for leisure. But pottery will always be his thing. “I still dream up new pottery techniques I’d love to try if I had more time,” he says. “I’m grateful. I’ve gotten to spend my life doing something I love, in a place I love, with the person I love.”
And to make the year even sweeter, the Olsons also celebrated their 50th anniversary earlier this year. “We’re just a really good team. We love what we do and we respect each other,” Susie says. “We may not have thought the business would be around 50 years, but Greg and me? No doubts.”
That love – of clay, of community, of each other – is what continues to shape Olson Stoneware. One mug, one hug, one memory at a time. •
Olson Stoneware: 516 Main St., Weaverville • (530) 623-4718
Some products available at: Trends Vintage Marketplace & Co.
2104 Hilltop Drive, Redding • (530) 229-3600
Article Written by:
Al Olson loves culinary arts, adult beverages and hiking in the North State wilderness. You may find him soaking up the scenery at one of our area’s many state or national parks or sitting in a barstool sipping a cold locally brewed craft beer.
