WillowAK Pottery

  For those who plan ahead, please mark your  calendar  for Dec. 6. The Chaga Chicks are hosting the Northern Spirit Rustics Art Tour 10:00-4:00. Hope to see you there!   ~ Carol

A digression from pottery to potting, planting, and caring for the property. This post is about the man who devotes a whole lot of time to keeping up and joining in with Mother Nature by promoting beauty in and around our home. Keith, on an occasional lunch date  with grandsons, is the man who  makes it all happen at our home. A landscaper extraordinaire, Keith has had a busy summer earning gold stars for effort, results, and dedication to growing and grooming grass, trees, and plants. During this first week of September, with rake in hand, he's now focusing on fallen leaves. If you know our yard, you know what a huge labor of love that involves. The leaves are relocated to build new soil where needed. The end of the growing season is quickly approaching; there was an early start in March, as shown in the photos below. Yes, there are a couple of John Deeres involved, along with some attachments and implements, but the planning and execution of those plans always involve Keith....

 Every question is a good question...and I get many of them. Thought I'd answer a few.  1. How are the porcelain and antler buttons used?  I've seen others use them on quilts, as ornaments on mini-trees, and embellishments on headbands, hats, purses, slippers, phone pouches,  etc. Here are a few I've put on knit items. The porcelain buttons are fish, bear, moose, spruce, cabins, and hearts; antler buttons are from caribou and Sitka deer.   All are $4 each. If you dry in a dryer, I recommend turning the knit item inside out to provide some protection for the button from clanking around against the inside of the dryer.   Button, button, who's got the button?   2 . What kind of clay do you usually use and why? Most of my pieces are made of a porcelain clay ordered from Tacoma, WA.  Although more costly than stoneware and most other clay bodies, it is easier on my hands than a stoneware or any clay with grog. It's considered a "high-quality clay." Whe...

  Two full shelves of mugs were glazed and fired. I am delighted by how they look. Shapes and handles vary; all are designed to be stable, not tipsy; each proudly wears the Winter Solstice logo and a beautiful blue glaze that fits the clay body well. More about Winter Solstice when I have permission to spread the news. Hint...think sewing and crafts! There are 50+ of these mugs. Have had some interesting requests lately for plates with ravens and a large cheese platter with a black bear. I decided to add some baby bears following Mama Bear and came up with these pieces: Raven Plate: Approx. 8"x 9.5" Bears platter: Approx. 10" x 13"   The kiln had room for more: Many mugs for Marnie. They will soon be at her new sewing and crafts store in Anchorage.  Learn more at  WinterSolsticeCraft.com   A new design I'm trying out.  On the left with a cover, it can serve to hold treasures like candies, nuts, tea bags or whatever.  On the right, it becomes a vas...