Posts

November 2024....time to prepare new work for holiday shoppers

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 A new batch of clay has arrived, the "to do" list has grown, and it's time for the potter to focus. Much as I love studio time, I am doing less of it these days.  Too many other community involvements, perhaps,  one distraction after another, and yes, the pace and productivity have slowed. After this weekend of CERT training, my goal is to shuffle priorities a bit to spend more time with clay....new ornament designs, nativity sets, mugs, trays and bowls of many sizes, butter crocks, and more. Have some colored clay accents to try and there is a growing list of requests to address, including some promised donations.  So, you ask, why are you sitting at the computer typing? Too late for clay tonight. Hmmm....maybe I should make this blog a progress report of what I'm getting done in the studio each day. Can't start until Monday, but will give it a try next week. I do like lists and the satisfaction of a  ✅. Monday:  Veterans Day, recuperating from two-day CERT trai

Hot from the kiln . . .

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 I like to show a few of the newest pieces from the kiln so you have a better idea of what to expect in the studio on the Willow Garden Tour...which happens TOMORROW! This is a design you will see on many of my pieces  going forward. Carved, stamped, Alaskan. "Spruce and Moose" is the theme. Think small pitcher, heart bowl, toothpick holder, treats or coins. Or think anything you'd choose to put in these pieces. Vase, covered dishes, holder for large sponge. Floral arrangement bowls or mosquito coil holders. A French butter dish assembled. It takes two parts: water in bowl on the left; butter pressed into the one on the right, which is flipped over onto  the bowl with water. Leave on the counter, without refrigeration and with soft butter. One fish, two fish, three fish platter for treats. Matching coasters to place under liquid treats. Cream-colored bowls.  Clean and simple.                 s "Spruce and Moose" mug up close. Think you'll like this design in

Willow Garden Tour ... including WillowAK Pottery....July 20, 10:00 - 4:00

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 The Tour flyer with additional information providing directions and garden descriptions is available on the Willow Garden Club Blog . Photos of some of the pottery in the studio are shown in previous WillowAK Pottery Blog postings. Take a look to see if a stop here to say hello and check out the pottery is a good idea for you. This note is simply to say SAVE the DATE of Saturday, July 20, 2024, for touring gardens and art. It is a self-guided tour. Visit the locations in whatever order you'd like. Consider it a day for appreciating the beauty of gardening and art as you learn and socialize along the way. Hope to see you at WillowAK Pottery. Birch, official greeter. Carol and Keith 25879 W Southlake Dr in Willow

Expectations often don't match reality. . .

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Hope Mother's Day was a good day for you, whatever your circumstances. A little bit of everything here weatherwise:  sunshine, heavy rain, sleet; light showers, sun again!     Part I...Things don't always work out as we expect they will when it comes to pottery: 1.  I refired mugs made for Don after adding LOTS of white snow on the spruce boughs. He wants "very wintery" looking mugs like his favorite one made several years ago. Well, apparently the white glaze doesn't have quite the punch it once had, and the blue has changed, too. Below is Don's favorite mug, followed by those I recently fired with an extra snow load...but they will not likely measure up to the "very wintery" look desired. It may be time to start over with new mugs and some different white glaze. Sorry, Don.  I'll get closer, eventually, but come take a look at how these look now. You may like the coloration change that happened in the refire. Thanks for your patience. Less wint

Spring...New Pottery Pieces Underway

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Hello! Yesterday a full load of bisqueware was unloaded from the kiln and washed. Today the plan is to wax the bottoms of pieces in preparation for glazing. It's an eclectic collection of work, for sure.  Hoping to have it glazed and fired a second time, ready to leave the studio prior to Mother's Day! Here's a peek at some pieces: Pieces with text; this has a quotation from John Muir. For floral arrangements...or as someone else suggested, a mosquito coil burner, which we're likely to need soon. A large, wood-grained serving platter.  Creations of different shapes, textures,  sizes, purposes, and soon-to-be colors. Some pieces have lids, others not. All pieces are safe for food, microwave, dishwasher, and oven. None are safe for stove top or for extreme and sudden temperature change. There's a story here . . . yet to be told. Come back in a week or two to see if these bisqued pieces have transformed into glazed pieces, ready to leave the studio.  Thanks for looking