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The New Year is here...we're moving forward!

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The yard is full of snow. Today the colored lights on the front porch will come down, as will those in the loft. We've had Christmas, my birthday, New Year, and Keith's birthday.  We've appreciated special visits with family and friends in recent weeks and are so very grateful to be looking forward to longer days, more sunshine, and decent health -- for you and for us.  This week, the clay mixer in the studio is due to have a new controller installed, and soon we hope Keith's John Deere snowblower will again be performing as it should.  Still more research to do on that. Then...we're ready to move forward! Willow could not be more beautiful than it has been recently. Pure white snow, still woods, blue skies, spectacular sunrises and sunsets. We've had moose visiting our neighborhood and property; good to know they are still with us. The grandsons who live in Alaska have all had fine vacations at home and have now returned to their studies elsewhere. The grandson
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Wish I knew the artist . . .

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  This image was from a "free" art site. Wish I knew who to credit  with such a stunning piece. Love the subject matter, simplicity, color, lines, and more.  It captures the beauty of Christmas! May peace and joy refurbish weary bodies and minds on Christmas,  with love filling hearts around the world.  Keith and Carol
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It's Willow Holiday Art Tour Time...Nov. 18...We will be READY! Do come by if you can.

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Beautiful Boys in their WillowAK hats I do love seeing my pottery and knitting put to good use.  With permission, I'm sharing a photo of two beautiful boys in Vancouver, BC, sporting their WillowAK hats with porcelain bear and fish buttons. Thanks for the photo, Christina.  It inspired me to make a few more hats similar to these.  The following images are a sampling of work from the most recent kiln firing, plus a few knit items.  Also, fiber artist Joan Edwards will be at WillowAK Pottery on November 18 with some of her beautiful fiber work; it's a treat to have her back visiting in Willow with some totes, bowls, table runners and more available for purchase.  For those new to Willow, this is a self-guided tour.  You learn the location of the three open studios and get yourselves there any time between 10:00 and 5:00 on Saturday, November 18. Check out the many wonderful and unique gifts available in our local studios: Stephanie Richey Art, Scott and Joan's Willow Creek St
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Now it's LATE October...new work to show

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The upcoming Willow Holiday Art Tour on Saturday, Nov. 18,  has motivated me to glaze...although it be slowly.  Think I already said I did some throwing and handbuilding with stoneware, a white and a brown.  Consequently, the brain seems to work harder in making decisions about which glaze to use where, how to apply it, what combinations would work well together, what kiln settings would be best, etc. For the most part,  I like what was recently unloaded, and am now in the process of glazing for a second glaze firing. New forms as well as new materials keep this hobby interesting. Still grateful for such an engaging hobby and people who love pottery!   Some pieces have already gone to new homes. If there's anything in these photos you'd like to know more about,  just drop me a note:  willowakpottery@gmail.com  and you'll hear from me.  Thanks! A classic serving bowl with carved design Happy little mushrooms Flyfishing tumbler and a carved bowl/vase Ornaments...always new or
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Really....It's October?

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The lawn never needed watering over the summer. Not once. We never ate a meal outdoors on the deck.   Not once. Unfired pottery sat on shelves for weeks to air dry, but it did not totally dry. My most recent bisque firing had seven hours of preheat, but it wasn't enough for the few pieces I heard "pop"from within the kiln as the temperature rose. Those, unfortunately were special orders and I owe a few folks apologies. Will recreate what I heard "pop." Thankfully, this is a pretty laid-back pottery and people have been wonderfully patient and understanding. Thanks, if you are one of those people still awaiting a finished piece you requested long ago.  I haven't fired myself yet, and will get back in the studio groove now that fall is here and holidays are not far off.  In fact, the Willow Holiday Art Tour date has been set for November 18. You'll be hearing and seeing more about that as the date approaches. Mark your calendar if that helps you save the d
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