WillowAK Pottery

Good news:  talked with Clay Arts and new kiln shelves, clay, and supplies will be shipped either this week or next. At the moment, their staff is busy with NCECA set-up and activities; many of those in my class will be attending that event in Seattle later this week. Loaded the new Geil kiln at UAA and will be firing there with TJ beginning at 8:00 a.m. Have lots of test glazes and a variety of forms in the firing, so should be gathering valuable information when we unload on Wednesday. Firing all day Tuesday means working in the studio all day -- a real treat!  Will start with making a couple batches of clay, then decorating five trimmed pieces before they go to bisque firing, then move on to throwing new forms if time allows.  Wish I had left the five pieces covered, but hopefully they'll still be OK for accepting slip, stain, and or wash.  If not, off to the bisque shelves they go. Timing is everything in ceramic work! Time to test a link to see if I can conven...

Tomorrow is the first day of SPRING!  It's time to be thinking about leaving the comfort zone of many years in the UAA ceramics studio and transitioning to studio potter at WillowAK Pottery.  A shipment will arrive soon, including kiln shelves and posts, 500 lbs. of porcelain clay, glazes, studio equipment and supplies, and The Cink.  A new Skutt 1222 kiln, without furniture, and a Thomas Stuart wheel are already in place. We soon face moving, selling our Anchorage home, establishing a pottery, landscaping, and being happily retired!  What:  WillowAK Pottery pronounced "willo ak" and revealing the where and what in a whimsical way; will post photos so you see sample pieces. Where:  the studio, above, is about 90 minutes north of Anchorage; lakes, woods and wildlife create a naturally peaceful and inspiring setting year around. When:  we expect to be up and running in May 2012. Why:  love creating with clay -- making bowls, cups, pl...