April 2, 2013

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Have had a huge moose visiting lately.  See him?
Gee, we've had St. Patrick's Day, some birthdays, a wine tasting party, Spring Break, Easter, and April Fools' Day since I last posted, as well as some significant snowfall and knee healing. April should be pretty quiet in comparison. The melting has begun and we've had nice sunny days that last well into the evening. Winter talk will soon give way to garden and landscaping talk, but as you can see, we're not quite there yet!

Lots of snow fell the week before Easter.  Keith has about 125 hours on his tractor with the snow blower, so all's under control and looking great.

Ice and snow awning over birdhouse.
In the photo of the studio there's a birdhouse up under the eave, with a large overhang of ice and snow looking like a white awning.  The black-capped chickadees were interested in going in and out of the birdhouse today, but that was tricky with this big overhang.  When it does release from the metal roof, it will be quite a crash. We've put up some caution tape in another location to be sure no one would be on the deck when the slide happens on the lakeside of the studio.  Dangerous stuff!
Not looking like Spring yet!

Seventy-two mugs have gone to Sourdough Mercantile gift shop at Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage, and I'm now working on pieces for The Tangled Skein in Eagle River and Town Square Art Gallery in Wasilla. More detail once I have new pieces to show you.  Just checked in the studio and today's bisque firing is complete -- so a kiln load of new work will soon be ready for glazing, once cooled and unloaded.  Will test out one new glaze and use several of those I've used in the past and reordered -- larger quantities this time around to accommodate dipping.

Freida -- our new live-in helper.
Big news in the house is Freida -- our Roomba.  Keith is fascinated with her work and seldom gives the poor gal a break from cleaning. Had no idea what a hit she'd be with the man of the house!

Knitting group tomorrow -- that's always fun.   Will post again soon -- with some pottery photos next time!  Thinking of a Spring Open House in the studio -- maybe around Mother's Day?  Also, need to get the word out about WillowAK Pottery gift certificates so those could be given as Mother's Day presents.

Thanks for your interest in WillowAK Pottery!  You're welcome to give me a call (907-360-3696) if you'd like to swing by the studio for a look at what's here. When Willow Creek Studio reopens in May, you'll find WillowAK Pottery there, too.  Hoping they'll have a super second season!  It's a good place to see the work of many area artists in one location -- mile 69.5 on the Parks Highway.

Think Spring!!