WillowAK Pottery

Well, we did have two enjoyable days of meeting and greeting -- thanks to the 60+ people who came by for the WillowAK Pottery Open Studio.  It was as much a social event as a sales event, and wonderful to see and visit with the friends, neighbors, and other pottery enthusiasts who came by for a look. It also resulted in clearing shelf space for me to fill with new work in the coming months, and I'm excited about doing that. A BIG THANKS to those who came by.  Hope you all found something to take home, be it from the "freebie" table, the 50% off rack, the regular shelving, or the knit hat display.  Roger Hudson won the door prize, so a $25 gift certificate is being mailed to him. Chatting in the studio Goblets -- testing photo with a real camera Tumbler -- again with a real camera, rather than iPhone McKinley from studio -- taken Sunday by friend Maggie as she was leaving Grandson Ben was a fine helper on Sunday; I'll try to recruit his brother an...

Yes, we're ready for the WillowAK Pottery Open House and it sounds as though the weather will be cooperative!  Hope to meet and greet a good number of people over the weekend.  Here's how things are looking tonight: Door Prize, Gift Certificates -- and Knit Balls for all ages Floor space we've not seen in the studio for awhile Table of Freebies -- pots with serious flaws A rack primarily of large bowls Looking through the front entry Beautifully knit Hats By Cindy A variety of bowls, plates, and platters Necklaces and bookmarks Shelving in front entry A 50% off rack Looking from entry into main studio area Gift certificates, cards, and whimsy Studio island, kitchen, nook And the mugs...again! Will put out goodies in the morning, make coffee and tea, and await some visitors!  Will let you know how it goes.  Am expecting two enjoyable days of greeting and meeting.  Come on over!

Today is 11-12-13, which I didn't realize before titling a new folder to hold photos for this posting. Well, I unloaded the final kiln before the Open Studio, and said I'd post photos of the pieces. There were 52 of them and I am happy to say that now everything in the studio is bisque fired, glaze fired, and on display shelves/racks, ready for next Saturday and Sunday. If you're coming by (and I hope you are), here is some of what you'll see: The plates are spoken for, as you may have guessed.  :-) I love the look of winter; travel to the studio is via decking Black, gray, and white plates and bowls -- with lines, leaves, and dots I also love that Keith keeps the grounds beautifully groomed Shallow, multi-colored bowl about 14" across Over 50 mugs on the rack; think I'll offer to help take them off, carefully,  for viewing -- so they don't all come a tumblin' down Just a small, subtle, simple plate in nutmeg Sp...

Thanks to those who choose to serve in our military --  past, present, and future, and who perform honorably when doing so. It's a beautiful morning in Willow -- snowy, still, and bright.  And, I just listened to a delightful interview with two little girls, regarding a hair cutting incident , reminding me of how wonderfully perceptive little ones can be! A good way to start the day!  The final firing prior to this weekend's WillowAK Pottery Open Studio event is nearly complete and will be unloaded tomorrow. Yesterday I unloaded lots of potential gifts for Christmas, birthdays, housewarmings, hostesses, weddings, thank you, etc.  Each is one of a kind and totally handmade -- and there are many of a size to be stocking stuffers!   Plus, there are now gift certificates for WillowAK Pottery if you'd like someone to select her/his own piece with personality. These can be arranged for in the studio -- or with a phone call (907-360-3696) or an email message ( w...

Two weeks until the Open Studio event on Nov. 16-17.  Deadlines are a good thing to keep me moving toward a goal.  Had two dear friends spend the night with us recently, and one asked, "How many times do you handle a piece of pottery before it's completed?"    "Lots" was my response. Then I thought about the actual steps, most required and a few optional, depending on the piece: wedging the clay throwing the piece on the wheel drying it to leather-hard stage trimming stamping, carving, or otherwise creating design in the clay attaching parts -- handles, spouts, stems, sprigs, etc. slip painting drying until ready for first firing loading into kiln bisque firing unloading from kiln a couple days later washing to remove any clay dust adding glaze inlay or embellishing with underglaze or stains glazing loading into kiln again glaze firing unloading from kiln a couple days later sanding bottoms to be smooth pricing marketing -- blog, Facebook, g...