WillowAK Pottery

The Willow Holiday Studio Art Tour was fun and successful!      The turnout was strong, people were excited about what they were seeing and buying, and feedback was very positive. Even Mother Nature did her best to make the event an enjoyable one. Cora Lee Webb won the door prize drawing.  Congratulations! Thanks to all who helped make the tour a fine experience by supporting art and artists in Willow.  Our thoughts are now turning to the upcoming holidays. Happy Thanksgiving To You and Yours!

Twas the night before the Art Tour and all through the studio -- things are looking great!  Melinda and Joan have their beautiful fabric art arranged -- and Bill's amazing wood pieces are mighty fine!    Yes, there will be multiple racks of pottery from which to select, but we've added much more. Here's a sampling of the other types of things you will see during the Art Tour in the WillowAK Pottery Studio: Bill's smaller boards Bill's boards and rolling pins with stands Melinda's mountain hangings Carol's clogs, hats, and felted bowls Carol's slough Carol's vase with flowers Carol's floral frenzy Joan's rack of quilts Joan's quilts on sofa Iditaquilter's raffle quilt  Melinda's ravens Carol's creek Joan's purses and wall hangings Lots of colorful and beautiful fiber arts! Carol's bottle wraps and head bands Carol's fishing frien...

Getting close -- the Willow Holiday Art Studio Tour is happening this Saturday, November 22! The last two blogs were about the beautiful quilted items, wood items, and the Iditaquilt Guild's queen sized raffle quilt.   I hope you'll check those last few postings if you've not yet seen the wonderful work other artists will be selling here at WillowAK Pottery.  And, remember, our studio is just one of three you'll want to visit. Two pieces of  BIG news: 1. Willow Creek Studio is generously offering a $100  gift certificate to our lucky door prize winner!  How's that for being super generous -- and supportive of the arts in Willow! To be eligible, you must visit all three studios on the tour and have your door prize ticket validated at each.  Leave it with the host at the third studio you visit, and if it has been validated at all three studios, it becomes part of the drawing.   On the back side of the door prize ticket is a map directing ...

Hand painted fabric is considered quite special in the quilting world.  In shops around Alaska you may have seen some of Melinda Dale's original designs and patterns, but I doubt you've seen one of her patterns made up with fabric she has hand painted to enhance the mood of Mt. McKinley, nearby ranges, foothills, trees and water in the surrounding area.  Have a look! Denali Reflections          Designed, pieced, and quilted by Melinda Dale of Willow, AK      approx. 18"x20" Background fabric is hand painted This gem, too, will be available for purchase at the  Willow Holiday Studio Art Tour on November 22. The tour is from 10:00 - 5:00.  Maps will be available that morning at Willow Creek Studio, mile 69.5, and will provide directions to the other two studios. The beautiful wall hanging above will be at WillowAK Pottery Studio on Shirley Lake, along with many other quilted item...

Here's a beauty!  It could be YOURS if you are the lucky winner!   It's pieced, quilted, and the binding is going on!  Raffle tickets are only $5. How appropriate that we're announcing this on Veterans Day! This large quilt, approximately 100" x  90",  is truly a work of art!   The raffle will raise funds for the Iditaquilters Guild so quilters, who volunteer their time and talents, can continue to purchase materials for future donation quilts. These quilts are given to American wounded warriors in the United States and in hospitals overseas; others are donated to those in the community who have suffered loss and could use the comfort and warmth of a beautiful quilt.  Guild members are generous with their time and periodically do a project to generate funds for additional materials -- which is when your generosity comes into play.  This incredible quilt is such a project. Each featured block includes the name of the quilter(s) ...

For those with a love of quilts and other quilted items, you're in luck! Baby Quilts When I last posted, I said you'd be seeing even more quilted work, soon.  In addition to Melinda Dale's wonderful wall hangings, samples of which were posted a couple days ago, Joan Edwards has a delightful collection of quilted beauties.  Here is her recent message to me: I have seven baby quilts ranging 32" - 39" width X 39" - 46" length. I have thirteen child/lap quilts ranging 39" - 49" width X 48" - 71" length. I have twelve table mats/wall hangings of various sizes. I have ten quilted bags various sizes. A few more miscellaneous items will be included in the sale as I have time to complete them.  Table Runners And, we're talking beautiful fiber art, excellent craftsmanship, one-of-a kind! There's one more quilting surprise yet to be announced -- in a future posting.  Stay tuned.  Those of you who are unable to come on ...

Yes, it's time to show you some of the beautiful art you'll see at WillowAK Pottery on Nov. 22.  No, not the pottery, but fiber and wood pieces created by three of the guest artists  Melinda Dale, across the lake from us, will have beautiful quilted wall hangings and a collection of wood pieces created by her husband, Bill.  Melinda is both a designer of quilts,  with her patterns sold in quilt shops around the state, and a fabulous, creative quilter. What a treat it is to join her for an afternoon in her sunny quilting room, where magic happens!     Matanuska Sunrise                         Whimsical Garden    While Melinda's sewing machine is whirring, her husband, Bill, is often busy in his wood shop creating beautiful cutting boards and rolling pins, which will also be available. Bill's Cutting Boards -- Beautiful as serving trays, too! Bill's Rolling Pins an...

Wondering what will be here for the Nov. 22 Holiday Art Studio Tour?  Well, there will be guest artists with beautiful quilted pieces, wood cutting boards and rolling pins, and felted hats.  These are truly works of art; they are one-of-a-kind, handmade, and impressive! Come see for yourself and consider these fine items as gifts. Yes, there will be WillowAK porcelain pieces, felted clogs and other knit items,  and maybe some paintings, too.  A quick walk around the studio today with my iPad resulted in the following photos: Mugs waxed and ready to glaze Porcelain pendants --probably will be used in neckaces Pie plate -- or serving dish Serving bowl with swirls Serving bowl with stripes and dots Knit head bands -- perfect for "bad hair" days Felted bowls of Icelandic wool Wrap those wine bottles -- for gift giving and for serving Knit hat for the ladies -- light weight and stylish Felted wool hat with rolled brim -- ...