Yes, the Studio Tour is coming up on
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, and it's time to give you an idea of some of the new work you'll find at the WillowAK Studio on Shirley Lake.
The Dahlia Sale will be outdoors under a tent, with proceeds dedicated to
Willow's Grow Your Library Fund. Bill and Kathy Mailer have generously donated all the plants and will be running the sale. Talk about community members who just keep giving -- they certainly do that! Over, and over, and over again. Can't tell you how many dahlia plants there will be, but even though there are LOTS, please don't wait until the end of they day if you are hopeful of purchasing beautiful, red dahlias! There is no guarantee that they will still be available late afternoon.
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| Red dahlias -- a Library fundraiser project, thanks to the Mailers! |
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| Multiple woods and attractive designs in Bill's cutting boards! |
Bill Dale does beautiful cutting boards. If you've been here before, you've seen what a fine craftsman he is. This will remind you:
Melinda Dale's quilted pieces you've seen here before, too. Some of the patterns are her own creations; all of the pieces she'll have displayed have been made in her lovely sewing room just across the lake from us. Here are wall hangings and a table runner by Melinda:
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| An original design of Denali by Melinda. |
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| Another original design of Willow moose and dog yard. |
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| A raven -- ranting, perhaps? |
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| Very berry table runner ... with a true blue hue. |
Joan Edwards will also have quilted work at WillowAK Studio; when I have photos, I will post them on the blog so you can see, ahead, some of what she will be offering during the tour.
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| Large oval and rectangular serving trays. |
Tonight I unloaded a final load of bisqueware. Now that these pieces have been fired once, they are ready for waxing, glazing, another firing, and final prepping for the sale tables and shelves. If you enlarge the photos, you'll see on the trays and in the bowls an assortment of ornaments (mostly fish, bear) and porcelain buttons (mostly bear and moose.)
You may not recognize these on May 28, because they will no longer be white. The question is, what colors should they be? Time will tell.
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| Some serving bowls and requested whale tails. |
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| Lots of design stamped on the porcelain |
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| Salmon on spoon rests ... also by request |
You'll find an extensive collection of mugs, yarn bowls, tumblers, small bowls, serving bowls, butter crocks, and a few pet urns. If you don't see something you were hopeful of finding, please ask. It just may be here -- or I could take an order. Come browse -- and be sure to have your ticket stamped.
Those who visit all three studios on Saturday will be eligible for the door prize drawing. You'll see signs at Mile 64.5 (Bonnie's Borealis Glassworks) and Mile 69.5 (Willow Creek Studio and Art Gallery).
Also, remember the 10:00 a.m.
FUN Run for those who are up to a morning run or walk. That, too, is a fund raiser for the Willow Library and a healthy way to start your day.
We hope you'll agree that May 28 is A Great Day To Be In Willow!
