WillowAK Pottery

Yes, of course.   The displays are ready and we look forward to lots of art tour visitors on Saturday, May 26.   Here's another peek at what you'll find inside and outside at WillowAK Pottery: The first six images are creations of Bill Dale -- a variety of woods and beautiful craftsmanship. A guest artist new to the tour is Norm Wakeman, who offers a nice collection of birch bowls and botttle stoppers:  Norm's Birch Bowls and Bottle Stoppers The very artful birch burl cutting boards (serving trays) of Willow's Bryan Mills have been added to the collection of fine art awaiting you in the studio: Bryan's Burl Boards...Awesome!  Knitting is a year-around activity. Hats, headbands, socks, crowns, and more. Carol's winters in Alaska provide for lots of fireside knitting!  AND...Look what the Mailers are putting together for you!  BEAUTIFUL and HEALTHY plants -- featuring dahlias, peonies, iri...

As in the past, Melinda Dale and Joan Edwards will have their beautiful fiber pieces for sale at WillowAK Pottery.  They have a following of people who know and appreciate exceptional creativity, fine workmanship, and other artistic talents.  This is a good opportunity to see and purchase a Melinda and/or Joan piece -- for yourself or for a special friend.  Gift giving takes place throughout the year and these one-of-a-kind, handmade pieces are not always available.  Think "gift stash" for the coming year so when you need that something special, you have it!   Joan has been busy creating functional fiber art including: Coiled, stitched,  and colorful multipurpose baskets. Crossbody quilted bags...with compartments and other features. Enlarge this to see the sweet embroidery embellishment. ***   Melinda , too, has been busy sewing wall hangings and other gems: Alaska's beauty captured in fabric -- to be displayed and enjoyed...

Most of these will be at the Willow Spring Fling on Saturday, May 26 (Click on photos to enlarge them.) This is an experiment -- to hold my knitting needles in some organized way.   Keith calls them porcupines and I'm calling them needle nests.  I have some ideas for different configurations, but sure do like having needles of the same size grouped together and by my side. Some nests will provide room for a needle gauge so it's convenient to double check needle size before starting a new project.   Do you have suggestions for future designs?  Soon I will also be making a sewing station, too,  thanks to a photo sent by Carolyn S.  Tools of the trade for organization and easy access are a good fit for my desire to create "functional pottery with personality."   Yes, I welcome your ideas about what you'd like to see made of clay. Medium-sized trays - a variety of shapes, glazes, and textures. Mother Nature's ber...

Hope to see you in Willow on Saturday, May 26! Still making the tried and true yarn bowls for yarn lovers in Alaska! Check to see if a shop near you carries them.   Art Tour News:  Saturday, May 26, in Willow . . . Once again, on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, it will be a GREAT day to be in Willow. There's a 5K race/walk and a plant sale, both fundraisers for the New Library and Community Center Upgrade Project. (The Mat-Su Assembly approved a budget including $1.9 million for this project, so with the nearly $1.7 million award from Mat-Su Health Foundation, fundraising efforts continue.) There's the Studio Art Tour on the 26th, as well.  Three studios are participating:  WillowAK Pottery, Willow Creek Studio, and Karen Mattson Studio. Bonnie's Borealis Glassworks is taking a break, but expecting to be back for the Holiday Tour in December.  Watch for tour news from the other studios. In addition to the pottery available at W...