WillowAK Pottery

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...

Yes, I'm getting ready for the Nov. 16-17 WillowAK Pottery Open House.  Unloaded a bisque kiln tonight and have about three kiln loads of glazing and glaze firing ahead. Last week a couple friends came by and we made some ornaments/jewelry. It was a fun afternoon helping these creative ladies play with clay for awhile. Their pieces will be glazed and fired again; here's how they are looking now:          The rains continue in Willow tonight. Imagine if all this rainfall had been snowfall instead! We'd have some happy plow service owners, snowmobile fans, skiers, and more.  But it's not snow.  It continues to fall from the sky, saturate the ground, and sit. I'm not hearing many praiseworthy comments about it except from those who are not yet ready for the cold of winter and have no plans to be heading Outside. Some have already left for the winter and others are busy preparing to do so. Our plan is to enjoy a beaut...

Hello and THANKS for checking to see what's going on at WillowAK Pottery! The good news is that I have a new display rack for completed work -- and the other good news is that I have it filled, have another kiln load of pieces ready to glaze, and am working on a second kiln load of work to bisque and glaze.  Yes, it's time to have a good supply of work on hand for the studio's second open house:    WillowAK Pottery Open House   Saturday, November 16, 10:00 - 5:00 and Sunday, November 17, 1:00 - 5:00 Directions: At Mile 70 of the Parks, take Willow Creek Parkway (2 miles), left on Crystal Lake Road (1.7 miles), left on Shirley Lake Dr. (.5 miles), right on Michigan (.2 miles), left on W. Southlake Drive (.1 mile) and we're the first driveway on the left. 25879 W. Southlake is the address.  Call 495-8272 if you have any questions.   Lots of new work will be available.  Hope many of you will swing by. A new display rack for c...

Open House at WillowAK Pottery on Nov. 16 and 17. Please mark your calendar if you're within driving distance and stay tuned for details closer to the time!  Gather your neighbors and friends and come see the pottery. Lots of soil, seed, rock, time and talent have been involved  With summer coming to an end, we're celebrating the green grass and rock pathways.  Quite a transformation, thanks to Keith's hard work, from how things looked a year ago.  He mentioned having 200 hours with his faithful friend this summer -- John Deere.  We had periods of too little water and those of too much water, so it's been a challenge.  Thank goodness the resident landscaper/groundskeeper cares, is dedicated, and in good health! The deck staining is completed, thank you Steve, and things are looking pretty finished around here!     So, fall officially begins tomorrow, but I think it actually came in the backdoor a little early. When it looks like f...

Thanks for your interest in pottery! Unloaded another glaze kiln and learned a lot, once again, from the results. Am good with the decision not to do a hold on the firing schedule and to leave the kiln undisturbed for 24 hours after the completion of the firing.   Here are photos of what was just fired: Nature in and on porcelain  A variety of forms and glazes -- many with designs incorporated into the glazing process. Keith's favorite...not surprisingly Two pennies in this photo, to help suggest size of pieces Some familiar color combinations and some new discoveries. Trees, leaves, buds, and flowers easily find their way into the design work, aiming to give each piece its unique personality.  If you see some of these pieces in person, turn them over.  You may find a pleasant surprise on the bottom side.   Reminiscent of Alaskan lakes, trees, and adventures in nature. Blue and black, blue and nutmeg, shore break and sage, shore b...