WillowAK Pottery

An interesting week here with frequent visits by the Sandhill Cranes, the ice going out, Barrow's Goldeneye and loons returning to the lake, plus my first sighting of a rabbit in our yard! The landing of the cranes is comical.  After strutting across the ice-filled lake, they would take flight, circle the property, and make their landing on a large open area. So tall! So fun to watch and listen to!  Unloaded a kiln yesterday and will begin the waxing process and preparing the pieces for glazing and a second firing. Hope to have that completed by next weekend so there is one week left to clean the studio and be sure all else is in order for the tour on the Saturday of Memorial weekend.  Looking forward to seeing many people who we see only occasionally. Hopefully the weather will be inviting and Denali will be at her best! Soon, I will post photos of Bill's, Melinda's, and Joan's new work, and I also encourage you to see what the other three studios are offering, too...

Yes, there will be lots of new mugs available, new ornaments, and the pie plates that several of you have been patiently awaiting.    If you see something of interest on the blog, feel free to get in touch.  Below are a few more samples from the last kiln.   A click on the image and it should enlarge. Fish and fur Floral pie plate School of fish to become ornaments More mugs...the rack will soon be full again

Four studios and many more artists are preparing for the Willow Spring Fling Art Studio Tour...and we'll start giving you a preview of what you may see on Saturday, May 27, 10:00-5:00. I recently unloaded a kiln with some new work and some re-fired work.  Here is a sampling of pieces from that kiln, ranging from large, undulating serving bowls,  to a quaint container for whatever you decide.  The pie plates are the best I've ever made, so I will make more of them while it's going so well!  If there is a form you are hoping to find in the studio, it's not too late to let me know. There will be lots of "making" in the coming week or two. Large, undulating serving bowl. Yes, I've been tangling. Large, ribbed serving bowl with tangled bottom. Moose dressed up with no place to go. Low profile bowl busy with black and blue. Blueberry pie plate. Fern pie plate. Pine cone pie plate Quaint container for fresh flowers,...

The next Willow Studio Art Spring Fling Tour will be Saturday, May 27.  Yes, it's a tour of Willow studios and will be an opportunity to see new work, chat with your neighbors, meet some folks, and buy some unique, handmade art along the way.  At this point, mark your calendar and watch for future details, flyers, postings, and updates here and elsewhere. All the photos should enlarge if you click on them. I unloaded a very weird piece from the kiln yesterday.  It started out as a yarn bowl; during the firing, however, it reconfigured itself into something else, but I don't know what! So, what could it be used for now? Oops....now how can it be used? The rest of the yarn bowls behaved themselves, for the most part, and will soon be in area shops. Stacked yarn bowls...but you get the idea that each is unique  If a yarn or gift shop near you wants to replenish their inventory of yarn bowls, please suggest they get in touch.  I'll hang on to some a...

"Starbright" Quilt donated by Willow Iditaquilters Guild and Saturday Sew News Update about the Quick Draw and Not-So-Silent Art Auction A FUN FUNdraiser is happening at the Winter Carnival Kick-Off Dinner, thanks to the artists who will be painting on stage, starting at 5:00, and the artists who have donated original art to be auctioned.  They have all been very generous with their time and talents! Thanks, too, to auctioneers Anne Gonzalez and Carrie Smoldon,  who will encourage you to    Bid Often.  Bid High.  Now we need YOU, the bidders, to make it a success!   Bid Often.  Bid High.    Let's raise lots of money to help keep the Willow Community Center  a home for activities, programs, entertainment, learning, meetings and more for our community. This posting includes all items we expect at the auction, except for the paintings and Zentangle created on stage Friday evening, which will be...

Another successful social and sales event last Saturday -- the Willow Holiday Studio Art Tour.  Thanks to all who participated in one way or another. We  have some winners to announce: Marian Charles, Sue Schachle, and Sue Gress had their names drawn for door prizes or gift certificates; Patty Bills and Shannon Morgan were high bidders on the silent auction items, which will benefit Willow's Grow Your Library Fund.  Thank you, bidders, for supporting this effort, and congratulations to all the winners! Our three studios will have some open hours during the holiday season. Please check to make arrangements when you don't see an "open" sign at one you would like to visit. Bonnie's Aurora Borealis   (907) 715-8011 Willow Creek Studio  (907) 229-6422 WillowAK Pottery (907) 360-3696  Thanks, again, for coming out for the Holiday Studio Art Tour...and Happy Holidays to All! 

Took some quick photos around the studio this afternoon and decided to post some to give you an even better idea of what you can expect to find here on Saturday.  Yes, the Willow Studio Art Tour is THIS coming Saturday, Dec. 3, and  includes three studio stops. If you're new to the tour, start at Willow Creek Studio at mile 69.5 for details -- otherwise start at any of the three participating studios.  In the last several posts to this blog, I've shown pieces awaiting you at WillowAK Pottery on Shirley Lake; here's a peek at a little more of what you'll see: Bill's beautiful cutting boards. In a variety of beautiful woods. and with fine craftsmanship, is a collection of cutting boards.  Yes, that is the hammock and snow covered lake out the window. Willow is a winter wonderland all of a sudden! Along with the cutting boards, Bill has introduced a family of Willow birch snowmen to the tour, and they'll be a nice addition to the homes of those who app...