WillowAK Pottery

Such a wide variety of art is being created, and it is time to start showing you some of it! Four studios, representing more than sixty artists, are busy getting ready  This blog posting focuses on giving an early peek at what will be available at WillowAK Pottery - - and you probably know that there is much more than pottery here, for sure! Well, I did get behind the wheel, the studio wheel that is, and today unloaded a kiln of new work. Here is a sampling of the pieces, all food safe, usable in both microwave and regular ovens, and one-of-a-kind, handmade. Awaiting a sanding of their bottoms..to be super smooth Pie plate/serving piece, ready to serve Pie plate all spruced up And yet another pie plate with a scene. Custom wedding plate for upcoming celebration Custom serving dish for newly weds Moose on large serving platter (Two BIG ones in our yard today as I was taking photos.) Bowls with popular glaze combo...are you waiting for one...

Hope to see you  - - on December 2

Turnout for the Willow Spring Fling Studio Art Tour was wonderful and we've sent  personal messages to the door prize winners.  Thought others may like to know who the winners are, too: •  Willow Creek Studio.....gift certificate.....Adrian Johnson •  Karen Mattson Studio.....original painting.....Sharon Taylor; Sheri's bowl.....Gabrielle Sterner •  Bonnie's Borealis Glassworks.....gift certificate....Stephanie Todd •  WillowAK Pottery.....gift certificate.....Suzie Mayer The event also raised money for Willow's Grow Your Library Fund, thanks to the plant sale by Bill and Kathy Mailer, and silent auction pieces provided by several participating artists. The 5K Fun Run was also a success, with 52 registrations.  Nice job, Stephanie! Events like these take considerable time and effort to put on in our community. If all goes well, we will try to make it happen again in 2018. We hope you found May 27 to be a great day to be in Willow and thank y...

The best news to share is that Bill and Kathy Mailer's beautiful dahlia plants will be available at WillowAK Pottery on Saturday the 27th -- a special fundraiser for the Willow Library!  If you were lucky enough to get plants here last year, you know what healthy plants the Mailers grow. They'll be set up under a canopy again, ready to provide a win-win with plants:  those who purchase will be investing in beautiful dahlia plants, and the Grow Your Library fund, thanks to Bill and Kathy's hard work and generosity, will get a nice boost. We want that fund to grow, grow, and grow some more so that Willow will eventually have a beautiful library better equipped to serve the community. Speaking of fundraisers for the Willow Library, remember the 10:00 a.m. Fun Run on Saturday morning, too. Registration can be done ahead -- or on the morning of the run. Think cookies... t-shirts...and an energetic way to start your day with a run or walk if you're up to it.  T...

And, Melinda and Bill have been busy creating beautiful pieces to sell at the May 27 Willow Spring Fling Studio Art Tour: If you knit or crochet, you know how these work!  They are your "buddies" for some projects. Yarn buddies in various woods Yarn buddies in various sizes Some might call these "collaborative art" with one artist designing and another executing the design. Ascone image, wall hanging by Melinda    15"x 19" LaVallee image, 20"x 29" piece by Melinda   LaVallee image, 20"x 29" piece by Melinda Zipper pouches and card holders by Melinda Small rectangular cutting boards   Rolling pins 16"x19" Large cutting board 16" Round cutting board Nice boards for serving, too  Bill's boards and pins are beauties!   The work of a true craftsman.  Each piece unique!

And Joan has been busy!  If there is such a thing as a Master Fiber Artist,  Joan is one.  Here is a sampling of new pieces she will have for sale at the Willow Spring Fling Studio Art Tour on May 27.  Come with your gift list!

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...