WillowAK Pottery

  Hello! A friend suggested spotlighting pieces of pottery on Facebook so more “Friends” can see what I am making in my peaceful, wonderful, studio-with-a-view, off the beaten track in Willow, Alaska. So, for the next few weeks, I will occasionally post Pots in the Spot!   Then, I’ll stop doing so to assess how it is working out. So, it’s post, pots, spot, then stop - - all with the same four letters. The intent is primarily exposure and awareness, but if you see something you’d like to own, gift, or simply to know more about, please comment or message me and I will be happy to provide more information.    As I said earlier, word-of-mouth has been my best marketing friend, but the word only goes so far. Yes, I will ship. A BIG thanks to those who sent input about marketing. I found it helpful and thought-provoking. Most was in line with my inclination to: Sorry, I don’t know the artist to whom I should give credit, but thanks, Twila T., for p...

Making pottery is something I enjoy. My studio is a happy place to be. Even at -30 degrees, as it has reached this week, the studio is a warm, inviting, and wonderfully creative space. The view is superb, the equipment excellent,  and I have full control over whether to appreciate the peace and quiet of the woods, follow news on the TV, or listen to music or an audiobook. Fine options. My choice. Yes, different tasks, different thoughts and feelings, different weather...all are among the many variables that determine what I choose to do when creating in my lakeside studio. But, there are decisions to be made.  Decisions are constantly necessary when making work, and decisions should also be made about marketing. Tonight, I'm thinking about the marketing. Several of the gift shops/galleries I have sold to in recent years have, sadly, closed their doors. Some were my best wholesale customers. Do I want to establish new relationships with new customers, or is it time to do ...

Stephanie's beautiful art will be available at WillowAK Pottery during the Willow Holiday Studio Art Tour on Dec. 7.  Additional pieces, and Stephanie, will be joining this collection on Saturday.  Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing your time and talent with Willow!! ( Sorry for the reflections in the photos below; when taking photos, the lights needed to be on in the room. Decided to go ahead, though, to give you a peek at Stephanie's display. )   Framed print. Moose visit Stephanie's home regularly. Note cards. Alaskan subject matter...and not. Your pick. Fall Beauty! An attractive display for easy viewing. A variety of framed prints...with more to join the rack soon. Yes, Stephanie lives in Willow and, along with her husband, is raising her fine family here. You probably know this talented mom who volunteers and paints when she finds some spare moments in her busy life. Learn more about Stephanie's work at Stephanie Richey Art .  

Spent a little time in the studio this afternoon and can show you some of what you'll see on Saturday in the way of pottery on the glass shelving and knits in the back room, where Stephanie Richey Art will be added tomorrow.  For now, it's hats, socks, clogs, and a few other items for those who like hand knit pieces, but lack the time and or experience to turn yarn into wearable pieces. (Images should enlarge when clicked.)   These glass shelves greet studio visitors, holding many serving pieces.   The back room has knit adult hats in a variety of colors, styles, and sizes. Felted clogs also await adults; socks, hats and a sweater await little ones. Knit of machine washable sock yarn, this matching set will be fun! This set for a princess has bead work on the headband. Warm, dry feet make for happy kids... which make for happy parents! Five pair remain of knit, then felted clogs. Your size, maybe? Machine wash and dry this cardigan a...

Fern pie plate. What was unloaded from kiln firing #99 was recently posted.  Here are items cooling from #100! Click on an image to enlarge it.  Serving dish or large pie plate. Turtles-on-the-rim plate for Logan. BIG vases for large arrangements. A replacement plate for the broken squirrel one. Fresh and colorful small bowl. Large tray with colored clays and a delicate Christmas plate. Shallow, ruffled serving bowl. Casserole (hot dish) baking and serving pieces. Large serving bowl with blue berries design. Do you see the bird in the bottom of the pie plate? Serving tray of many colors. On Dec. 7, check out Bryan's Northern Spirit Rustics, Scott and Joan's Willow Creek Studio, and Carol's WillowAK Pottery, where Stephanie Richey will have her paintings. The flyer is posted online and at the Willow Post Office. Then there is the Methodist Church lunch and bazaar, plus the community potluck Holiday Dinner. ...

Here is a peek at some of the items from kiln #99.  Sorry about the poor lighting. A click on each image should enlarge the photo to see details. Bacon cookers...looks like I'll be taking orders on these. Appetizer tray, baker, and pitcher in popular glazes. Serving bowl with saucer, Quinn's plate, and a pie plate. Some additional samples of serving pieces. Pitchers and coffee filter holders for pour-over coffee enthusiasts. A couple of  serving bowls added to the shelves. Large rectangular tray and a marginal experiment. Small square plates and some coasters, mug lids, pill holders...or whatever. Rectangular trays...traditional and non-traditional for the tray selection. Large oval serving tray. Another large tray ready for salmon, halibut, or another favorite. Oops. Darn. This one stuck to the kiln shelf and cracked. Oops again. This one for Logan had a thin spot and cracked in the kiln. And these are firing i...

Yes, things are coming together in the studio for the Willow Holiday Studio Art Tour on Dec. 7. It doesn't happen as quickly as it once did, but it does happen. 😊 So far, ornaments, buttons, apple bakers, bacon cookers, platters, mugs, yunomis, platters, appetizer trays, platters, vases, people pots, serving bowls, dessert bowls, and more. Ornaments awaiting glaze firing. A couple moose up close and personal. A bowl of moose after firing; each unique and awaiting a name. Other pieces from a recent glaze firing Carving, stamping, and altered bowl "Talkeetna" and snowflake for a a mug order. Yes, still more glazing to do. There is a Christmas Bazaar at the Methodist Church on the same day.  Along with visiting the three participating studios, stop by the bazaar where soup and bread are served, Christmas cookies, crafts, and family treasures are for sale.