WillowAK Pottery

(Although today is June 13, I just found this post written April 8, but it was never actually posted.  So, up it goes now, with a June post soon to follow.) It's been a while since I've touched clay. Considering all that's going on in the world, making more pottery has not seemed like something I should be doing, but the winds may be shifting here, soon. I've sorted paperwork in the house,  thrown out every non-working pen, sharpened every pencil, knit some fun little mug mats with Arne & Carlos patterns, baked more than usual,  read some good books and watched fine movies, cleaned some windows and mirrors, and the list goes on. All short-term projects. I could handle them. Pottery, however, is a process, not a short-term project, and until now I have hesitated.  I do miss it, however, and it may be time to return to the studio. Social distancing is easy in Willow, and I'm comfortable with using technology as a communication tool. The news, which I listen ...

I am sitting in our living room while 57 dog teams and their mushers, about a mile away, are soon to start their exciting and challenging trip to Nome. The snow on our deck is deeper than I am tall. Can't see the lake.  Can't see the opposite shoreline. Can't see the road at the end of the driveway. Crazy. And, the snow is still coming down. We do have guests who needed to get to the Community Center for the restart, so Keith and his friend John Deere blew snow in the morning to make that possible, and he continued blowing snow throughout the day. Our guests headed out and hopefully arrived safely at the restart to carry out an Iditarod-related responsibility. Yes, I am opting to watch on TV this year. KYES, channel 5.  Yesterday it was MN State Hockey Tournament viewing, which was awesome; today it will be Iditarod viewing, which will also be great. The experience of being at the restart in person is special, but after having done that many years since 1973, my preference ...

Seems like a good day to post, while Keith spends the day moving snow.  Lots of snow! Beware...when snow slides off metal roofs, and move it quickly if you can! Bisqueware washed and ready to wax, glaze, and fire again. A new family of people pots; previous ones now live elsewhere. Bacon cooker and gravy/sauce bowl with attached saucer. Experiment with commercial slip and silicone molds. Spoon rests? Jumping salmon, sauce dish with saucer, and forest of firs. Heart bowl, bacon cooker, another heart bowl. (Valentine's influence.) Squirrel in the nut bowl (look closely), vase, and pastel chalk rub. Apple baker sitting within a picture frame. Stoneware soap dish. Large serving bowl on pedestal. Mugs waxed and ready for new glaze to arrive and be mixed...a special project. In process. . . you'll see these again later, looking a little different. The people pots now glazed and ready for adoption. And a m...

  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...