I like to show a few of the newest pieces from the kiln so you have a better idea of what to expect in the studio on the Willow Garden Tour...which happens TOMORROW! This is a design you will see on many of my pieces  going forward. Carved, stamped, Alaskan. "Spruce and Moose" is the theme. Think small pitcher, heart bowl, toothpick holder, treats or coins. Or think anything you'd choose to put in these pieces. Vase, covered dishes, holder for large sponge. Floral arrangement bowls or mosquito coil holders. A French butter dish assemble ..read more

 The Tour flyer with additional information providing directions and garden descriptions is available on the Willow Garden Club Blog. Photos of some of the pottery in the studio are shown in previous WillowAK Pottery Blog postings. Take a look to see if a stop here to say hello and check out the pottery is a good idea for you. This note is simply to say SAVE the DATE of Saturday, July 20, 2024, for touring gardens and art. It is a self-guided tour. Visit the locations in whatever order you'd like. Consider it a day for appreciating the beauty of gardening and art as you learn and socializ ..read more

Hope Mother's Day was a good day for you, whatever your circumstances. A little bit of everything here weatnerwise:  sunshine, heavy rain, sleet; light showers, sun again!     Part I...Things don't always work out as we expect they will when it comes to pottery: 1.  I loaded mugs for Don after adding LOTS of white snow on the spruce boughs, and refired them. He wants "very wintery" mugs like his favorite one made several years ago. Well, apparently the white glaze doesn't have quite the punch it once had, and the blue has changed, too. Below is Don's favorite mug ..read more

Hello!Yesterday a full load of bisqueware was unloaded from the kiln and washed. Today the plan is to wax the bottoms of pieces in preparation for glazing. It's an eclectic collection of work, for sure.  Hoping to have it glazed and fired a second time, ready to leave the studio prior to Mother's Day! Here's a peek at some pieces: Pieces with text; this has a quotation from John Muir. For floral arrangements...or as someone else suggested, a mosquito coil burner, which we're likely to need soon. A large, wood-grained serving platter.  Creations of differen ..read more

The yard is full of snow. Today the colored lights on the front porch will come down, as will those in the loft. We've had Christmas, my birthday, New Year, and Keith's birthday.  We've appreciated special visits with family and friends in recent weeks and are so very grateful to be looking forward to longer days, more sunshine, and decent health -- for you and for us.  This week, the clay mixer in the studio is due to have a new controller installed, and soon we hope Keith's John Deere snowblower will again be performing as it should.  Still more research to do on tha ..read more

  This image was from a "free" art site. Wiish I knew who to credit  with such a stunning piece. Love the subject matter, simplicity, color, lines, and more.  It captures the beauty of Christmas! May peace and joy refurbish weary bodies and minds on Christmas,  with love filling hearts around the world.  Keith and Carol ..read more

The upcoming Willow Holiday Art Tour on Saturday, Nov. 18,  has motivated me to glaze, even though I am doing so without doing test tiles with glazes on the two clay bodies new to the studio. Think I already said I did some throwing and hand building with stoneware, a white and a brown. The brain seemed to work harder in making decisions about which glaze to use where, how to apply it, what combinations would work well together, what kiln settings would be best, etc. For the most part,  I like what was recently unloaded, and am in the process of glazing for a second glaze firing. &nb ..read more

The lawn never needed watering over the summer. Not once. We never ate a meal outdoors on the deck.   Not once. Unfired pottery sat on shelves for weeks to air dry, but it did not totally dry. My most recent bisque firing had seven hours of preheat, but it wasn't enough for the few pieces I heard "pop"from within the kiln as the temperature rose. Those, unfortunately were special orders and I owe a few folks apologies. Will recreate what I heard "pop." Thankfully, this is a pretty laid-back pottery and people have been wonderfully patient and understanding. Thanks, if you are one of those ..read more

We hear people speak of looking for a "forever home" for pets they can no longer keep for one reason or another. This week I delivered four boxes of pottery to Willow Creek Studio at milepost 69.5, hoping  their customers will fall in love with a piece of pottery that "speaks" to them. Images of some pieces new to Willow Creek Studio If you're in Talkeetna, visit The Dancing Leaf to see some new pieces there that are also ready for a "forever home."  And, "forever" can mean a very long time since fired clay and quality craftsmanship can last thousands of years if treated wel ..read more

Hello, again!    "Do you make platters?" was the question. Yes, I do.  Large, medium, and small. Varied shapes, designs, and colors.  From rustic to refined, and ready to serve. All are porcelain. Oven, microwave, dishwasher safe, with food-safe glazes. If something strikes your fancy, do let me know and we can talk further. carolgoltz@gmail.com Platter-type pieces currently on the studio shelves include:.   1.     12"x2" Rolled-rim platter with wood grain. 2.     14"x 10.5"  Tray with wood grain ..read more