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

Time to tell you that new pottery was unloaded from the kiln this morning.  Please let me know if you're interested in seeing or knowing more about it:  carolgoltz@gmail.com  Some funky, some fun, all functional. A popular mug design. There are now more available. The big picture.   Large serving tray  11"x 13.5".   Square plate about 9"x9".     Mugs and more mugs in every kiln load. Pieces with many possibilities.   Give these handles a try. Gloria likes them! By request, these received large handles. Don? Just a simple little bowl wi ..read more

Once glazing was underway, I discovered there was enough new work to fill the kiln twice for glaze firing. Fortunately, those folks awaiting pieces were super patient, so I was able to take a relaxed (retired) approach, without the pressure of a deadline.  Also, studio time has been somewhat restricted due to visiting all those who help keep us in working order: dentist, optometrist, cardiologist, dermatologist, and the rest of the restoration team.  Must admit that a more relaxed approach to glazing allows for more attention to detail and trying new ways of doing things. Also allows ..read more

 I have bisque fired these pieces, washed them, applied wax resist to the bottoms to prevent their sticking to the kiln shelves, and now it's time to begin stirring up the glazes for application.  There are requested pasta bowls to underglaze with a serene scene, ornaments to memorialize loved pets, halibut platters, large and small bowls, trays, some coasters, and more. Along with the glazing and firing of these pieces, I will try single firing a collection of mugs to see how that goes. Probably have a couple loads to glaze all together.  Have to admit that the making is fa ..read more

The holidays are over and I'm eager to begin studio work for 2023. Yes, a new cycle of work will be underway in the studio soon, although there is still a good selection of pieces available. Meanwhile, if you are looking for images of pottery I've made in the past, check out previous postings by simply scrolling down to links below. If there is something you'd like created in the next cycle of work, do get in touch. Who do you know who would like some unique buttons of porcelain and antler? Yes, send a text or email if you have a question about WillowAK Pottery or want to visit the studio, an ..read more