Holiday Information

STAR Works Ceramics will be closed

from Dec 23th (Sat) to Jan 2nd (Tue).

Have a Happy Holiday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wood Kiln has finished

Thank you all cooperation and contribution. STAR Works Ceramics is pleased to announce we finally made it! It's been long long way and many problems happened and solved since September. We can't wait for the first firing which is going to happen in early Spring 2007.

We've got work done!

This wood kiln building project has started since September, and now we have got work done.
It's been a lot of time and work. We appreciate you all who gave us any help.

from right: Harris Brown, Santiago, Joe and Takuro

The first wood firing (Hatsu Gama) will be in spring 2007 and to be announced soon.

Kiln Building is still going on 7

Mui buen travajo!

Kiln Building is still going on 6

We got a metal frame for a chimnny

Andres and Harris were stucking bricks

Kiln Building is still going on 5

It's getting close to be done!Talking about a chimney design

Kiln Building is still going on 4

We got work done for the third chamber!

Kiln Building is still going on 3

Working on the third chamber

Slide Lecture Information

Slide Presentation at North Carolina Pottery Center

Presented by Hajimu Kato (Shigaraki, Japan), Andres Allik (Tallin, Estonia)
Date: Oct 26, 2006 (Thu) 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Where: NCPC Educational Building (Studio)

Addmission: Free

Please go to the web site to see more details:
http://www.starworksnc.org/

STAR Works Ceramics invited two great artists from Japan and Estonia, and held wood kiln building workshop at STAR Works Ceramics between Oct 16 to 21. We would like share these international cultural exchanging with Seagrove area potters. We are fortunate NCPC is supporting this oppotunity.

Mr. Kato is a professional potter from Shigaraki Japan. He has been wood-firing for over 20 years. He uses Shigaraki clays, and makes beautiful unglazed teabowls, flower vases and tableware. He has won many prizes in Japan, and is a member of the Japanese Craft Association.

Mr. Allik is a professional kiln builder from Estonia and has designed and built many types of kilns in Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Denmark, and Iceland. Mr. Allik is also an organizer of the Kohila International Wood firing festival which is held each summer in Estonia. He will share his knowledge and experience about kiln building.

Kiln Building is still going on 2

We are done for the second chamber today!

Kiln Building is still going on 1

Workshop Day 6th

Now we are working on the second&third chambers. Today is the last day of this workshop technically, but some people will keep on working till the end in the next week, too.

Thank you all for your participation and cooperation for the Anagama kiln building workshop.

Workshop Day 5th

We are working on the second & third chambers.

Workshop Day 4th

We have worked done for the tube part (anagama chamber) today!

Workshop Day 3rd

Workshop Day 2nd

It was heavy rain today, and muddy! But kiln building is getting well. We started stacking bricks of arch wall.

Yadkin Pee Dee Lakes Project Annual Meeting

In the evening, there was an annual meating presented by the Yadkin Pee Dee Lakes Project. STAR Works Ceramics Materials & Research's Anagama kiln Building Workshop was introdused to the public.

Workshop Day 1st

It was very fine day this morning, and we started building Anagama and three chamber Kiln at STAR Works Ceramics. There were 8 people who participate this workshop.

Big progress for the first day. Very good job!

We got Roof Up!

No worry about Rain any more

Roof Trusses UP!

We finally put up Roof Trusses!
Bruce, David, Jeff, Santiago, Don, Hitomi helped us.
Thank you!

Put the posts up again

Put the post up again...

Shigaraki Style Wood Kiln Building workshop

Shigaraki Style Wood Kiln Building workshop
with Hajimu Kato (Shigaraki, Japan)
Date Oct 16, 2006 (Mon.) - Oct 22, 2006 (Sun.) (7 Days)
Capacity 10
Cost $180 (including lunch)

Participants in this workshop willl build a chambered Shigaraki-type wood kiln (Anagama plus 2 chamber kiln) designed by Japanese potter Hajimu Kato at STARworks in Star, NC. Shigaraki is one of the oldest pottery villages in Japan and with more than 1300 years of ceramic history. This type of kiln is very efficient and easy to control. The workshop will feature Mr. Kato's theories, ideas and techniques.

Mr. Kato is a professional potter from Shigaraki Japan. He has been wood-firing for over 20 years. He uses Shigaraki clays, and makes beautiful unglazed teabowls, flower vases and tablewares. He has won many prizes for his work in Japan. He is a member of the Japanese Craft Association.

Special Guest: Andres Allik (Tallin, Estonia)
Mr. Allik is a professional kiln builder from Estonia and has designed and built many types of wood kilns in Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Denmark, and Iceland. Mr. Allik is also an organizer of the Kohila International Wood firing festival held each summer in Estonia. He will share his knowledge and experience about kiln building.

Lodging and Food:
Accommodations are available at the Star Hotel in downtown Star only one block from the workshop. A block of rooms has been reserved until October 9th at:
Star Hotel - a renovated Victorian house built in 1896, located in the town of Star within walking distance of the workshop. An eclectic mix of artwork, Victorian antiques plus warm southern hospitality with full country breakfast will make this a memorable stay. Call: 910-428-2565 to make a reservation for a room at special workshop price including breakfast.

Posts and Beams

We have got standing posts (on 28th) and beams (today). Joe, Santiago, Tim worked on it with Takuro very hard. It looks good! Grasias!

Excavation

Credit Card

Credit Card
We now accept VISA, Master Cards.

The first Open House

STAR Works's the first open house was hold in June. Over 70 people came and enjoyed the event. Thank you for joining us!

There were a lot of food include Hitomi's Sushi!

New Bamboo Tool, Faceting Tool!

We start making new bamboo tool, Faceting tool. You can use this for faceting pots and trimming top part of clay when you are throwing pots. The string is very fine 49 of stainless steel wire drape very naturally. It means very strong and cut clay easily. Please try this new tool and enjoy it.

Bamboo Tools

Bamboo Tools
We have started selling bamboo tools including: a bamboo ladle for applying glazes and slips; a bamboo knife for trimming wet pots. Bamboo is from NC, and all of these bamboo tools have been handmade right here in Star. When you come to STARworks Ceramics, check them out.

Direct Phone Number (Toll Free) to Ceramic Supply Shop at STARworks Ceramics

We set up Toll Free Number and a new direct phone number to Ceramic Supply Shop at STARworks Ceramics.

(910)948-1008 (Robbins area)

1-888-563-3967 ( Toll Free Number)

http://www.starworksnc.org/ceramics.htm