Flower Pot Workshop was successful

There was a flower pot workshop at clay studio tonight again and we got a lot of flower pots. Thank you very much for coming and supporting STARworks.

Special thanks to:
Bruce and Gloria (Bull Dog Pottery), Meredith and Mark (Whynot Pottery), David (David Stuempfle Pottery), Mike (From the Ground Up), Tim and Robin, Evan (Wet Dog Glass), Kacy (NC Wild Life Resources Commission), Mr. and Mrs. Cook (Kacy's Parents), Crystal, Mike, Anne, Adam, Santiago, Takuro (STARworks)

Test Result

We unloaded the test kiln today and it looked good. Those pots are made from STARworks Clay which is used local wild clays in Montgomery County and Moore County. We are doing some clay body test (shrinkage, water absorption, etc), and we think it's getting better and better.

Don't miss STARworks Ceramics Clay Factory Open House on
March 16th (Mon) 5-7pm!

Clay Factory Open House

STARworks Ceramics is pleased to announce we have a Clay Factory Open House on March 16th (Mon) from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.

We will demonstrate some of the clay mixing operation beginning at 5:30pm, and we will be giving out small clay samples. Samples are limited, so first come, first served. Beer, wine and snacks will be served also. Don't miss this chance!

Clay Factory Open House
March 16th (Monday) 5-7pm
At STARworks Ceramics and Clay Factory

Test firing

We built a small test kiln next to Noborigama and we do a lot of test firing for new clay body. Santiago and Takuro were doing loading kiln this afternoon and fire it tomorrow.
This type of kiln is called "Itte Koi Gama" (which literally means "Go and Come Kiln" in Japanese) and the fire box is under the chimney as you see, and it's very easy to build.

This photo is from "The Japanese Pottery Handbook" by Penny Simpson and tells the design of Itte Koi Gama.We can't wait to see the results.

Flower Pots Workshop

We had a fun workshop in our clay studio last Friday. That was "Flower Pot Workshop" and artists of STARworks plus friends gathered to make flower pots. This is organized for STARworks projects fund raising.

We also have another Flower Pots Workshop on this Friday (2/27), 4:30-7:00pm. Food and drinks will be served. Come on join us, if you have time!

All pots will be fired by STARworks Ceramics Electric kiln and sold at fund raising event in this Spring at STARworks. Event info will be updated soon.

Thank you for your help and support.

STARworks Clay Factory is Completed

We have finally completed our clay factory set up and have started mixing clay. This allows us to process raw local, North Carolina clay and blend it into ready-to-use pottery clay.

In our clay mixing process, we mix the clay with sufficient water to completely hydrate it, and send the slip through a magnetic separator to remove metals. Then we use a screen to remove big stones and other objects from the clay slip, and send it to the filter press to remove excess water. After that, we move the clay to our heavy-duty pug mill to mix and de-air.

We are very excited to start processing ready-to-use blended clays that are made with raw local NC clay. Details will be announced very soon. Please try and experience the beauty of the natural NC local clay.

Newsletter Spring 2009

We are printing STARworks Ceramics Newsletter, Spring 2009 now. There are many interesting programs in it. You can get at STARworks Ceramics Office, or send us email if you want to receive.

It will also be sent by e-newsletter later on, and if you prefer to receive by paperless, please let us know.

Wood Firing Workshop

Our 2009 Spring Wood Firing workshop will be held March 4th(Wed) to 7th(Sat), 2009. Participants will have approximately 10 cubic feet of space in the kiln.

Since we have started mixing our own clay, this time we are going to provide 50 lbs of our cone 10 white clay to each participant to try. If you make your work in your studio, you are required to bring bisque pots made with clay capable of being fired to cone 10 or higher.

Participants are required to join the loading and unloading as well as the firing of the kiln. Wood Firing Instructor, Takuro Shibata will guide you through loading the kiln and firing techniques throughout the workshop.Date: March 4(Wed)-7(Sat), 2008
Cost: $180.00
Participant: Minimum 5, Maximum 7
Space: Approximately 10 cubic feet per person
Schedule:
March 4 (Wed) 9am-5pm, glazing
March 5 (Thu) 9am-evening, loading kiln
March 6 (Fri) Firing all day
March 7 (Sat) Firing all day

Call or email us to sign up!