Our State Magazine, July 2009

Our State Magazine, July 2009 has an article about STARworks.
http://www.ourstate.com/

Closed on Friday, July 3rd

STARworks Ceramics will be closed on July 3rd, this Friday because of the Independence day. Have a great holiday!

Kids Class

STARworks Ceramics offered to have kids clay class which is organized Star Library today and there were lot of kids in the clay studio. They made critters by clay. It's always good to see children's smiles:)

Visit to Penland 3

We visited to Bandana Pottery (Michael Hunt and Naomi Dalglish). They are our friends and it's been a while since we met them last time. They are making lot of pots and try to be ready for Kiln Opening on July 18-19, 2009.

We talked about latest news to catch up, and showed photos of STArworks Ceramics. As you know they make their own clay from local materials by themselves, but they will try to use STARworks clay. Also they will give some clay samples to his friends in Bakersville area. Thanks Michael and Naomi.

Visit to Penland 2

The second day, we visited to Michael Kline's studio. He has a studio and kiln on top of the hill and it has very nice view. We should be very much familiar with mountains and hills in Japan, but somehow we forgot about it, so we were very surprised how high Penland area is located.
Michael was very exited about STARworks clay, and we hope he will have good results. He is going to give our clay samples to local potters around him. Very kind of you, Michael.

And this guy was really happy to get on Michael Kline's mower in front of his studio. He doesn't like long driving (by car), though.

Visit to Penland 1

We just came back from Penland. STARworks Ceramics Clay Factoty made 8000 lb of clay mix for Daniel Johnston's workshop at Penland School of Crafts, and we wanted to see him and his students up there. When we arrived to Penland, Daniel and his students were working on kiln loading, it was just 5th day and lots of large jars were ready to fire. Studends said they really like Daniels workshop also clay. We are glad to hear that. We met Suzan who is a clay coordinator of Penland school and she was really nice to us. She works hard to help and support students, I am sure it must be really hard job. We took STARworks clay samples and some students will use and test it. We are very exited about it.

Clay Experience Workshop 6/23

A group from West End came to take Clay Experience Workshop today. They worked very very hard and made nice bowls and vessels. Thank you very much for taking this class.

Clay Experience workshop is designed for people who don’t have any/much previous clay experience. It’s a two-hour class that will give an opportunity to make simple pots that will be a permanent souvenir of a visit to this area. Also it would be good tips for your customers to spend extra time during pottery shopping.

After the class, the pots will be glazed and fired by STARworks Ceramics, and then they’ll be returned by either mail or local pickup. We can accommodate large groups up to 20 for hand building class, and up to 4 for wheel throwing class. This workshop is a great way for visitors to experience the rich craft culture in this region. It is our hope that this program promotes interest in pottery and encourages
future visits to the area.

Workshops are scheduled Monday through Saturday.
Please make reservations by phone or email.

Cost:
4 to 10 participants: $35.00/ person for hand-building class
10 to 20 participants: $30.00/ person for hand-building class
4 participants: $35.00/ person for wheel-throwing class
Children (under 15) with adults: $20.00/ person

Cost includes studio fee, all project materials and firing cost. If you have any further question about the Clay Experience Workshop, please give us a call at 910-428-9007 or send email to info@starworksnc.org

Japanese Teapot Workshop 6/20

We had Japanese Teapot Workshop in the clay studio and it was really successful. Not only making teapots but we talked about teapots in western and eastern, and we shared techniques which we each have. Thank you very much for participating this workshop!

Now STArworks Ceramics is making plan for Special Workshop Series in Fall 2009. We want to hear from you about what kind of workshop you would like to take. Please email us if you have any suggestions. We would like to make good educational programs for potters (from beginner to professional) and make use of studio space for good programs.

Left the nest

There were birds in the clay factory and Santiago has been watching them. They made the nest and laid eggs, then eggs hatched, and today those baby birds left the nest and flew to outside after the parents.

See video to the below.




Santiago will miss you and come back to see us!

Flowers and Herbs

Although you might have thought it's very bad (and sad) shape, but finally we planted flowers and herbs on two flower beds next to the front door of STARworks Ceramics. Now it looks much nicer than used to be. Most plants were given by STARworks Garden and a little bit plants and seeds came from my home garden. A lot of thanks to Anne!

It will take a time to be settled. The right side is herbs, the left side is flowers. When you come to our shop, please take a look.