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In the factory we have been testing and processing local clay since March 2009.
To be able to process raw clay from the ground, we had to set up the following equipment:
- shredder
- mixer
- magnetic separator
- vibratory screen
- filter press
- pug mills
If you regularly mix bags of powdered clay from the big clay mines you may not need these, but raw clay from the ground must be processed with just such equipment as we have at STARworks Ceramics. While it is time intensive, this process makes the best quality pottery clay. The raw clay naturally has a variety of particle sizes which makes clay throwing and workability better. Mixing with water hydrates the clay particles, while the pug mill removes air, making the clay even more plastic. This means not too much wedging befor you make your own pottery or ceramic pieces.
Two new clay-bodies available
STARworks Ceramics has two new clay bodies in its inventory. The new local clay products are called Okeewemee10 and Grogeewemee10. “Our customers have been asking for clay that is a little darker,” said Takuro Shibata, director of STARworks Ceramics. “Both of these are a light brown in cone10 reduction, These are a totally different blend than our STARwhite10 clay body. However firing range is a little bit lower and range wider than our STARwhite10. Both are made from several kinds of local clays from within a 40‐mile radius of Star. According to Takuro, the Okeewemee10 is a good all around cone 10 clay, while the Grogeewemee has 20% more grit. “It is coarser and good for hand‐building and slab work.” “The new clays have tested well during firings in gas and electric kilns,” Takuro said. And we just fired our wood kiln to test them, and “ It worked great and came out beautiful.”. The moist clays are sold in 25‐pound convenient packages. STARworks’ clay factory also produces two white clays, Star White 10 and Star White 6, as well as Okeewemee 6, which is a buff‐colored clay.
“We are using extra thick plastic bags for our clay and are starting a recycling program. We will clean and test each bag, and if it is good for re‐use, we will give our customer credit $0.05 per bag. We hope this program works and hope we can reduce waste in some landfills.”
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