MKM Pottery Tools LLC Information

MKM Pottery Tools, LLC was established in 2003 by Rick McKinney. The initial set of tools sold by MKM, such as the MKM Decorating Disk, the MKM Throwing Tools, and the various types of ribs, were tools that Rick had developed in his studio for his own personal use, and were not available for sale elsewhere. But it was the Decorating Disk (a sort of universal pottery template) that really launched the business. Rick thought it was a good idea, but didn't have the ability to screenprint or work with acrylic sheets. So he had a bunch made up thinking he would sell what he didn't need. Ten years later, Rick is still selling his Decorating Disk, and many other tools, as well. From the beginning, MKM has specialized in bringing tools to the market that were not readily available to the potter. Sure, folks could buy a few different types of ribs, but not plate ribs, interior ribs, mini-ribs, or large bowl ribs. Yes, potters could make their own stamps, but it was quite a learning curve to make a good stamp, and these homemade stamps often do not connect well, dimensionally, to create larger patterns. Nor was it possible to get the designs I felt could be achieved in a stamp by handcarving them - or it would take a very large amount of time. Furthermore, stamps work better when there is a bevel at the edge of the stamp so that the corners don't crack and so the stamp releases well from clay, and this, too, is hard to hand carve.