MKM Pottery Tools, LLC was created in 2003 by Rick McKinney as a result of a need for certain tools in my pottery that were not available in stores.  One particular tool, the MKM Decorating Disk, was not possible for me to make personally because of the printing that is on the plastic sheet, and especially because of all the little holes.  So I thought, "Fine, I'll make up a whole bunch, keep what I need, give a few to friends, and sell the rest."  Ahh, but way leads on to way.  Because then I thought that other folks might be interested in the throwing sticks (MKM Throwing Tools) that I had developed. And then my students liked the various ribs that I had developed over time.

The art in the background was done by my daughter, age 5.

A Note from the Maker:

I hope you enjoy these tools.  They are developed and tested in my studio, and among my studio mates and potter friends.  Your comments as to their design and usefulness are more than welcome.

MKM tools are intended to be innovative and high quality.  MKM is very open to suggestions and comments.  Please feel free to send me your comments by email (Contact MKM page) or via the postal service.  If you have a great shot of a wonderful pot or sculpture made with our tools, send that along, too.  If you have been disappointed by some aspect of an MKM tool, please feel free to communicate that as well, and I will try to make amends.

A visual addendum from the potter and a few personal notes:

Below are some images of pots that I have made.  I include these images partly, I admit, for vanity  -- to share my mudpies.  But also because the tools arose from these pots, and not vice versa.  And more tools will arise from more pots, and that is a part of this business that I like. 

Tools are solutions, sometimes elegant, sometimes not, and they arise from makers of things, which I, as a potter, certainly am.  To dispute Mr. Jacobson, they are not a repudiation of human instinct, they are human instinct.  In their own way, tools are art, too.

If you share the problem, then you might be interested in sharing the solution.  Art is as much about problem solving as any other thing in this world.  It is my hope that these tools will help you solve problems and allow you to spend your time making beautiful pots, or other objects.

All pots are fired in reduction to cone 10 in a natural gas fired kiln built by Donovan Palmquist (Master Kiln Builders at www.MasterKilnBuilders.com).

WovenPot series - shallow bowl. Done as a collaboration with Judy Treichel (Willow Works).  Stoneware with layered glazes and resist brushwork.  Weaving is done with pine needles and sinew.

9 inches across.

WovenPot series shallow bowl. Done as a collaboration with Judy Treichel (Willow Works).  Porcelain with shino and layered glazes and resist brushwork.  Weaving is done with pine needles and sinew.

9 inches across.

WovenPot series  - jar form. Done as a collaboration with Judy Treichel (Willow Works).  Stoneware.  Weaving is done with pine needles and sinew.

11 inches across.

WovenPot series - bowl with wavy rim. Done as a collaboration with Judy Treichel (Willow Works).  Porcelain with shino glaze.  Weaving is done with pine needles and sinew.

10 inches across.

WovenPot series - jar. Done as a collaboration with Judy Treichel (Willow Works).  Stoneware.  Weaving is done with pine needles and sinew.

10 inches tall.

WovenPot series shallow bowl. Done as a collaboration with Judy Treichel (Willow Works).  Porcelain.  Weaving is done with pine needles and sinew.

6 inches across. 5 inches tall.

WovenPot series shallow bowl. Done as a collaboration with Judy Treichel (Willow Works).  Porcelain.  Weaving is done with stained pine needles and sinew.

Triangular dish. 10.5 inches across.