From Hobby to Thriving Handmade Pottery Business: A Year in Review
The Beginning of MM Pottery Co.
In the summer of 2023, I found myself back at the pottery wheel, rediscovering the joy of working with clay. After over a decade away from pottery, and with only a brief refresher class under my belt, I decided to try my hand at creating pieces for fun. Little did I know, this simple hobby would soon transform into a handmade pottery business.
At first, pottery was just an exploration. I was crafting pieces for friends and family when the director of the Chestnut Square Farmers Market approached me with an unexpected opportunity: they wanted me as a vendor to fill a pottery gap at the market. Though I hadn’t planned on creating a business, this chance was too intriguing to pass up.
Choosing Pottery Over Sausages
Oddly enough, I was at a crossroads, debating between launching a pottery business or a hot dog and sausage cart. While the food venture was tempting, I quickly realized it would cost up to $30,000 to start. Comparatively, pottery required less than $1,000 in supplies, along with a kiln I already owned. So, with both excitement and a touch of humor, I leaned into pottery.
Building a Handmade Pottery Business
Over the last year, MM Pottery Co. has grown tremendously, selling nearly 1,000 pieces, including custom dinnerware, coffee mugs, and one-of-a-kind items. Seeing customers return to support a small business has been both humbling and inspiring. It’s a rare gift in today’s world of mass production.
Balancing Passion and Growth
Working late at night from 9 PM to midnight, I’ve managed to keep up with demand, but I’m reaching a limit. Each piece is handmade, taking time and care, and the positive response from customers is motivating me to expand. This year, I plan to bring on an apprentice who shares my passion for the craft. My goal is to grow MM Pottery Co. sustainably, adding another artist to our team who will help us continue offering high-quality, handmade pottery.
Expanding with Slip Casting
As the demand for affordable handmade pottery grows, I’ve decided to explore slip casting. Although it’s different from hand-thrown pottery, this process allows me to create beautiful pieces at a lower price point. To distinguish these from my hand-thrown items, I’ll brand them as MMCC, a slight departure that maintains my commitment to handmade quality. Slip casting opens up the possibility of producing 80-100 pieces a week, doubling our current output.
Looking Ahead: A Vision for MM Pottery Co.
My dream is to create a studio that allows me and other artists to work full-time, even though I love my day job and plan to keep it. With this vision, M.M. Pottery Co. could grow into a shared studio space, inviting other creators to join and benefit from the resources and community we build together.
Today, our pieces have reached over half of the United States. With time, we hope to share MM Pottery Co. with people all around the world, spreading the beauty and joy of handmade pottery to every corner.
Thank you for following our journey. Here’s to the next chapter of M.M. Pottery Co., a story written in clay, creativity, and community.
– M.M.