We’re 20 months into this journey, and I still can’t quite believe where we are. MM Pottery Co. has now sold over 1,350 pieces of handmade pottery in Downtown McKinney, and I currently have orders for 200 more. When I started, I had no idea what this could become. The support from the community, our fans, and every customer we’ve met has been overwhelming.
While I set out to create something different than what was already available, I never anticipated the pace of this growth. What started as my “9 to midnight” side hustle has grown into a full-fledged business. And with that growth comes a reality check, I'm currently producing as much as humanly possible.
Every piece I make is wheel thrown and crafted by hand, and nothing cuts corners. That commitment to quality means longer production times. Each piece goes through four major stages:
Throwing: The piece is shaped on the wheel and left to dry for 24 - 48 hours.
Trimming: Once firm, I trim the form and carve our signature foot, one of the defining features of an MM Pottery Co. piece.
Handle Attachment: Every handle is attached individually. We carefully blend the joint so it feels seamless and smooth.
Glazing & Firing: The final step takes another 48 hours between glazing and kiln time.
This process can’t be rushed, it's the essence of handmade pottery in Downtown McKinney.
Expanding Through Slip Casting
To continue growing without compromising quality, we’re introducing slip casting to our lineup. This will allow us to offer mugs, bowls, and possibly plates at a more accessible price point. Think of this new line as the Toyota to our Lexus, the same care, but with a more scalable approach.
Unlike many producers, we’ll make our slip-cast molds from originals that I hand-throw and carve myself. That means every piece, even those from molds, still begins with a handmade origin. Once the molds are ready, our team can help with production, making this a great step toward adding new staff and building a sustainable future.
What’s Next?
Slip casting is a brand new process for me, and it’s going to come with a steep learning curve. I expect a lot of trial and error, from making the original blanks to refining our mold-making methods to dialing in the casting process itself. But I plan to document and share that journey, failures and all.
That’s part of the fun. It’s rare to get the chance to learn something completely new while growing your business. And with slip casting, we’ll be able to expand our offerings, include more people in the production process, and continue evolving without sacrificing quality.
Balancing It All
This isn’t my full-time jobf. I still work 40–50 hours a week in my day job with the City of McKinney. That role supports my family, so it comes first. This pottery business is a blessing, but it’s one I juggle between family time, work hours, and everything else life throws at me (including that ever-growing honey-do list).
Despite the chaos, I’m deeply grateful for what MM Pottery Co. is becoming. We’re just getting started, and I’m excited for the future with new people, new processes, and new possibilities for handmade pottery in Downtown McKinney.