Mudtools are locally manufactured and finished and shipped from Michael's studio.The Birth of MudtoolsDuring my years of working in clay, making pots and art, I have often had ideas that required working outside "normal" processes. I found that the available "clay tools" did not serve my ideas well. So, out of necessity I would make a tool, or modify an existing one to suit my needs. These new tools quickly became indispensable and were always the first thing to come out of my toolbox. Naturally, I would show these off at a workshop, and as a result I found that people were interested in buying them!It didn't take long to figure out that I couldn't make a tool for each person that wanted one. I was going to need a little help, and that is how Mudtools was born. I started with the rib. I had already found a material that performed well and actually got better with use (it is self-polishing.) With the material in mind, I designed six shapes that I think cover a lot of what hand builders and throwers need from a rib. Each rib shape is available in four hardnesses from very soft to very firm. You choose the shape and hardness that suits your clay and your working style.It is my goal to offer you a tool that has a high performance quality, is pleasing to the hand and eye, and that you find indispensable.