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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm

Mudtools

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High performing clay tools for your ceramic making needs. Created by Michael Sherrill in Bat Cave, NC I started with the rib.

The Birth of Mudtools

During 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 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.

10/19/2026

A sharp tool is a maintained tool.

Over time, regular use will naturally change the edge of your Do All Trimming Tool. Our Diamond Burr makes it possible to carefully refresh that edge and keep your tool performing the way it was designed.

The key is knowing where, how, and how much material to remove. A little maintenance can go a long way.

We have a full sharpening and care guide on YouTube that walks through the process step by step, including how to properly maintain your Mudtools trimming tools.

Ready to sharpen yours? Watch the full guide through the link in our bio.

10/12/2026

Going wide on the wheel!

Our Platter Ribs are designed with long profiles that make them especially useful when throwing wide, shallow forms. When working on a long, flat platter like this, the rib helps support and compress a larger section of clay at once while refining the transition from the floor into the wall.

That extra surface area gives you more control over the profile while helping create those long, continuous curves that can be difficult to establish with your hands alone.

What forms do you reach for your Platter Ribs to make?

10/05/2026

Sometimes the shape of the tool makes all the difference.

Our Bowl Ribs are designed with long, continuous curves that make it easier to support and refine the interior and exterior profiles of bowls while throwing.

Rather than working a small section of the wall at a time, the curved edge allows you to make contact across more of the form, helping establish smooth transitions, compress the clay, and create a more intentional curve from foot to rim.

And with different flexibilities available, you can choose how much the rib responds to the form and pressure of your hands.

What’s your favorite way to use a Bowl Rib?

09/01/2026

School is officially back in session!

Across all levels of ceramic education, studios are coming back to life—and we’re so grateful to be a small part of your journey as you continue your dedication, creativity, and education in the ceramic arts.

For Lail Morrison, that means embarking on the beginning of their thesis work and capstone course as they enter the final stretch of their undergraduate program. After a summer away from the studio, he is shaking off the dust and getting back into the swing of things with their Green Shape 2 Polymer Rib in hand.

Here’s to a new semester, new ideas, challenging projects, and all the growth that happens along the way. We can’t wait to see what you create. 💚

Welcome back to the studio!

08/07/2026

🚨 Last chance! Use code BTS20 for 20% OFF everything at Mudtools. 🚨

Our Back-to-School Sale ends tonight at midnight.

After that, everything returns to full price—so if you've been waiting to stock up, refresh your studio, or grab that tool you've had your eye on, this is your final opportunity.

For one more day, every Mudtools product is 20% off:
🟢 Ribs
✂️ Trimming tools
🪢 Mudwires
🧽 Mudsponges
…and everything else in the lineup.

Every tool we make starts with the same question:

"Is there a better way to do this?"

That’s how Mudtools began—solving real problems in the studio by creating tools that didn’t exist yet. Nearly 20 years later, that same standard guides everything we make:

Does it feel right in your hand?
Does it perform the way it should?
Will it become the tool you reach for first?

Whether you're outfitting a classroom, restocking your studio, or finally picking up that one tool you've been thinking about, tonight is the last chance to save.

Thank you for being part of the Mudtools community. We hope this sale helps you prepare for whatever comes next—new semester, new project, or the next piece on your wheel.

🗓️ Sale ends tonight at midnight.
Use code: BTS20

07/31/2026

🚨 Use code BTS20 for 20% OFF everything at Mudtools! 🚨

Our Back-to-School Sale is officially LIVE! From now through Friday, August 7 at 11:59 PM, every tool in the Mudtools lineup is 20% off.

Whether you're stocking a classroom, refreshing your studio, or picking up a few new favorites, now's the time.

New to Mudtools? Start with the Essentials Kit.

We often get asked, "If I'm just getting started, which tools should I buy first?" So we created the kit we wish every new potter had.

Inside you'll find:
🟢 3 Polymer Ribs (R1, Y2 & G4)
🦈 1 Mudshark
✂️ 1 Green Standard Cut-Off Mudwire
🪒 1 Stainless Long Scraper Rib (12 Teeth)
🧀 1 Small Mudshredder
🔧 1 Do•All Trim Tool
🧽 1 Blue Workhorse Mudsponge

Everything comes neatly packaged and ready to go—making it the perfect starter kit for students, classrooms, workshops, or anyone building their pottery toolkit.

Don't miss your chance to save.

🗓️ Sale ends Friday, August 7 at 11:59 PM.

Use code: BTS20 before it's gone!

07/24/2026

Back-to-school season is almost here... which means it's time for our SECOND BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR!

Starting Thursday, July 31 at 10:00 AM EST, every Mudtools tool will be 20% OFF.

Use code: BTS20

From polymer ribs and trimming tools to throwing tools and sponges—everything is included. Whether you're setting up a classroom, restocking your studio, or finally picking up that rib shape or flexibility you've been wanting to try, this is the perfect opportunity.

At Mudtools, every tool starts with one simple idea: make something that genuinely works at the wheel. What began as a single handmade rib has grown into a complete lineup of shapes and flexibilities because every potter works differently—and your tools should reflect that.

🗓️ Sale Details
• Starts: Thursday, July 31 | 10:00 AM EST
• Ends: Friday, August 7 | 11:59 PM

Save this post, set a reminder, and get your wishlist ready. We'll be back on July 31 to let you know when the sale officially goes live.

05/11/2026

Today we are hoping to show up for another artist in the ceramics community.

After a devastating electrical house fire, Laurie, Morgan, and their dog Jess were forced to leave their home. While everyone is thankfully safe, the damage to their home and studio is immense, and the road ahead will be long.

Laurie’s studio space, work, molds, and tools now face extensive cleaning and recovery, and many of the business-related losses will not be covered by insurance. With her first sale of the year canceled and uncertainty around when she can safely return to work, this support means everything.

We have shared their GoFundMe link in our bio, and thanks to the incredible generosity of this community, they have almost reached their goal. It would be amazing to help carry them the rest of the way.

If you are able to contribute or share, every bit helps as they begin rebuilding this next chapter together. 🧡

05/04/2026

Progress in the infrastructure of our community is continuing to take place in the time passing from the hurricane. Our old office site is gone but the roads are making a come back. Check out this update from the river directly from Michael!

04/10/2026

We’re excited to see The Village Potters Clay Center reopening their doors in Asheville, NC.

Spaces like this are the backbone of our community. Places where people learn, share knowledge, and come together through clay. Their return and grand re-opening is something worth showing up for!!

If you’re in the area, stop by, support, and be part of their grand reopening this Saturday.

Let’s continue to show up for the spaces that make this field what it is.

Address

Hendersonville, NC
28792

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18286251852

Website

http://www.mudtools.com/

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