Welcome to Well Traveled Wares

I invite you to explore my ceramic creations and experiences.

Explore Portugal from Our Studio

Ceramics Residencies, Retreats and Local Classes

In 2025 we began hosting ceramics residencies, and this year we're adding on a few retreat options. Perfect for ceramic artists that want to immerse themselves in clay, have the quiet of the countryside, with proximity to so much inspiration from Portugal's history and natural beauty.

It's not too late to sign up for our last retreat of the year! 2027 Retreat details coming in late September.

See All 2026 Retreats Learn About Residencies

Behind the Scenes

See What's Happening in the Portugal and Portland Studios

Our First Ceramics Retreat is in the Books and it Feels SO Good!

Our First Ceramics Retreat is in the Books and it Feels SO Good!

After years of dreaming and planning and rehearsing, I hosted my first ceramics retreat in my own space! It's been a big proof of concept moment for me and I...

May WTW Studios Recap

May WTW Studios Recap

Whew! May marks our first full year of hosting artist residencies. Last May, our first guests were a group of three friends, who had met at a previous residency. They...

Portugal Life: Electricity Woes

Portugal Life: Electricity Woes

Since we've moved from Portland, Oregon, USA to Salgueiro, Leiria, Portugal, we have discovered many differences, in culture and ease (or lack there of) in which things get accomplished, or...

Losing Chase (February 2011- October 2025)

Losing Chase (February 2011- October 2025)

If you're new here, Chase was my beloved, but bitey Border Collie.  On October 21, 2025 we said good bye to my beloved border collie Chase. He was just shy...

Community Studio Update: One Year in Portugal

Community Studio Update: One Year in Portugal

On September 3rd, 2025 we celebrated one full year in Portugal. If you're new here, my husband Nick and I moved with the goal of opening a small community studio...

Let's Leave the Country

So my husband Nick and I have decided to move to Portugal. I’ve had a lot of questions about why and how, and it’s been hard to decide where to...

Moving to Portugal Part Two: How I Met Mariana Sampaio

Ok, so my last Portugal post was back in April during my third visit there, but I never really talked about how I ended up visiting Portugal in September of...

A French Man and Two Kilns

Back in December of last year, I did a holiday market, and had postcards about the community studio project on the table as a conversation starter. And it worked! As...

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Well Traveled Wares Creations

Handcrafted design solutions for home and garden. I'm working on a trip to Portland in fall 2026 to make a new collection!

About Us

Well Traveled Wares is a handmade ceramic brand inspired by the places we live and the places we go to escape. Artist and entrepreneur Nicole Curcio is the designer, and creator of all WTW designs. Founded in Portland, OR, USA in 2020, Nicole moved to Portugal in 2024 to expand her collection and offer artist residencies and workshops.

Our full story