Meet the Humans Behind the Art
Nicole is the artist, owner, marketing manager, events planner, educator, and master dreamer behind all things Well Traveled Wares. Born and raised in Connecticut, she found the wanderlust at an early age, and left home to try living in new places when she was 17.
In 2005 she landed in Portland, Oregon which was home for nearly twenty years. Portland was the place that fueled my art making and creativity. I also held a corporate job there doing marketing, public relations and events planning, which on top of my retail management career, gave me all the skills needed to break free and start my own business.
I am a gardener, plant collector, and nature lover, but I also love time spent in a big city people watching and geeking out on architecture and home decor. All of this inspires the art I make, but i couldn't do it all without a little help!
Nick DiBiase
Sure, Nick's my husband and long time bestie (even before we were romantically involved), but he's also the science and math to my art and writing. He helps me design functional things around the house and in the studio, from 3D printing gadgets for the studio, to building tables and shelves. He's also putting that science brain to good use mixing glazes for the community studio (and me), creating a giant garden for us to feast on, and exploring alternative firing ideas for ceramics.
Did I mention that he also cooks, cleans and is 1000% a better domestic partner than me. He is the backbone of everything that is Well Traveled Wares.
Anna Hopkins
Anna is my unicorn at Well Traveled Wares. she applied for a studio assistant job in May 2023, after I had just hired someone else. Thankfully she agreed to come on board in a work-trade agreement, and I was able to hire her part time in December that year.
She has a great eye for details, and has learned how to knock out designs like my Gatsby pots, bookends and Monstera pots. Plus she's a huge help glazing pre-orders. And oh-my-goodness- she is the Shipping Queen!
Anna and her partner also rent our Portland home, which allowed me to keep my studio set up there and have a place to work when I get back to town. Beyond all of this, she's a wonderful human, and I feel so lucky to have her in my world.
Wil LaBelle
Wil LaBelle is a great friend and super talented ceramic artist. We've been in each other's social orbit since late 2012, and ended up becoming friends the following year over a mug he made me that I never officially ordered (it was my favorite mug for many years until I broke it).
Wil has been helping Anna and I out, to keep things going back in the Portland. He's throwing some of my designs, like the Pole Dancing Planters, and base planter that becomes my bookends or leafy planters, so that Anna and I can assemble and glaze them, keeping US production a possibility.
We've also been collaborating on some new designs, so keep an eye out for Travel Mugs and Pour Overs. Check out Wil's work on his website or Etsy page. You won't be disappointed.