Pen Pal Subscription

I’m testing out some subscription options to help keep in touch and build stronger connections with my community of collectors, friends and supporters. The cost will be low, and each item will arrive monthly. You can choose the yearly option for a single letter, and you cancel anytime. So...let’s be pen pals? Your monthly subscription helps me generate a little reliable income every month while we are getting settled here in Portugal. Have questions or ideas? Don’t hesitate to reach out via email: nmcurcio (@) gmail (DOT) com

I have always loved writing, sending and receiving letters. As a kid I had pen pals all over the world, and would run to the mailbox after school to check for new letters. As an adult, most of the mail we receive is bills and advertisements, certainly nothing worth running to the mailbox for!

As an artist, my livelihood depends on my ability to design, produce, promote and sell my art. It’s no small feat, and now that we’ve moved to another country, I’m starting from scratch. I left my studio equipment and audience back in the US. I’m looking for used equipment here in Portugal (we’re on a very tight budget). I’m testing materials (all the clays and glazes are different), and I am trying to build an audience here to sell my art to. Plus there is the kiln and electricity problem we are desperately trying to figure out.

Depending on the option you choose, I’ll send you an email or printed letter detailing what’s happening behind the scenes here. You’ll get photo previews of new art in process, see progress on setting up the studio, residency house and garden, and get updates on the community studio and workshops and retreats here in Portugal before I share them publicly.

Here’s what’s include in each option:

• Digital letter- this will be the same as the printed letter, but will appear in your inbox as an email letter or emailed link to a password protected blog post for subscribers only. (one a month has passed the password will be removed and this will be open to non-subscribers)

• Printed letter- I’ll snail mail a printed paper letter to you with photos embedded, and a few extra tidbits. Each letter will be signed, and stamped from Portugal (Note mail can be slow to arrive from here. So far it’s been between 10 days and 3 weeks). Sending letter to the US (for example) costs almost 3 euros, plus paper, envelopes and printing costs.

• Printed letter + postcard: This is the same as the printed letter option, but I will also include a post card, or small art print from a place or artist I’ve connected with that month. Post cards and prints add 2-6€ to the cost. 

• Buy me a coffee:  just a simple way to make a small 3€ donation to help us raise kiln money.
• I only mention the costs of each options because the subscription fee is not all profit. Also of note, all of this income is taxable- since were are NOT a non profit.

Thanks for helping us make these big studio dreams come true. I look forward to writing to you. :)