Home > United States > Portland, OR > Public Figures > Well Traveled Wares

Well Traveled Wares

Well Traveled Wares

Share

Ceramic artist with studios in Portland, OR and Salgueiro, Portugal. I grew up in a creative family.

Handcrafting planters and ceramic home decor, teaching pottery classes, and hosting artist residencies and retreats in Portugal. My mom always encouraged me to explore the arts, and while I pursued an education in ceramics, I get my hands dirty with so many other mediums. The human face and the stories it tells, the exploration of color as a vehicle for conveying emotion, collage as a means of uncoiling a narrative, the simple representation of words- all things that drive the urge to create. I moved to Portland, Oregon from Connecticut in 2005 hoping to nurture my creative voice. As it turns out, Portland is full of inspiration, and the long stretch of rainy days that envelop us here, are the perfect reason to stay in and produce the pottery, paintings, cards and other items you'll find here. If you see something you like I am happy to take requests and commissions- let's talk!

I’m so excited to announce my Portugal workshop happening September 2027: Narrating in Blue: Myth, Lore, and Surface Design. This seven-day workshop explores storytelling through ceramic surface, using blue and white as a framework for drawing, carving, painting, and image-making on clay. The workshop begins on September 13, but traveling guests should plan to arrive on September 12, for a welcome dinner and to be ready to begin the next morning. Open to all skill levels. Link is posted in my Bio with all the information including a sample itinerary of day to day activities, including our field trips! A little about the retreat: While Portugal has an extraordinary and deeply rooted tradition of blue and white ceramics, this workshop approaches the familiar palette from a different perspective. Rather than focusing on traditional Portuguese methods of decoration, I will share my own contemporary approach to blue and white surface design, using underglaze through a combination of carved, inlaid, and painterly techniques. Working primarily on ceramic tiles, artists will explore wax resist inlay, traditional inlay, carving, and layered underglaze painting, including a watercolor-inspired technique that creates soft washes, variation, and depth while maintaining the clarity of line and imagery. Throughout the workshop, we will think about the ceramic surface as a place for visual storytelling. Drawing inspiration from our time exploring Portugal, artists will learn how to collect imagery from architecture, decorative arts, landscape, flora, fauna, and the unexpected details encountered along the way, then translate those observations into their own ceramic imagery. REST of information in comments! 10/08/2026

NYX+LORE Ceramics by Ashley Maxwell is coming to Portugal next September to teach us how to incorporate visual storytelling into your ceramic surface designs! Want to join us in the Portuguese countryside for an immersive creative experience? https://www.welltraveledwares.com/pages/retreats

I’m so excited to announce my Portugal workshop happening September 2027: Narrating in Blue: Myth, Lore, and Surface Design. This seven-day workshop explores storytelling through ceramic surface, using blue and white as a framework for drawing, carving, painting, and image-making on clay. The workshop begins on September 13, but traveling guests should plan to arrive on September 12, for a welcome dinner and to be ready to begin the next morning. Open to all skill levels. Link is posted in my Bio with all the information including a sample itinerary of day to day activities, including our field trips! A little about the retreat: While Portugal has an extraordinary and deeply rooted tradition of blue and white ceramics, this workshop approaches the familiar palette from a different perspective. Rather than focusing on traditional Portuguese methods of decoration, I will share my own contemporary approach to blue and white surface design, using underglaze through a combination of carved, inlaid, and painterly techniques. Working primarily on ceramic tiles, artists will explore wax resist inlay, traditional inlay, carving, and layered underglaze painting, including a watercolor-inspired technique that creates soft washes, variation, and depth while maintaining the clarity of line and imagery. Throughout the workshop, we will think about the ceramic surface as a place for visual storytelling. Drawing inspiration from our time exploring Portugal, artists will learn how to collect imagery from architecture, decorative arts, landscape, flora, fauna, and the unexpected details encountered along the way, then translate those observations into their own ceramic imagery. REST of information in comments!

10/07/2026

Over the next week or two, I will be sharing some clues about a big prize package I have been working on! There are four amazing companies that make some of my favorite ceramic tools and equipment, plus I am throwing in the biggest piece, which involves our Portugal studio and guest house.
As for this amazing handmade wooden rib tool, my friends at in Madrid makes them and I have quite the collection now! I love them so much I want you to be able to try them too.
My error here was making the walls too thin before using the rib. So I will need to try again with thicker walls.
Would you like to guess what the grand prize will be? I’m terrible at secrets so drop your guesses below and I may share more clues. 😉
Also, I can’t say enough good things about Miller Crafts Tools! They are a small business, run by husband and wife, Manu and Laura, and I am always excited to support other small businesses.
The G1v3away begins 10/20. Be sure you are following so you don’t miss it!

Photos from Well Traveled Wares's post 09/20/2026

For some reason I forgot that I could do this in two pieces and attach them. Ha!
First photo is 12 lbs of clay.
Second photo is closer to 17 lbs and it’s still too short. But there is also so clay left in the bottom that could move up if I wedged this a bit better.
Oh well. We will try again …

Photos from Well Traveled Wares's post 09/19/2026

The new take on my city scape mugs- with double walls to create extra depth. I loved them as is but adding gold luster to the stars and water towers, and mother of pearl to the clouds makes them extra. It’s hard to see but do you like one version better?
Underglazes by Amaco Brent and Kiwi Underglaze
I may bring these back to the US in my carry on next month. …

09/17/2026

What the heck is a Pole Dancing Planter? And why do you need one for your climbing plants?.
1) I throw these planters with a built in Pole Holder. It helps keep the poles straight as your plants climb. It also keeps the stake separate from the soil, so if you use a wooden pole, it’s less likely to rot and snap. (The pole holder also has a drainage hole)
2) the pole holder is in the center of the pot, which helps it from being too heavy on either side and less likely to tip over.
3) lots of drainage so water flows out with ease and you don’t have soggy roots.
4) all the juicy glaze options! It’s scientifically proven that plants in pretty pots are happier. (😉😂 ok maybe I am joking but they sure look pretty)
5) I am@now making them in 3 sizes: 6”, 8”, and 10”- plus other sizes by special request.

Want your public figure to be the top-listed Public Figure in Portland?
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.

Category

Artista

Address

Rua Francisco Pereira Silvestre, No 73
Portland, OR
2540-436

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Well Traveled Wares posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Subscribe

We will notify you when anything happens in Portland.