We took a day trip to the Heath Factory in Sausalito. This is their courtyard with a brilliant, monochromatic periwinkle scheme. It's a color you rarely see today, so you can see that their place of business is a time capsule of eccentric yet classic good taste. The Heath tiles on the outdoor floor are earth-toned to stand out against the background of cool colors and mimic the ground.

There was a continuous array of knowledgeable and friendly folks to guide us into the reception area.

Here is Nancy, a classmate from the Randall Museum ceramics course. Wearing safety glasses provided by Heath, we're ready to see how the other half glazes.

Inside the factory, this is the room where the molds for Heath's bigger objects are produced. I never really thought of ceramics being cast, but due to their high volume, it makes perfect sense. There is still plenty of hand work ahead!

The bowls in the molds are prepped for firing in the kiln. Resting inside the molds, they remind me of white hats. Clay shrinks after coming out of the kiln, so these will gently pop out.

Scraps of clay are reusable if you don't let them dry out. Of course, they might not be totally reusable if left out to dry for too long. They may be used to make a "slip" which is the glue for putting two pieces of clay together. This pile of clay cast offs is a complex sculpture in itself!

Heath's award-winning coffee cups are being shaped here by hand after their removal from the molds. You can clean up the edges by using a sharp tool and also rounding out the body with your hands. The production line is full of happy workers who comprise the Heath family. Most of these workers have known each other for years and some are even cousins.

Some people don't realize that often times ceramic objects are made of several pieces. Which is why a lot of classes will teach you how to make a teapot. The trick is to score the parts that will attach together and lightly brush in the slip. It can be very therapeutic and joyful work.

That unique poppy-colored glaze is one of Heath's signatures. Carlos sprays the color onto the objects in their spray box that has a built-in ventilation system. Then he'll wipe the edge to reveal the grainy clay lip that is also part of Heath's uniquely branded design. It takes an even keel and plenty of patience to do.