"First, you mash it between your toes, something like wine and grapes, yes?" said Santiago Villafuerte, a pottery artist in Guaitil. The small pottery town is located just down the road from Santa Cruz. Santiago, the picture of unabashed happiness, describes the process he uses to make the clay the right consistency for the pots, jars, cups and plates that he sculpts.

Hands on his hips, shirtless, his round belly hidden under a clay-stained apron, Santiago surveys his studio as a smile runs amok across his face. He picks up a piece of pottery here and there and illustrates how he drew each particular design. He speaks in broken English.

When he wakes at 4:30 in the morning, Villafuerte sits at the table his grandfather carved and looks out into the yard thinking of his blessings.

"I thank God for my life and how it is and I tell my grandfather I love him," Villafuerte said, almost whispering. "I know I can feel his spirit in my hands while I am working."

--Debi Springer