Tressa, one of our Registry Specialists, has been a part of so many big celebrations—not just weddings and commitment ceremonies but New Homes, Big Birthdays, or Just Because.

A member of our Customer Service team, Tressa’s been our Registry Specialist since 2012. It’s a job that calls for a rare mix of traits, like a great eye, deep product knowledge, and modern etiquette IQ. From time to time, it also requires the instincts of a therapist and the talents of a seasoned diplomat. We caught up with Tressa in between phone calls and emails to dish a little.
How’d you come to Heath?
I was born in San Francisco and raised in Sonoma County, so of course I knew about Heath. And pottery was a big part of my life growing up: my mother is a huge lover of ceramics and china. My father also had a taste for studio pottery. So you could say it’s in my blood.

So are you a collector too?
Oh yes. My family knows this about me, and when they give me things, it’s dinnerware! I just love looking at the china in my china cabinet.

Whoa, hold up. You have a china cabinet?
I know, I know. Not many people do (particularly if they’re not married) but I’m proud of it. And since I love cooking at home, I do use my china everyday.

Come on. Not every day.
Yes! Pretty much every night, I set the table (and I’ve trained my boyfriend to do it, too). I light candles and bring out the china. After a long day, I don’t want to spend an hour and a half prepping and cooking a meal, only to chow down, leaning against the counter. [Wow. We’re impressed, not to mention inspired.]
OK, let’s play a speed round. What’s the most important thing to keep in mind when I’m putting together a registry?
A registry is a great balance between what you want, but also about being realistic about who you are, and who your guests are.

How many place settings?
I am all about less is more. And these days, it’s less about number, and more about how you really live: how much storage you have, how you entertain, etc.

And how many things should I put on my registry?
It depends on the number of guests for your event, and making sure that they have enough to buy! And people should consider price range: you should balance more expensive things with less expensive ones, or have something that would be good for people to go in on together as a group.

What do you think people like the most about registering with Heath?
People love to be able to mix and match. I think it may be the knowledge that you’re really creating your own collection, something that really reflects you.
Do you find yourself offering design advice?
All the time. People love to ask questions about color and shape all the time. They want to know what the do’s and don’ts are. And the answer is that, with a few exceptions, so much of it depends on the registrant’s preference when it comes to mixing and matching. And one of the best things about Heath is how good it looks with other kinds of dinnerware: so you can mix something new with something your grandmother gave you. I have a blue Spode Willow Pattern collection, and my Coupe and Chez Panisse dinnerware looks great with it.

What are your favorite questions to answer or problems to help with?
My favorite question to answer is this one: “After we get married, do we get a discount on things we didn’t receive?” I love that: because the answer is yes!

What surprises you most?
That people don’t redeem their registry credit! People hang onto it for a long time and that often blows my mind! If I had a bunch of Heath registry credit burning a hole in my pocket...wow. I would be dangerous.

Thanks, Tressa. Have more questions? Give our Customer Service team a call, send us an email, or come into our showrooms—each location has a designated Showroom Registry Specialist, so just ask! Learn more about Heath Registries here.