Sheryl Machat's Amazing Earrings!

Sheryl creates beautiful earrings and I thought I would showcase them today. Sheryl joined Magical Beadstalk as my business partner about 1 1/2 years ago and I've loved watching her process as she creates new pieces for our business. Sheryl often uses unusual combinations of stone and color with great results. We are quite different in what draws us, so we create different styles, which I think makes our product line more interesting.

Many people suggested it would be risky to bring in a partner because I would have to share control, but I've not had a moment of concern. If anything she has brought so much excitement and skill to the business that it's been a great boost. Plus I love working with her. We spend a minimum of two days a week working together, and we laugh a lot while getting things done.

Earrings are a big part of our business and we find ourselves moving into higher end earrings, using top quality gemstones (faceted Lapis Lazuli, Peridot and Aquamarine for example) which when paired with the fine sterling silver wire work, produces beautiful earrings that flow and sparkle as you wear them.

Here are some examples of her newer work:

Family Reunion

Beatrice (Roseman) Spier, circa 1943

I have been a wanderer most of my life, starting when my parents decided to move the family to California from Montreal when I was 5. We lived there until I was 12 and then we moved back to Montreal. I was gone for enough years that I never really bonded with my extended family. I went to family functions, and liked some of my relatives but I was dancing to a different drummer once I reached my teenage years.

I moved to Vancouver, BC at 20 and then was 3000 miles away from family again. I felt an amazing sense of freedom in Vancouver and my 20's may now be somewhat of a blur, but I had a great time. Once I moved to Toronto in 1976 I connected with a few cousins, but by then we all were involved in our own lives and there wasn't much contact.

So it was a surprise and a challenge when my cousin Howard wrote to tell me that my second cousin Eric was organizing a family reunion. I believe he was motivated after finding old films from the 40's and 50's of the Roseman family.

I decided to go even though I never have participated in events like this. To cool for that? Worried about not feeling welcome or accepted? Not sure why not, but I definitely felt like a fish out of water with most of my family when I was younger. I was the black sheep who never bought the party line, always pushing the envelope.

It was last weekend and I had a blast reconnecting. Elaine came with me and I believe she had a good time meeting my family as well. I am so glad I didn't give in to my resistance.

Here is a group shot of us all:

Aging is an interesting process. It amazes me how my perception has shifted. I no longer feel so much an outsider looking in on people I can't really relate to and instead I appreciate each and everyone of them.

Gary & Terry Spier, circa 1954