Sherry Vanderstein has mastered the art of communicating to the world what Engrave-A-Crete is all about. As graphic designer for the company, she is responsible for designing brochures, catalogs, emails, web pages, trailer wraps...the list goes on and on to include nearly everything the public sees from Engrave-A-Crete. Coupling her love for art with her appreciation of concrete makes Sherry's job especially rewarding to her.
“I love graphic design,” Sherry says, “and I have a really crazy love of concrete based on my childhood. I see decorative concrete from the artistic side rather than from the construction side. I enjoy seeing what people are doing on their floors, on the walls, concrete furniture and jewelry from the artistic point, so I look at decorative concrete with that sort of eye. I find decorative concrete to be a very beautiful way of enhancing the home and I believe in the products that we sell here.”
While Sherry's creative side appreciates the artistic side of decorative concrete, she also understands that not everyone considers themselves an artist.
“Decorative concrete gives people an artistic expression without having to be an artist to do it,” Sherry says. “People are naturally creative and sometimes they just get stifled. There are all sorts of forms of art that people can use, and decorative concrete is one of those.”
Sherry believes balance in essential in life, and she's a strong proponent for everyone making a positive contribution to the world.
“There has to be a balance between family, work and religion. If you're able to get that balance you'll have a better home, less stress, help people more and have a meaningful life,” Sherry says. “It's not all about work, but I certainly think everyone should do their share. I'm very Republican and I think everyone should pull their own weight. If they don't have a job, they should be doing something useful and productive for society. I also think we should try to do something every day that lasts. Not something like laundry that has to be done over and over, but something that won't get undone, even if it's just taking a picture. That's another reason I like decorative concrete. It lasts.”
In addition to working at Engrave-A-Crete, Sherry also operates her own graphic design studio. It took her some time to decide on a career, but Sherry is happy with her choice.
“When I graduated from high school, I thought I wanted to be an elementary teacher,” Sherry says. “After volunteering for a month in a kindergarten class, I knew that wasn't for me. I looked at several options, then I decided on graphic design. I completed my Associate's degree in computer graphics, and another in graphic design. I've worked for a newspaper, a box company, as a cartographer and now at Engrave-A-Crete. I enjoy working with the staff we have here.”
Sherry likes several hobbies, but she fills most of her free time working with the Frontier Girls troop.
“Frontier Girls is a new scout-like organization that doesn't have the corporate side that's part of the major scouting group for girls,” Sherry says. “We needed a curriculum to better meet the needs of girls living in a rural area. Also, all the funds we raise stay with our troop, so clubs like our local Lions Club and Kiwanis are more willing to make donations. We're excited about Frontier Girls.”