When Tony Heyl's “A Silver Lining” gave the local cable BRCTV a drone for creating lovely regional aerial videos (see BRCTV7.org), I asked him if he intended to do some flying.
Tony responded, “Mitchell, if I tried to fly that thing, it would be my luck to crash into the ninth tee of the celebrity golf tournament, clobbering some late great hockey player and terminating our careers. I'd much rather be supportive of others and out of sight.
Since I have known Tony, he has produced the most intricate and detailed metal objects. His newer enterprise, “The Maine Bracelet Company,” has existed, in my mind, for decades. “A Silver Lining” has been around for over 30 years. The things that Tony has sculpted in wax, then molded and produced, adorn wrists, fingers, necklaces and ears the world over. He is a genius. He's also a goofball! Takes one to know one!
One more recent design, “the lobster claw,” shows up on bracelets, belt buckles and key chains, and sells feverishly in person and online, an overwhelming success.
New designs pop out of his head everyday. A remarkable series of beautiful and unique items are in the pipeline for this season's collectors — crabs, lobsters and seals in gold and silver, to mention only a few.
Tony is curious and resourceful and generous. He does not seek recognition in the traditional sense but is amply recognized through his work. Just look at the photograph he allowed me to make of him. Talk about being seen and not heard! Obviously, it's the lobster claw we really see, right? Tony never blinked. I made an unsolicited myselfie!
Tony can't be other than who he is, which is fine with me. A good friend.