Only one more evening to get ready for the show...

hisashi otsuka series - reclining lady pendant, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

This is one of my favorite pieces I'll be bringing to the Enchanted Luminary Walk event at Minnetrista. I'm so looking forward to this time to talk with people, get feedback on my work, and enjoy the sights, aromas and sounds of people celebrating the start of this holiday season. For more info on the event, please see this post...
http://palumbojewelry.blogspot.com/2009/11/minnetrista-luminaria-this-friday-and.html

Fairies Set - Minnetrista Show

fairies in the sunset fairy buddies, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

If you'd like a sneak peak of some new items you can see at my show this Friday and Saturday, please visit this set of photos on my flickr photostream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jillpalumbo/sets/72157622681258301/Thanks again for looking.
http://palumbojewelry.blogspot.com/2009/11/minnetrista-luminaria-this-friday-and.html

Works in Progress - getting ready for Friday-Saturday Show

Works in Progress - getting ready for Friday-Saturday Show, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

Well, I think it has been a successful weekend. I have completed fifty-eight new pieces, all shined up and ready to go for the Minnetrista Enchanted Luminaria Walk. This is a quick photo of some I have yet to put the finishing touches on, but wanted to show the variety of things I'm working on at the moment. Hope I can get everything ready by Friday. Please wish me luck.

Minnetrista Luminaria - This Friday and Saturday

Minnetrista Luminaria 2007, originally uploaded by Brandy Shaul.

Enchanted Luminaria Walk
Come join in the 2009 holiday festivities at Minnetrista.

I think this lovely photo of a candlelit walk along Minnetrista Boulevard (taken by Brandy Shaul) is a great way to show the magic of the special celebration coming up at the Minnetrista Center here in Muncie, Indiana. The Enchanted Luminaria event will take place this Friday and Saturday from 6-9 pm.
Admission will be free and there will be so many fun things to do:
-luminary walks
-holiday decorations
-carriage rides
-free exhibits
-ornament making
-gingerbread cookie bars
-snow fort
-performances by the Minnetrista Theatre Preserves
-trolley rides
-Oakhurst mansion
-hot cider
-holiday shopping
-and more!

I'll be part of the Luminaria event too, this year. Along with the gingerbread and carriage rides there will be booths set up by local artists for your holiday shopping pleasure.
They call us Luminartists .
I'll be set up both evenings in the Indiana Room with my jewelry on display and for sale.
Hope to see you there.

Links to more information about this event:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24295134@N08/

http://www.bsudailynews.com/2.14295/minnetrista-has-luminary-walk-1.2008244#4

http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20091125/NEWS06/91125028/Minnetrista-ready-to-light-up-for-Luminaria-Walk

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=206774349664

Fairy Feller - Richard Dadd

Fairy Feller - Richard Dadd , originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

It is Thanksgiving, very early morning, and I have just finished a fairy necklace to add to the Art Bead Scene Blog's monthly challenge. This is a photo I took to show my method of making a bead palate before putting a necklace together. When I first looked at my pendant I was certain that silver would be the main color, but as I looked at the collection of beads, I was more and more drawn to the gold beads with silver accents here and there. It sometimes surprises me how things end up so much differently than I had planned.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

A birthday present for Debbie - Nov 25, 2009

A birthday present for Debbie - Nov 25, 2009, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

One warm September Saturday as summer was giving way to fall my friend Debbie, her daughter Anna, Anna's friend Audrey and I went on our annual, day-long rummaging adventure at Matthews, Indiana.

Debbie has been patiently teaching me various skills needed to be an excellent yard sale/garage sale/rummage sale/flea market ...shopper. When we go shopping together, it is serious business. We plan our general route, and take drinks and snacks and plenty of small change and dollar bills. Stops (even for restroom breaks) are not a high priority. There is a way to park at just the right angle to get back on the road quickly, and there is a way to negotiate prices without offending the sellers. There are certain houses that always have the best sales, and there are others we know to drive on by with only a slight slowing of the van to assess what might be worthy of our time. Debbie has taught me that sometimes the best stuff is under the tables and that there is always enough room in the van if we pack it just so.

My favorite find from this year's shopping extravaganza has been sitting in my garage begging for my attention for a couple months now. Except for the one leg that looked as if a puppy had chewed on it and the fabric that was worn and discolored, this rocker was a gem, and just begged to come home with me. I sat down in ti, and it was very sturdy. Then Debbie tried it out too. When I saw her in it, I realized immediately that it was meant to be hers. It fit her perfectly!

I acted like I really liked it, and wanted it for myself, and she was very encouraging. She told me how she would take off the old fabric, and it would be so easy to get some new fabric and tacks, sand the leg, etc. She said I could bring it over to her garage, and we'd have a great time doing it together.

Well, that would have been fun, but I really wanted to do it myself as a surprise for her. This project has been on hold for a couple months, but this week I finally found time to pick out fabric, tear the old off and put everything all back together. This is my first upholstering project, and it was a bunch of work, but I had so much fun doing it hoping that this would be a hit with my dear friend.

I'm taking it over to her today, so I hope to have a couple photos of her in it to show you soon.

At this holiday time, I am so very thankful for my good friends and family. I am indeed blessed with so many who love me and are a joy in my life.

Thanks for reading my blog :),
Jill

Aunt Mari and Vince

Aunt Mari and Vince at honor band concert, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

This is a photo taken just after Vince played his flute at the All-Region junior high band concert. We were all happy she could be there with us, but Vince was especially happy to have her in the audience.
What a wonderful concert, and having our precious Aunt Mari there was an extra sweet surprise.