Palumbo Polymer Jewelry

Silhouette at Sunset - TADA 365, December 9, #350 - Carved Earrings-Tutorial in a Photo

2011-12-21T03:00:00.001-08:00

Silhouette at Sunset - TADA 365, December 9, #350 - Carved Earrings- Tutorial in a Photo, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

Earrings for Kristin –

It is nearing the end of the year, and I have had no time to get ready for the holidays. Preparing for a Spanish test on December 16 kept me buried in verb tenses and vocabulary, and there was no time left for picking out presents; so, here is a quick tutorial for all of my claying friends.

One of my former students asked me to make some earrings similar in style to this pendant: The original piece was inspired by a Flickr friend of mine, a photographer and retired teacher, FreeSpirit5.

This tiny tutorial shows how I came up with much smaller versions of Gary's silhouetted robin.

1) Sketched – about the right size and shape

2) Created a skinner blend of sunset/sunrise colors in clay

3) Cut and placed trapezoid shaped clay on another much darker skinner blend

4) Cut out dark clay "frames"

5) Carved robins on a branch – I like to spray clay with water and impress an image on uncured clay. The water makes the clay move better. My tool of choice is usually a tiny knitting needle.

6) Inserted (sandwiched between clay) figure 8 shaped wire on back for hanging the earrings

7) Added some cutouts of birds on backs along with my signature.

8) Cured, painted with black acrylic, sanded and buffed.

9) Added earring wires

Now the project is finished and I have accomplished my first holiday gift. This is for you, my claying friends and readers.

Wishing you a warm and safe season with time for yourselves and time to be with loved ones too,

Jill

Los abalorios "de arte", un reto mensual, y un edificio elegante... DECABS, TADA 365

2011-12-13T19:49:00.001-08:00

Los abalorios "de arte", un reto mensual, y un edificio elegante... DEC ABS, TADA 365, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

Este collar, creado por mi, estuvo inspirado para un edificio. Sí, yo no bromeo.
Me gusta mucho el blog que se llama "Art Bead Scene", el ámbito de los abalorios hechos por artistas. Como me encanta crear los abalorios y me interese aprender muchas cosas (las técnicas, usar nuevas combinaciones de colores, escribir artículos en idiomas que no entender bien ;) y más) el reto mensual de Art Bead Scene es perfecto para mi.
Pero... ¿un collar inspirado para un edificio? Por favor, miren aquí y pueden comprender lo que quiero decir. Y mi método de crear mis abalorios del principio al fin:
1) Mezclé los colores para corresponder a la gama aquí

2) Fundí la parafina (en mi orno – ¡¡¡Ojo!!! – estaba muy peligroso y casi ardí nuestra casa – sin broma) y después de limpiar el orno (durante tres horas!) tallé en la parafina enfriada.
Aprendí la técnica de tallar en parafina para leer un articulo "Wax Impressions" escrito para Sage Bray en The Polymer Arts Magazine, Issue #2.

3) Con la arcilla hice un vaciado y con eso hice un molde.

4) Pinté un poco de la arcilla en todos los colores de la gama con la pintura acrílica.

5) Hice "mokume gane" con la arcilla en sobra.

Y por fin
6) Después de leer un articulo fascinante "An Introduction to Basic Principals of Design" escrito por Jan Geisen en la revista que se llama PolymerCAFÉ (diciembre 2011) practiqué ejercicios de partes principales del diseño como Jan sugerido.

ABS June Challenge- TADA 365 #156 June 6, 2011

2011-06-25T07:32:00.001-07:00

ABS June Challenge- TADA 365 #156 June 6, 2011, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

Here is my entry for this month's Art Bead Scene Blog challenge. This challenge is actually based on the artwork of a French artist, Odilon Redon. I just love the colors of his piece titled Ophelia.

Ophelia by Odilon Redon

c. 1900-05; Pastel on paper mounted on board, 19 7/8 x 26 1/2 in; The Woodner Collection

I took the color palette of this piece and adapted it to a series of jewelry pieces of my own. As you may already know, I have been exploring the art of Frida Kahlo every since I started learning Spanish about a year ago. The more I learn about her art and her life story, the more intersting she becomes to me. I felt compelled to do a face cane this last week, and after three tries I feel like I like this one turned out well enough. Here is a photo of my cane (originally 4"x5"x4")...

I'm dressing her up with some "tricks" from Julie Picarello's new book that was reviewed here on one of my favorite websites, Polymer Clay Daily. Her book takes the mokumegane effect to a whole new level.

Gara's "Monky" - Peeper Keeper "Kollage"

2011-06-14T15:25:00.001-07:00

Gara's "Monky" - Peeper Keeper "Kollage", originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

My next-door neighbor, Gara, recently ordered her first pair of glasses. She wasn't very thrilled about it at first. She decided that she would be okay if she had a glasses holder for her new glasses. She wanted a monkey. Well this was a bit difficult to find, so her mommy, Gina, asked me if I could make a monkey glasses holder. I am always up for a challenge, so I said I'd try. I found my inspiration for a cute monkey from a photographer on Flickr. Thank you so much, Xie xie, TailYY.

Here is the process I used ...She began as a little vase that I filled with glass globs and beads to keep her from becoming top heavy.

Trying to follow Maureen Carlson's method of building faces as I remember from her presentation at the last International Polyemer Clay Association retreat and also from two of her books I am lucky enough to have in my library Family and Friends in Polymer Clay and Fairies, Gnomes & Trolls: Create a Fantasy World in Polymer Clay ...

I needed to make the monkey's face big enough to hold Gara's glasses on it's nose, so my monkey became more and more of a caricature. Also, I left a little channel for the earpieces.

Trying to make my monkey smile :)

Here is my monkey with TailYY's wonderful photo.

After I tried an actual pair of children's glasses on my monkey, I decided I needed to start over with the earpieces channel idea. I cut away the back of the head and made new "x" shaped channels that worked much better.

When I had the basic face and upper body done I asked Gara to tell me what sort of clothes her monkey should wear. Here are Gara's notes and drawing:

I think her handwriting is so precious.

I tried to make a pink with white polkadot cane, but it was just a bit goofy looking after I worked too much with it trying to save steps by sculpting the skirt at the same time as I was addng the "fabric" design. Here is my cane anyway...

Today I finished her by fixing her polka dots with a second skirt, adding a couple feet and giving a sparkly pink wash to her dress and bow and shoes and a golden wash to her hair.

I made her feet from the petal cane for her bouquet and added a pink pair of maryjanes with almond-blossom buttons on each little one.

Here are a few more photos of Miss Gara's new glasses holder all finished ...

Meditations on Suh

2011-06-10T19:28:00.001-07:00

Meditations on Suh, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

At this year's IPCA "Hot Clay, Cool Friends" Retreat participants are encouraged to submit "cool" colored beads for bead strands and make "hot" colored beads for swaps. Searching for inspiration, the artwork of Suh, Kyoung-Ja, a Korean artist whose work was recently exhibited in New York, caught my eye. I was mesmerized by her series Meditation, a grouping of paintings nearly identical in design but total contradictions in color.
This piece of mine titled "Meditations on Suh" in honor of the artist who inspired me is an upcycled aquarium stand which I refurbished with mosaic shelves. Each mosaic is acrylic on wood, covered with polymer clay tiles (leaves and flowers) and tempered glass.
If you would like to see some of Suh's artwork, please check out this link: SAATCHI online. All of her work is just amazing to me. I LOVE her colors and designs! Her paintings are way out of my reach financially, but I am thinking of asking Santa for a print? Here is a slideshow on SAATCHI of Suh's works of art that are for sale... Slideshow of Kyoungja Suh's Artwork
Here is a slideshow of the process I used to make my mosaics:

Here is a video of how we broke the tempered glass I used in this project:

Star Pendant Slide Show

2011-05-27T18:19:00.001-07:00

11 hoshi pendant finished, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

One of my students volunteered to help with some data collection in exchange for a star pendant. She is a Japanese student, and she loves stars, so this is her "hoshi" pendant. I am trying out a slide program that my claying friend Ponsawan uses on her blog. It is so much fun to try out a new program and find that it actually works well and is easy to use.

Art Bead Scene Blog: February Monthly Challenge

2011-02-07T03:50:00.001-08:00

My piece for this month's Art Bead Scene Challenge is a necklace featuring the pendant I made during the Minnetrista copper enameling workshop. I tried to use colors that reminded me of the magical scene from John Singer Sargent's Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose.

Art Bead Scene Blog: February Monthly Challenge

2011-02-07T03:50:00.000-08:00

On Saturday I had a chance to try my hand at enameling on copper. Our community has a wonderful resource in the Minnetrista Cultural Center. They put together programs of interest to all ages in a wide variety of topics. You might see a canning class one day and a stained glass class the next. At our workshop there was a young girl around the age of eight who totally enjoyed making her work of art. Everyone there enjoyed our time exploring and discovering and creating together.
My piece for this month's Art Bead Scene Challenge is a necklace featuring the pendant I made during the Minnetrista copper enameling workshop. I tried to use colors that reminded me of the magical scene from John Singer Sargent's Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose.

Art Bead Scene Blog: February Monthly Challenge

Art Bead Scene Blog: January Monthly Challenge

2011-01-30T10:21:00.000-08:00

Art Bead Scene Blog: January Monthly Challenge
Please come see my new blog article about the Art Bead Scene January Challenge
¡Gracias!

TADA 365, Kahlo, Art Bead Scene OH MY!

2011-01-30T09:12:00.000-08:00

PROJECTS AND MORE

Hi my friends,

Things have been very quiet here on my blog since the start of the year. I've been focusing on a few projects all at once and just now have time to share with you.

TADA 365

To begin with I joined a group called TADA 365 on Flickr. Those in the group have made a commitment to focus on art jewelry and share either a finished creation or a work in progress each day this year. The goals are to learn from one another, to encourage one another and to have pieces all ready for a show near the end of 2011. This experience is already an extremely positive one for me. I'm meeting such a wonderful artists who are exploring a wide variety of media. I marvel at the designs and drawings, the sculpting and forging, and on and on! Please come see what's new each day on our Flickr group.

PRAXIS PRACTICE

Yes, I'm still working toward adding Spanish to my teaching certification. I'm finishing up my intermediate level coursework on-line and preparing for another try at the Praxis exam this June. Artists from the Spanish-speaking world are included on the Spanish Praxis exam. I know that I'm really lacking in this area of study, so.... I decided to study Spanish art as my inspiration for my TADA 365 jewelry projects. By mixing my own interests into all the grammar and vocabulary I know I will be successful.

I started off my TADA à la Praxis by focusing on my favorite Latina artist, Frieda Kahlo (later spelled Frida Kahlo). I spent a couple days researching her life; taking in her artwork. The more I learn of her the more I want to know her. She was heroically strong in the face of physical and emotional roadblocks that would have most of us crying "uncle" immediately. Her determination along with her remarkable ways of looking at and interacting with her world make her artwork amazing on several different levels. I know I will never tire of learning more.

My first Kahlo-inspired piece is a bracelet inspired by the necklace worn in Kahlo's self portrait titled Self portrait with Monkey.

I used polymer clay shaped and sculpted to mimic bones. The holes in the pieces for stinging were made by running some buna cord into and out of the beads. I used a sort of running stitch idea instead of using a long tube of clay. I felt this technique helped me match the feel of the neckpiece in the painting and my "bone" pieces looked more natural.

After curing I painted and stained the pieces followed by carving and more staining. When I was happy with the surfaces I strung everything together with stretch cording and tiny shells. I added one of my favorite larger shells to give it a bit of simple beauty.

While this Kahlo-inspired bracelet of mine was a work in progress, I was thinking up a design idea for the first ART BEAD SCENE challenge of 2011 . It usually takes me two-thirds of the month before I can produce anything for these challenges, and this is too long to be considered for their "designer of the week" award. I don't really mind though since I always learn something new in the process. I rarely know much about the artwork or artist they pick. Then there is the challenge of using a new color palette or texture or design- oh the possibilities!

This month featured the artwork of Wayne Thiebaud, specifically his piece titled Brown River.

What a brilliantly colored piece!

ANOTHER COMBO DEAL

Well, I decided to combine ideas again. I had been dreaming of incorporating some anatomically plausible heart parts into my jewelry in honor of all those I'd been studying in the Kahlo paintings. I guess it could be said that Frieda literally wore her heart on her canvas.

I decided to use the color palette of the Thiebeaud painting from the ABS challenge with my textured heart design for the Kahlo's Heart piece I was working on in my imagination.
A NEW STAMP AND A NEW FRIENDSHIP

I wanted to use a stamp I made before Christmas using a technique I learned from a new friend from Spain. I met Almudena on Flickr, and she has already taught me so much. She loves to work with polymer clay, so we have that in common, and we share ideas and techniques. On top of this she is extremely patient and forgiving with my unwieldy use of her beautiful language, and for that I'm so very appreciative. I keep trying to write in Spanish and she keeps trying to understand what I mean.

Almudena made a tutorial for using extruded clay to make a design using scrap clay. She used the design to make a texture stamp and shared her tutorial here.

I loved her idea! What a great way to use some scrap clay and have a wonderful new tool.

Here is my stamp made with Almudena's technique.

I carved mine some as well. The best part of this is that Almudena and I are doing a stamp/mold exchange of our own. We are each waiting for little packages to arrive with each other's stamps. I will be so excited to receive Almudena's work, and it was so much fun to put mine in the mail to her too. I love looking at photos on my computer, but to hold someone's original artwork in my hands is even more of a thrill.

THE HEART of the ART

I started my work on the ABS challenge piece by defining my palette using BIG HUGE LABS and then started blending clay colors and conditioning.

I layered my fairly thin sheets of clay with silver foil and alcohol inks with a bit of blue oil paint for good measure.

Then I pressed the layers into my mold and sliced off the tops flipping them over onto leftover orange and blue and yellow and gray clay. This is a surface technique named mokumegane. I love the surprises that come with this sort of technique, don't you?

My next procedure involved sculpting some shapes to match a simple sketch I'd drawn.

After making molds of these shapes I shaped my focal beads using a skin of the mokumegane designed clay pieces over more scrap clay. I also distressed, antiqued and hilighted each focal bead.

From there it was a matter of putting everything together. I drilled holes in the "heart stones" and super glued in some wire findings made by shaping and hammering some permanently colored copper wire. I love to embellish by adding wooden and shell beads.

Finally I put this all together with some of my hand-woven wire made with the Viking knit method that my sister, Nancy, taught me last month. Here is a nice photo from the tutorial I linked to above:

PROJECTS TO COME

My next Kahlo project is still just a sketch for now, but I have too little time this weekend to make it a reality. My husband and I are making screen printed shirts for three organizations, along with supervising a science fair project for our son and an academic competition for my high-school Japanese students and on and on... so it is going to be a couple very hectic and fun weeks with very little sleep for the Palumbo family. Who knows, maybe I'll sneak a few jewelry art projects into the mix when nobody is noticing. Who needs sleep, right?

JAN ABS Beating Heart - Art Bead Scene Entry

2011-01-23T19:13:00.001-08:00

JAN ABS Beating Heart - Art Bead Scene Entry, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

Another year and another Art Bead Scene challenge. I just love trying the ABS challenges each month, and here is my piece to start out 2011.
I'm so happy I have it completed before the last chance to enter the designer of the week contest. I've been working all weekend on this and it is finally ready to share with you.
The focal beads in this piece are my original creations made of polymer clay using various techniques including mokumegane, sculpting, molding, carving and highlighting the raised parts with Rub N Buff in various colors. The accent beads include copper, wooden, glass, and shell beads. Hand-woven wire holds the larger beads. Here is a link to the Art Bead Scene Blog Challenge for this month: http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2011/01/january-monthly-challenge.html

Captured Robin - A Neck Piece Fit for a Fairy

2010-12-26T15:29:00.000-08:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jillpalumbo/5294283657/in/photostream/

This is my third entry for the Art Bead Scene challenge this month.

The focal pendant is my art bead, made with my own mold described in this post.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jillpalumbo/5294284923/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jillpalumbo/5294881554/in/photostream/

It is made of polymer clay attached to a silver-plated bail and glowing with a surface treatment of gold and silver acrylic. The wire work is a mix of burgundy, silver and gold wire twisted into loops and adorned with a mix of vintage, glass and semi-precious beads as well.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jillpalumbo/5294882210/

My design is an attempt to highlight but not overpower the focal bead. I tried to keep the wire work asymmetrical and yet cohesive and balanced.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jillpalumbo/5294880996/

Thank you so much for reading my blog. I hope you are enjoying the winter holidays and staying warm and well.

DEC ABS Silver Lining

2010-12-21T17:41:00.001-08:00

DEC ABS Silver Lining, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

-Simply had to explore some more with my captive robin themed mold and beads. This is my second entry in this month's Art Bead Scene Challenge. This focal bead/pendant is made with black polymer clay, cured and highlighted with a touch of silver Rub-n-Buff. I paired it with repurposed and vintage jewelry parts, and tinted filigree findings. Please visit the Art Bead Scene blog http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/ and their article explaining the December challenge http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2010/12/december-monthly-challenge.html featuring the art of John Anster Fitzgerald. I've explained a bit more about my captured robin themed beads for this month's challenge on my blog here...

http://palumbojewelry.blogspot.com/2010/12/dec-abs-captive-robin-in-colors-of.html Thanks, and I hope you are spending the holiday with loved ones.

DEC ABS Captive Robin in Colors of The Storm by John Anster Fitzgerald

2010-12-19T20:10:00.001-08:00

DEC ABS Captive Robin in Colors of The Storm by John Anster Fitzgerald, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

Here is my entry for the December Art Bead Scene challenge. The focal Bead is made of polymer and acrylic and glass beads (mostly vintage) are used to echo the color palette of John Anster Fitzgerad's painting titled, The Storm.
http://faeriekeeper.net/faeriefestival1014.htm

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4_cG4FhtOjY/TPfwouY17iI/AAAAAAAAHh4/aQKKDNejaXQ/s1600/Storm-Fitzgerald-L.jpeg
To see my process for making the focal bead, please see my sculpture from which I made a mold here: www.flickr.com/photos/jillpalumbo/5237213393/

My first inclination was to do something in the colors and scenery of the other Fitzgerald painting on the challenge, The Captive Robin.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4_cG4FhtOjY/TPfxZsgg5XI/AAAAAAAAHiE/00SYtdeOCsA/s1600/The_captive_robin.jpeg

I really love wild birds, and robins are a favorite of mine. I noticed that the robin in the painting was not like those in my backyard, but I'd seen ones like him in the photostream of one of my dearest Flickr friends who lives in Britain. If you like birds and excellent photography, please visit Janet's photostream.
Somewhere along the way I fell in love with the colors of The Storm, and decided to combine my robins and fairies with the palette of the other painting. That is how I ended up with my entry.

I enjoy experimenting with a challenge in mind and I especially love the Art Bead Scenes challenges. The ABS writers pick a famous work of art each month and challenge bead makers and designers to use the colors, theme, shapes or textures of the original work as an inspiration. One important rule is to use art beads in the design, either ones you have made yourself purchased from another artist. If you have not read the Art Bead Scene Blog I highly reccomend it. I find it a very creative, inspiring and helpful resource.

Expectations and Fulfillment... Art Bead Scene Challenge - Gustav Klimt

2010-11-27T16:47:00.000-08:00

Also seen here on my Flickr Pages

This entry for the November Art Bead Scene Challenge is titled Expectation. It is inspired by the artwork of the Viennese artist, Gustav Klimt. He titled this piece The Tree of Life.

From the Art Bead Scene Blog

When I made the focal beads I zoned in on the triangular shapes on the lady to the left of Klimt's painting. In my mind, the sharp edges of these shapes symbolize pain as well as the movement toward this lonely lady's overwhelming goal to be accepted and loved.

Attending to the importance of the tree itself, I had to make some flower and eye canes since millefiori is what I love to do most with my clay whenever I have a chance.

Klimt Canes - The Tree of Life as inspiration

This specific mokume gane effect with textures and sparkly glitz (bits of tempered glass and beads) is borrowed from a polymer clay artist I've recently met on Flickr, Carme Garcia. I just loved her golden pendant here... Thank you Carme for sharing your marvelous artwork. Besitos a Carme :) I send you hugs.

My other entry, Fulfillment, represents the embracing couple to the right of Klimt's work.

Fulfillment - ABS Challenge Entry

The beads I made for this piece dwell on the repetition of round shapes, such a stark difference in the clothing of these figures when compared to the lonely woman on the left. I used the same polymer clay palette as in the piece above titled Expectation, but this time I used molds inspired by the work of Grant Diffendaffer whose book I've been poring over for the last couple months. I just love playing with textures and making molds and stamps.

I learned something new to put this piece together. My dear sister, Nancy, also a polymer clay artist, came for the Thanksgiving holiday and we clayed and talked and had a wonderful visit. She brought me a tool and taught me to make chain with wires!

I loved the effect and it was much easier than I expected. Thanks, Nan! I added some jump rings and a closure and my piece was finished - and how satisfying that each and every part was my own creation, my own focal beads, my own findings - right down to the signature on my closure piece.

Thanks for stopping by to read my blog. I really appreciate comments too ;) Thank you so much.

Art Bead Scene's October Challenge

2010-10-21T13:38:00.001-07:00

OCTABS Necklace, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

This is my entry to the Art Bead Scene blog's monthly challenge. This month they have chosen art by Hildreth Meière, a distinguished Art Deco muralist, mosaicist, painter and decorative artist.
I loved the colors and details of the piece we were to use as inspiration for our design.

My focal beads incorporate the draping and some of the patterns of the original artwork. I chose to make a symmetrical design since everything about this inspiration is balanced. Polymer clay is the medium used with my original textured molds for the center focal, and I sculpted the others. I used a mica shift on the reverse side and added touches and washes of acrylic paint after firing.

Please visit hildresmeiere.com to read more about this amazing work of art. I also recommend that you visit the Art Bead Scene. It is one of my favorite blogs. I try to make time to read their posts every day and each time I learn something new and am inspired by their ideas.

Art Bead Scene Blog: September Monthly Challenge

2010-09-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

Art Bead Scene Blog: September Monthly Challenge

SEP ABS - "Persia" - Art Bead Mosaic, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo- Habla conmigo en español por favor .

My last couple weeks have been a struggle. Stress at work (not the students, they are wonderful!) and studying for a Spanish class and worrying about my mother in law's fragile health was really getting to me, and I had to head to the hospital for a round of tests to see whether my heart was okay. Then my mother in law passed away, on her 84th birthday, September 17. I feel that it is such a blessing that we were able to be with her when she passed. We told her happy birthday and hugged her and said our goodbyes. She left peacefully and I'm sure she's dancing with her "Lou" now. It has been a difficult time for our family, and she will certainly be missed.
I did have good news on my stress tests. My heart is fine; I just have to find ways to lessen my stress level!
Well, here is my way to de-stress. I decided to do a mosaic. Something about creating focal beads in clay, painting and gluing always makes me a happy camper, and it isn't just the glue! I spent the day outside to be sure of that - a crisp and sunny autumn day.
My color palate was inspired by "Persia" by George Barbier, a French illustrator of the 20th century.
This painting is the challenge piece for this month's Art Bead Scene Blog. I chose the orange-red of my focal beads to match the lady's elegant attire and the turquoise was inspired by the beautiful vases. My pattern is inspired by the lady's hat; I used tempered glass in two heights, the higher for a feathery effect. Since "Persia" is the title of Barbier's work, and when I think of Persian art I think of mosaics, I thought this would be a perfect response to this challenge.
I always feel better when I take some time to "play" with my art. Doing this piece this weekend has given me time to relax a bit and time to ponder. Art is fun and rejuvenating and helps me deal better with the things I can't change and gives me energy to face a hectic schedule the rest of the week.

Keepsake Jewelry Beads Tutorial

2010-07-31T22:18:00.000-07:00

This is a story of my search for a way to make nice little polymer clay frames to put photos into for a bracelet or pendant to create keepsake jewelry. My first attempt to do this was a couple years ago when I made my Fisherwomen Bracelet. My aunt had recently passed away, and I was looking over old family photos when I noticed many of my female relatives had enjoyed catching fish. I found photos of my mom, my grandma, a cousin and me holding up our catches for the camera. I made this bracelet as a way to work through the grief of missing my mom and aunt and grandma...

I was totally a novice at polymer clay, and you can see that my "frames" were sloppy at best.
When my neighbor asked me to make some jewelry to match her grandma's ring, (Please see my previous blog for more on her story.)I knew I wanted to find a way to do something similar to my Fisherwomen bracelet, but I needed to find a way to clean up the look. Here is a quick tutorial of how I worked out a solution.

Step #1 - My first step was to resize the photos that my neighbor wanted in her jewelry. I cropped them and made them the same height and width. This is easily done in Word by setting the margins to whatever width you prefer, pasting the photos into your document, selecting them and then pulling the corner of the photo to match the margins. These photos were all about ¾" x ½ " rectangles. I printed out some draft copies of the photos on regular paper to use during the bead making process (uncured clay touching the photos will leach into them), and cut them out. Then, I rolled out a very thin strip of black clay and smoothed it to a slightly textured tile. I then placed the photos along the edge of the strip of clay.

Step #2 - I used a straight edge to measure and cut the opposite edge of the clay allowing for about 1/16" extra space on either side of the widest photo.

Step #3 - After removing the long excess strip of clay from the opposite side in step #2, I also cut the left and right sides of clay on either side of each photo and removed the clay in between. I made sure to leave just a bit of uncovered clay (1/16") on either side of each photo and also tried to make sure that each of the clay pieces was cut to a uniform size.

Step #4 - Now, I removed the paper photos and put the rectangles in the oven for about 10 minutes, just enough time to firm up the clay a bit. I allowed these to cool but left them secured to the tile and used a straight edge to mark a 1/8" border around each clay rectangle with a permanent felt-tip pen (Sharpie). I then brushed a generous coating of Donna Kato's Repel Gel on each of the semi-cured clay pieces trying to be careful to leave them secured to the tile. (I don't know how I'd cope with claying without this great product that allows me to bake clay together without it sticking together.)

Step #5 - I then rolled out a thick strip of uncured clay and covered the rectangles, using my smoothing tools to make sure the uncured clay was touching the tile and all snuggled around the thin cured rectangles. If I noticed any air pockets I pierced them with the tip of a knife and then smoothed the clay down again.

Step #6 - When all the clay was secured around the rectangles and to the tile, I leveled it and used my marked lines to cut out the individual "frames." Then I textured the tops and baked them for about a third of the time suggested by the package. I've made a texturing tool like the ones in one of my favorite polymer clay books, Enchanted Adornments by Cynthia Thornton. The texturing gives the backs of the frames some "tooth" to let the uncured clay added in a later step adhere well. If you don't have a texturing tool you could use some rough sandpaper instead, but if you can get your hands on Cythia's book I'm sure you would love it. It is simply enchanting as the title suggests.

Step #7 - After curing, I allowed the items to cool and then carefully removed the thin rectangles from the frames. You can see that even with my measuring, these are not so uniform, so I decided to carve down the edges to make the frames look much neater. (I used a paring knife to do this, removing little slices at a time from each long edge in turn, sort of like peeling a cucumber.) I also sanded down the rough corners and edges a bit.

This photo shows the results after I carved and sanded the little frames.

Step #8 - On the backs of the frames I added some strips of uncured clay and made channels for stringing with glass beads. I like to do this to be sure the clay beads do not break when stringing. I then added the decorative tops of the beads that I had already prepared and secured them with liquid clay and little balls of clay.

After curing the beads, sanding and buffing them, and then using some Rub-n-Buff on them, I printed out a new set of tiny photos on photo paper. I cut these out, laid them face down on the sticky surface of some clear packing tape, cut off all but a narrow strip of the tape around each photo and attached the photos to the inside of the frames. (Lisa Pavelka's instructions suggested doing this to protect the photos. Please don't use glues or Mod Podge to secure the photos if you plan to use her product. She warns about chemical reactions that can lead to a cloudy appearance or a problem with curing.) I then covered the photos with a generous coating of the Magic Glos. I love this product since it cures in fifteen minutes in sunlight. It is also self leveling and has a glass-like finish when cured - which, in my opinion, is great! I've found that Magic Glos does need edges to push the glos against or it has a tendancy to recede or drip, so my shallow little frames worked well to avoid either of those situations.

My beads were now ready for stringing and I was proud of how nice and neat my tiny little frames turned out this time.

Please leave comments if you have any questions about my process. Also, if you try my tutorial, I'd love to see your creations.
I'd be happy to add links to your photos for everyone to see and join in the fun.
I have a set of photos of this project on my flickr photostream if you would like to see them.
Thanks so much for reading my blog! BTW I really do LOVE comments.

Gina's Keepsake Jewelry - Special Jewelry to remember a dear grandmother...

2010-07-25T21:05:00.001-07:00

Gina's Keepsake Jewelry - Special Jewelry to remember a dear grandmother..., originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo- ¡Estudio español este verano!.

My neighbor popped over about a month and a half ago to ask if I could make some jewelry to match a certain ring she was wearing. As the story unfolded she told me that this was a very special ring she had inherited from her grandma who had passed away last fall. She likes to wear the ring all the time as it brings back fond memories of good times spent with her precious grandma and helps her cope with the loss as well. She had looked everywhere for a necklace or earrings or bracelet to match and had not been able to find anything quite right.
Well, my heart was touched by her story and I told her I'd try my best to make something for her. I started right away, but then the project had to be put on the back burner while I studied Spanish. Now that my test is done, I'm back on this project and should be finished tomorrow. I've made good progress today, but I have to wait for the paint to dry on some of the items before giving them a final buff and putting everything together.
The bracelet I'm making will have eight photos in little frames on the inside, and I'm going to make a matching mom and daughter necklace set with two more photos on the backs of them. I have a few of the parts nearly completed and you can see them here on Flickr. I'll share my process for making the special keepsake bracelet and pendants soon. I've been taking step-by-step photos to show how I'm doing it. Ever the "teacher" -just can't be helped!

Palumbo Polymer Jewelry: Resources to Learn History of Spain and the Spanish Speaking World

2010-07-15T10:47:00.000-07:00

Palumbo Polymer Jewelry: Resources to Learn History of Spain and the Spanish Speaking World

Resources to Learn History of Spain and the Spanish Speaking World

2010-07-15T09:27:00.000-07:00

I was looking over the Praxis preparation materials yesterday and found my knowledge of the history of the Spanish-speaking world is sadly lacking... So I headed to the Internet to look up some information...
The more I learned the more saddened my heart has become, and not for how much more I need to study to be ready for a test. I am deeply saddened by the pain of the peoples of the world and how much my own nation has had a hand in making things worse, not better, so many times.

I went to bed feeling angry and depressed. After sleeping on this, I've come to the conclusion that our nation has caused a horrendous amount of pain in the last two centuries, and it all comes down to a combination of threes things - greed and selfishness and pride.

They don't teach us all the details of past wars at school, probably because it would not be politically correct. We cannot even discuss present "conflicts" without being shot down as radicals or unsupportive of our troops.

How can we continue on this path, preaching that we are the "good guys" and "helping" all the others who need us to teach them to set up "good" governments while leaving a trail of pain and bloodshed in our wake?

Our culture cares more about our pets than humankind. There is a whole world of human beings out there, and our people don't want to know anything about them except how much they will buy from us. I think most of our people want to be blissfully unaware of our actions around the world that make us look like the bully of a nation that we have been so many times. Then, when we come under attack, we wonder why they don't all love us.

I did find several resources to share with you which, I need to remind myself, is why I'm posting this...

Here is a wonderful place to start. It is a long program that is well worth the time it takes to watch.
The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain: Full documentary by PBS
If we all want to learn to get along together (doubtful that our leaders really do), Christians, Jews and Moslems, we need to learn more about the history of these religions as well as the early interaction among them.

-Here is a quick video, History of the Spanish Empire Oh, this is a great site to explore with short clips on many topics!!! I'll have to go back there to study.

I also learned some about the Spanish-American war...
-Video from Mediarichlearning titled The Spanish American War
-Michael Parenti's videos that I found on You-tube are poorly made, so if you have time to listen to them (don't watch them and listen at the same time, too painful to see all the poor video quality) you will hear some interesting information... The Spanish American War and the Rise of US Imperialism /Real History - It says it is part two, but it really starts at the beginning of the Spanish-American war.
-This tells the story of our invasion of the Philippines Spanish American War the Philippines and Filipino Genocide That last link will take you to a play list of three clips, here is the fourth and fifth.
-An up-to-date look at our relationship with the Philippines (a year ago - President Obama and President Gloria Mascapagal-Arroyo) Obama: We Have Stepped Away From the Precipice Have our leaders ever apologized for our war there?
-A quick look at the Alamo by the History Channel

Learn about American imperialism by watching these videos: Part 1 and Part 2 by Damoninsky. I'm sure there is more than one side to all this, but Damoninsky's work is a good starting point for further study, and if even half of it is true we need to learn from our mistakes and change the way we behave as a nation.

Oh, I'll have to stop writing and get back to studying now...
Please, if you read my blog, leave a comment if you come across any new information to share or have feelings you want to discuss. I feel so alone on this journey at this point...

Added information...
I just found a link from a contact page on Facebook - Wow, this is a wonderful resource - The Anthropik Network -very up to date and well ducumented.

Learning Spanish for the Praxis - In a HURRY!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-07-12T18:12:00.000-07:00

This is Laura, my Spanish-teaching angel... http://www.thespanishblog.com/2009/03/complete-list-of-lesson-topics.html

Well, what do you do when your career depends on whether you can learn Spanish at breakneck speed?

That is what I'm facing, and luckily I am aware of how to use on-line resources to achieve my goal of taking a Spanish Praxis exam in less than two weeks from today.

Anyway, since I am on this journey alone, I felt the need to document my progress and strategies in case there are others out there who might be in similar situations.

I am a veteran language teacher, 25 years of teaching French and Japanese, so I know a trick or two about learning languages ;) but this is a new situation for me- learning a language all on my own, no teachers in classrooms, no homework assignments, nobody to check my pronunciation.

I decided that I'm going to tell my story about my progress, my ups and my downs, my questions and my determination to learn enough Spanish to pass the Praxis. I will share my strategies and the websites I'm using so others might benefit from what I'm learning as well.

In the end I will have saved my job and more. I will have the ability to communicate with people from 21 more countries of the world. Gotta love that! Come on along; join in the adventure of learning español conmigo, amigos.

My first strategy was to learn everything in the first-year Spanish textbook that I may one day be using to teach Spanish to high school students. After awhile I decided that I needed more. Sure I was learning grammar and vocabulary, but I had no idea how to pronounce any of the words. I knew I had to break into the myriad of Spanish-learning programs on the Internet.

Let me share with you what I've found. Here is my favorite site for pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar:
http://www.thespanishblog.com/2009/03/complete-list-of-lesson-topics.html That photo at the top of this article... that is Laura. She is an angel. Unfortunately she is on vacation until the fall, so I could not interact with her in real time if I had wanted to fork over the money, so I'm just working my way through the two hundred and seventy video lessons she is offering for free here on her website. I started on these about a week and a half ago, and I'm on #183 at the moment.

Starting with the intermediate level lessons, I began putting the vocabulary from Laura's lessons on a wonderful site to practice vocabulary... Quizlet.com.

I've been adding to my "quizzes" every day (I'm even paying my son to upload some of them.) so if you just type my name (jillpalumbo) in the search box on the top right... you will come to a page like this.
If you click on my name (like the one on the left above) you will find a listing of all the sets I've uploaded.
The big circle on the left shows all the sets I've uploaded so far. On the right you can see which ones I've studied, and how I studied them. You can see I like the scatter "game."

With Quizlet there are many options for learning/practicing, you can use the basic flashcards by clicking on the arrows to the left or right of the part of the screen that looks like old-fashioned flashcards.

Try them all until you find your favorite way to learn. I like the "learn" option when I know I will have to know how to spell something (verb conjugations, important vocabulary, etc.). On the other hand, for long phrases, I think scatter is the way to go since I want to learn so much in so little time.

Now another very important site that I swear by is Conjuguemos.

I think that this name is a play on the words "conjugate" and "let's play" in Spanish. I've been seeing great results using this site with my students this last year since a wonderful young Spanish teacher at my school made me aware of it. I'm sure that there is more to this site than I've discovered, but I love it for practicing verb conjugations. And... WITH VERBS WE CAN DO ANYTHING!!! There is no arguing with that, right? :)

On the photo above I've circled the "lists" at the right because these tell you which verbs you can practice for each tense. I was getting pretty good at conjugating in the present tense when I realized I had no idea what the verbs meant! So, I headed over to Quizlet and put together flashcard sets for the verbs used on Conjuguemos. Using both sites gives me confidence that I know how to spell the verbs AND what they mean. Please join along in the "fun" with me... I've made all these sets available to everyone.

Now, Laura of TheSpanishBlog (see above) is wonderful at teaching me pronunciation and vocabulary and her grammar teaching is very good, but I needed a quick way to reference meanings of words and example sentences for learning more about grammar.

First, my all-time favorite on-line dictionary is WordReference. I LOVE THIS DICTIONARY. If you can't find what you need on the definitions or in the verb charts there is also a forum where you can ask specific questions of native speakers. How awesome is that?!!!!!

Now, if I am still confused about a certain grammar point, my latest find is this website... StudySpanish.com This site has had just what I needed when I needed anything I didn't find quickly elsewhere. I have found very few holes in it anywhere.

Well, that is it for my everyday sites I just can't live without right now.

Here is a list of several other good places where I've learned something:

A wonderful young teacher with a pleasant teaching style and voice. Stick with him awhile and click on his other videos, you are sure to learn some Spanish verbs : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFUAWMMdE7c

Gotta love the energy of Señora Griffin and her original songs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpYkL4ejW8U&feature=related

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlihzbMax4Q&feature=related

How about these fun students (you can tell they love their teacher :)):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqYYfYn5lQI&feature=related

Oh, and if you were wondering how to make those accents on the computer, here are codes that make them appear when you use the "alt" key and your numbers on the key pad. Here is a link to the "secret" codes... http://tlt.its.psu.edu/suggestions/international/accents/codealt.html

Here are the ones I have needed so far from that site...

Update 7-13-10

A new amiga, Silvia Ortiz, who shares my love of polymer clay taught me a new word with another accent mark involved... vergüenza. (ü can be written with alt 0252.) Vergüenza means embarrassment, and she wanted to tell me to jump in and not worry about making mistakes, the most important part is to understand one another and keep communicaing. Her work was recently featured on Polymer Clay Daily... Go Silvia!!! ¡Ja, ja, ja! About her idea, you might like to look at this site that explains the ten biggest mistakes made when learning Spanish. I think #10 goes along nicely with Silvia's sentiments.

Now, I'm off to study lesson #183 with Laura... Please leave me comments if you have questions or sites to suggest or even encouraging words. I feel like I'm in over my head half the time, but I just keep plugging along... It would be great to have a few fellow students on this journey.

July 13 - Including today I have 12 days left to prepare for the Spanish Praxis exam.
Did you see the movie Ratatouille where the ghost of Chef Gusteau's favorite saying was "Everyone can cook!"? Well our politicians in power at the moment in Indiana have drawn up and passed legislation with the basic idea that "Everyone can teach!" Simply by taking a test I can have Spanish added to my teaching certification. And it isn't just about me and others with a teaching degree... If a person who has never taken an education class at the post secondary level wants to be a teacher, he or she can do that too beginning next month. Dear politicians, you who talk so derisively about old teachers equaling bad teachers, I say to you, this old teacher is going to pass the Spanish Praxis test!

Here is a link I found to share with you today... Professor Jason's Spanish and Portuguese. While I'm doing Quizlet or Conjuguemos challenges I like to let this teacher's voice run in the background in my ear buds. He has a way of explaining grammar that is very clear and easy to understand. I find that his laidback way of presenting things combined with his soothing voice is good for a background lesson while I'm practicing my conjugations and vocabulary. Also, if you are really just starting out learning Spanish, he takes you from the very, very beginning, the most basic concepts.

MAYABS Praise Neckpiece for challenge

2010-05-29T05:46:00.001-07:00

MAYABS Praise Neckpiece for challenge, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

MAYABS

Inspired by "Le jongleur"by the artist Marc Chagall, this is my entry for the May challenge at one of my favorite blogs, the Art Bead Scene http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/. The descripton of the challenge for May 2010 is here http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2010/05/may-monthly-challenge.html

I have admired Marc Chagall's work for a very long time. Would you like to hear the story of how I first experienced his amazing art? Okay...

A long time ago (in the 80's) I won a scholarship to be an exchange student for a year in France. Nearly every weekend a small group of friends and I went exploring the regions near our university. Our guide books in hand, exuding the energy and awkwardness of kids on the brink of adulthood, I'm sure we were a curiosity at the very best.

One weekend we decided to take a short trip to Reims from where we were living in Strasbourg (on the German border, north-eastern France). We had read that there was a beautiful gothic cathedral there and that it was famous for having been the site of the coronation of French kings. My friends were all fired up about the champagne too, but that was just a side issue for me. I wanted to see that cathedral.

We hopped off the train and made our way to the touristy center of town, carefully following our tiny guidebook maps. When I looked at this cathedral from the outside, framed by the road of cafes with plastic champagne bottles taller than a grown man, bombarded by the noise of venders, I was not so impressed. It looked like photos I had seen in my history books, its nondescript grayish-brown hue blended into the ominous rain-laden clouds - nice gothic architecture of course, but I was hoping for more. Most of my friends headed off to taste champagne, but one said to me, let's go inside; I heard there is beautiful stained glass in there. I'm so thankful for that friend!

As we ventured inside, the hush of the place was like water to a thirsty soul. I let it wash over me as we gazed up at the amazing blues of Marc Chagall's stained glass. Breathtaking, I've never before or since been so moved by religious art. It was simply overwhelming. (Come see a photo taken by Rogiro here on flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/riot/1416253867/ )

This month's challenge at the Art Bead Scene reminded me of this precious memory. I like so many of Chagall's paintings, The Juggler too. His work has such bright colors, and I like to imagine fanciful stories of the people and animals he paints. His art is a joy and I might never have come to know his work had it not been for that friendly nudge.

This neckpiece is made with glass beads and polymer clay. I made the focal pieces using a technique I learned from my newest claying favorite, Donna Kato's The Art of Polymer Clay - Creative Surface Effects. I used a brocade technique like Donna, but instead of using a stamp, I made my simple design by using textured paper like that used in scrap booking. I wanted to keep my background design simple, so I only used one layer of texturing and Lumière paint. To this I added "gems" of clay, metal leaf, ink and Magic Glos.

I hope that when you look at my piece you might imagine the shapes and colors of Chagall's juggler's legs with pops of the other colors in the painting here and there in the gems and glass beading. The three focal pieces together are an abstract person, arms raised in praise. For me this is a memory of my "first Chagall" there in the quiet of that cathedral with my friend.

This piece is on display and for sale at Art and Soul by Phoebe. http://www.facebook.com/artandsoulbyphoebe

http://vimeo.com/10525208

http://artandsoulbyphoebe.ning.com/

Kaleidoscope egg 1

2010-05-24T18:22:00.001-07:00

Kaleidoscope egg 1, originally uploaded by nancblades.

Ooooo, look what my sister made. I love it.
We spent a day shopping in Fort Wayne last weekend, and found some woodworking kits along the way. She wanted to do a kaleidoscope egg, and didn't she make it look gorgeous.
Lucky me, I have a sister who loves to shop and play clay with me :)
Love you, Nan

soldered glass for pendants - ready for clay

2010-05-23T18:47:00.001-07:00

soldered glass for pendants - ready for clay, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

I tried something new. These pendants are pieces of glass for stained glass or mosaics. I added wired and soldered them together for pendants.

Phoebe's Dream

2010-05-16T17:13:00.001-07:00

Phoebe's Dream, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo (Saved her language programs!!!).

There is a stir in the air, a feeling of unexpected joy mixed with hope in downtown Muncie, Indiana, my hometown.

This Friday evening many young artists and art enthusiasts gathered in the front gallery at Art and Soul by Phoebe. There was barely any wiggle room, and the nervous tension was palpable as striking young artists milled about. Brimming with talent and a keen sense of "self" so unusual for their age, about a dozen high school seniors from each corner of Delaware county with their fan base in tow had arrived to learn the results of a scholarship art contest.

Before the results were announced, owner Mrs. Phoebe Wantz, stood in the center of the room to tell the story of her gallery. Phoebe is a many layered creature. The more you find out about her the more incredible she seems. I met her just a month ago and am already so impressed with her caring heart and her artistic flair, her seemingly endless talents and her spunky energy.

She began her story with glowing words of how her father had been an important and treasured influence in her life. She explained why she had dedicated her new gallery to her father's memory and how she would like her gallery to expand and evolve in the years to come.

Phoebe's concern for the gallery to be a success is driven by her all-consuming focus. Phoebe is not about making extravagant amounts of money for herself–No! She completely throws herself into the business of making the gallery a success with another goal in mind. Above all else she wants her gallery to be a place to display the work of young artists in our area. She is all about encouraging and coming along side these artists as they make their entrance into the business end of the world of art. Phoebe's motto is "Artists First!" If you spend any time with her at the gallery you will be convinced, as I am, that her own dream is one of helping others achieve their dreams. She is living each and every day with her ideals driving her practices, a poster child for the "pay it forward" concept.

Phoebe introduced the judge of the contest, Mr. Jim Faulkner, a famous watercolor artist who hails from Yorktown. Phoebe had chosen Jim to be the judge of this contest as a way of honoring the friendship between her father and Mr. Faulkner. With a sparkle in her bright eyes, Phoebe spoke of how Jim had been there for her father many times over the years, even helping him try to train one particularly cantankerous canine.

Mr. Faulkner, tall, lanky, ruggedly handsome with kind eyes and a laidback sort of wisdom, addressed the young artists. He told them that the work of this group was of very good quality, and then he encouraged the students to look at each contest they enter as more than a chance to win. He explained that if they win a contest they should not be too quick to conclude that they were the best. At the same time, if they don't win, they should not let the loss bring them down since the results of any contest should be thought of as just one person's opinion at one point in time.

There was a hushed anticipation as Mr. Michael DuQuette, the gallery's artistic director and curator, read the names of each of the awardees. The first-place winner, Malia Allen from Daleville High School, was awarded a $500 scholarship. Phoebe plans to continue this practice of giving scholarships, and it is her hope is that the number of participants and excitement will increase over the coming years.

Ribbons were placed beside the paintings, and photos were taken of the young artists and their work. A sense of wonder and accomplishment, a shudder of uncertainty, a father looking on with pride from afar, the spark of possibility sizzling in the air...Art and Soul, it all started with Phoebe, an artist with a dream and a heart of gold.

More photos of this event can be found on on my Flickr Photostream.

Cherry Blossoms Reflection

2010-04-22T20:41:00.001-07:00

Cherry Blossoms Reflection, originally uploaded by Jill P (busy trying to save her language programs).

I took a class at Minnetrista and had a wonderful time trying stained glass :). It isn't perfect, but this activity was a great way to relieve the stress of nearly losing my language program, the one I've been nurturing for 22 years! I would highly reccomend this sort of class at Minnetrista. Our instructor, Anie, was the best! So patient and helpful and kind.

Budget Cutting Blues

2010-04-17T14:01:00.001-07:00

, originally uploaded by Ineducation. I believe this is Dr. Tony Bennett, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction. I wonder as I look at this photo whether he could read the text on the beautiful artwork. Would he want Indiana students to have a chance to learn to read it? Japanese and Chinese language programs around our state are being cut left and right. When, if ever, will Hoosiers see that education in world languages should be a priority, not a frill?
Message sent to Dr. Bennett...
ベネットさまへ、この間は大変でした。私の高校は日本語のプログラムが廃したかったですが、私は頑張っていて、勝ちました。万歳！来年もフランス語と日本語も教えています。今、へとへとです。ブラックフォード高校のパランボより

I have been been feeling a bit sorry for myself on this sundappled Saturday since I'm stuck indoors writing a grant to keep a program that is in danger of being cut -this program that I've been lovingly nurturing since 1988, my Japanese language program for my students at Blackford High School in Indiana.
Every spring I face the same battle, but this time I had to fight harder than ever before. Our corporation cut sixteen teaching positions this week. My heart is breaking thinking of the youngest teachers in our midst forced to make heartwrenching decisions about what new career to choose.
Our administration likes Spanish better than French and Japanese. The whole world doesn't speak Spanish! Yes, Spanish is important, but there is more, much more for our students to learn. I can see the idea they have of eliminating first one and then the other language I teach, thinking they will force out a teacher at the top of the pay scale. They think they could hire two young Spanish teachers for the price of an older, experienced teacher like me. Do they think I'll just roll over and play dead! No way! I've already begun my Spanish minor years ago and will pass the tests to become certified this summer. Will I make a good teacher of Spanish? Probably, but not as good as I am at teaching my first loves, French and Japanese.
You might think our Japanese program, possibly the longest running in the state of Indiana, would be a source of pride for our school, but I am constantly fighting to keep it. Both our French and our Japanese enrollment numbers are excellent (too many to accomodate in French!), and the school is getting two teachers for the price of one in my case. I teach four levels of French and four levels of Japanese every year. Most teachers have two or maybe three different classes, but I count on preparing for eight, and I'm not complaining, just wishing I could do it without having to fight to do it every single year! Here is a bit of the history of our Japanese program...

Excerpt from the grant I'm writing...
Blackford High School is located at the heart of Blackford County, one of Indiana's eastern-central counties located northeast of Indianapolis. Blackford High School opened in the fall of 1969 when the high schools in the two largest towns in the county, Montpelier High School and Hartford City High School, were merged. This consolidation came about because the county leaders believed that pooling their resources would better serve all the students of this county. With this consolidation came opportunities to take a much more varied, extensive and intensive choice of subjects. Upper-level courses in a broader range of academic areas were newly available. It was a difficult merge, as former school rivals had to learn to be on the same teams athletically and academically, but the leaders of that time did not give in to those who wanted to dig in their heals wallowing in the status quo. The leaders of that time moved ahead, determined to give their students the best education possible to prepare them for successful lives in their own communities and far beyond.

Today Blackford High School, of the Blackford County Schools corporation, continues to serve all the county's students in grades nine to twelve. Generally the school has an enrollment from 675-700 students and a certified teaching staff of nearly forty. This is a public school in a rural setting. We have a very low percentage of non-white students (~4%) and a high percentage of students with free and reduced lunch assistance (38%). Nearly half of our graduates go on to further their education after high school.

The Japanese-as-a-foreign-language program was implemented by the current Japanese language teacher, Jill Palumbo, in the fall of 1988. Mrs. Palumbo was one of fifteen world language teachers from Indiana selected to take part in a three-year intensive and accelerated Japanese language and culture program sponsored by Ball State University (Muncie, IN) in partnership with the Monbusho, the Japanese Government Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. By 1991-2 Mrs. Palumbo had completed a minor in Japanese and had added this certification to her teaching license. During the 1992-3 school year a full four-level Japanese program for academic credit was in place at Blackford High School with students enrolled at each level.

We have continued to offer four years of Japanese study to students for more than two decades at our high school. Students from these classes have gone on to study in Japan, to earn scholarships to study Japanese in both the US and Japan, to participate in national speech contests, to become missionaries in Japan, to test out of classes for advanced credit at universities and minor or major in Japanese, and to become executive officers in Japanese-owned businesses here in the US. Our Japanese program has been supported by the United States Government in the form of FLAP grants (Foreign Language Assistance Programs) in order to purchase a computer laboratory for the school, support several Japanese/US exchange programs (hosting and traveling), and provide Blackford High School with its initial Internet access and service. Our Japanese club has been active participating in trips, cultural demonstrations, career fairs and charitable activities such as organizing a benefit dinner and program to raise a sizable amount to donate to the Red Cross to aid victims of the Kobe earthquake in 1995.

Over the years many individuals have given their time, their expertise and a helping hand in building and supporting our program. In 1991 Ms. Yuriko Takamura came to assist in teaching Japanese through the International Internship Program. From 1992 to 1996 the Japanese Language Exchange program sent us Ms. Rie Fujiwara, Ms. Emiko Morishima, Ms. Junko Igawa, Ms. Manami Mikami, Ms. Atsuko Nishi, Ms. Mayumi Hamano, and Ms. Eri Isomura. They assisted in the classes at the high school, at both of our corporation's middle schools, and in each of the elementary schools. They also introduced Japanese culture to the community by giving demonstrations and talks to organizations, clubs, and church groups. Our school hosted five Japanese teachers who were sent to our school by the Monbusho through a program called Young Japanese Teachers Exchange Program in 1997. Mr. Eric Garringer and Ms. Tomoko Kanna completed their student teaching requirement in Japanese Education degrees in our program. Between 1999 and 2002 Kasei Gakuin University of Tokyo in conjunction with Earlham College sent Ms. Kaori Iijima, Ms. Akiko Ishimaru, Ms. Ryoko Ueno, Ms. Saeko Tsukahara, Ms. Yukari Shimizu and Ms. Toshiko Inoue to assist our program, providing the students with activities and lessons to pique their interest and enthusiasm and encouraging their study of Japanese language and culture.
Mrs. Palumbo has continued her own studies in Japanese education by earning more than eighty credits beyond her bachelor's degree and by doing summer internships in area Japanese companies, Keihin Aircon North America Inc., Muncie IN, and Jatec Inc., (now FCC Inc.) Portland IN. She is active in her professional organizations in Indiana, a member of the Indiana Foreign Language Teachers Association and the Association of Indiana Teachers of Japanese. On April 24, 2009 she was a presenter at the IUPUI workshop for K-16 teachers of Japanese. The subject of her presentation was content-based instruction as developed for her Japanese classes to help students learn through the use of up-to-date authentic materials including Japanese songs, poetry and films.

------------------
My closing comments on this blog...
Cutting our Japanese program makes no sense. Is it about age discrimination and politics? -a provincial mindset, maybe even racism or a lack of vision? Possibly, but I've worked too long and hard to lose the program now, so fight I must, and fight I will!
I WON THE BATTLE, now on to the everyday war in general to keep the programs on the front burner so that administrators and politicians can see some value in what we are teaching the language students at BHS.

ATC and Sweet Sentiments

2010-04-09T20:39:00.001-07:00

ATC and Sweet Sentiments, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

A stunningly beautiful handmade gift came today in the mail along with a wonderful letter and artist trading card. My very talented, kind and patient flickr friend from Japan, Haruko, outdid herself in making this delightful present. I will treasure it always.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Haruko. Your kindness, patience and friendship is a true blessing in my life.

Art Bead Scene Blog: Designer of the Week: Jill Palumbo

2010-03-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

Art Bead Scene Blog: Designer of the Week: Jill Palumbo

Art Bead Scene - Featured Designer

2010-03-29T05:48:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,
My Monday was limping along as usual, or even worse than usual as we are facing sixteen job cuts in our corporation either today or tomorrow. I've been on pins and needles about this for a week and a half already.   Today is our first day back after spring break, so that is always a challenge trying to get back on a regular schedule with students who are still dreaming of being home in bed or on a nice warm beach...
Well, I just had to go to one of my favorite sitse before I headed to the copy machine. Suddenly my spirits were lifted! I found that I am the featured designer this week at the Art Bead Scene Blog. I'm just thrilled! Thanks so much to all of you who give me feedback and encouragements on my claying and beading and life in general.
And thank you, Sandra, for your wonderful tutorial.  You might want to see Aleksandra Micic's tutorial on how this focal bead was made.
Jill
P.S. Please come check out my latest claying and jewelry projects at my flickr photostream.

Present from Jill !! :) Lovely Neckless !

2010-03-25T14:41:00.001-07:00

Present from Jill !! :) Lovely Neckless !, originally uploaded by Napocska Haruko ( garaduated ! ).

Such a happy surprise! This evening I was checking my Flickr home page and found a note from a very talented and patient young lady. Miss Haruko has been helping me practice my Japanese while we share ideas about art together, and we decided to exchange artist trading cards for fun. I wanted to send a special thank you gift with my card, so I made some cat pendants based on Haruko's own artwork. I'm so happy she liked the cat pendant which you see in her hand. www.flickr.com/photos/35443770@N07/3384635579/
If you head over to her photostream be sure to check out her stop-motion short films. She draws and paints and does all the collages and artwork in them as well as the photography and editing into films. This one is so much fun...www.flickr.com/photos/35443770@N07/3337298406/
and this one is so colorful and a wonderful story... www.flickr.com/photos/35443770@N07/4321849230/

Here is a collection of the pendants...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jillpalumbo/4430552563/

Mosaic Leaf Necklace

2010-03-25T13:11:00.001-07:00

Mosaic Leaf Necklace, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

Trying my hand at an asymmetrical neclace again. I think I like this one. Hope you do too.

Mosaic Leaves Bracelet

2010-03-24T12:32:00.001-07:00

Mosaic Leaves Bracelet, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

I've been trying more tempered glass with polymer clay this week. My eyes are a bit tired after all the beading. What do you think? I hope someone loves purple bling :)

MARCHABS, Almond Blossom Water Color

2010-03-18T18:38:00.001-07:00

MARCHABS, Almond Blossom Water Color, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

Each month the Art Bead Scene Blog sends out a challenge to their readers to submit entries inspired by a well-known work of art. The entry must incorporate an art bead as well as reflect the color or patterns of the chosen work.
This month's choice, Van Gogh's "Almond Branches in Bloom" is so compelling that I couldn't stop thinking about it. Doesn't it make your heart sing?
I've always loved Van Gogh's work, and the story of his life is one that touches me as well. Being the son of a minister, never fitting in, being rejected by others, his dreams of helping others and his drive to express himself through art, these ideas all mix into my understanding of his lively colors and brushstrokes.
My entry for the March Art Bead Scene Challenge is titled Almond Blossoms. I have created and incorporated several art beads in my design. The focal bead is a faux pietre dure, made in polymer clay following the wonderful tutorial created by a talented artist whose heart is as beautiful as Van Gogh's painting, Aleksandra Micic. The smaller blossoms, also made of polymer clay, are based on a photo found here. I used the technique of caning or mille fiori to create the image using a palette of clay in a sort of three dimensional painting process.
Whereas the claying portion of this project was pure happiness, the beadwork is always more of a challenge for me. I worked through several designs before deciding on this one. I tried to use as many natural elements as I could to depict the branches and leaves that are typically the unheralded support for the blossoms that take center stage at first glance. Most of the beads are of rugged chips of jade, jasper, mother of pearl and wood, but I gave into my sparkling glass beads that were calling to me to represent the glint of the sun peaking through the pale petals of the blossoms.
I'm aware that the ephemeral nature of the blossoms is what tugs at my heartstrings as I see them fluttering in the breeze, but I made the decision to follow my practice of avoiding groupings four beads in my work as this number is attached to the concept of morbidity in Japanese. Each grouping of three or seven is the result of my conscious wishes for the wearer to be filled with peace, and good health.
If you would like to see the step by step photos of the process I used to make the art beads, please visit my Flickr set.
Thanks so much for reading and sharing in this challenge with me.

Name plate proudly displayed

2010-03-11T17:27:00.001-08:00

Name plate proudly displayed, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

This was another wonderful day! The middle schoolers were full of creativity, fun, and energy! Did I say creativity already?! Wow!
I'm going to miss seeing these great kids. They have already tugged at my heartstrings . What a lucky person I am to have been able to spend these last couple afternoons with such a great group of young artists.

First day to clay - conditioning

2010-03-10T18:30:00.001-08:00

First day to clay - conditioning , originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

This has been a great day. The teacher at our corporation's middle school asked me to come teach a group of her students to make clay bracelets. Today they learned how to condition the clay and put the base beads for the bracelets together. They also learned how to do a Skinner blend and make a brain cane. I learned how enjoyable these students can be. I am looking forward to tomorrow when we can put some "bling" on their base beads.

Enriching our Lives through Art - Internationally!

2010-01-28T02:58:00.000-08:00

During Christmas vacation I noticed that my photos on Flickr were visited by a group of people on a forum in Poland. This made me quite curious, so I went to the site to learn more. I found a short post from a lady who was asking whether anyone could help her understand my technique for what I call "trees in the sunset." She made a link to my Flickr photo and asked whether anyone could help her understand how I was doing this. I noticed that nobody was answering her, and I felt so bad about that, so I found a way to contact her and ...

Here are some of my favorite photos she sent me this week:

As you can see, Krystyna has mastered my technique and has made it her own. She also has her own techniques. I will have to ask her to teach me about her ideas.

I'm so very happy to have met Krystyna, my new friend from Poland. I am thankful that we have been able to use the Internet to communicate. Even though we both speak more than one language, we don't share any in common, so we have had to rely on family members and on-line translators. I know we don't understand every word, but we are making enough sense to one another to begin to get to know each other and share artistic ideas.
Even two years ago I would never have dreamed of having these amazing opportunities to share ideas with Krystyna and with other new artists I have met in Germany, France, Israel, and more. It is truly a wonderful and amazing adventure for me, and I thank you, Krystyna, and my other new friends for having truly enriched my life.

Sunshine Award

2010-01-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks so very much, Butterscotch Grove, for nominating me for the Sunshine Blog Award. What a sweet surprise. Please head over to see Butterscotch Grove's Blog, she's running a sale in her Art Fire shop until the end of this month, and she has many beautiful items from which to choose.
Now, in turn, I will make several awards of my own…

Because her art is wonderfully new and fun and her kind heart is as big a her talent -
Beadworx.de – Bettina Welker

Because she is so sharing, kind and talented –
Crafty Goat's Notes – Angela Mabray

Because she is so sweet, gifted, sharing and creative –
The Creative Life Unfolds – Geraldine Newfry

Because she is always looking out for others and is so good at putting beautiful things together –
Earth Mother Mosaics – Cindy White

Parce que elle est si créative et géniale et douée –
gRiSbLEu - Céline

Because she is so generous with her tips and has wonderfully creative claying ideas–
Harrison Hollow Designs –Arlene Harrison

Because she has a knack for making everything about Japanese society, culture and history totally interesting and fun –
Kimonobox

Because she has an interesting way of looking at life, and she is Aunt Mari's daughter -
Life Lessons – Pamela Hammonds

Because she never ceases to amaze me with her new ways of putting things together in an artistic way and she is so supportive of others –
Micic Art Jewelry - Aleksandra Micic

Because she is a truly great blogger and friend –
Ongoing Explorations of an Organic Artist – Organic Odysseys - Kate

Because she is so supportive and talented and sharing –
Polimeri Online – Iris Mishly Polymer Clay

Because her heart and art are so wonderful –
Polymer Clay by Silastones – Ponsawan

JANABS La Pie - Magpie Necklace

2010-01-24T17:59:00.001-08:00

JANABS La Pie - Magpie Necklace, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

Each month the Art Bead Scene blog sets up a new challenge for their readers to use art beads to create something based on a particular piece of artwork.
This necklace owes its inspiration to Claude Monet's painting, La Pie (Magpie). I created the pendant and accent beads by using several techniques - mica shift, carving, painting, sanding and texturing,
Please read more about the ABS challenge for January here:
artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2010/01/january-monthly-challen...

The photograph on Flickr that the carving is based on can be found here:
www.flickr.com/photos/oiseauxnet/3391948296/

Clay Mosaic Box - It is finished!

2010-01-23T23:20:00.001-08:00

Clay Mosaic Box - It is finished!, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

This is a photo of a box I've finished today using a technique that was new (to me). I photographed the steps and added them to a set that can be used as a tutorial if you'd like to clay along with me. I have been inspired by some amaaaaaazing mosaic artists on the MASGO forum, and I tried this faux mosaic in polymer clay idea. Here is a link to the set of photos on my Flickr site if you would like to see how it was made, step by step.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jillpalumbo/sets/72157623258906554/
Thanks for looking.

Pan Fish Pen

2010-01-23T14:43:00.001-08:00

Pan Fish Pen, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

I visited a woodworking store and found pen kits, so here is the result of that discovery.
I think I may be able to make pens that the guys in my life may appreciate. This pen pivots and it really works. Yeah!
I have to thank Pat for helping me figure out how to put all the pieces together.

Carved Netsuke - Kates Inro

2010-01-18T19:45:00.001-08:00

Carved Netsuke - Kates Inro, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

Kate asked me to carve our names in Japanese on the reverse side of the Netsuke of her inro. I've been considering the design for a couple days now. Kate's name means Olive, and my last name means Dove, so I combined the two ideas by carving an olive branch with a dove. Kate's name Olive オリーブ is at the top, and my name Jill ジル is at the bottom. Kate taught me the steps to carving in polymer clay nearly a year ago.
I am so honored that she asked me to do this. I have to admit that I felt a bit torn trying to add something to her inro, and putting my name on it. It is her work of art afterall, but I did this to honor Kate's request and as a symbol of our friendship.

Kate's inro - beautiful!

2010-01-16T19:42:00.001-08:00

Kate's inro - beautiful!, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

Surprise! This is what I found in the mail, a surprise gift from a dear friend. It is an inro, a sort of "man purse" used in ancient Japan.
Kate, you have taught me so much, and you are always an inspiration to me in so many ways, from your unique way of viewing the world and meaningful ways to experience life to sharing claying techniques and computer savy. You never cease to amaze me. You are a treasure!

Art Bead Scene JANABS Challenge - On Black

2010-01-10T20:50:00.001-08:00

Art Bead Scene JANABS Challenge - On Black, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

Here is the finished necklace with the carved pendant which is the culmination of my tutorial on carving on cured polymer clay. I shared some background information about that tutorial in my last blog post, and you can see the steps on Flickr if you click on the photo here and open the set to which it belongs. The titles of my photos tell the process used in each step of this technique.
As I walked around my snowy backyard last Thursday I pondered the painting by Claude Monet titled "La Pie." I was struck by the similarities of the parallel lines of the stems of our remaining chive plants to the parallel lines of the fence in the painting. Here is a link to my favorite photo of these chives http://www.flickr.com/photos/jillpalumbo/4254606171/If you look at its title, you will see my attempt at a haiku poem. I wanted to capture this feeling in verse and in my artwork. That is what I enjoy most about challenges, they make me more observant and also encourage me to stretch as an artist by exploring new techniques and ideas.
If you would like to learn more about this month's challenge and Monet's artwork, please visit http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2010/01/january-monthly-challenge.htmlThanks so much for visiting my blog too :)
Jill

Step 9 Carved pendant tutorial completed front of pendant

2010-01-09T09:34:00.001-08:00

Step 9 Carved pendant tutorial completed front of pendant, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

Dear friends,

If you would like to see the steps I used to make this pendant, please visit my flickr site and view this set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jillpalumbo/sets/72157623049401123/
I give all the credit for this tutorial to my dear friend and amazing artist, Kate Clawson, as she is the one who patiently taught me how to do this technique. Kate's blog is one of my favorite places to go, and I'm sure if you enjoy looking at my artwork, you will be astounded by Kate's, so go visit her at http://organicodysseys.blogspot.com/

I'm planning to enter this pendant (after I've made it into a necklace) in this month's Art Bead Scene challenge. The topic for this month is Claude Monet's painting, "La Pie" which is translated as the magpie in English. You can learn more about the painting and the challenge as well at http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2010/01/january-monthly-challenge.html
Hope you enjoy the tutorial and if you have any questions, ask away, and I'll do my best to explain things to you. Any suggestions or other comments are very welcome too.

As always, thanks for looking.
Jill

arzumusa treasury

2010-01-07T16:34:00.001-08:00

arzumusa treasury, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

Thank you, Arzu, your treasury is lovely and warm, like you.

Step 13 - Bubbles Cane Tutorial before reduction on handle

2010-01-04T20:07:00.001-08:00

Step 13 - Bubbles Cane Tutorial before reduction on handle, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

I had several requests for a tutorial on the translucent bubbles cane I used on my Warm and Bubbly Pendants photos, so I posted one one on Flickr. There are fourteen steps and I don't have a clue why Flickr arranges them all out of order when I upload them, but I hope it helps some of you who wanted to try doing something like this cane.
Thanks for watching my experiments in polymer clay!

Collection of "Warm and Bubbly" Pendants

2010-01-03T09:09:00.001-08:00

Collection of "Warm and Bubbly" Pendants, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

As I woke up this morning the outside temperature reading on our alarm clock was flashing negative six degrees fahrenheit, brrrrrr....
I'd just been dreaming of sea turtles and floating in a nice warm current in some sunny corner of the world before being jolted back to the reality of cold floors and frost on the windows.

My dreams must be a result of watching too much Nemo or because I've been working on a cane of a sea turtle for a custom order. In any case, my extruded bubble cane (translucent clay and disks of blues/silvers/aquas/pearls) is the result of my wishes for a nice warm sunny day instead of this cold, cold start to the year.

I've had a couple requests for a tutorial on this extruded bubbles idea that I dreamed up in an effort to make some "oceany" backgrounds for the sea turtles for my new client. As soon as I can get that tutorial accomplished, I'll post something here and on Flickr.

Hope you are all staying warm and safe and are looking forward to a happy and heathy new year.
お正月を！

Super Silly Grin - Power Ranger colored suckers - Vincent

2009-12-22T22:35:00.001-08:00

Super Silly Grin - Power Ranger colored suckers - Vincent, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

Vince is getting plenty of sugar it seems.
Happy times - Christmas vacation 2009

On my way home...

2009-12-15T19:53:00.001-08:00

sunset 12-15 favorite, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

This is the beautiful sight I gazed at all the way home this afternoon. I had to pull over and take a photo. Hope you enjoy it.

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

2009-12-02T19:13:00.001-08:00

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

2009-11-30T18:03:00.001-08:00

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

2009-11-29T20:08:00.001-08:00

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

2009-11-29T11:24:00.001-08:00

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

2009-11-25T21:39:00.001-08:00

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

2009-11-25T07:38:00.001-08:00

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

2009-11-23T03:07:00.001-08:00

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.

November Art Bead Scene Entry

2009-11-22T18:04:00.001-08:00

November ABS Entry, originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

Well, my princess necklace is finally done and loaded on the Art Bead Scene Blog for the November challenge. I've been working on fairies for nearly three weeks and I stil have several projects to go.
I'm so relieved though to have submitted this necklace as my entry. It was a personal goal of mine to finish it even with a very busy couple of weeks at school and home as well. Thanks for looking :).

Fairy princess Inspired by Fairy Feller's-Master Stroke by Richard Daddpart 2 (26)

2009-11-17T15:07:00.001-08:00

Fairy princess Inspired by Fairy Feller's-Master Stroke by Richard Dadd
originally uploaded by Jill Palumbo.

It has been quite a week. We ended our first trimester courses on Friday, so I spent much of last week writing and giving exams. Now this week I have new classes to get off the ground. I'm almost able to catch my breath. Every chance I get I forgo sleeping to make things for my upcoming show at Minnetrista, December 4 and 5.

This fairy is one of quite a few I've been making over the last week or so. My goal is to put something together to enter in the Art Bead Scene November Challenge. Here is a photo of his painting.

The more I learn about this artist, Richard Dadd, the more I want to know. Quite an interesting "feller" himself. He did the amazing work of art (featured at the Artbead Scene Blog this month) while was incarcerated in a mental ward/prison for killing his father, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Each character in the painting actually had a name and persona. Wish I had more time to delve into his poetry and other artwork. Maybe over Christmas break?

So far I'm into making lots of focal pieces, but I'll try to add some accent beads to the mix and make a couple beaded necklaces or bracelets for the challenge. I'll have to rename my pieces as I learn the names they should go by according to the original artist.

Please come visit my Flickr photostream where I have posted a set of my photos of the method I used to make my pieces as well as many of the finished pieces. I'll continue to add to these as I make and photograph more.
Thanks so much for looking :).

Finished Projects

2009-10-27T04:50:00.000-07:00

Aunt Wilma's Wren Necklace:
Last summer my great aunt said she'd love to have a necklace - one handmade by me. She told me the colors she likes and how long it should be...so far so good...but then she said, "I really like wrens. Could you make me a wren necklace?" Well that request threw me for a loop. I know a few birds, but wrens had never piqued my interest, and they are brown (not so interesting to me).
When I start a project like this, my first thought is always to make a cane. I love making canes, and when I have time, I head that direction, but a cane of a brown bird, that was not piquing my interest, not at all!
I was hitting a wall with this so I decided to ask for some help. My friend, Kate, suggested I incorporate a photo of a wren from a Birds and Blooms magazine. Well, that wasn't quite feasable, since I could not find wrens in any of the issues I have here at home.
Well, by the time the leaves were already changing this fall, I was still struggling with making a "wren necklace." I wandered around Flickr in search of photos of wrens to get me back on track. When I saw this photo, I fell in love with this sweet little bird.
Kate had taught me to carve in cured clay last spring, so that was the technique I decided to use. If you'd like to see more photos of the process I used, I have a set of WIP photos on Flickr.
Thanks, so much, Kate, for all your suggestions and tips and techniques you share with me. Aunt Wilma sent me a thank-you note and I think she really liked the necklace. I thank you for helping me with this project.

Update on the gRiSbLEu method - Midori Necklace
I finally finished and sent my friend, Midori, her necklace with earrings last month. Here is a photo of the finished set.

If you would like to see more photos of the progress of my WIP on this necklace, I have posted this to Flickr as well. The tutorial was in French, so I translated it to English for the author. She has posted my translation to her site. :) What fun I'm having with art and languages!

Craft Show this Saturday

2009-10-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

The Ball State University Employee Activities Committee is sponsoring a craft show on October 24, 2009. I'll be there with my art jewelry on display and for sale. The craft show will be at the Delaware County Fairgrounds fom 8-2 this Saturday. Hope to see you there :)

Location of Delaware County Fairgrounds

ArtsWalk 2009

2009-09-24T02:43:00.000-07:00

The arts are celebrated in my home town in a big way throughout the weekend l.

Here is a link to learn more about the festivities.

First Merchant's Bank Lobby from 5-9 p.m.

(200 E Jackson St, Muncie, IN‎ - (765) 747-1545‎)

A bit of progress on the Gris Bleu Beads

2009-09-10T20:02:00.000-07:00

I hope Midori will like them...

Maybe I can get them put together in a necklace tomorrow night.

GrisBleu - Wonderful Tutorial

2009-09-09T04:44:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this tutorial? http://grisbleu.canalblog.com/archives/2009/09/06/14979101.html

I've been wanting to make a necklace for my college friend, my first Japanese friend, Midori. Her parents named her Midori (the word means green or blue) for the ocean since she was born when her family was living in Israel near the pretty blue/green sea. When I saw those lovely beads on GrisBleu's site I knew they would be perfect for a set for my dear friend.

Here is my progress....

The colors I chose were light blue, slate blue, aqua and a lime green:

I then laid the thin colors on the thick translucent:

I cut out pieces and used repel gel to keep them from sticking to my "cabochons":

Last night I put backs on each one. I'm hoping I will have time to sand them tonight.

After that I will carve her name in one and make lots of holes (like bubbles in the water).

Please wish me luck :)

Published! I'm Published! Woot!

2009-08-23T17:03:00.000-07:00

The PolymerCAFE October issue is published, and I have an article in it.
Can't tell you much about it, or they will make me give them my first-born son, but it features a technique I have developed using paint inside a cane.
Here is a screen shot of the table of contents:

You can see more about this issue at their website or you could purchase a copy here.

My apologies to papa Lou in heaven. They tell me that the article itself has my "Palumbo" spelled correctly. We carry the Palumbo name proudly.

Court of Honor = Reasons to be Creative

2009-08-23T16:25:00.000-07:00

Just because I was making enough food for 150 people doesn't mean I couldn't make time to clay and create!
First I "had to" make a cake topper from clay.

Then I "had to" make a guest book.

What is a guest book without a matching pen holder and pen?

And wait, cheese "balls" are so boring. How about an eagle made of cheese?

And a fleur de lys of cheese as well?

Oh, I "need" to make neckerchief slides, right?

And pens for all the helpers…

I surely did enjoy this part of the preparations, and it was a day of true celebration for our family and friends.
I wouldn't change a thing. Not even the meringue cookies :).

Update on the Court of Honor

2009-08-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

Wow, last week was a whirlwind with the start of school just coming off our big "shindig." Nick's Eagle Court of Honor was tons of work, but I think everyone enjoyed it. Here are some photos of the celebration:

Eagle Scout Court of Honor - Cake Topper - WIP

2009-07-26T20:37:00.000-07:00

Our son, Nick, is going to be celebrating his Eagle Court of Honor next month. We are so proud of him! Here's a photo of him in his full uniform...

I'm sculpting a cake topper made of polymer clay for the occasion. I've just finished my first step, the eagle itself. Here is a photo of the unbaked clay eagle...

I'll keep updating my blog as I finish each step. I hope it will be something like the rank badge for Eagle Scouts. I found an image for you at this site. As you can see I have a long way to go, but I'm having fun the whole way.

I just finished putting on the silver rub n buff after baking the eagle. I'm pleased with it so far...

IPCA Retreat and Sightings...

2009-07-25T19:11:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

I've recently returned from the IPCA Retreat. It was such an amazing time! I met so many wonderful, talented, fun and encouraging artists.

That's Judy Belcher with me at the IPCA Retreat. She is my all-time-favorite polymer clay artist/hero, and I actually had a chance to meet her.

Christi Friesen, another cool and famous polyclay artist, was a featured demonstrator for the entire second day of the retreat. I actually won her pendant in the raffle!

Here I am with her after winning...

Debbie Jackson, another of my very favorite people and an amazing artist won the bead strand at the aution. Here's my photo of the strand of beads made by each of the participants at the retreat. We each submitted two beads, one for this strand that was auctioned, and one for a strand to be archived.

So many wonderful artists attended the retreat. I will hold all my new "twisted sisters" dear to my heart, and I count meeting each one as a true blessing...

You might want to check out more photos of the retreat at the IPCA Retreat 2009 Flickr Photos.

P.S.

I found my work was mentioned at Tonja's Polyclay Corner. How cool is that?

Japanese Milk Carton Box Tutorial

2009-07-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

Just after the Kobe earthquake in 1995, my high-school students (who were learning Japanese language and culture) wanted to do something to help. We decided to raise money for the victims by selling tickets to a homemade Japanese meal and selling handmade items. Our Japanese teaching assistants, Mayumi Hamano, Atsuko Nishi and Manami Mikami, graciously and patiently taught all of us how to make curry rice and Japanese boxes from milk cartons. I'll leave the curry rice recipe for another time, but in this tutorial I will show you how to make the structure for beautiful Japanese boxes.
Materials:
2(or 3*) clean, empty milk cartons, the same size and the kind made of paper -not plastic
I used two quart sized cartons, but any size will work as long as you have two the same size.
1 pencil (hexagonal, not round)
1 pen
1 ruler
Masking tape
1 pair of scissors
1 bottle of tacky glue
Enough paper or polymer clay to cover the box

Step #1
Measure the height of the milk cartons you are going to use. (They need to be the same size.)
Subtract one inch (2.5 cm) from the total height. Divide the remainder in half. Measure up from the bottom of each of the milk cartons marking this length with your ink pen.
(Example: If your milk carton is nine inches tall, subtract one inch. This leaves eight inches, divided in half that makes four inches. You should measure up four inches on all sides marking a folding or cutting line with your ink pen.
See photo #1.

Step #2
From this point we treat each milk carton in a different way. Pick one carton and cut down from the top at each of the four corners just to the line you marked. Try to cut on the exact corner of the carton as much as is possible. Stop cutting this milk carton at the line. When you have cut all four corners it will look like a flower opening its petals.
Put the first milk carton, I'll call it "Petals," aside and focus on the second milk carton.

For this milk carton cut down from the top of each of the four corners all the way to the bottom of the milk carton. On each of these long "flaps" you should also cut on the line you marked in pen in step #1. When you are finished cutting the second carton, you should have four rectangles, two slightly longer than the other two since milk cartons are made that way. This second carton now looks like a "Plus Sign."
See photo #2.

Step #3
Place the "petals" milk carton on the center of the "plus sign" milk carton. Pull up the plus sign flaps and use masking tape to fit it snuggly around the petals carton. Use plenty of tape on all the edges of the corners.
See photo #3.

Step #4
In this step, you will make tubes from the four rectangular pieces that were left over when you cut the "plus sign" in step #2. I like to use a pencil to aid in rolling nice round tubes. I tape the pencil to one narrow end, roll it up tightly, and hold it for a couple seconds to help keep the shape after letting go. When I let go, I unroll the paper, un-tape the pencil leaving the tape at the end of the paper, re-roll with the taped end on the outside now, measure the diameter of each end of the tube making sure they are the same (approx. 1 inch in diameter) and then use the tape to hold it securely at that size. Repeat this rolling, measuring and taping procedure until you have four identical rolls. These will become the supports for the rounded sides of the finished box.
See photo #4.

Step #5
You will use the tubes you made in step #4 to support the shape of your milk carton box. If you like a rounded box, tape the tube in the center of each of the "plus sign" sides.
See photo #5.

If you like a flare at the top, tape the tube toward the top of each of the "plus sign" sides.
See photo #6.

If you like a flare at the bottom, place the tube at the bottom of each of the "plus sign" sides.
See photo #7.

*If you like a flare at the top and the bottom, use a third milk carton to cut and roll four more tubes (to make a total of eight tubes, one at the top and bottom of each side). Pull in the petal side in the center with tape to make a feminine shaped box.
Pull a petal side down over each of the tube sides and secure the petals at the bottom of the box.
Step #6
Tape, tape, and tape some more.
Use plenty of tape to define whatever shape you choose to make.
When your shape is good and symmetrical on all sides, use tape to cover the openings at each corner. This will give support for the paper or clay you will use to cover the box.
See photo #8.

You are now finished making the structure for your Japanese box. Cover it and decorate it as you please to make a Japanese box with your own unique pattern. If you like lids, make a lid to match. I've made lids by covering craft foam or by using polymer clay. Please note, I covered the outside of the clay box with two layers of clay (about a 1/8 inch thick) curing in between the application of layers. I poked a few small holes for air to escape before curing the first layer.
If you choose to leave the inside unpapered, it can be used as a vase since milk cartons are made to hold liquid.

See photos # 9 and 10.

I hope you enjoyed learning to make Japanese boxes. I taught my mother to make these a few years before she passed away. She made the two papered boxes in photos #9 and 10. I treasure the memories we had making beautiful boxes together.

I appreciate my friends, Mayumi, Atsuko, and Manami, for sharing this Japanese craft with us. You helped us earn money to make a nice donation to the Red Cross for the victims of the earthquake, and you taught us skills that have enriched our own lives.
どうもありがとうございました！

Black and White and Ready for IPCA Retreat

2009-07-04T06:48:00.000-07:00

Hi, I'm busy getting ready for the IPCA Retreat. Part of the fun is making beads to share with others at the event. We were given an assignment to make black and white beads, so I went to my "caning zone"
and was struck by the work of Hisashi Otsuka.
Here is a website explaining a bit about this tremendously talented Japanese artist:
http://www.hisashiotsuka.com/
In particular, his poster of a woman and bird really inpired me!
Here is another link:
http://www.dargate.com/239_auction/239_images/2034.jpg I'm stilll so awkward with using this blog, but I wanted to share a technique that may be something others have not tried before. I wanted to make veins in my butterfly canes that were much thinner than is possible with normal caning methods, so I decided to mix oil paint and liquid polymer clay to get a nice effect. I used this technique of painting the inside of a cane with my blue morpho butterfly, and here is an example of a pendant I made with that cane. Now I'm using the same idea to construct this black and white (and gray) peacock feather. Here are some photos showing how I do this. Hope you enjoy learning about this idea of mine...Please ask questions if you'd like to know more :)

2009-06-25T17:55:00.000-07:00

I've Been Tagged
Kate (see my very first blog below) of Organic Odysseys has tagged me along with several other bloggers. That means I need to tell six things that make me happy. Oh, no, it isn't that easy, they have to be silly things that make me happy. I don't usually consider anything that makes me happy silly, but I'll try.
1. I love that warm, cuddly hug when my boys first wake up in the morning.
2. I love the sound of mourning doves. It reminds me of a story my mom told me that her mama told her about her firstborn child, Bobby. Bobby didn't like mourning doves since they wakened him. I have been told many times, that Bobby would say this poem, "Those morning doves, those morning doves. I don't like those morning doves. I is tired, I is weary, please pick I up and kiss I, deary. Who took me from that nice warm cot and put me on this old cold pot? I is froo, come and get me." Bobby passed away when he was just two, but everyone in my family knows this poem and remembers him fondly. I can still hear my mother's voice when I hear the mourning doves. That's a blessing to me. The photo at the top of the page is of Bobby at the beach with his mama, my Grandma (Amy) on the far left. (They were with Amy's husband's sister, Rhea, and Rhea's husband, Els.) I'm guessing Raymond, Amy's husband, and my grandfather, took the photo.
3. I love finding interesting rocks along the side of a lake, or in a parking lot, or in the landscaping around a restaurant, at a park, or beside a river, pretty much anywhere. I love to adopt them and give them a good home in my rock garden.
4. Seeing a red bird or a yellow bird or a blue bird, oh, pretty much any kind of bird, makes me happy.
5. I love the sound of my sister's giggle.
6. I love the sparkles in my husband's eyes.

Now, I have to tag others to do the same. Here goes...
I tag you, Pikachuu!
http://jewelzodonnell.blogspot.com/
http://SpiritMama-Art.blogspot.com/
http://blogs.oddsocks.net/ahunt/
http://poly-clay.blogspot.com/
http://polymerionline.blogspot.com/
http://livingwithkiwis.wordpress.com/

Golden Swirls - A Quick Tutorial

2009-06-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
I'm posting a quick tutorial for a very kind lady I met on Flickr. BJ just loved the soft colors of one of my pendants, and is very curious about polymer clay in general. I offered to send her some photos of how I made it, so here is the process I used...

The story starts out a bit sad. I had made a disasterous polymer clay cane of a horse last summer and was trying to make lemons from lemonade. Here is my "Beauty-Gone-Wrong" cane:

This cane actually looked wonderful before I tried to reduce it. It looked like Beauty, a horse whose human friend is my friend too, Debbie. I had constructed a lovely, bubbly sunset as a background. Well, some of the clay was softer (the background) and some was more stiff (most of the face) so the reduction produced this "alien horse" image. On each end of the reduced cane were some beautiful skinner blend sunset blobs, and I'm not one to waste good clay, so I cut some of these off and made lots of swirls like this:

Although swirls are very relaxing and therapudic for me, I eventually tired of them. I wanted to do some pendants with the colorful leftovers.

Here are the steps I used to make BJ's pendant:
1. I rolled out some scrap clay on the thickest setting on my pasta machine. (I ended up with a square of clay about the length of my pasta machine, 5"x5".)
2. I sliced colorful pieces off the ends of the beauty cane and laid them in a layer to cover the top of the sheet of scap clay. I did this randomly putting different colors side by side. I then put the covered sheet back through the pasta machine a couple times to make it all smooth and level.

3. I conditioned some Kato translucent clay, rolled out a square of it, and covered one side with gold leaf and one side with silver leaf and then rolled it into a jelly roll starting from a side with both gold and silver. Tip: It's important to try to avoid trapping air pockets whenever rolling up a jelly roll of clay.
4. I then cut very thin slices off the end of the jelly roll and laid these out on the colorful clay sheets overlapping the slices slightly. This time I didn't want to distort the gold/silver jelly roll slices in my pasta machine, so I chose to roll this layer smooth with my accrylic rod. (You could substitute a round vase if you don't have one.)
5. I cut shield shapes for my pendants out of the smoothed sheets, baked them about 15 minutes at 275 degrees, let them cool, and then sanded (using wet/dry sand paper) and buffed them to a nice shine.

6. After the shields were buffed nicely, I conditioned some black clay and rolled it into sheets larger than my shields. Here's a photo of this step:

7. I used some TLS (transparent Liquid Sculpey) to attach the baked shields to the raw black clay, and I cut around them leaving an extension of about a quarter of an inch and a longer strip of black at the top.

8. I then cut strips to place on top of the protruding black clay to bring it to a level just about as high as shields. I also curved the top strip around a very small knitting needle to form the hole to use to suspend the pendant.

9. I sculpted, smoothed and textured the black frame/casing, inserted two grommets (used in scrapbooking) to finish the pendant holes nicely, and textured the black clay with the end of a knitting needle.

10. I finished off the textured black clay with some silver or gold pearlex powders or some bits of silver leaf or gold leaf. The metalic powders and leaves stick nicely to the raw black clay, but do not atach readily to the baked transparent shields.

11. To some shields I added some flowers from my stash of clay canes, to BJ's favorite I added a loop.

12. I textured the backs of some of my shields with sand paper.

13. Finally, after baking the shield pendants for another 25-30 minutes at 275 degrees, I let them cool, painted on some Transparent Kato Liquid Polyclay, baked them another five minutes and then used a heat gun on them until they were nice and clear and shiny.

Tip: Always keep the heat gun moving while pointing it at the clay to avoid scorching the surface.

14. When the pendants were cooled and shiny, I brushed on some Minwax Water-Based Polycrylic Protective Finish to protect any areas that had not been protected already with the Kato Liquid Polyclay.

That's all there is to it. I just played around with scraps and made some pendants. If you have any questions or comments please leave them here, or contact me at jill@palumbojewelry.com

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Sugar Cookies

2009-06-17T11:36:00.001-07:00

Today I'm baking sugar cookies in memory of my mom. Vince, my younger son, requests these regularly, and I don't always have the time to make them. Since school is out and my show is done, les voila!

These cookies are a tradition in our family. My mom, Alice, told stories of her grandma's cookies. Her mom, Amy, made what is considered the gold standard of sugar cookies in my extended family. Unfortunately Amy's recipe was never shared in enough detail to replicate exactly. Alice spent much of her life perfecting her own sugar cookies and was fairly pleased with her results. She passed down her recipe and was happy to share all the little hints of how to make them like she did. Here is a a photo of my well-loved and well-used recipe in her handwriting with a note on the back side:

Mine never taste as good to me as those I remember my mom and grandma making, but my kids think they are the best! Here are a few more photos of the process...

Kate the Great

2009-06-15T03:29:00.001-07:00

I'm dedicating this first post on my blog to the person who inspired me and encouraged me to start blogging, Kate of Organic Odysseys.

Kate is an amazing artist with a heart as big as her talent. She is inspired by everything in nature, and has a unique and imaginative way to help others see things in a new way.

Look at that corn bug for a moment and you will see that it is on a soybean leaf, head made of a soy bean, body of corn, wings of sage leaves? I'm not sure I'm right, but I had to stare at it and ponder... How did she come up with that idea? What inspired her to put it together like that? How did she choose those colors? When something makes me take a second, third, fourth look, I know it is something wonderful, highly artistic and interesting. Who could ask for more in a work of art.

Vist Kate's blog at http://organicodysseys.blogspot.com/

Kate is a full-time artist specializing in Judaic art and polymer clay art fashioned from organic produce. AKA Zayit Gale she has a photostream on flicker under that name for her Judaica items. These are found in almostARTtfacts.etsy.com. Her organic pieces can also be seen at OrganicOdysseys.etsy.com. Her vintage items and fabric art is for sale at polkadotsandals.etsy.com.