Paulie DiMeo

Of all the pieces I created for the Extreme Makeover, Home Edition cast, Paulie’s was the most difficult.

I must have looked through hundreds of photographs to see what particular style of jewelry that he might wear. I could not find one picture with any other jewelry on other than his wedding ring. So I had to be creative. Knowing Paulie loves unique varieties of wood I decided to use Red palm from the island of Dominica. With the Red palm I created a pair of earrings for him to bring back to his wife when he returned home from our Extreme event.

I had the perfect opportunity when he came down to the tent to eat as he always sat with the volunteers for meals. When I told him what I do and that I made him something he sincerely felt bad in saying ” I am so sorry I don’t wear anything but my wedding ring”. I replied “Yes, I had figured that out– so I made something for your wife”. He genuinely seemed astonished that I would think to do that. We talked about the unique wood and he thanked me. He ate lunch with us (in the volunteer tent) several times throughout the week. Great guy!