I picked Japan for their famous Kimonos, Geisha Girls & paper lanterns: Here is “Geisha”

“Tuscan Dhea”City: Chianti Classico, Colline Senese, San Gimignano, Montalcino, Val d’Orcia and MontepulcianoProvince: Siena, Toscana RegionWine Day – when the wine cellars of the area have an open house. It has become a special occasion for those who either enjoy wine or produce it. On this day, the wine estates of the province will be at their best: they will be waiting to receive guests, there will be wine to taste along with typical products, and special events will be organized. This event was first initiated in 1993 as the brainchild of Donatella Cinelli Colombini and has matured to be a resounding success. With the passing of years, the Movement of Tourism and Wine has expanded it greatly to merit it one of the areas most important events (one need only consider that in 2002 some 3 million enthusiastic tourists are expected to visit Tuscany). This year there is something new: the first steps have been taken to form an working relationship between the Movement of Tourism and Wine and the Tuscan Federation of the Wine Routes (Strade del Vino) in association with the Enoteca Italiana (Italian Wine Producers).In addition, a charity will also benefit the voluntary services of Tuscan hospitals by selling and donating the profits of tasting cups (produced by Fara). Open Wine Day will primarily take place in the following areas: Chianti Classico, Colline Senese, San Gimignano, Montalcino, Val d’Orcia and Montepulciano.

Oui Oui Oh My Paris

I have taken excerpts from a poem written by Irina Kovalenko. This is a perfect description of my thoughts of what Paris, France must be like.Paris is my favorite city in the worldEvery time I come to visit, my stay is like a magic twirl.Itís a city full of wonders and little pleasuresSuch as haute couture, cuisine, and historic treasures.I love to walk the Parisian streetsLooking at beautiful buildings, boutiques and cafesI feel like a little girl looking at sweets with a happy face.Shopping is another storyItís the main Parisian gloryLe Prentemps and Les Galleries LafayetteHow lucky can I get?I keep on buying the trendiest fashionsZara, Morgan, Naf Naf Itís hard to shop without passionsMy head is spinningSo many hats, scarves and handbagsLetís start from the beginning.Beautiful cosmetics, lingerie, gloves and beltsMy heart almost melts.I have to choose, canít buy everythingMy mind begins to ring.Finally I exit the store with many bagsI feel just as good as my puppy when his tail wags.Oh Paris, ParisOh Paris, ParisWhat a delight!

USA is my first choice for North America. I was inspired by the tradition of our country and how it honors our military. So I designed a bracelet and had lampwork beads that are absolutely perfect…and made by our very own Bree. Here is a writing and the author is unknown that represents the history of how we honor military:”Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation’s Civil War dead by decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country…””I gave you a birthright of freedom born in the Constitution and now your children graduate too illiterate to read it.I fought in the snow barefoot to give you the freedom to vote and you stay home because it rains.I left my family destitute to give you the freedom of speech and you remain silent on religious and critical issues because it might be bad for business.I orphaned my children to give you a government to serve you and it has stolen democracy from the people.It’s the soldier, not the reporter, who gives you the freedom of the press.It’s the soldier, not the poet, who gives you freedom of speech.It’s the soldier, not the campus organizer who allows you to demonstrate.It’s the soldier who salute the flag, serves the flag, whose coffin is draped with the flag, that allows the protester to burn the flag!!!Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, prayer for them and their families is the very best one…Remember…Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”America’s Brave…The camo beads represent the soldiers at war, including the soldier cap. There is an American Flag bead that represents our freedom and one that states we are The USA.The red roses symbolize the love of our fallen soldiers who died for us! These beads were designed and created with our brave sisters and brothers, fathers and mothers and those who stay awake at night so that we may sleep without fear!

For my second entry for North America I chose the beautiful an unique Island of Barbados and am featuring the gorgeous tropical flowers there…The Barbados Indian Water Lily and the Blue Lotus Flower.

javabead

Peru: I choose peru. I went after the colors,patterns and textures seen in the hand woven clothing they wore. In Peru’s rural areas, the way people dress makes an important distinction, as a result of the blend of pre-Hispanic influences with the European clothing that the natives were forced to wear during the colonial era.The traditional Inca anacu was transformed by the local women into the brightly-colored and multi-layered petticoats known as polleras. Depending on the region, a black skirt is decorated with a belt which can come in a variety of colors and is decorated with flowers in the northern Piura highlands or a brightly-hued woolen lliclla in Chiclayo, further south.In the highlands above Lima, the skirt is decorated with red and black embroidered edging, while in Junin, as in Cajamarca and Cuzco, women no longer use black skirts. Underneath their skirts, the women use layers of petticoats made from cotton which can be embroidered with gold and silver threads, featuring superbly-crafted drawings along the edge.The Peruvian poncho dates back to the seventeenth century and apparently is a variation on the unku used by men at the time. The heavy ponchos used inCajamarca keep out the rain and are as long as those used in Puno, where they are died scarlet during festivals. In Cuzco, ponchos are short and feature elaborate geometric figures against a red background.On the coast, ponchos were used by the plantation workers, and they were spun from cotton or vicuna fiber. In the jungle, both men and women from some tribes wear the cushma, a loose tunic stitched up on both sides and embellished with dyes and geometric figures typical of theregion.Traditional dress tends to be capped off by woolen or straw hats, sometimes in various colors. But in the coldest reaches of the Andes, the highlanders tend to wear the chullo, a woolen cap fitted with earflap decorated with geometric motifs.

China: I choose China…Chinese Culture to me, as for colors,textures,found in some clothing,papers & food.