OWOH Winner!!!

Now that I am back from my little road trip I was on, I have a winner for my giveaway from this fabulous OWOH journey we have all been on.
My necklace winner is Ros, who lives in the Central Coast of NSW.
Her blog Rossylalah is fun and interesting, and you can check it out here.
This has been a fabulous opportunity to meet new people and see so many wonderful blogs and amazing talent.
Thank you and hugs to my new followers for finding my blog interesting enough to follow. I am excited to get to know you better.
Till the next time, Holly

One World One Heart 2011

Ok, so I'm signing on late to this wonderful event, but as they say, better late than never.....
My name is Holly Louen and I live in Clovis, California, smack in the middle of the state.
Welcome to Tuscan Road Designs! I am a handmade Artisan jewelry designer. It all began with a trip to Murano, Italy. After touring the glass and bead factories on this island, I was hooked. Upon returning home, I promptly signed up for a Lampwork class at the local glass store to learn how to make my own beautiful beads. I then taught my teenage son how to do it, and that became a great bonding time for us, thus the beginning of Tuscan Road Designs. My inspirations come from nature, architecture, Old World icons…..and especially the world around me as I have seen it from numerous travels. And now, I look forward to this new, exciting journey called One World One Heart.
My door prize is a feel-good, romantic charm necklace with a copper word plate with "Kisses" etched on it. Hanging with it is a brass locket and a tiny dusty rose colored paper rose. Attached a little ways up the antiqued copper chain is a Rhodonite gemstone bead. It fastens at the back with a lobster clasp and the length of the chain is 24". The pendant is 1 1/2".
Please leave a comment so you can be entered into this drawing, which will take place on February 17th.
In the meantime, thank you so much for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your journey!

Tomorrow's Treasures, Loved Today

When I saw this pendant in a little shop in Ko Samui, Thailand, it just spoke to me. Now, 6 months later, I have finally figured out just how to showcase this beauty. A scrolled frame of sterling silver wraps around two faceted round green Peridot gemstones, two brilliant purple, faceted oval Amethyst gemstones and a smooth oval, pale green Prehnite gemstone. The size of this pendant is 1 3/8" at it's widest and 2 1/4" long.
The beaded necklace is made up of faceted rondelles of pale, grass green Prehnite and soft Amethyst with the occasional textured sterling beads and Swarovski crystal in an eggplant color. The necklace length is 23" and it closes at the neck with a sterling toggle.

*Prehnite is a stone of unconditional love, and its color and unusual touch generate serenity and tranquility. This is the crystal that heals the healer. Prehnite teaches how to be in harmony with nature and allows one to always be prepared. It is also believed to enhance one’s protective field and is known as a stone for “dreaming and remembering”.

*Amethyst is the most highly prized variety of Quartz and is the official birthstone for February. This stone is said to protect the wearer from drunkenness, and for this reason in ancient days, wine goblets were often carved from it. Western mystics say the stone helps instill the highest ideals and urges one to do what is right. They also claim Amethyst cures impatience, alleviates feelings of victimization, balances high energy, eliminates chaos and helps keep one grounded.