The very talented Sally Russick of www.thestudiosublime.com challenged us to"Focus on life: 52 photos" Her prompt this week is curves. Well sometimes life throws you a curve so go with it. Life's curve for me this week was another snow storm. I saw curves in the skidsteer tracks as I cleared yet another snowstorm from my yard and driveway. Last year at this time we had 5 days in the upper 70's and lower 80's. There are also plenty of curves in the piles of snow too. Thefirst pic is of a shed that is across the driveway from my house. As you can see it will be quite a while before there are flowers here. Thanx to all of you who visit my blog each week and leave comments. I really appreciate them.

Week 11 of Sally Russick's focusing on life 52 pictures finds us exploring "the possibilities are endless". Sally's blog is http://thestudiosublime.com/ if you would like to check out what everyone else posted.
This weekend found me at UMBS spring bead retreat. Retreats are always so fun. You learn new techniques and get to bounce ideas off lots of other people who are interested in the same thing you are. I was able to give advise and get inspiration for my bead soup piece when what I had planned didn't work out well. The possibilities are truly endless  at bead retreats because there is so much positive energy there. There is no place I would rather be. I am late posting because internet did not work well at the retreat so I am posting now that I am home. I want to thank Sally for getting me to look more seriously at my life. I also want to thank everyone who left comments on my blog. I really appreciate all of you taking the time to look at my blog. It makes me feel wonderful when other bead artists like my jewelry.

One of my blog readers asked for a close up of my first metalwork so here it is. I realize that they are crude but I think that I did ok for a first effort. The large copper flower veining was done with a screwdriver. The large brass flower I used a centerpunch for the spots. I patinaed them with  sandalwood gilders paste and then sanded with 600 sandpaper after they were dry. I drew the patterns for the flowers and there are different numbers of leaves in the flowers.I still need to seal them before I will use them in my design.

Week 10 of focusing on life the prompt from Sally at http://thestudiosublime.com was all wrapped up.What had me wrapped up this week was my first metalwork. I started with a sheet of copper and a sheet of brass. I punched, cut, dapped, polished, and patinaed it to form these small flowers. I got to use my new tools and I thoroughly enjoyed the process. I didn't have time to post yesterday because I was at the Twin Cities Bead Bazaar. I wait for this show every year even if it is a couple of hours drive away. As a member of the Upper Midwest Bead Society I always volunteer to work at our booth. I cant expect the group to work well if no one participated. I  enjoy the day. On my way home i stopped to see Mom. When I got home I was exhausted  so I am posting today.I want to thank Sally for running this great challenge. I also want to thank everyone for checking out my posts and leaving comments. I really appreciate all of your comments.

Cyndi Lavin at http://www.beading-arts.com/ is giving away some great Czech beads. For a chance to win them please go to her website. Contest ends March 6th so hurry.

Knock Knock was the prompt this week for  Focusing on life 52 photos. Somehow Sally Russick of  http://thestudiosublime.com/  (who is our brilliant  host) knows what is happening in my life. I am at point in life where a new chapter is starting.  My life could go in many directions right now. I have a chance to open the door of my choice and make my life be what I want it to be. I though my kitchen cupboards with all it's doors reflected all the oppertunities open to me now.