F*cking Metalsmithing Class... and the Value of Retail Therapy!

i couldn't even post about my class last week because i felt that the whole thing ended up so disappointingly. no, i didn't set any fires, and no, i didn't end up cutting my finger off like i had anticipated, but i did end up crying in the car.

i'm not one to toot my own horn, but i'm usually really good with my hands. with CRAFTY things. (get your mind out of the gutter!!!!!!!) however, this carpal tunnel thingy certainly had me beat at last week's class. i was clumsy and slow - it took me about 20 minutes to figure out how to load the saw blade correctly and then 30 seconds to snap it right off the frame. i am sure my instructor thought i was an idiot, but she was patient and kind with me. the mini-muffin was trying to be encouraging, bubbling around in my belly the whole time, but it really didn't help.

so i went home, tail between my legs, where i poured out the whole frustrating experience to the husband, who listened patiently. after telling me that i should have stopped at McDonalds for some emotional eating, he told me to hang in there and just learn as much as i can and to take my time. which, of course, is the logical thing to think. it's funny how your emotions - and CARPAL TUNNEL - can just take over.

lucky for me though - the results of my latest etsy shopping trip had come in:

this lovely, lovely messenger bag from bayanhippo (http://bayanhippo.etsy.com/), which i had been coveting for DAYS before i finally buckled and bought it!

and a fabulous boxful of stuff from the always wonderful BizzieLizzie (http://bizzielizzie.etsy.com/) who has the most amazing bags in the most fabulous of fabrics. this little baby to the right now holds my digital camera and memory cards and is the perfect size to fit in my ScabbyRobot (http://scabbyrobot.etsy.com/) purse! she also made a wicked cool messenger-style bag for me... sigh! i feel like a celebrity, having this woman sew for me!

i am going back tonight to keep trying. i'm not one to give up easily!!! what kind of example will i be for the mini-muffin if i give up now? (plus they probably won't reimburse me, LOL) i've been waiting so long for this class. hopefully i won't burst into tears tonight!!!!!!!!!! but i probably WILL stop at McDonalds.

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The Baby Bump and the Metalsmithing Class

so tomorrow i'm starting the metalsmithing 101 class that i've been saving up for since last January! i've been so psyched, you can't even imagine. apparently, according to the husband, i've talked about the class ALMOST as much as i've talked about the baby! wow. that says something!

the only thing that kind of throws a wrench into the whole euphoria about this is that i now have carpel tunnel syndrome - a lovely side effect of pregnancy. however, i'm pretty thankful - no swollen ankles or stretch marks or super huge weight gain YET (yup, my mom did call me to tell me that she gained 70 pounds during her last pregnancy - thanks, mom.) ... just this really awful pins and needles/tight muscle/swollen feeling from my triceps to the tips of my fingers. i'm not sure how happy they'll be in the classroom when i drop my butane torch onto the floor, setting everything on fire!!!!!

speaking of the baby - my uterus now measures 25 inches from bottom to top and i heard her heartbeat again today at the doctor's and it's so strong. kind of like a tiny horse clip-clopping in my uterus. the thought of the mini-muffin having such a strong heart makes me teary. (and so sappy sweet that i sometimes throw up in my mouth.)

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Really Good Easy Fudge!

ever had one of those weeks that felt like it was neverending? and that it was filled with things that you dreaded doing? and that those things all went terribly, horribly wrong?

i did. but this easy fudge that i made this morning ALMOST made up for it! it is so good - and simple to make - that i had to post about it... mostly so that i wouldn't lose the recipe!

all you need is:

3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 300 ml can condensed milk

1/4 cup unsalted butter

heat a burner on the stove on low. not the lowest temperature, but pretty low so that nothing will burn. put all the ingredients in a heavy pot. heat slowly, stir often so that everything is incorporated. it will be a little lumpy as the chocolate chips melt, but keep going. eventually everything will melt together and after about 15 minutes, the mixture will "ball" up and start to pull away from the sides of the pot. (i know that there is a term for that, but seeing as i have no candy thermometer and most of my cooking is done renegade-style, i'm not using the lingo, LOL)

lightly butter, or line a dish or pan large enough to hold the whole mixture with parchment or waxed paper. if you're adding nuts or marshmallows or candied fruit, sprinkle on the bottom of the pan, then spoon the chocolate mixture on top. spread out evenly and smooth the top. cover with saran wrap and put in the fridge for at least two hours.

this fudge had the most AMAZING texture and is rich and creamy. totally comforting and a sweet ending to a horrible week!

maybe it will motivate me to start getting organized today... MAYBE... :)

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Insomniac Reflections on the Year Ahead...

it's 3:13am here and for some reason, i'm awake. so is the mini-muffin. i've been surfing the internet and etsy looking for cool things, downloading music for my ipod for my walk on the treadmill later this morning, and listening to the hum of our ancient furnace... and also thinking about what the new year is going to bring! seriously, i'm quite proud of the fact that i completed my last year's crafting resolutions, have a fabulous consignment agreement with the wonderful Paula over at The Cat's Meow in Illinois, participated in my first craft show, and that this year is going to be the year that our little daughter is born!

like any good small business owner though, it is important to reflect on how one would like their business to develop in the future (hence the picture of my rustic reflecting pool earrings above, LOL) , and i'd really like to set some goals for myself again this year. so, in the spirit of insomnia, here goes...

- i'd really like to think about revamping my "corporate identity" (to borrow a term from Marketing 101). new cards, new banner, new website perhaps?
- i'd like to be more organized with my business paperwork. who else keeps all their receipts in a kitchen drawer/grocery bag? my accountant is going to kill me come 2008 tax time.
- i am super excited about the metalsmithing class that i start next week. i wonder which creative direction that will take me?
- i'd like to look at smaller craft shows this year and see what happens. (the husband has already offered to take care of the mini - i love you, beb!)
- i'd like to be more organized in regards to my space. i can't even find the photo that i took to post here because even my computer files are disorganized. sigh.

not too much to ask for the next 12 months? we'll see... :)

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