When Life Gives You a Mini Cake, Eat the Whole Damn Thing //

On days like these, I make sure I'm ready. I know the day will be blissful, and so I make sure I have everything in order. 

My coffee and pickle are equally hot. 

My favorite Pandora station is on. 

The studio is clean and organized. 

What awaited me was all the hard work from a late night the evening before. 

All the leaves were ready, the sawing and texturing done. 

This morning was going to be epic. and I couldn't wait to complete this ring that I had been dreaming about for the past few days. 

Magic was going to happen.

Although the first few attempts at soldering could have gone more to plan, I failed to see any red flags. I kept pushing, adjusting, making it right. 

Finally as all the the elements came together. 

Just as all the elements were soldered on, I took a step back to looked at what I had created.

It was then that I realized I had made a god damn mini wedding cake.

Progress shot.

The first tier so perfectly round. 

Topped with lovely fondant leaves and gum paste flowers. 

I can almost taste the sugary sweet buttercream now. 

At first I was a little frustrated. The hours I spent on this thing were too numerous and too sad to count now. 

In the past, I would have let this thing eat me alive. I would have pouted for days at my design choices. I would have questioned my ability as an artist. I would have sunk into a serious slump.

 But I didn't, and I'm glad I didn't.

Instead I posted it, for sale. I was ready to move on to the next thing, not dwell in the past.

I also allowed myself the freedom to joke about my little cake ring, imagining it sitting beautifully on the table as Barbie & Ken exchange vows. 

What surprised me about it all was the response I got. 

Messages, emails and texts came pouring in:

I was too hard on myself.

It was still gloriously beautiful.

They didn't see it as a cake.

----

First off, let me say, it is absolutely a mini cake. I mean seriously, this isn't even an argument.

Secondly, I never said it wasn't beautiful.

In fact it IS beautiful because of so many reasons.

Sterling and Turquoise...

YUM.

Oxidized and slightly polished...

YUM. 

Heavily textured and detailed...

YUM.

Mini cake...

YUM.

Thirdly, it's ok that it's a freaking cake. 

Because what I have learned over the years is that it's all ok. 

Not to take it all so seriously. 

To live lightly and freely and less dramatic. 

No matter what is happening in your life, it's all ok.

It'll all work out.

Mini cakes.

Mini dramas.

Big dramas.

They all work out.

Tomorrow I'll be a better designer because of this. Plus I secretly love it now for what it reminded me of. 

That it's ok for things to go wrong.

That I don't have to be perfect.

That sometimes I'm going to make stuff that doesn't go as planned.

And when this inevitably happens again, that I make something that frustrates the hell out of me, I'm going to eat that cake too, and the next one and the next one.

Because when life gives you a mini cake, I highly suggest you eat the whole damn thing.

♥  Carin 

P.S. The mini cake ring has found a home. With a wonderful lovely supporter who will cherish it for all it's mini-cake qualities and more.