For the past couple of weeks I’ve been trying to decide whether or not to attend class at [Arrowmont](http://www.arrowmont.org/) this summer. I went last spring and loved it. When I found out my beloved professor Sarah would be teaching a two-week workshop with granulation guru Doug Harling, I began planning to attend. However, things have changed over the past 8-10 months. First, it’s really expensive to be there for two weeks (over $2,000); second, it’s right after the [SNAG](http://www.snagmetalsmith.org/) conference in Memphis and I would go directly from SNAG to Arrowmont; third, I have a TON of things that must be done before the end of the month and I’d have to finish them before leaving next week.
So, here are some pros:
* Two weeks of nothing but metal. Time to really work without interruptions.
* A chance to work with Doug again on granulation.
* Time away from home.
* Celebrating my birthday in Gatlinburg with some good friends.
* Two weeks of enameling and granulation will expand my knowledge of the medium and take me further into it.
Here are some cons:
* It’s freakin’ expensive!
* Leaving from SNAG means packing and lugging all my tools and crap to the conference.
* I already know how to enamel and granulate – do I really need this?
* Celebrating my birthday without Steve.
* I have two really important deadlines that must be met before the 30th. Possibility I can’t get them done in time.
Anyone have any brilliant thoughts on this? All opinions are welcome.
Pretty Pretty Bang Bang 
You are off to a great start in the decision-making process. Here are a couple of paths you can now take – weigh each pro and con with a 1-10 ranking (1 being not important and 10 being very important) and see which wins – pros or cons.
Or – listen to your heart and your gut.
My “Mom” response to #3 on the cons is – well if you already know so much why aren’t YOU teaching the class!
I know you’ll make the right decision. I also think it’s a great opportunity for you – let me know if you need some birthday cash early.
Good idea on the weighing of the pros and cons. I’m afraid that what this really boils down to is money – or lack of. Since I’m already committed to SNAG and summer is a down time for income, I don’t think this is financially feasible.
How many birthday cash advances can I get?! 🙂
Can Steve come to visit you on your birthday? (I don’t know how far Gatlinburg is). He could bring cake for everyone. Sorry Steve, I don’t mean to volunteer you for things that you may not be interested in!
You’ve been talking about Arrowmont this year for nearly the whole past year! Here’s some stuff to consider…
Have your gear/tools shipped to Gatlinburg, don’t tote them.
Negotiate your deadlines if you cannot meet them.
Yes, you know how to enamel and granulate, but an intensive is the best way to really break through where you’ve been for the past couple years. Are you 100% satisfied with your skills and progress to-date?
You just celebrated Steve’s birthday, so consider ‘postponing’ yours to stretch the birthday season out a little longer.