Hola!
I have taken my 1st class! it was great.
now my question.. how did you guys get started in letting people know you are a cake maker?
i was thinking of making little cakes for the neighbors so they can try it out?? bringing one to the dentist office?
and just word of mouth?
Any other suggestions/?

That sounds good to me. Definately the mom's at school, PTA, anything that you are invited to. That's how I did it anything that I went to or knew about going on, there was a cake.

I got started by making cakes for my co-workers, family, friends, etc. Word began to spread and that's how I got started. It doesn't take long especially if you do a really good job and if your cakes are delicious.

I always find a way to bring up cakes in conversations and then one thing leads to another! You may have to donate several cakes to get them out there and then in no time you'll have plenty of people wanting your sweet treats!

I use two buttercream recipes. One is Wilton's all shortening recipe. With this recipe I add an additional teaspoon of creme bouquet. The other recipe I use is from Wilton too but I use 1/2 butter and 1/2 shortening.

All Shortening Buttercream
1 cup of shortening
4 cups of powdered sugar
1 tablespoon of meringue powder
1 teaspoon of clear vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon of butter extract
1 teaspoon of creme bouquet
water for thinning (starting w/ 3 tbsp of water)

Half Butter Half Shortening
1/2 cup of butter
1/2 cup of shortenig
4 cups of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon of clear vanilla extract
milk for thinning

I mainly use the all shortening recipe for flowers and roses.

Well momof3 I have "heard" of teachers bdays, anniversaries, special school events and such that I have taken something to..now because word got out, I have recently done baby booties for a "bundles for babies" class here on base, I have a school carnival to do things for, bake sales to help the squadron out, and as people leave here and I here of their going away party I make up one and send it with the hubby! Heck there is another lady on base here that does cakes also...but even though I think she is better at it (shes being doing it for awhile) I have heard people tell me, "I'd rather have you do it, you're sweeter and easier to talk to, ****** is a snotty B who thinks theres no better" sometimes I dont know if I should take it as a compliment or what....but since I know how the other lady is...I take it as a compliment...yes I am cheaper, I ask for less, but I have been given more, as a tip, that makes the total about 10 dollars more then what ******* charges. I won't use her name just in case!

what in the world is creme bouquet (sp?) and how does it help the icing??

..it is a flavoring...like a flavored extract!

Ohhhhhh! What does it taste like? Sounds interesting!

Kind of hard to describe but sort of a sweet, buttery, lemony flavor!

MMMMMMMMm sounds good, I will have to look for that!!!

Too me it gives your icing a citrus smell and taste. I bought mine at my cake supply store. I'm sure you could order at an online cake supply store.

When I tasted the icing with this flavor for the first time, I didn't taste as much of the sweetness as I normally do.

..the smell of this stuff is the best!

just a suggestion, a friend of mine who does cakes always takes a picture of each one and has them handy in a cute little book she has just in case someone is interested. That way your beuatiful work can speak for itself.

hey missyb...I am missey c! That is a really good idea. I take my photo album with me everywhere...and I've made brochures as well...you just never know!!