How Long Have You Been A Decorator?

Decorating By wendysue Updated 16 Feb 2006 , 4:18pm by MomLittr

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soygurl Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 1:41am
post #31 of 49

I got started when I took a 4-H class at age 10. I fell in love with it, but have only been able to decorate 1-4 project cakes per year since then. I'm 20 now and am determined that I will open a bakery/cake decorating shop as soon as I'm finished with college. I want to get a BA in business/entrepreneurship and study baking for a year in France before I open shop... not because I think I have to, but I really want those experiences! In the mean time, I make cakes for my friends/family and a few wedding cakes for "strangers."

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Richard Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 2:13am
post #32 of 49

Hi everyone:

I have always wanted to learn how to decorate a beutiful cake as far back as when I was a young girl. The just fasinated me. Then I married and had 3 kids; had to work full time and there was never anytime to take a course or class to learn so the only time I had the bug return was on birthdays or festive occasions when a cake was required. Now that I am a Grandmother 6 times and still young at least young at heart and a forced retirement due to health reasons I took all 3 Wilton courses and am very hooked. Bought tons of books and my curiousity is enormous. I find it hard to sleep at night my mind is creating all sorts of ideas and decorating designs. I guess I am like all you guys TOTALLY ADDICTED. I have a few more courses lined up at Michaels and some in the fall at the college here in Windsor. I am re-enrolling in Course 11 just to get the flowers down pat I want to make sure I really know how to make them well. I have also enrolled in Elegant Fondant which is a two night course 3 hours long; and Petite Sugar Eggs also two nights 3 hours long. So I am devouring anything to do with cake. Just not devouring any cake.

This forum is very helpful and friendly because you are a great "SUPPORT GROUP" I thank you for making it available to all of us who are enjoying cake decorating whether as a hobby or a hobby turned into a business. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU.

Kathy R

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Richard Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 2:15am
post #33 of 49

PS. Sorry I wrote such a long reply. But I forgot to say I started all of this in September , 2005.

5 1/2 months ago. I have done 5 cakes for paying customers and tons of free-bees for family and friends for birthdays etc.

I just keep on practicing and enjoying the stress free environment.

Kathy R

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mikaza Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 2:19am
post #34 of 49

I've been decorating for about 2 years--I guess I got the Wilton Classes for a birthday gift just about 2 years ago!

But I have been baking for as long as I can remember...some of the earliest pictures of me involve me sitting in the kitchen "helping" my mommy! As I got old enough to REALLY be helpful, I just started taking over...and my mom and I began expanding our repetoire!

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bush1 Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 4:46am
post #35 of 49

I started decorating cakes about three years ago for my daughter's birthday. Eventually, I started baking cakes for everyone's birthday and just last Saturday made my first wedding cake as a gift to my sister. I started doing this because I wanted the stress relief from my real job (lawyer) but realized that sometimes this can be just as stressful. I guess there's really not much of a difference when the ultimate goal is to do something for another person that will be appreciated. Now I am totally addicted. I have just about every cake pan that is made and just yesterday ordered the Sugarveil Icing Dispenser. I absolutely love doing this and would like to open a specialized cake shop within the next two years. Oh, and by the way, I have taught myself what I do know and have learned a great deal from all of you. Thanks so much for this wonderful site. It would be really nice in the future to try and plan an annual cc function so everyone can get together and share their talents!!!!

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swoboda Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 4:46am
post #36 of 49

I did my dd 1st bday cake in 2004 & since then have taken the 3 courses through Michael's & am doing an elegant fondant course next month. I can't wait!! I have totally become addicted even though I just do it for fun. Any reason to bake a cake & I'm in there!!!! I really never thought I would enjoy it so much since I'm not that creative but I absolutely love it. Especially since finding this site with all the great info & ideas!!

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alise Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 5:06am
post #37 of 49

I started in about October of 2000; a friend and I decided we needed a hobby, other than the kids! LOL! So we took the first class. Everyone said that we just needed to get it out of our systems, and then we would be bored with it, well I think that is what happened to my friend, (or was it having 3 out of 4 kids since then icon_surprised.gif ) Anyway I love it and would love to start my own business, however my husband doesnt think that is a good idea because it casts so much to start up. So I'll just do it on the side for now, and love it!

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cakesondemand Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 7:17am
post #38 of 49

I took my first wilton class 28 yrs ago and decorated while my kids were growing up. I stopped for a while and went to work for a bakery as a decorator 6 yrs ago and also did my first wedding cake about 5 yrs ago. Just started a business as decorator wish I would have done it long ago.

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stephanie214 Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 7:44am
post #39 of 49

I've been decorating for three years...just got serious about it a year ago.

I took the Wilton one and two courses...my instructor left alot to be desired that I didn't go back for course three icon_cry.gif

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Crimsicle Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 2:31pm
post #40 of 49

I started back in 1969, I believe! Wow! Even *I* can't believe I'm this old! icon_smile.gif)

Wilton was just getting into the stores and JC Penney had a casual class one Saturday afternoon. That was pretty much it for the formal training. Then, I learned on family and coworker birthdays and such. I read lots and lots of books - and still do. My first wedding cake was for a family member who was DIRT poor. I donated the cake, and she pretty much got her money's worth! icon_smile.gif But, after that, I got pretty good, and finally got burned out on temperamental brides and people who want the best but don't want to pay for it. After a long absence, I'm going to give it another try. We'll see....

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Sherry0565 Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 2:38pm
post #41 of 49

I've been decorating B-Day cakes for my children for about 15-16 years, but just took the wilton classes about 4 months ago. I now do cakes to others, and have a couple of wedding cake orders down the road.

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KittisKakes Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 2:42pm
post #42 of 49

I made my own wedding cake almost 8 years ago, but didn't actually get into decorating until a year and a half ago. I got my culinary degree in '98. My last "professional" job, I was the banquet and pastry chef. But I put that on hold to start a family. The summer of '04, well let's just say I needed to get out of the house for some ME time. I took some decorating classes. They weren't Wilton, but the instructor did some of the same things. I had my husband take the cakes to work and one thing led to another...now I do anywhere from 1 to 6 cakes a week. My youngest will start kindergarten in the Fall, so I hope to expand this into an actual store-front business. My ultimate goal is to open a New Orleans po' boy deli in my area, so I'll guess I'll have to see which endeavor comes first!

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MariaLovesCakes Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 2:45pm
post #43 of 49

Its been a little over 5 years.... I wanted a cake for my daughter's 2nd birthday and I had to travel a LOT of miles to get the cake and didn't even get it exactly like I wanted it.

Then for some reason, I found out that Michaels was giving the Wilton classes and I and a friend enrolled.

The rest is history!!!!

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frindmi Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 2:51pm
post #44 of 49

I have been doing this since April 05. I saw the book Decorating Cakes by Wilton, the one with the pinkish and mauve cake with tons of roses on top, and said: I need to learn how to make this. I took the 3 Wilton courses and I've been taking classes on gumpaste flowers and chocolate since then. I don't make this for a living (although sometimes I fantasize about selling my cakes) and I'm having a blast. Since I joined CC I've been here almost everyday absorving all the great information and also the great vibes you all have. Thanks to all!

Inma

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MomLittr Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 2:58pm
post #45 of 49

icon_biggrin.gif
I have just started learning to do cake deocrating, after admiring other's skills, and wanting to learn for years. I hope to someday start selling on a small scale, just for a little extra spending cash. I was wondering when you all started doing cakes for others, did you start out doing the very simple designs (no fondant, fancy flowers, etc...) and did that go over well? I am thinking that learning the basics, and doing an excellent job on them, will be more appreciated than a bad effort at doing the fancy stuff.

deb

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kaecakes Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 3:01pm
post #46 of 49

I started when I was very young, then took my classes after my son was born (34ys ago ). I stopped for awhile went back to for my DD wedding cake and started teaching aprox. 11 yrs ago. I now have 7 GC who all have to have BDCs . I also do wedding cakes for friends and friends of friends.

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candyladyhelen Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 3:05pm
post #47 of 49

Started in 1972 with a 13x9 flag cake that took me 7 1/2 hours to make!!! I was hooked and now I can't stop!

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weefoot Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 3:13pm
post #48 of 49

I started summer of 2005. My step-brother was getting married and they were having a hard time to find someone to make a cake at a price they could afford. I said I would make it. So I started with their shower cakes and then did their wedding cake. It was the most fun I ever had and I haven't stopped.

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MomLittr Posted 16 Feb 2006 , 4:18pm
post #49 of 49

icon_biggrin.gif
I have just started learning to do cake deocrating, after admiring other's skills, and wanting to learn for years. I hope to someday start selling on a small scale, just for a little extra spending cash. I was wondering when you all started doing cakes for others, did you start out doing the very simple designs (no fondant, fancy flowers, etc...) and did that go over well? I am thinking that learning the basics, and doing an excellent job on them, will be more appreciated than a bad effort at doing the fancy stuff.

deb

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