I think I am done with cakes for a while. All I get to do is sheet cakes and you can only do so much with those. I dont think I ma very good at it anyway....
I just wanted to thank everyone on CC for every kind word that was said and idea that was shared.
Thanks Again Everyone!
you really shouldnt quit..... why not just tell people for the time being you don't do sheets if you are tired of doing them..... but then again if you are doing a lot of sheets YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY doing something right and can send chills down people's spines with them that they don't want to take you out of what they assume is your comfortable place. I wish I was able to do sheets, but hey it doesnt seem to be the right time right now I guess....
JUST DONT GIVE UP>
You have got to be Kidding??? You do wonderful work! I just checked out your gallery, and your cakes are Great!
I understand your rut, cuz I'm kind of in a Edible Image, Sheet cake rut myself, but I wouldn't dream of giving it up, and you shouldn't either. It's just a rut, and it will pass. Heck, just make a novelty cake for yourself, just because you want to, or make one and give it away just so people know what you can do!
Your too talented to give it up!!!
Sherry
Please don't say that. Everyone get's a little burned out every now and then. Your cakes are awesome! I just picked out several from the Halloween gallery (mostly pumkins) that I'm using as inspiration for my fall cakes. I'm giving them to a couple of friends to take to their offices and hope to get more orders for decorated cakes. All I get right now are layer cakes - usually choc/caramel or strawberry CC.... Can't complain, it's good $ but it doesn't show much creativity. Hang in there!!!!
oh, I wouldn't quit!! as flayvfurdfun said...may just start telling people you've taken a break from doing sheet cakes and would like to get more exeprience w/other types of cakes and then do some round and square designs!!
In my exeprience, most people don't care what 'shape' the cake is...if it taste good then they are happy!!
I took a look at your cakes and I really love the fondant cake you did w/the hibiscus flowers!! I wouldn't give up......and if you enjoy decorating, just not sheet cakes.....then don't do sheet cakes!!
hang in there!!
christine
I do believe sherry's and cakerer's suggestions about finding something inspirational would definitely help...couldn't hurt.
Every week, I do no less than 75 mundane, by the book, 1/2 stinkin sheet cakes and at least the same number of ordinary, by the book round layer cakes(i work for an in-store bakery)...
I would go bonkers if I couldn't do "my own thing". So, when I'm not at work, I play...with cake and icing. Most of the time, I give them away...at least I get it out of my system. Find one you'd like to challenge yourself with, either your own idea or borrow someone else's (I'm sure they wouldn't mind), and just do it...
I too seem to be falling into the sheet cake rut, but I'm not going to give up, I look at it as more experience.
Alot of times I think they choose sheet cakes because there cheaper, maybe if you can afford it, offer a design of your choosing at the sheet cake price and just tell the customer you want to try something different so you'll give her/him a deal.
Also you could make cakes to donate. I donate a birthday cake once a month to the abused shelter and I'm donating 2 cakes to the Sheriff's Dept in Sept and Oct, not only does it give me a chance to be creative, I also hope to bring in more business.
Hang in there!
Joanne
Don't give up! I think most people get sheet cakes because they are used to them - they are easier to cut. Make some other cakes and give them to somebody - church, work etc. That way people see your other work and not just the sheets.
Your cookies are wonderful BTW.
You cannot give up. Your work is way too good! I know that people seem to be in a sheet cake rut, but your sheet cakes must be too good! 
Seriously, I know that you're ready to give up, but don't give up for a good. Take a break if you need to, but come back! The decorating world needs you! (At least we do!)
Don't give up if you enjoy decorating cakes. I think a lot of times people don't think about something besides a sheet cake for birthdays and non-wedding events.
Maybe next time someone asks for a birthday cake you could come up with some suggestions for a round or 2 tiered cake and see if they will go for it!
Cindy
You have no idea how many times I've considered quitting too. My cakes aren't even as good as yours! Doing cakes is so time consuming and messy and expensive! However, once it gets in your blood, you just can't quit. I even promised my mom - who I am seriously in debt to for her help moving me across country from Georgia to Arizona - that I'd quit and then today I got 3 new cake orders. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Do not quit. Take a month sabbatical, but maybe change your advertising methods, examine your price schedule and how you market your cakes, do some practice cakes of cakes you WANT to do and show them to people who normally order sheetcakes from you. Just do NOT give up!
Rachel
I have found that when someone asks me to do a cake, I only ask them how many people. Once I have that information, I just start spurting out different ideas of different shapes, designs, ideas, etc. This creative picture that you are painting in their minds gets them excited, and most of the time, they will say, "I want this theme, or these colors, so just get creative."
I hope this will work for you too. Either way, don't quit just yet. You do great work, keep it up.
Don't give up- your cakes look great! It sounds like you just need a change of pace for a little while. Your cookies look awesome- it looks like you have lots of fun with them. Is there any chance you can focus on doing cookie bouquets for a change? (At least until the cake bug bites you again...)
NOO !! don't think of quiting you're way too good, don't let that bring u down, i know there are solutions for the sheet cakes ...
I know that
ur customers love u, or they wouldn't ask u for more sheet cakes, so just explain them (or not LOL), u are not making them for a while ...
maybe these isn't that convincent but DON'T QUIT !!
You aren't going anywhere missy!! Take a break but don't stop--big difference! I bet you'd miss it, too. Do like Joanne said, do donation cakes of what you really want to do and see what happens. Don't give up! I gave up the cookie strike, don't give up cake Alicia!
All I get to do is sheet cakes and you can only do so much with those.
I don't understand this. I think there are thousands of things to do with sheetcakes!
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