I'm self taught though my mother in law worked in a bakery for 25+ years and my Mom was a chef got 30+ years. I also have a BFA in Fine Arts and majored in illustration and cartooning in college, and I've taken calligraphy classes which I think have all helped my cakes. I would love to take some gumpaste classes and maybe start taking pastry classes.

I took a beginning Wilton class in the early 80s then was able to take the Wilton Master Course. I wish I could take it again and do more gumpast and fondant work. I think there is always room to learn and I have learned a lot from the folks on this site!

I took all 3 Wilton classes 2 years ago, right before they changed the coursework. It gave me a good foundation to teach myself other things...but I'd still like to go back and repeat Course 3 since there's so much fondant work in it now. The rest of what I know is CakeCentral-taught!

I used to "mess around" with cakes, but I really learned so much when I took the 3 Wilton classes. As so many have said, there were all levels in the class and everyone was so supportive and helpful - kind of like on CC I did feel that I was the "slow learner" in the classes, and now that it's been almost 2 years that I've practiced, I'd love to retake the classes. Until that's possible, I'll keep learning from all of you here at CC - I know there are no better, kinder, and more considerate teachers anywhere else! Thanks for all your help always. PAT

I'm self taught. I'm dying to go to Wilton's master course, though and some of the others they offer.

I took the Wilton course I twice. But with different instructors. Totally different, the 2nd one taught a lot and not just Wilton. After that I was on my own and taught myself a lot through looking at lots of cakes, reading and info I found here. I have a long way to go but I have a lot of fun when I get to do a cake. I put my all into them and enjoy the feeling I get when the recipient has a super smile when they see their cake.

I am self taught. I just started this past December, so I still have a lot to learn based on my photos. I enjoy it though so that's all that matters!

I am self taught...just look at my pics for proof ! If I took a class I would be soo much better but.... no time to take them.

Self taught....however I consider cc a cyber class.

1st class 27 something years ago
2nd class 8 years ago
Rest is self-taught and CC-taught

I took Wilton I, II, and III last fall and loved every minute of it. I have since then been like a sponge all over the internet, trying as many new techniques as I can so I guess you could say I'm a little of both. I will be starting teaching Wilton classes next month and I'm very excited about it!!!

SELF TAUGHT ALSO..."JUST LIKE TLNEWMAN SAID LOOK AT MY PICS"..... BUT I HAVE COME A LONG WAY...

I am mostly self taught but have taken course 1 and half of course 2. I had to quit the second class to go to CA to do my niece's wedding cakes, but have been thinking about taking more classes. I'm PRETTY sure I have all the STUFF for it..lol Mostly I'd like to take a class in gumpaste, and I guess wouldn't mind learning how to work with fondant, from someone with good experience. There's a class coming up some 30 miles from me and the instructor has over 30 yrs experience teaching and decorating. I'm checking into it this week.

I am self-taught. I've always wanted to take a class, I've just never had the time or money, or they haven't been available.

I would really like to take a gumpaste or sugar sculpting class. Maybe one day... *sigh*

I took Wilton I in 1989 ... self-taught since then.

I am self taught. My mom took a class when I was in junior high.....I watched her and then just started experimenting and fell in love with caked decorating.

Shirley

self taught but like bakemeacakemd I am learning a lot from cc.

I am totally self-taught. Never any classes around where I live.

I am totally self taught. I seem to be penny-wise and dollar foolish. I never wantedto spend the money to take a class, However I know I have spent many times over the cost of the class in supplies etc.

Self taught for sure! Took the first Wilton course but had already taught myself more than you learn in that course so I went on teaching myself after that too.

LOTS of practice and experience is key to great decorating success!!!!!

I took Wilton Courses 1 and 2, which gave me a good base to work from. Although I have to say, the flowers were really never my thing! lol. Never did totally get the rose. The instructor was left hand and try as she might, I could never convert what she was doing, to my right handed self!
Everything else I have learned is from reading books, sites on the web and most of all from the helpful people at CC.

I am self-taught.....signed up for a class, went, and the instructor had me helping her help the others with the techniques. Lol! I would love to take some sugar classes, pulling and blowing.....

I am totally self taught! However, I grew up watching my Mom and Grandmother decorate, and I'm sure I must have learned something from them!

I have also "picked up" many new techniques just by being on CC, it's my favorite "class". I also read every cake book I can get my hands on!

I took Wilton course 1. Just because you take the course doesn't mean that you'll automatically be good at the techniques i.e. making BC roses. The main thing the course taught me was how to read flower instructions, and that I need to practice the techniques until I get the hang of it. The Wilton classes here are really expensive ($200), so I'm trying to teach myself now... along with advice from CC.

class & self taught. I took Wilton course 1 and am taking Course 2 this week. I will continue to take all courses available, but I experiment on my own almost every day. I also watch every cake show possible and am beginning to read books. Honestly, though, I have learned more from this site in the past few weeks than any other medium. CC is the greatest!

I took courses at the Michaels. It is easier for me to learn when I watch someone else who knows the technique and then I just have to keep practicing. The courses aren't that expensive ($25.00 each but they always had a special and I usually paid $12.50) but in course I you spent more as you had to buy things extra. This wasn't a real problem as most of it you use over and over. Course II and III you had a buy a few extra things but not much.

I am still new and learning but at some point would love to take additional classes.

Linda

I got the decorating bug from watching my Gramma decorate when I was a small child. I loved watching her create my birthday cake. It was so much fun. She has passed on but I feel like she is with me when I do each cake.

I took the Wilton I and II class and felt it gave me good base. The rest, is pretty much self taught.

Took the first class of Couse l back in the 70's, and never went back, self taught til today. I think their is enough material out there to learn whatever you want to.

Self-taught and also learning alot from CC.

I am 100% self taught Well maybe 95%. I owe a lot to the folks here on CC...

Lazy_Susan