Ok, first I want to say thanks to everyone for all the kinds words you guys gave me in my other post.

Now I have a question for you.

I have seen some cakes posted here that are out of this world! However, I have seen some that looked pretty.........how should I say this.......sad.

So, I'm sure you all have also. Now for the question.

What do you say about those "sad" cakes you see here? Do you say they look nice even when they don't? Do you try to say something nice about something on the cake? Or do you tell the truth and tell how things could be done better next time?

I was just wondering. Are we all really honest here or are we a boost your ego forum?

Please be honest here and tell me what you do.

Thanks
Joanne

You are gonna get different sides of opens here.

My feelings are if you really can't think of something or anything nice to say about a cake, then just don't say anything. I'd rather someone not comment than say they loved my cake when they didn't.

As far as offering suggestions, if you feel the need to do so I'd do it in privite wiht a personal message. Some may want opinions on it, others may not, and I think it is nicer to do it in private than to hurt someone's feelings in public.

Alot of people will post their cake on a thread if they really want an opinion on how to do something better or differently.

There are soooo many different levels of cake decorators here, and I'm guessing the majority are here just to share their pictures. We all are hard enough on our work on our own, that I'd hate to see someone feel they don't measure up and not post any more pictures or someone not post any pictures at all afraid of what others would say to them.

Here, Here Texassugar! I fully agree!!!!

If I can't say anything good...I don't comment. If asked for a critique, I try to be honest and positive (Pointing out the good along with the bad). We all try to be helpful and nice, but I think most everyone also tries to be truthful.

I think you are doing great. You aren't ready for a book signing tour, but you have tremendous potential. You shouldn't give up.

I say if the person asks for an opinion, then by all means tell them what you think in a tactful way w/out being cruel. There are lots of cakes that I really like that I don't comment on. I just can't comment on every one. I don't have the time. If you can't find something positive about the cake then I would skip commenting on that one.

I don't have the heart to say anything that could potentially hurt someone's feelings. What I will do if I post anything is leave a comment on what I DO like. Yes, I've seen the cakes where I want to say "did your child decorate it", but again it's a matter of encouraging what they did well on, as opposed to focusing on what could be improved.
I think many people on here are like that.
It's amazing how far that little boost of encouragement can go. So what that my basketweave got smooshed and it looks as flat as a pancake (don't you think I can't see it!) I think usually we are more critical of our cakes than others will ever be (unless you happen to be a "bridezilla" )

As someone whose cakes fall into the "sad" category, I have to say I was offended by this question. I am just starting out at this, and I know I am not very good. I am trying my best and have worked hard to make what I have, and even though they are not as good as other cakes on this site, I am proud of what I have done. I have seen a few "boost your ego" threads here, and I am not looking for that when I post my cakes. I just wanted to share like everyone else. Everyone here has been so friendly and helpful to each other that I didn't hesitate to post my pictures, but now I am regretting that I did. If anyone has constructive criticism I would be happy to hear it, because I know I can use tips and a lot of practice. But simply saying that a cake is "sad" is hurtful.

-Lisa

I don't give constuctive criticism unless it is asked for. I agree with TexasSugar in that most people just come to share their pics. If someone wants feedback on a pic, then they usually ask for it. When giving feedback/constructive criticism, people need to understand that yes, point out the good things AND the flaws, but do it in an tactful manner and please, please, please give solutions on how to fix the problem(s). There is nothing like having someone tell you that there is a problem here or problem there and then not tell you how to fix it. Also, the person who asks for opinions or feedback, cannot get defensive if the feedback is given properly. I also think people need to remember that they themselves were once beginners and everything didn't always turn out beautiful from the get go. Some of those "sad" cakes out there could be from someone who just started decorating last week. That person could be very proud of their first cake and to see that someone may lump it into the "sad" category may want them to give up. So pretty much, if you have nothing nice to say, don't, or if opinions are wanted, do it in a professional manner.

Bluehen~~Your cakes are definitely not in the sad category!!!! The 2 that you've posted look great! I am new to this too. My stuff isn't perfect either.

I think the question was asked because they were honestly wanting some advice. I don't think they meant to hurt anyone's feelings. I think they were trying to avoid it.

Hey Joanne I posted in your other thread! If I don't think somebody's cake is good, I will not voluntarily post in the thread! I've seen a few threads on here where the person was asking advice about a cake that admittedly didn't look so great and most of the time people just gave encouraging and helpful advice how to improve next time. So nobody is going to lie to you, if they say your cakes are awesome, your cakes are awesome!!!!!!!!

I think that it would be rude to say something nasty about a cake that wasn't too great, I agree that it would be a good idea to pm the person, perhaps with constructive criticism.
I didn't post a certain cake in my photo's because it was just so darn ugly!! But I did put in the the ugly cake forum! And I might add, that the ugly cake was one of the biggest lessons I've learned yet. Or a few lessons at least with that cake!
Our photo's are part of our history, our learning curve, especially for us beginners...I like comments and if I had done something not so right, I probably would ask for "constructive comments".
All of that being said, it is very nice for all of us to "cheer" one another on, and I think that is what keeps us going. Cake Central is my extended family, as I look through the latest uploaded photo's and the latest forums and am starting to get to know everybody!
Love ya all!!
Lorene

PS Joanne, I really do think that your sister is just jealous, or a little cranky...usually people lash out at the people they love, when their own life isn't going too well.

I also think that it is mean and hurtful to call anyones cake "sad". It is discouraging to people just learning to decorate and are trying build up confidence. My cakes aren't the greatest either but I put my very best into everyt cake that I do and with practice I hope to be as good as others on here. Honestly. If I am going to comment on someone elses hard work I try to point out something positive that I like about there cake. It is easy to focus on what's wrong and less on what's right. It was only resently that I had gained the courage to post my own pictures here and I thought the purpose of this site was to help each other not to critisize!! I am starting to feel self concious of my own work with comments like this being made! P.S Bluehen your cakes are not sad at all!!!

OK!! The one cake that I posted on my page falls under the sad category, and the 'what the he$%^ was I thinking category'? It is my first cake (minus the godforsaken fondant one) that I decorated with buttercream icing (which I didn't have the right ingredients for, but I promised my kids that they could have them for the next day at school). It was also the first time that I had tried the FBCT thing. OK!! One more thing. Would everybody here quit making everything look so damn easy? Everybody gives such great tips, that I think that I can do everything the very first time, and not only that, but do it perfectly the very first time. Go ahead, and look at my cake. Keep in mind it is one of two that I did in a rush and with no (OK, with a little bit of) experience. The next cake that I will post, will be totally different. I am taking my time with this one, and I am not going to be trying anything difficult. Maybe some gumpaste roses (which I happen to think I am not so bad at, but most definately not the best) and a nice border. What I'm trying to get at is 1) please don't quit, because considering how talented you are, if you quit, then there is no hope of me ever making it and 2) does anybody know how to remove pictures from your album? I kinda want to get rid of the one that I have on mine.

I, like others say, don't comment on cakes that are not "so good". But I know that those people are trying hard and what they are doing is something special to them and to whom they have made it for. That is what really counts.

It sounds like you need to get someone to evaluate your cakes that has some idea about cake decorating experience. If you really need some good evaluation, that is what you need. Maybe there is someone on CC that lives near you that you could work with.

If you are not happy with your work, then you need to keep working at it and get better at it, not give up.

Your cakes do look good, but I am sure that there are micro improfections that you see all over the place. I am the same way. I just made my first pay cake also. The people were exsatic, I was pretty proud too, but I know that i have a long way to go to become great!

Think realistically, if this is something that you love to do, you will work at bettering yourself and finding consructive critisisim that will help, but not hurt.

HTH

Stephanie

If I were you Msurine I would not be ashamed of your cake at all!! 1st of all at least you attemped to make roses and might I add they are a he@@ of alot better than the ones I tried to make! I wouldn't think of deleting your picture after all hoe else we tell if we've improved except by looking at past cakes!

I think the general opinion here is to give constructive criticism in a helpful way if it is asked for.

Even when I look back at my very first cakes, I am still proud of what I was able to do at that time. Hopefully, I have improved but I still put just as much work and care into those first cakes as I do now.

There are also so many different types of people here. There are professionals, wannabe professionals, beginners, long time decorators, those that decorate because they are good and those that decorate just because they love it. I personally decorate because I love doing it, so what if I am never great (although I can dream)?

Anyway, I think if people want criticism they will ask for it.



There are no sad cakes. Some of us just make unique decorating achievements!

Personally I'm just starting out and really enjoy posting my cakes so I have a record of what I've done (and how I'm improving). Honestly, I can't say that I want comments at all (good or bad)....and I was really surprised when I posted my first few pictures and people ASKED me to turn on commenting so they could leave me comments. I post the photos for my satisfaction. (And because I really really enjoy looking at everyone elses'.) I haven't seen a cake here yet that I haven't learned something useful from and I hope that my photos help others in the same way.

That being said...I'm truely grateful for comments WHEN I HAVE A QUESTION AND ASK FOR COMMENTS. In that case, I do appreciate honesty because I wouldn't have asked if I didn't really want feedback.

Ok, ok, I'm off my soap-box now and back to finish up my second batch of cookies (which look better than the first---primarily because of all the great photos here) YIPPEE

Lorri

I agree! I decorate purely for the joy of doing it and I love making others happy with the cakes I create. I think every cake is good as long as it's prepared with love and even the ugliest cake can taste like a million bucks!! I feel fortunate that in my own special way I get to be apart of peoples special monents in life (Birthdays,weddings,showers,etc.) and that brings a lot of joy to me.

I have read both threads now, and would like to add my two cents. I have been decorating since Easter of last year. I know I am not nor will I ever be as good as half of the wonderful people on this site. I just love decorating and I think you do too. I have taken a pic of EVERY cake I have made and while I don't post them all I do keep them in a photo album in order. The oldest ones in the back through to today. When ever I am feeling that my decorating is not up to par I start at the back of the album and look to the front. It is a great pick me up to see how far I have come. You need to do the same. You will be amazed in a year how much of a difference there is. If not, then and only then do you have permission to give up.

joanneK I think you need to focus less on what your sister and other people think of your work and more on whether or not decorating brings you joy! If it makes you happy then to He@@ with what other people think!! Obviously people wouldn't pay you for a cake they didn't like and if you sucked as a decorater no one would even ask you for a cake in the 1st place, right!! DON'T GIVE UP!!!

cpr7 well put

Why is it so hard to just accept other people's efforts? Why do we feel the need to put ourselves in their work by judging, clasifying, advising, or critizing?

I thought we were posting pictures of our cakes to share ideas!

Cheers, from
SwampWitch

Ok, First let me say I am truely sorry if I offended anyone. I never meant to do that. Also, I should not have used the word "sad" for a cake that is not the best. I just didn't know what word to use.

Also, I clicked on everyone's photos and there is not one person who is on this thread that does not do great work.

It's so true that as time goes on we get better and practice makes us better and better.

In fact, I took a class from Colette Peters at cake camp. Now we all know the beautiful work she does. It seems to come to her so easy. She was doing a sample for us and everyone was blown away. Well what did she say? She saw flaws in work just like we all do. Of course no one else saw them at all.

No cake will be perfect. People like different kinds of decorating and no one started off being super.

Yes, I'm feeling better now. I have decided to continue on doing cakes.

It dawned on me that the lady who ordered and bought my cake had already seen photos of all my cakes. So she couldn't have thought they were that bad or she wouldn't have ordered them.

Again, I am so sorry if I offended anyone. There really are no bad cakes. We all know how hard and how much time goes into a cake and if we still enjoy doing it then I say let's all continue to do cakes and be proud of them. Even the ones that don't come out as good as some of the other ones.

Please everyone! Keep posting photos.

I love that everyone here helps out so much and this place is such a pick me up. We all need that from time to time.

So thanks again to everyone. Also, please forgive me if I made anyone feel bad. That was not what I was trying to do.

Joanne

I would try to point out the positive things about any cake and ONLY if asked talk about the negatives. I think we have all had not so great cakes lol, I really need to upload my new ones to my photos because most of the ones in there now are embarrassing lol. I considered deleting 2 of them but I like to watch my progress. People actually commented on my cowboy cake nicely, no one even asked why the chocolates were sliding off It was VERY hot & humid that day.

ok

I think that it's important to point out where people are doing good work... if someone's icing is really smooth, say "your icing is flawless!", if you like someone's writing say "your script is beautiful."

I know I haven't got any cakes posted here, but now that I've got a digital camera I can start... I would definitely appreciate it if people gave *constructive criticism*. That being said, if someone sees one of my cakes and says "hey, have you tried this technique...?" I don't think that I'd be offended.

I have to jump in here again. Joanne said she wasn't meaning to be offensive, and I believe that. I must also point out that the people who have been the most upset are people who seem to be overly critical of their own work. No one on this thread has had any cakes that were less than great!! I feel a lot of my cakes and cookies fall into the "needs some work" category, but I was not offended because I know they needed work. I know that I'll get better with practice.

Maybe the word "sad" wasn't the right word, as Joanne has admitted. She was trying to voice a concern. That is why we are all here. She has as much right to ask an honest question as do any of the rest of us.

I think most of us consider everyone here our "friends". I think most of us would ask a real life friend the same kind of question.

There are no sad cakes. Some of us just make unique decorating achievements![/quote]

Here he comes again! JoanneK, and this pitiful little guy was after 11 years(although, not continuous) of cake decorating!!! You gotta admit you have progressed with your skills and at a greater pace than a lot of us!

I must admit, if I comment on a cake, it's to point out good aspects of it.

I'm rather new to the site...been here about a week maybe two and I have been terrified to post any pictures. I'm new to all this and didn't want people looking at my things and thinking "boy she should find another hobby!" But you know what??? After reading this thread and seeing how understanding you all are I'm finally gonna do it.....even the earlier pics when I couldn't get the icing as smooth as I would have liked. I have done most of my work for friends and family but I have 2 real paying cakes this month and I'm really nervous. I think I've been on here every other day asking for help but you know what!?!? That's what's great about all of you here!! You're helpful and understanding...just all around wonderful people!! I'm sooo glad I joined this site!!
Joanne----your work is beautiful and believe me we've all been over critical of our work but we're not trying to shine you on so to speak. I'm sorry your sister is so hurtful but I too believe it's from the green eyed monster more then anything else. Don't give up ANYTHING if it makes YOU happy!!! Who really cares what other people think!?!? Obviously the people that hired you liked your work or they never would have asked you in the first place right?

funny funny funny..i really do like that hair