This is so sad to me i knew that cake decorating meant a lot to me but yesterday i hung up my pastry bags i have found that people order cakes but i never have the heart to charge them and i have been over drawn in my account three times for cake stuff so i have packed my stuff up and away it goes to a better home with some one who can afford it!!! i have to say i have lost friends and family but never did anything hurt more then putting that mixer away

Oh, no! I'm so sorry that you feel like you have to give it up. I wouldn't know what I'd do if I had to quit! Maybe in the future you will be able to pick it up again. Good luck!

If you love it so much why don't you just start by charging people for the ingredients? You deserve much more than that, but maybe this will help with your guilt for charging and help keep you in the black.

I felt a little guilty at first, but getting paid sure felt good. Cake decorating is an art, not just in design, but also in being able to bake (many people can't cook, even when they try).

I really hope you reconsider. Doing something you love is very important. God gave you a talent for a reason. Please don't bury it.

Michele

i understand so. Every time i think i am qoutong a fair price i am cutting myself short and i cant figure out how to cut costs- but dont give up totally you can still make cakes for yourself~!

Oh no Are you sure you have to do this? Maybe give your self time and rethink and perhaps you can figure something out. But if that is the path that you must take, then you must do what is right for you.
sending hugs your way.

I would hate to see you quit.

Why don't you get a photo book of all your cakes, or cakes you can make, and put prices next to them. Show it to people who want you to make them a cake, ask them to pick out a cake they want, then they will see that there is a price for each cake. While they are looking thru, explain that you use to do them for free but it was getting too expensive. Then they will understand no $ no cake.

Good luck - and please don't give up.

Sorry to hear that you are putting your stuff away. Are you sure you want to stop before getting rid of your things just put them away and think about. If someone asks for cake let them know you will have to charge for the cake.

Your cakes are great, think about.

I don't understand. If you love doing this, why stop? I don't charge all I should either. But you HAVE to get something for your work. You have to ask for enough to break even or and extra 10-20 bucks is what you deserve, at least, for your talent and hard work!

Maybe you can take a break, get reenergized, and then start again with the tools and supplies you have in your house (meaning don't go out and buy new toys, as I call them, lol).

Don't stop what you love to do. Hope everything works out for ya!

Shelleylynn

DON'T DO IT!!!!! Don't give up decorating for good!!! I know from experience how hard it is to charge people for cakes, but if you know you don't have enough funds to do a cake for free, just say so. I'm sure people would be willing to even pay for the ingredients just to have you make them one of your wonderful creations. You shouldn't have to give up something you love; you will regret it. You have a ton of friends to support you here on CC. Stick with it girl!!

I give my cakes to people.. and that does not make me stop decorating cakes. I work full time. Cakes is just a hobby that I do.. I do not depend on it as an income. Nothing makes me more happy than decorating a cake when I want to. I always get that feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction after I decorate a pretty cake. Maybe don't do it as a
way of getting income or means of livelyhood, just for fun..that way you won't get stressed out thinking how much money it will bring you.

You don't have to quit.

I went through a similar feeling many years ago. I gave away all of my pans, books etc. 2 years later I missed it so much that I started again and then had to go out and repurchase all the things I got rid of. Hold on to those things, put them up in the rafters or attic and take a break. If you should change your mind later you will still have the things you need to start over. And I do hope you change your mind. I will never get rich doing this because 90 % of my cakes are gifts or donation, but I still have the satisfaction of creating something personal for someone and knowing they will love it.

WOW, 2 hrs. to work and 3 hrs. back.. that is a long commute to work everyday . I hope that job is worth it. I can understand why you would want to give up cake decorating now. wow, your gas bill is more that someone's rent I'm sure. As what one suggested, just take a long break for now but don't get rid of your baking and decorating stuff yet.
You might change your mind.

Hey, don't give up!! Just take a little break! If somebody asks you to do a cake, explain to them that you can't afford to do them for free any more because the ingredients are killing you. Tell them, you don't know what to charge and feel bad about holding your cakes for ransom and just tell them to pay you whatever they feel like. That way, the pressure is off of you. I can't imagine anyone not paying you at least what the ingredients cost. I've got the new Mastercook software and I couldn't believe how little actual $$ goes into the ingredients of my cakes. I know there's my time and electricity and pans and all that good stuff, but just looking at ingredients, I only have $3-$5 in each cake.

Chin up, don't put yourself in the hole again, but if you love it that much, find a way to keep at it!

Well if this is something you really love to do I would not get rid of my things. Maybe someday you will have enough money that you can start up again.

To make cakes for others you could just use what you have and have them pay for the stuff you need to bake them. That way it wouldn't cost you a penny to do something you really enjoy.

Or if you have to buy someone a gift you could make a cake for them instead.

I know if you are like most of the people here we love to shop and buy new cake stuff. After all we might NEED them someday. LOL.

I know I have tons of stuff I bought that I've never used. If you are like that then stop buying and go through your stuff and dig out the things you have not used. Then it's playing with something new.

Even if you don't get to bake for a year I wouldn't get rid of your things. If you need the money now though I hope you sell your stuff and not just give it away. If at all possible I would hang on to your things though.

Is there any way you could move closer to your job? Sounds you are spending 1/3 of your day just driving. The amount of gas you spend is a killer. Maybe if you could move you would have more time and more money and then can do cakes again.

Good luck. I wish you the best.
Joanne

Disney hun really listen to yourself on this one look at what you just put "it really really really hurts" don't do it! I myself am not doing too good on the money part lol My husband is the only one working full time I'm making cakes as a hobby/home business. I don't spend very much on the stuff but what I do spend I charge for it. I give great discounts to my friends and family by only charging them what I spend making it. I've started increasing this by a few dollars here and there and I always charge for the pan if I have to buy a new pan to make thier cake. So if the pan costs me $10.~ at the store I will charge them $13.~ for pan charges and then I'll charge them about $5.~ for the cake, which it's just a box cake mix currently lol, then I charge about $8.~ for the Buttercream icing, which costs me MAYBE $3.~ a batch to make.

Don't stop decorating!!! Even if it is just a hobby hun. I know from experence friends and family will be happy to pay for something they don't have to slave over and it's going to taste and look a heck of a lot better then the super market could ever do and you'd still be cheaper then the stores.

I made up a price list (can be viewed on my website) by calling around to the local stores my clientle shop at (grocery store bakeries) and got their prices and I bumped it down about 4 dollars for the cakes under $20.~ and about 2 on the cakes that were over $30. It just varies in what I have to do and how much I have to do. Everyone is basically "charged by details at time of order" and they don't mind paying because they know you'll do right by them!

Rethink it hun I know I have many times. I've got well over $2000.~ wrapped up in what I have so far and I don't have nearly enough. I still have to get the Petal, Square, Round, and Hex pans I only have the Hearts so far. I don't have a KA mixer although my heart is set on one lol. Just take a breather and think of how you can come out on top!

Don't give up forever. Save all your things. If someone wants a cake and you feel you just can't charge them, then have them buy all the ingredients you need that way you don't use your money. 9 times out of 10 they will give you a little something extra, then you can buy youself a new little cake toy to try out. My prayer are with you and hope you will make the choice that is best for you. Connie

I checked out your photos, and you have a talent I don't think you should waste. I don't charge for 90% of the cakes that I make, but I also have a husband that works fulltime... People are now, after 6 months, really wanting to at least pay for the supplies. I have a hard time taking their money but I kinda smile on the way to the bank.
Maybe you could at least charge $20-$25 for your cakes? You know they are definitely worth more but that would at least bring in up to $100 a month for you?
I wouldn't give up a passion if it's something I "really, really, really" enjoy doing

no don't do it I would never give up decorating. Are you sure you have to do something that drastic?

Gosh, I would really hate to see you quit if it is something you really enjoy doing. I never thought about quitting, but I have gotten tougher about telling people a price and sticking to it...if they don't like it then I won't do it- and the grocery stores can't. Take some time and think about it. I am sure there are a ton of us out here who have given away a lot of cake in order to get started, but you will see...things can change.

Also, I just have to add that PRETTYCAKE said (something to the effect)that she gets a great feeling and satisfaction out of making a pretty cake. Seriously people...have you looked at her stuff? I can't believe she gets just a good feeling...she should be walking around like she's on dope by the looks of some of those cakes!!!! ROCK ON PRETTYCAKE!!!!

Don't give up completely.

1. Take a break,
2. Get some rest (It sounds like you need it)
3. Then after a little while, spend some time going through the recipes/ingredients you use and figuring the cost for the majority of cakes you have done.
4. Make up a price list based on that. Add a little extra in. Even if you do not cover your time you need to add on a few dollars so you can save for things you will need along the way (a new pan, pillars, tools)

Do not put yourself under more stress by getting into a financial bind. I think it especially at first it is hard for most of us to ask for money but you deserve it. You would not expect someone else to give you everything free, you would want to pay a fair amount. They will not think anything of you expecting the same thing.

Cindy

I don't think I've ever seen prices go down. You know, if you get rid of your stuff, it will only cost you, and even more than now, when you go to buy it again.

Maybe, while considering your options(and building your finances back up), you could get some gumpaste(make or buy), and work on figures, sprays, bows....put them up in totes. a little gumpaste will go a long way since your available play time is limited, right? You can expand your skills while expanding your decorations. Start sketching designs for cakes, then make the decorations for that cake....just don't make the cake.

I sure hope you don't give it up.

Jeanne

It sounds like at this point in your young life, you have some other priorities to contend with. Perhaps your situation will change where you can still dabble with what you enjoy doing, but you might as well face it that giving your stuff away however noble it might be is crazy. There is nothing wrong with a donation to a charity or church every once in awhile, but people will take advantage of the fact that they are getting their stuff for nothing. Take a rest. Think about what you have done. It sounds like you could use the extra money that your cakes would have made for you. You are worth more then nothing!!!!! Get that mixer back out, but don't turn it on until you have and order that you are getting money for. Figure your costs, and at least get 3 times that amount for it. If the person does not want to pay, then so be it. You have not spent a dime. It sounds like with your commute time, you don't have alot of extra time to bake, so take it slow, keep your staple items on hand, and don't spend alot of extra that you don't need. Take one at a time. And remember to look in the mirror and tell yourself you are worth it.

Thanks everyone i was just so over whelmed to find out that every month i am 200 in the hole! As for is the job worth it well i don't have to time to apply or look for another job and my mom wont let me take a day off to look for a job she does not see any thing wrong with me spending almost 700 a month in gas (because i make 1000 and "you have to spend money to make money") anyway i have decide to keep my stuff just out of sight! i went to Disneyland the other day after work to get cakes off y mind let me just tell you how that went the first ride i went on was haunted mansion and well with all its nightmare before Christmas stuff up all i could think of was the cake i did last year and all the jack cakes i have seen then on the ride they had a big ginger bread house and the wheels were turning! and now all i can think of is wanting to run home and bake who knows maybe some day i will have the money to do it again

I thought i would put up some photos of my last cakes

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Okay ya got me, how do you do two hours to get to work and then three hours home? Did I miss something in the post?

Hang in there, you cakes are great and they are going to get better. Take a little time, step away, everything will become clearer with so distance..

Ohhhhhh, just saw your from California. My other thought was possibly Seattle.

Don't give up, take up sketching your ideas for a while and if ya need to take another job to create then do so.

I have held up to 3 jobs, one full time and two part time just to support my art.......

Give yourself some time before selling all your equipment. Who knows, maybe in a year or so your situation will change enough to allow you to get back into baking- and you don't want to have to start all over buying equipment again- too $$$$. And maybe with that fresh start you can begin to charge enough to make a little profit- or at the very least break even! Sounds like you really enjoy it, and your cakes are cute! The good thing about this hobby is that you can pick it up again anytime. You either ARE or you AREN'T a cake artist- and from what I have seen and read- YOU ARE! Good luck to you! You can still hang out here on CC with us!