I Quit!

Decorating By ngerland Updated 29 Jul 2005 , 2:07am by tcturtleshell

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ngerland Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 7:35pm
post #1 of 30

I think that my days of selling cakes are over. I'm so beat. Does anyone else ever get tired? Does this mean I'm not a true artist? I feel like all I ever do is wash dishes, put them in the dishwasher, put them away, wash dishes, put them in the dishwasher.... Can anyone relate or am I a big wimp?

Natalie
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29 replies
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Sugar Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 7:39pm
post #2 of 30

I'm sorry you're upset. Perhaps you just need a few days off to relax? Nothing wrong with that!

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wandy27 Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 7:40pm
post #3 of 30

Come on I wish I had a dishwasher!! With four kids the pile of dishes aare always big so making a cake is like a reward for myself even if I have to wash a little more! icon_biggrin.gif Don't give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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ntertayneme Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 7:41pm
post #4 of 30

I feel like that every time I look at the disaster I've made after cake decorating lol .. it looks like a cyclone went through my kitchen when I bake and decorate cakes .. I've always said I wish I could just open a shop, pay someone to come in and make the icing and clean up after me.. I'd do all the rest lol .. alas, I cannot afford that and neither do I have a business built up to do that either lol... but I can definitely relate to how you feel ..

I will say this, you're WAY, WAY too talented to "QUIT" .. you'd see something out there you'd just have to try and you'd be right back into to it again icon_wink.gif

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antonia74 Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 7:42pm
post #5 of 30

I think I've been crying in the kitchen at 2am with batter and icing, asking myself the same question at least 4 or 5 times every year. icon_cry.gif

My husband gave me the best answer..."If it's not fun or satisfying anymore, then it's time to quit."

Then the next day I get a "thank you" call or a fun order is placed...and I realize I just needed some rest!

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MariaLovesCakes Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 7:43pm
post #6 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by ngerland

I think that my days of selling cakes are over. I'm so beat. Does anyone else ever get tired? Does this mean I'm not a true artist? I feel like all I ever do is wash dishes, put them in the dishwasher, put them away, wash dishes, put them in the dishwasher.... Can anyone relate or am I a big wimp?

Natalie
icon_sad.gif




I can relate!!!! and NOOOO, you are not a whimp!!!! Sometimes I feel like I am not getting NOTHING accomplished!! icon_cool.gif I just seem to walk in circles and the mess is still there... icon_cool.gificon_lol.gif

I think I do spend too much in the kitchen, especially when we make cakes, work with fondant flowers and stuff and we don't have anyone cleaning behind us (like those famous chefs on TV icon_lol.gif )

So, walk away for a while, take a deep breath and jump back into it. It is going to be OKAY!!!! icon_smile.gificon_smile.gifthumbs_up.gif

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Rexy Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 7:45pm
post #7 of 30

Don't give up! I too, feel that way sometimes. I think what's kept me going is the desire to learn more and try new things. This forum has helped me so much in that area. My husband surprised me for Mother's Day and gave me a trip to Chicago so that I could attend one of Wilton's cake classes. It was sooo energizing! I came back and wanted to do MORE and try new things. Wouldn't it be fun to have something like a "cake club" in your area? Someplace where you can share ideas etc. in person?
Don't give up! thumbs_up.gif

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meghan89 Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 7:48pm
post #8 of 30

I hear ya! What should I be doing right now, practicing on my cakes, but noooooo, Im on Cake Central! It can be a bit discouraging if you think of all the prep work and then the clean up that is required. It would be so nice if you could start with a cake that had already been baked, torted, filled and covered, then all that was left to be done was the decorating!!! But, if you truly love to do it, you just keep going, or take a break for awhile. Good Luck, I feel your pain!!!!

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momsandraven Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 7:52pm
post #9 of 30

Quote: Does this mean I'm not a true artist?

I'd say it means just the opposite! Most artistic people I know are not very neat and tidy. Creative minds are just not wired that way. LOL The artist brain wants to forge forward, try new things, experiment, and create - NOT clean up. icon_rolleyes.gif It is our curse and our blessing!! Take a few days away from it and you will find that it will be the only thing you can think about. Take heart, I think everyone gets overwhelmed with the mess we make sometimes. (Including our dh's! LOL)

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lori83179 Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 8:07pm
post #10 of 30

I don't have a dishwasher, what I do that seems to help me is do dishes and clean up as I go...then when i'm done with the cake, there isn't a huge mess left to clean up. I of course keep out the necessary things and the things I use repeadtly.

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Tazalexis Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 8:11pm
post #11 of 30

I know how it feels. I cn relate. I felt like quitting yesterday!! I was trying a pocketbook cake and I had to deliver two of them by 11am. I started decorating them since 8am that morning (thinking I have enough time). Then one cake fell flat on the turn table. I wanted to cry. Even when I was finished the cakes looked horrible and my husband made me very aware that they looked horrible. I felt and still feel like I don;t want to even bother. It takes a lot of time to bake and decorate these cakes and it's hard when you have small children because as a mother you cannot neglect your children. Then you still have to wash the dishes after and clean up the mess, cook, clean the rest of house and not to mention, take care of hubby (ladies you know what I mean) all this and before you know it, the day is done, you're exhausted and you still get to relax. But when you get another order or when you see a picture of a nice cake, you forget everything you felt when you were frustrated and you get up and go again - then of course, the QUITTING feeling comes back. I say, we are all talented. We all love what we do (you have to, with the little profit you make). We are all here for each other and quitting is not the answer. KEEP THE FAITH everyone! It'll pay off in the end and always remember to pray!!!

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MariaLovesCakes Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 8:12pm
post #12 of 30

Sometimes to make it easier for me on clean up, especially because I do a lot of my cakes with 100% Crisco buttercream and stuff gets greasy, I use a deep bowl (sometimes I use the top of my cake keeper), put hot water in it, soap and put tips, decorating bags and stuff I used for decorating there. Let it sit overnight, and its much easier to clean in the morning. So, my kitchen is clean and all of the tools I used for decorating are in one spot... waiting to be clean but not necesarily making a mess in the kitchen.

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MoonicaLeigh Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 8:18pm
post #13 of 30

icon_surprised.gif I know that I have been there! Just take a little time to breathe, then get back in it. I just slowed way down to like 1 or 2 cakes a month versus 1 or 2 a week, and I got a lot less stressed. Just hang in there!!

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APCakes Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 8:23pm
post #14 of 30

You need a break, badly! There are two kinds of stress: the kind that invigorates, and the kind that deteriorates. If you're feeling the second kind, back off for a while. Tell your clients that you're on vacation for a month (or longer!!), and you can't do ANY cakes. Don't think about cakes, don't look through cake books, don't even look at Cake Central! (hope I don't get tarred and feathered for that!) At the end of your vacation, hopefully you'll be refreshed and ready to start again. If not, then maybe it really is time to move on... and don't look back! Listen to your own feelings and you'll be fine.

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cakemommy Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 8:28pm
post #15 of 30

I concur word for word with Tazalexis and MariaLovesCakes!!!!!

Sometimes I want to quit right in the middle of decorating a cake or cookies. I want to quit when I've been at it all day long and it's 10 at night and I have about another hour's work. I just want to scream sometimes!!!! icon_cry.gif

Having a 3 yr old and a 7 mo old doesn't help me a whole lot either. I have to really stretch a cake project into an all day event, which sucks because no one gets fed dinner when that happens.

Walking away and taking a break really does help. Cleaning up as you go works for me because I know I am the only one who will clean up the mess and darnit if I want my kitchen to be a total bomb when I finish!

Just take a break from decorating for a while and like others have said, you'll see something you just have to try and make and you'll get inspired again.


Take a deep breath!!!!! icon_razz.gif

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ngerland Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 8:42pm
post #16 of 30

Thanks everyone! I feel much better now and I've decided I'm going to limit myself to two cakes a week since I work a full time job and just do this on the side. I have 4 cakes for this week and we're going out of town this weekend so I got a little stressed. I'm going to stick with it (especially since my husband just bought me a Canon printer, edible ink cartridges and icing sheets).

Thanks again - y'all are the best,
Natalie

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KayDay Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 8:42pm
post #17 of 30

Ok, I agree too! I screwed up the big wedding cake I was working on that I posted the photos of the top on here, ARGH!!! I have been in the kitchen for DAYS!!!!! Working on 3 cakes already this week and now 3 more. I am starting OVER on this one ...and when this batch is done I am going into hiding!!! OK...I cant because I have another big wedding in 2 weeks...but for a few days I am!!!

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pbeckwith Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 8:45pm
post #18 of 30

Oh my goodness. I just checked your pictures. You should be very very proud of what you can do. You seem to have a natural artistic talent that makes your cakes beautiful. It would be a shame if you stopped.
Step back, take a breath, have a cup of tea, and maybe a piece of cake!

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Saborita Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 8:47pm
post #19 of 30

I Think everybody has this feeling often...
I want to quit everytime, every second.....but from my actually job (accountant) icon_biggrin.gif the reason? I love made cookies and if I could I´d practice cakes but I just have nights and weekends fot that and believe...nothing compares when you can stay at your home and take care your family, doing you like and get money for that.

Of couse I want to quit sometimes to make cookies, I just have nigths and weekend to work I sometimes I´m really tired but the worker people makes diference....

Take a litltle break and go

Saborita

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littlebubbieschocolates Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 8:59pm
post #20 of 30

i so understand thats why my hub helps with the dishes and what not.. it makes it alittle easier

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2cakes Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 10:04pm
post #21 of 30

Hang in there, don't quit. In time, things will get better. You will find different strategies that will help you manage the load around your kitchen and still have the time to finish your cake/s. What helps me the most is that I don't over load my schedule. On my monthly calendar, I see what are the things that are of priority, I do those first and whatever else that needs to be put on hold to another day, then that what I do. I make a cake once a week and I allow myself time between the cake/s for just in case any thing goes wrong. I wash dishes in between while cake is in oven, I fill a large bowl with dish detergent and hot water and put dishes in there and begin to wash and while i'm washing the dishes, I put them in the sink or rack and when most of the dishes are washed, then I rinse them all at once, meaning one by one. It would be nice if I had two sinks, where I can put dish water in one and wash and use the other side to put the clean dishes for rinsing, but don't have that, so I have to go with what I have for now. Do some breathing and relaxation techniques and even go for a walk or even listen to some relaxing music. I do the serenity prayer and it helps, espeically when I have destaster cakes and have to start over. Don't quit, be a winner. icon_smile.gif

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SquirrellyCakes Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 10:38pm
post #22 of 30

Haha, well I have a dishwasher, but very few of the things I use for making cakes actually ever go into it, I wash most of the stuff by hand. Haha, what about the counter, table, floor, everything else?
Well, I would think that working a full-time job and all makes it all a bit much, I well remember that. I think you need a break kiddo! Cut back, take some time off cakes, do them only when you feel like it. I am going through a similar feeling. I have reached the point where I may not take on cakes I don't want to do anymore.
Another thing, maybe it is time to up your prices. Sometimes deep down it is also a question of not wanting to face the work, the mess, the time because your time isn't really being rewarded well.
I know you will feel differently soon, but in the meantime take a break.
Hugs Squirrelly Cakes

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briansbaker Posted 27 Jul 2005 , 10:43pm
post #23 of 30

OMG! I've had those feelings ALOT!
The idea marialovescakes talked about.. soaking your stuff in hot soapy water is the best. I do the same thing. I watch alot of food TV. I noticed that Rachel Ray uses a bowl for her trash.. Being we have to recycle where I live. This works great. I went to the dollar store and bought 2 big bowls, one for my hot water and the other for trash.. I keep a wet rag to wipe up the sugar (when I turn on the blender to fast) (sigh) and keep my apron on tight.. Wipe, wipe, wipe!! My apron needs to be cleaned ALOT!! From the looks of it alot of us have had those feelings. Deep breaths and walk away for a min. icon_biggrin.gificon_biggrin.gificon_biggrin.gificon_biggrin.gificon_biggrin.gif

DADDY DAY CARE QUOTE: calm the face, calm the face.
I love that movie!

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KayDay Posted 28 Jul 2005 , 12:22am
post #24 of 30

I think squirelly hit it on the head ( in my case anyway) most of the time I don't charge what I KNOW my work is worth...then I suppose I feel a little cheated. I am dealing with A LOT of that right now. I messed up and when I first opened my shop in Feb. I was working dirt cheap( b4 that I worked out of my home) to get my name out there and now people expect me to work for free almost. I made a boo-boo by labeling myself the " cheap" baker. Now I think that my skills have grown and I am tired of spending 3-4 days in the kitchen and a ton of $ on my ingredients trying to make my stuff the very best I can and giving 110% and then having this HUGE mess to clean up and people bickering over a couple of dollars!

I was convinced I was good enough at this to sink everything I had into a building etc. Now I have spent all my savings and have rent on a building and utilities and lawn care of my shop as well as all the work there and it feels like people think I am trying to overcharge them and I am not making ANYTHING. Right now my air is on the blink @ the shop so I am baking @ my house and it's a mess!!!! So, to the girl who started this post... Natalie, I truly KNOW how you feel!!! And I hope you make the choice thats right for you...I am considering cutting my losses and going back to doing it as a fun thing and on the side as soon as my shop lease is up

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crp7 Posted 28 Jul 2005 , 2:41am
post #25 of 30

Even 4 cakes a week along with a full time job sounds like a lot to me. Of course, I am not selling cakes at this point, just making for family and friends. I do agree that unless you really need the money, just step back for a while. Remember, you do not have to take every order that comes along.

Cindy

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SquirrellyCakes Posted 28 Jul 2005 , 4:29am
post #26 of 30

KayDay, thank you so much for sharing with us this very honest post. I think that you are giving many of us, "food for thought". You hit the nail on the head. So very often I see folks post that they made this fabulous cake and they charged $15 or $25 for it and I want to scream. Because what you are experiencing is exactly what the results for other folks will be, eventually.
You start out doing it for fun or experience or to get your name out there and get customers and before you know it the joy is sucked right out of it. I think most of us have done this at some point.
Folks need to step back and see their work and think about their time. Sure you may enjoy doing one cake that took you 3 days to do and turned out well, even though you made no profit or about a nickel an hour. But think about it, if you had to do 30 more orders because everyone thought it was fabulous and also dirt cheap, well would you still love it? I think the answer would be no.
I remember doing cakes when I worked full-time and went to college at night, it was a chore. I think it is very normal to want to quit.
I have also done cakes for free or for cost or for too darn little. Recently I found that the enjoyment was being sucked out if cake decorating, I almost dreaded doing cakes. Why? Well, I didn't like the designs that some folks wanted and everyone wanted a deal. It is one thing to offer a deal when you want to, like for a charitable event and such. But it is quite another for folks to always want to haggle about getting a deal. So I found myself resenting a few customers. Time to say no.
Why would I want to make a cake with a design I hate, for an order given at the last minute, for a customer who was super picky who wanted two cakes for the price of one? And then, why would I want to do all of the running around, cleaning up before and after and be totally exhausted and not even happy with the results?
The joy wasn't there.
So sometimes the money makes up for the lack of joy or creativity. Sometimes the cake is so much fun that you cannot believe that you are being paid for having all of this fun.
Sometimes it is time to step back and think about why you feel the way you do and how you can change things.
KayDay, I wish you all the best with your business venture, you have taken a chance and I know with the quality of your decorating, it will all work out in the end. But up your prices girl, you are worth it!
Hugs Squirrelly Cakes

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PolishMommy Posted 28 Jul 2005 , 5:30am
post #27 of 30

Don't quit, just take a break for a while. I almost always say I'm quitting after every cake I make!

Dishes are just a fact of life. Try not to let them bother you too much. Get a radio with your favorite tunes and "tune-out" while you do the dishes (or load the dishwasher) and clean up.

We can all relate! It doesn't mean you aren't a true artist that you feel like quitting.

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bigcatz Posted 28 Jul 2005 , 5:57am
post #28 of 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by lori83179

I don't have a dishwasher, what I do that seems to help me is do dishes and clean up as I go...then when i'm done with the cake, there isn't a huge mess left to clean up. I of course keep out the necessary things and the things I use repeadtly.





I do have a dishwasher, but with 4 kids I still end up washing things by hand. I have to clean as I go so usually the only thing left to wash when I'm done is my tips. It's keeping up the rest of the house and laundry ....that's the challenge!!

ngerland...hang in there!

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cakegal Posted 28 Jul 2005 , 3:13pm
post #29 of 30

I wash by hand....by dishwasher went on the blink and I've been without one for a long time now...
I only do the cakes I want to do.... and I charge for them other than if they are for my immediate family...
You do lovely work, and you should not let something like clean up get to you... have your hubby pitch in and help a little...
I would hate to see such talent not go on..
Hang in there...
cakegal

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tcturtleshell Posted 29 Jul 2005 , 2:07am
post #30 of 30

KayDay don't quit!!!!!! You are an awesome decorator!!!!!! Take a break like Squirrelly said. And RAISE YOUR PRICES!!!!

I am no way up to your point in decorating & no way do I have as many orders as you do but I do know how you feel. Next week I have 2 cakes due again. The wedding cake & groom's cake. The week I do both cakes I usually feel like I'm going crazy!! It all turns out ok in the end but I usually can't even get out of bed the day after the wedding. I can't imagine doing the amount of cakes that you do a week!! You need a break. Simmer down & think about you for a change!!! Take a well needed break. You deserve it!!

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