Have any of you ever went a while without any cake orders. Last month I was so busy , I had to use my parents freezer so I could spread the cakes out a little. But this month I have made 2 cakes. and one was cupcakes. I dont want to advertise because I do this out of my home for fun not for a living. There not to strickt around here for making cake for money without a licence. Sigh, just a little bored......

I have, although I am kind of liking it that way at the moment. I average only 2-3 cakes amonth. In july, however, I had 8. In August, I only have 1 scheduled.

I figure, though, once school starts and people figure out I do cakes, things will pick up. This is more of a money-making hobby for me, though, so I'm not concerned. Just the normal ebb and flow, I guess.

Lisa

I have been so busy from April to now that I would be happy for a break!! I don't get bored when I don't have any cakes to do. That's the time I take to practice recipes, practice different techniques, & get my house back in order . Since I finished the Wilton Courses in Dec. I haven't had much time to practice. I have 6 cakes due in Aug & they are all big ones. I hope to have less cake orders in Sept. so I can concentrate on other things for a change. I STILL LOVE DECORATING!!!

I usually have 2 cake orders a week then none for a week then orders pop right back again. I won't do more then 2 cakes a week because I wouldn't like decorating if I did more.

I am having a dry spell right now too, I had my first order a couple months ago, then 2 orders the next week, then another couple, then nothing. I'm bored too, and wanting to make some money also. Hopefully something comes up soon.

I go through those times too. Wish they would spread out better. I didn't have any orders last week, so I spent that time trying out a different recipe and played around with some different fondant designs. Don't worry it will pick up and you'll wish you had an extra moment!

I have been doing this cake thing for a long time.. One of the first cakes I ever did was my nephew's christening cake. He turned 27 this past April. I started out doing for family and friends and was always told you should do this as a business.. So like most of the rest of you I do this out of my home. Some weeks I have more orders than I can handle.. Some weeks there is nothing.. its the nature of this business. If you are looking for more business. Donate a cake to a local function or church social, when school starts up.. send a cake to the teachers with your cards. Any kind of "word of mouth" thing you can do will help build your business. I now have people who call me in December for first communion cakes in May. Good Luck!!!

I hit dry spells at times myself... it's either feast or famine with me .. I'll have no cakes for a couple of weeks and then I'll have 4 or 5 to do in a week... there is never a happy medium ... but I'm not complaining .. I love keeping busy

I'd love to specialize in wedding cakes!!

Thats a good idea, my little girls starts 1st grade in 2 weeks. They have asked me to join the party committe. Its not the pta, just for partys in the 1st grade. I not just into cake but I like to decorate and organize partys for kids. I think this will give me a few more customers. And like you tcturtleshell I only take 2 or 3 cakes a week depanding on size, if I have a wedding to do like"the cake" and the grooms cake I set aside 2 weeks with no other orders. I have done 2 weddings and I dont know if guys panic but I realy freak out, my husband knows not to talk to me if im in the "wedding cake mode".

I guess I can enjoy the relaxation time, Next month I might not get any. lol

I use that time like tcturtleshell does. Enjoy it, eventually you will be so busy you won't know what to do.. and wonder when it will end.

What I have seen so far of you cakes, you WILL be busy. Talented!!!!!

Hang in there.....and try something new.

I enjoy my down time... I just do cakes for the fun and love of decorating...and not to make a living at it... Toooo stressfull for me....
And I only bake cakes for those that I want to bake them for.... Not everyone that asks me to bake them a cake gets one...
When I joined this site, I just fell in love more with using fondant, one day I hope to do a wedding cake with it...
Enjoy your break, you'll soon be getting sooo busy you won't know what to do with yourself..
Happy break time,
cakegal

Ntertaynme...I also would love to specialize in wedding cakes...however, in my area...there are so manys kids! Last weekend I had 7 cake orders...this weekend I had 2. I am glad because we will be going to Galveston tommorrow for a few days. It is nice to have little breaks to do other things...and let the kitchen have some time to be clean!!!!
traci

7!! In one week all by yourself thats crazy...to me anyway. I think I am the messiest baker ever. My kichen takes hours to clean up after a cake lol I have to start on the cieling, I always get frosting up there some how lol

gma1956, thanks I wish i could show you more I dont have a digital camera, that works, those were some that other people took for me, I think I only have 2 pictures. lol I have done so much more than that. lol
To me fondant cakes are easy, thats how i started, It took me a while to do regular iced caked. I am a perfectionist, and I just couldnt make it look as good as fondant, thanks to this site I have learned to use viva paper towls, and my favorite is the upside down meathod.

I think I will use this time to try something new, Like cookies I was looking at cookie bouques, and there so pretty. Dont look to hard to do, Im going to try those tomorrow, if I like them I will let my husband take them to work to show them off.

Shelia since we're in the same town we should get together sometimes! I'm sure we could learn a lot from each other. Send me a PM & we'll talk!
If your not busy right now... you could help me do my cakes!! Ha ha ha!!

Cheryl, I want to specialize in wedding, groom's, anniversary & other 2 or more tier cakes. I really don't get into the sheet cakes. I have to have more then a flat square to work with~ That's just me. Now my sis/friend tcrema does mostly sheet cakes & loves it. When we go into business together ONE day.. she'll do the sheet cakes & I'll do the tiers cakes!! Some of the people on here do awesome jobs on sheet cakes like Traci! She's great! I'm just getting up enough courage to practice new borders on sheet cakes. I would be happy to just do wedding & groom's cakes~ BUT I can't wait to do a Christmas cake!!

ill be taking a break. i have alot of orders coming up. its crazy ive had to hire a friend to help me with everything going on. so ill be glad when aug 10th comes around.. i enjoy having things spaced out. then too much at once..

TC, I love your cakes! You are very creative! I also think tiered cakes are fun to do.
Yes, Shiela, I am crazy for taking so many orders!!!! And my kitchen is a disaster afterwards!!!! I just have a hard time telling people "NO." But I know there has to be a limit...I have stayed up into the wee hours decorating before...and practically took all of the regular food out of the iceboxes so I could put my cakes in. Now we have 4 iceboxes! Anyway...I think your cookie idea sounds really neat. You could also experiment with candy bouquets.
traci

I had a two month dry spell once. I went from making several cakes in one month to no cakes in two months. I had a cake order last week and it was so much fun but this was the first cake in two months. I was a little bummed at first but I'm o.k with it b/c I work a full time job as well.

It sort of gives you time to finish some other things you have been meaning to complete-everyone needs a little time off every now and then-but I will admit when it happens I feel a little strange....