Can you believe it? In just 28 days we will be enjoying our first day of the ICES convention? I'm so ready, though I have a lot of things on my to do list that I need to get to before I am really be ready to go.
I better get started... 
Texas-
Hi! I am excited too! Thanks for your valuable tips you have given the cc community.
Stacie
Awww! I'm glad to help. I know what it is like to be heading out for the first time and have no idea what to expect or think. 
can't wait also, I'm counting the days down. Got my shopping list and adding to it every day.
25 days.... HeHe.
I think I have finally decided on my cake ideas. Now I just need to get the paper work done and start on them!
I'm counting down with you! This will be our first ICES convention--and I think my DH is almost as excited as I am!
Quick question, though--I'm taking a class that suggests bringing a 0 and 00 tip. I live in a small town, so I'll have to special order. Will I be able to pick up the tips at the convention, before the class on Friday? Or should I be sure to have them beforehand? (I know there's shopping, but I wasn't sure how it all works.)
KonfectionKonnection, What time is your hands on class? Do you have any other demo's before that?
The Vendor's room won't be opened until after the breakfast/business meeting is over. Usually around noon-ish. So if you have a really early class or have other demo's you may not be able to make it down there. And it won't be a simple run in there and run out in 5 mins thing. There will be a line of hundreds of people rushing into and around the room trying to get all there goodies at the same time.
If you are ordering it from a company that will be there, you can always email them and ask them if you could possible pick it up there before your class. But with everything being caotic, it may be a hassle.
TexasSugar--Thank you so much for your quick reply! You're right--I really hadn't thought about the crowds, and possibly not being able to find my way around. (Not to mention being in other demos.) I'll check my schedule to see how it compares, but maybe I better be safe than sorry. I really want to just relax and enjoy the whole experience, w/out other worries.
I am sooo looking forward to this! 
LOL... I think we're in the same class!! It's the stringwork class??? I don't have those tips either and am not sure that the deco shop near here will too.. We'll see of course..
I just keep telling myself that I need to get working on my piece for the cake room and it's a cake design I've been wanting to do forever... Actually, I started on it... Haven't gotten back to it in weeks ... DOU!!
Now the real challenge, and it's not the reality that I haven't booked my hotel yet, it's convincing my dear dear Husband that the ICES Convention is NOT the time for us to have our first vacation alone TOGETHER in over three years 
... Love him to pieces, but he'll go NUTS at one of these things such that I'll have a miserable time because of putting up with his "trying to make a joke" (teasing) 
... I mean, he's NOT a details kinda guy, so me in the vendor room with him would be an absolute NIGHTMARE!!!!! (???What do you need THAT for???? - aka: dusts, edible image printer, Platinum Paste, Stress Free Stands, etc. etc. etc. - hey, at least this time I'm coming with a shopping list )
LOL... I think we're in the same class!! It's the stringwork class??? I don't have those tips either and am not sure that the deco shop near here will too.. We'll see of course..
I just keep telling myself that I need to get working on my piece for the cake room and it's a cake design I've been wanting to do forever... Actually, I started on it... Haven't gotten back to it in weeks ... DOU!!
Now the real challenge, and it's not the reality that I haven't booked my hotel yet, it's convincing my dear dear Husband that the ICES Convention is NOT the time for us to have our first vacation alone TOGETHER in over three years ... Love him to pieces, but he'll go NUTS at one of these things such that I'll have a miserable time ...
LOL... I think we're in the same class!! It's the stringwork class??? I don't have those tips either and am not sure that the deco shop near here will too.. We'll see of course..
I just keep telling myself that I need to get working on my piece for the cake room and it's a cake design I've been wanting to do forever... Actually, I started on it... Haven't gotten back to it in weeks ... DOU!!
Now the real challenge, and it's not the reality that I haven't booked my hotel yet, it's convincing my dear dear Husband that the ICES Convention is NOT the time for us to have our first vacation alone TOGETHER in over three years ... Love him to pieces, but he'll go NUTS at one of these things such that I'll have a miserable time ...
LOL... I think we're in the same class!! It's the stringwork class??? I don't have those tips either and am not sure that the deco shop near here will too.. We'll see of course..
I just keep telling myself that I need to get working on my piece for the cake room and it's a cake design I've been wanting to do forever... Actually, I started on it... Haven't gotten back to it in weeks ... DOU!!
Now the real challenge, and it's not the reality that I haven't booked my hotel yet, it's convincing my dear dear Husband that the ICES Convention is NOT the time for us to have our first vacation alone TOGETHER in over three years ... Love him to pieces, but he'll go NUTS at one of these things such that I'll have a miserable time ...
Does hubby plan to do the whole convention with you? As in pay for all the demo's and such? If not maybe he can hang out with the other men that are there but aren't in the cakes? Or he can find other things to do during the day to occupy his time?
I'm going with my parents and nephew. They are making a vacation out of it, I'm just going for the convention. So they will spend the days sight seeing and then we will get together in the evening for dinner. They get to do their thing, and I get to do my thing. HeHe.
CoutureCakes--Yes--I'm in the strings class. (I love string work!) I've already called two of the three shops in the area (one is a half hour away, the other two are an hour away, but my SIL might pick them up for me)--no luck. Everyone's stock starts w/ a #1. So . . . looks like I may have to order them or take my chances finding them there.
I get excited just thinking about how close it's getting!
Hi Texas-
When is it the least crowded times to shop in the vending rooms on Saturday and Sunday. I am deaf and I will have sign language interpreter with me. I don't want to shop when there is too many people.
Again, thanks for your wonderful tips.
Stacie
is the stringwork class with mark seaman?
if so, he is wonderful. I took a gum paste class with him a few years ago.
another question from a newbie...
is the seating first come, first serve or assigned?
I'd hate a free for all and yet have been to demos and classes where I couldn't see......... 
is the stringwork class with mark seaman?
if so, he is wonderful. I took a gum paste class with him a few years ago.
another question from a newbie...
is the seating first come, first serve or assigned?
I'd hate a free for all and yet have been to demos and classes where I couldn't see.........
Stacie, I'm not sure there is a non crowded time in there. When they first open the doors there are people everywhere so it is hard to get around and really shop. After that it does settle down a little. It will be a little less crowded when demo's are going on since a lot of people will be in the demo's. You may want to try the later times in the day as well, or first thing in the morning.
Nannie, seating is assigned. Your demo ticket will have a number on it, that is your seat number. Sometimes after they close the doors they will tell everyone they can move up if there are alot of empty seats.
They usually have one to two video screens in the room and a camera on the demo-er. Sometimes being front row isn't always the best place to be.
Hi Texas--
Thanks! I'll probably shop near the end of the day.
Stac
Stacie, the worst time will be when they first open the doors. End of the day would probably be a good time or during peak demo times. I've been in there when it was complete crowded and I've been in there when you could move around and shop and ask questions.
Here I am with a clearer idea of what I want to do for my cakes. One shape is done and the basic decorations are picked, just have to decide which tier gets what. Then I am working on another idea, that I know how many tiers I want, and what shapes just have to figure out what order they are going on. I talked to my brother, who can draw, this morning to see if he could draw out the shape ideas for me to get a visual.
Well after I talked to him apparently he started thinking of a 'cool' cake idea and called me to see how many cakes I was doing and if I needed another idea. As if I don't have too many ideas as is? He is the one that came up with the black and white cake I did last year, and he is pretty creative/artistic.
I told him if he would buy the stuff to make the fondant then I would consider doing his idea. He asked for another day to play around with the idea.
So now I have to figure out if I still want to do my original three plus do his idea, or if I am going to drop one of my ideas. If I do all four I better pack light or there won't be any room in the car for me and my clothes.
I better get started since I leave town three weeks from tomorrow.
you're way ahead of me
altho I know there are others who do gp flowers far better then me, I decided to that on my cake.
I figure this is supposed to be an excuse to try new things and so I'm frantically trying to learn some new flowers. still haven't decide round or square. heck I still have to get some dummy cakes
doubt if i can do more than one. I'm just too slow
Nannie, last year I put together my two the two days before the convention. I'm so last minute. I've been asked not to wait that late this year. My dad is cutting my dummies for me, so as soon as I get my list together he will handle that.
I've just gotta figure out how many and how big the bases are so I can fill out the display forms by Friday. I did email and ask and have been told we can turn in the descriptions when we get there, which is great since I'm not totally sure exactly how my cakes will look.
Since I don't do wedding cakes I don't often have need for big cakes, so I usually use the convention to play with big cakes. Well big dummy cakes anyway.
Well, here is a real newbie comment. "I packed today". LOL - And guess what - I'm in that stringwork class too. I ordered #00 from GSA yesterday. I will probably have it in 2 to 3 days.
texas,
that is wonderful news about the descriptions. thanks for sharing.
I don't do big cakes either (in fact I haven't done a cake all year)
all my friends are dieting.
I am going to try some things on my cake and was afraid I'd commit to them in the description then not be able to pull it off
texas,
that is wonderful news about the descriptions. thanks for sharing.
I don't do big cakes either (in fact I haven't done a cake all year)
all my friends are dieting.
I am going to try some things on my cake and was afraid I'd commit to them in the description then not be able to pull it off
I CAN"T WAIT!!!
Are there usually any good deals, or is everything full price? I need some stuff, but am holding off ordering them. I was hoping Agbay would be there, but I don't see them.
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