Do You Ever Just Feel Maybe You Aren't So Good?
Business By Kitagrl Updated 9 Jan 2010 , 5:09am by Sugarflowers
Kitagirl - you're cakes are LOVELY. And I would love to talk to you about how you did that German Shepherd cake. OMG - that is awesome.
I think we all have those days where we question ourselves, especially if things don't go exactly as planned. Remind youself that every problem is a learning experience. Even the most experienced cake decorators have things go awry from time to time. Did you see that episode of Challenge where the decorator's cake caught fire? LOL
So sometimes I get to feeling like "Wow my business is growing and my skills are growing, I can really compete with the bigger decorators"....then I have some weekends when I feel like my cakes stink and my work looks amateurish, and I'll never get anywhere with such ugly cakes and how can I charge so much for them...*sigh*
I feel this way all the time. But you have mad skills, girl. Buck up. You'll have a great cake day again soon. Don't let it get to you.
Kitagrl - ur cakes are magnificent, when i grow up i want to be YOU, your carving and details are well OMG soooooooooo great x
Kitagrl - ur cakes are magnificent, when i grow up i want to be YOU, your carving and details are well OMG soooooooooo great x
Me, Me, Me! I feel that way at times!
I am getting ready to gut a 17x20 closed storage area in our carport to convert it to a kitchen so I can sell legally. I live in a really small rural town so there really isn't much choice of who to go to for cakes other than the Wal-Mart or HEB in the next town over, a bakery 30+ miles away that specializes in donuts, chocolate chip cookies, kolaches, etc., or to others who are illegal bakers out of their homes. So I have had many people - not just family- around here tell me I would go far with my own place. Now that it is beginning to happen I keep second guessing whether or not I am good enough. I am happy to know that this feeling gets to more than just me.
Kitagrl, your work is awesome! I hope to some day have cakes as good as yours! 
I think we all go through these thoughts.
I entered the OSSA last year and it was quite the learning experience.... and a roller coaster of emotions.
When I first started it I thought "sure I can do that kind of work". Then I procrastinated so much that I had to throw it together in 2 weeks. Never suggest doing that. 
The cake came out ok. I was reasonably pleased but knew it was not going to even come close to winning anything. I was just there for the experience of it.... then I got there.
OMGOsh, the competition was so high I almost diden't even want to put mine up. I suddenly saw how many flaws I had in mine. Then I figured I went through all that I may as well finish up.
Funny part was when I was standing in line, with my cake, next to some one who had a REALLY beautiful cake, and SHE was saying "I'm not sure I should put mine out".
That really put it in prospective for me!
First, let me say that your cakes are AWESOME!!
Secondly, my first (and ONLY) laptop cake that I did was a total flop. It was so bad that I didn't show the customer their cake, I just gave them their money back. 
Third, yes, I sometimes feel like you, like, my cakes aren't even worthy of what I charge and WHY can't my cakes look like Tonedna's?? WHY???
First, let me say that your cakes are AWESOME!!
Secondly, my first (and ONLY) laptop cake that I did was a total flop. It was so bad that I didn't show the customer their cake, I just gave them their money back.
Third, yes, I sometimes feel like you, like, my cakes aren't even worthy of what I charge and WHY can't my cakes look like Tonedna's?? WHY???
lol..I have bad days too!..Those days I think...OMG...I have people expecting perfection!..Im not perfect!!! I do the best I can. The quality of my cakes have gone up since I started. Years of experience help.
But always on the back of my mind is that big question. Am I good enough?
Yes, I go through that too..is part of being human!..Is a matter of not letting those days that you feel low get the best of you. And keep trying to do your best. There is so much to learn!!
Edna
Are you kidding Kitagrl, your cakes are amazing! As a matter of fact, I'm sure I have several saved in my favs. I didnt see the lap top but I'm sure it wasnt as bad as you think. My cakes aren't as good as yours but there have been many times when I've questioned my abilities. I think we all do at times. I have to keep reminding myself that the average person wont see the flaws in our cakes that we see as long as we dont point them out. Keep up the great work!
I just posted the laptop...so done with the customer...I have a couple other threads on this one actually, ranging from her wanting me to waive her deposit, to picking it up late, to wanting to taste a sample when she was picking it up today so she knew it tasted good 
to not having correct change and hoping I'd take less money...(fixed that one, had her give me extra and refunded through Paypal)
Sheesh. I'm sure tomorrows customer will be MUCH easier.
Oh and btw she did not seem overly impressed with the cake. It was like "ooh I want to see it, want to see it....*pause*...hmm that's cute....and by the way I don't even know how your cakes TASTE, do you have a sample?"
*sigh* Ok I'll shut up now. LOL
Awwww, sweetie. Chin up! Your cakes are wonderful. But I do know how you feel. I've been feeling that way recently about my cakes not being level enough. I was at the shop today working on a cake and grumbling to myself that it just simply wasn't PERFECT! My fiance just rolls his eyes and laughs at me. Like Edna said:
We all go through days like that. I know I do. I think is the perfectionist in us what make us feel like that. I think is more normak than you imagine.
Edna
Perfectionism can really be a curse sometimes!! Keep up the great work, girlie! You're an inspiration to everyone here!
Kitagirl.. your cakes are so awesome, just cause you have an impossible customer doesnt mean your work is bad. Sometimes those customers want pretty stuff
for free so the try everything they can to make you feel bad so you lower your price or even so they get a free ride..Not nice!
Thanks Diane!..sometimes we are our worst critics!
Edna
Kitagrl, I looked at your cake and it looks great! Very realistic. Sorry the customer was such a PITA for you today. Enjoy your afternoon and look toward the next order, that will be a lot more fun to make! 
Thanks all, again...and Edna I can't believe you feel that way too, your work is totally perfect!!! (And I watched your YouTube and still can't make smooth creamy regular buttercream haha).
You need a one on one session with me..I would prove you that you can do it! Never fails!
Edna 
I just posted the laptop...so done with the customer...I have a couple other threads on this one actually, ranging from her wanting me to waive her deposit, to picking it up late, to wanting to taste a sample when she was picking it up today so she knew it tasted good
to not having correct change and hoping I'd take less money...(fixed that one, had her give me extra and refunded through Paypal)Sheesh. I'm sure tomorrows customer will be MUCH easier.
Oh and btw she did not seem overly impressed with the cake. It was like "ooh I want to see it, want to see it....*pause*...hmm that's cute....and by the way I don't even know how your cakes TASTE, do you have a sample?"
*sigh* Ok I'll shut up now. LOL
Ummmm, Kita, that laptop cake is GREAT!!
Edna I should! I make almost the same recipe anyway, but usually with more air bubbles. I do make a non crusting one that turns out nice and smooth but most people prefer the crusting (including myself, taste wise).
As far as the laptop...the black background makes it look nicer, and hides some messy look of the fondant and uneven keys....
Edna I should!
I make almost the same recipe anyway, but usually with more air bubbles. I do make a non crusting one that turns out nice and smooth but most people prefer the crusting (including myself, taste wise).As far as the laptop...the black background makes it look nicer, and hides some messy look of the fondant and uneven keys....
Just out of curiosity--how long did the laptop cake take you all together? I think yours is great, but I have heard so many people complain after trying to make them that I just tell people no, I don't do them.
Edna I do use Sweetex, and it helps... my buttercream isn't too bad, just not as perfectly smooth as yours. Actually it starts out pretty smooth and seems to get more bubbly as it sits.
I am not sure how long the laptop took, Ladiesof....hmm....4-5 hours maybe? I don't like to spend more than about 3-4 hours (and less frustration) on a cake of the price range I got for it. Or maybe the pretty ones just SEEM like less. haha.
The top part is thin foamcore. I was so frustrated b/c I did not cover it early b/c I figured I would mess it up when I inserted it into the board with the skewers. So I covered it when it was assembled and THAT was NOT fun.
Well I did get to do a fun cake tonight which I just finished, so things are looking up. haha.
Michele, if you never make another cake (and I do so hate to hear that you have had health issues!) please, please know that you set the bar long before caking became a national phenomenon and that you could rest on your laurels for twenty years and not miss a beat! You will never get behind. You are, to this day, one whom I admire and to whose perfection I aspire!
You said it! Michele, you are such an artist! I aspire to do what you have done. You may not be able to do any sugar art now, but that shouldn't take away from the beautiful things you have already created!
-Renae
I totally have days like this! I think we all do.. I received a invite to attend a wedding association meeting for our area. There will be vendors and also a couple bakers that are kind of a big deal in this area. I had thoughts of going but then in the back of my mind I was thinking.. am I good enough to hang with these bakers?? LOL
Your cakes are awesome! Keep up the good work!
I just looked at your pics, Kitagirl....I'm not anywhere near being in your (or any other person who posted in this thread's) league. You ladies and gents are true artists.
But to answer the threads question....ALL the time. I'm the first to admit that my skills are mediocre at this point. I also know that I can bake my butt off and that my decorating needs A LOT of improvement. I know that this will only happen with practice, practice, practice.
Keep up the good work because your work is amazing.
Edited to correct a spelling error.
Edna I do use Sweetex, and it helps... my buttercream isn't too bad, just not as perfectly smooth as yours. Actually it starts out pretty smooth and seems to get more bubbly as it sits.
Make sure you dont leave it open for too long periods. If it dries too much if gets crumbly and can form a crust that will feel like the sugar has not been sifted.
Edna
Edna I do use Sweetex, and it helps... my buttercream isn't too bad, just not as perfectly smooth as yours. Actually it starts out pretty smooth and seems to get more bubbly as it sits.
Make sure you dont leave it open for too long periods. If it dries too much if gets crumbly and can form a crust that will feel like the sugar has not been sifted.
Edna
Hmm no I don't do that.... just seems like its creamy right after mixing but as it sits, air bubbles start forming in there. Oh well...maybe it could be my mixer as well, I read somewhere else on here that somebody was saying that their older mixer works better for making creamy icing than a big kitchenaid.
Kitagrl, you should be very thankful, I am a newbie and could only dream to make cakes as awesome as your cakes. I can't even make the base look nice, at this point. I've taken a small break from cake making, to regroup, then I'll try again.
Kitagirl, you have no reason to be concerned. Your cakes are terrific. When you have a bad day just remember that you are your own worst critic.
Thank you to everyone for the compliments to me. I truly miss decorating and baking. Maybe some day I will be able to get back into the swing of things.
Michele
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