Do people have ANY idea what they are asking when they see a cake you've made and say "can you send me a tutorial?"
Keep in mind when you send people these messages, a lot of them have a household, families, a business, and multiple other obligations. I feel like a troll when I have to keep telling people no. But I do NOT have the time to write out step by step instructions and often, I don't remember what size cake pans I used or how I did certain things. I wing it.
I seriously don't mind questions like... "how did you achieve this effect?". But getting multiple private messages a week from people wanted me to give them step by step instructions on how I did an ENTIRE cake is really presumptuous and it seems lazy. Look at the cake, do some research, figure it out! The ability to look at a cake and try and figure out for yourself how to make it work is the sign of a good cake artist! Not sure how one or two things were accomplished, sure ASK! But don't e-mail someone and ask them to send you step by step instructions on an entire cake. If you haven't a clue and can't find what you need on CC, YouTube, or Google, then maybe you need to choose a design that isn't quite so complicated.
If you want to know if they ALREADY HAVE a tutorial, then ask them if they happen to have a tutorial. But don't ask them to make one for you!
Tutorials are time consuming. I share a LOT of information and have done tutorials in the past. My blog and website are loaded with tutorials and good information. I'm not opposed to sharing.
Just please don't think I'm sitting here twiddling my thumbs. I'm honored that you appreciate my work.
If I have offended anyone, I'm sorry. I don't intend to. Just be aware that many of these people you are asking have very full schedules, loads of stress, and a to do list that is longer than the hours in a day. They aren't being mean. They just don't have the time. It's life.
Its definitely a pet peeve of mine when I look at a nice picture in the galleries and see a string of comments that say "Please send instructions to this email address" and then "Oh, me too! Me too! Here is my email! Me too!"
I never have "instructions". I usually forget what "cake pans" I used after a few weeks, let alone photos in my gallery from 4 years ago.
I love to answer questions and love it when people love my cakes!!!! I love to ask questions myself, when I see a technique I do not understand. But that's just it....I try to figure out what I can, and then only ask what I cannot figure out.
I have to agree with the research thing too....for instance don't get on here and say "I have never made a 3D cake before. How do you do it?" A better question would be "I have figured out most of how to carve a dog cake. What is the best way to support the head?"
Just keep in mind, too, (those reading this thread) sometimes there are many ways to get the same thing done! People make tutorials how THEY did something. But I'm sure I don't do everything just like them, because I figured out my own way to do things. So..its okay to figure out your own way!!! Don't be scared to dig your hands in and try new things. Its how you learn! 
I have to agree with the research thing too....for instance don't get on here and say "I have never made a 3D cake before. How do you do it?" A better question would be "I have figured out most of how to carve a dog cake. What is the best way to support the head?"
I agree. I find that when I ask a clear and specific question, the more helpful the responses. Also, it seems like a lot of folks may hesitate to try some new things on their own because they think there is only one way ("the right way") to do something. But, often there are many ways to achieve the same result. I am a big fan of trial and error. If I am doing something new, I try to allow plenty of time to problem solve or to make a practice cake ahead of time. If I get stuck on a certain aspect of the cake, I do not hesitate to post a question and CCers have always been very helpful.
Isn't the fun part of cake decorating working with and figuring out the thing for yourself? That brings me more satisfaction when I see something I like and am able to duplicate or modify it to achieve the desired look. It's easy to copy. Creating is another thing.
They have practice boards for a reason. And besides, it's it fun to work with fondant trying out things and practicing? My daughter LOVES when I practice because she gets to eat it!
And not 2 hours after I posted... I get an e-mail asking for instructions (from start to finish) on how to make a cake in my photos... Really?????
That's funny that people do that- Usually when I look at a photo of a cake I really like, the first place my mind goes is to start analyzing how they did it and usually I can figure it out, with the exception of a few things. Maybe my hubby is rubbing off on me, he is really good at taking things apart in his mind to see how they work!
And not 2 hours after I posted... I get an e-mail asking for instructions (from start to finish) on how to make a cake in my photos... Really?????
Maybe they misread your screen name as "CakeInstructions". *snickering*
And not 2 hours after I posted... I get an e-mail asking for instructions (from start to finish) on how to make a cake in my photos... Really?????
Maybe they misread your screen name as "CakeInstructions". *snickering*
That's it... I'm changing my screen name. ha ha ha Can you tell I'm totally stressing out right now. Sick kid at home (day 6), kitchen renovation, bridal show coming up, orders, taxes, etc. etc. etc.
I wanna vacation!
Or worse... when you *do* take the time to do a tutorial and someon posts it on on the web for everyone as if it were something they spend hours working on. Yup... I had that happen to me. Or they don't even send a quick thank you email. Manners people... YEESH!!!
Yes and yes to it all. I also love to share, but I have 3 jobs and doing a tutorial takes a LOT of time, especially the picture tutorials. Believe me, I'd love to charge for the tutorials, even just $1 each, but then see how fast they stop asking 
Yes and yes to it all. I also love to share, but I have 3 jobs and doing a tutorial takes a LOT of time, especially the picture tutorials. Believe me, I'd love to charge for the tutorials, even just $1 each, but then see how fast they stop asking
You totally should charge! It's your intellectual property, is it not? I know if it was on something I just could not figure out, but really wanted or needed to know how to do it, I would pay!
I have to agree with all the above. I have only been on cc for a while although much more time was spent lurking in the shadows and watching information....
Although i dont consider myself to be an authority on any techniques, i would not expect someone else to spend thier time teaching and writing up tutorials for free on things that most probably are already on the web somewhere! It just lazy not to look around first and get the information.
I have say another peev on this site (Which someone else started a topic about) is the forum posts that are titled...
help
plzzz help
urgent help
advice now
and so on....
specifics people! I guess like most people on here i dont have time to read into everything and if a topic isnt titled clearly i am likely to miss something which would be a shame if its relevant to something i am making or can help with
thanks for allowing me to vent along!!
and your cakes are beautiful!
sam
xxx
Its definitely a pet peeve of mine when I look at a nice picture in the galleries and see a string of comments that say "Please send instructions to this email address" and then "Oh, me too! Me too! Here is my email! Me too!"
Yes!! A million times yes. I don't understand why people assume that someone sat down and typed out instructions from beginning to end after they spent all that time decorating!
And if they did take the time to write one out, wouldn't it be easier if they just posted it ONCE instead of answering a dozen or more PM or email requests? 
I guess people assume it doesn't hurt to ask!
You know it's funny. I've felt this way for a long time and NEVER brought it up because I figured the firing squad would take me out in a heartbeat! I prepared myself for comments about being heartless and that I should be thankful and consider it an honor that people would want to replicate my cakes.
Instead... turns out lots of you feel the same way. So thank you.
And now that I've finished washing a ton of dishes by hand in my laundry room since I don't currently have a kitchen sink or dishwasher, and I've cleaned up after my sicko, thrown in another load of laundry, made a trip to the pediatrician, and responded to customer e-mails... I'm going to schedule with my accountant and then work on replacing the dummy cake that the wind picked up last weekend and smashed into a million pieces in the parking lot of the Phillies Stadium so I am at least partially prepared for the show I have on Sunday.
And no... there are no tutorials in my near future.
I love the email I got one time from someone on here that was asking how I made a cake? My mouth dropped as I read... "I'm making this cake tonight, please send directions". WTH? Two problems for that person... You need to prepare for 4D sculpted cakes, there is structural stuff one would need to have ahead of time and two I had no time to even reply not to mention I didn't even try because this person really has no idea.
Not to mention, that with the message there was no question mark or thanks.
Now I don't have a lot of pics posted so I do not get a lot of asking for directions, but I can sure feel your annoyance, especially if its happening all the time!
I can completely understand how this would be frustrating for you guys, i do hope one day though that i'm as good as you all at this wonderful craft for someone to enquire how I created one of my cakes!!
For me it wasn't really that it was annoying that someone asked me for help, I have responded to other email inquiring on a cake. The one I noted in my last post was annoying because that person did not even say "do you have the directions you could send?" or even "would you care to share some tips?" it was just strait up "please send directions."
Like others posted, I personally spent a lot of time figuring out the structure of the cake, the materials I needed to use and so on. How? Well, by trial and error, and research.
Just a side note, no matter how annoying it may be it is still flattering when someone asks you how you did something.
In the past sometimes I've even wondered if some of the people truly wanted to replicate the cake on their own, or if they just find pleasure in collecting tutorials.... its also not out of the realm of possibility that there are a few out there who try to collect these things to sell on Ebay.
Which is why I prefer specific questions.
CakeInfatuation: I know this is off subject, but I just wanted to take a minute to say I love your cakes! Amazing work!
When your all done with the house, the errands, the cake show, take a minute, have a cup of coffee, and enjoy some "me " time...you deserve it!!
Amen sista!!! I think it's quite nervey of people ask flat out ask for a tutorial. If they had ANY clue how long it takes to do the cake, let alone write out every single step in great length and detail, they'd think twice.
I can see asking for basic steps or particular questions on parts of a design, but honestly the whole thing? NOT GONNA HAPPEN! Most full length tutorials are called books!
KimAZ
Amen!!! I think part of it is the continuing entitlement frame of mind...someone else has done all the work of figuring things out. Back before the internet, the only option was books, maybe a class, but lots of trial and error...practice, practice, practice. There's value in knowing - figuring out why something doesn't work.
Yes, and I take pictures so I can be extra clear. It takes a lot of time to edit, crop and arrange. I must have had 25 pictures of the gelatin bubble tutorial to try to figure out. Plus getting the hubby to help (some of those pictures are his hands )
What's funny is I still get questions on things that are in the tutorial, so I also spend time explaining what is in the tutorial. Now dont' get me wrong, I still love to share and help out. I know what it's like burning with curiosity on how someone did something.
And no... there are no tutorials in my near future.
Are you sure? "cause here's my email if you change your mind. (&*^&*^*^@hello.com. lol
me too at [email protected]
ETA: not a real email address I was joking!!
And now that I've finished washing a ton of dishes by hand in my laundry room since I don't currently have a kitchen sink or dishwasher, and I've cleaned up after my sicko, thrown in another load of laundry, made a trip to the pediatrician, and responded to customer e-mails... I'm going to schedule with my accountant and then work on replacing the dummy cake that the wind picked up last weekend and smashed into a million pieces in the parking lot of the Phillies Stadium so I am at least partially prepared for the show I have on Sunday.
And no... there are no tutorials in my near future.
I'm sitting here in my home with no snow outside, a working sink and dishwasher, no sick kids, and all my lovely cake supplies around me so I don't have to buy anything for the cake due March 7, and I say: YOU GO GIRL!!!!
I've only been doing cakes for a year. What blows me away is that many people don't even google! They'll say, "how do you stack a cake?" HELLO! There are only about a zillion free videos/tutorials on your computer that you just used to type the dumb question.
I find that as I do more, and practice more, and have stuff go wrong, that I am very, very proud to see a fabulous cake and be able to figure out most of how it was done! That only comes with practice and a lot of mistakes. If I still can't quite understand a specific component, I will PM the baker, and I have always been met with understanding and well wishes. (And I always write back to say thank you.)
Tutorials are wonderful and appreciated and I can only imagine the love and time that goes into their creation, but if someone is working for a living making cake--I say go for the profit Baby! We don't ask our plumber to provide a tutorial on how to fix the kitchen sink, do we? (and besides, if you google it, there is a plumbing tutorial online....) I support you 100%, cakeinfatuation!
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