For all of you who have been decorating for a while--My question is: Does beening nervous get any better. I have only made 1 cake for a customer and I was so nervous I thought I would pass out. Does it get less nerve racking as you do more cakes? Help!!

yes it gets easier, as your confidence builds, it will get easier to handle. I think to some extent the nerves will still be there, as decorating is such a personal expression of our talents that its hard to relax sometimes, but it does get better.

not only does it get easier as far as the nerves go, it gets really fun and personally satisfying. even the minor disasters are kinda fun, since you get an opportunity to learn how to fix things (like freezing an iced cake to easily pick off piped decorations-gone-wrong with a toothpick or small pointy angled palette knife). practice will help your nerves...it's kinda like holding a baby if you didn't grow up with younger siblings; it's something you have to do a lot before you're really comfortable with it, but then one day you realize that you're picking up and slinging the little ones around and it doesn't feel weird anymore (the bonus with the cakes is that they generally aren't as squirmy as babies, and you can put them down and leave them alone on a table ...well, that is unless you have toddlers or other small animals, in which case a cake should never be left alone ).

remember: it's just cake...it's imperfect and transitory and effemeral (much like life)...and most people will be really impressed with both your skill and effort, even when you think you've done a lousy job.

I think it does get easier but I'm still not "calm" enough to handle the problems. I'm confident in my baking/decorating but when life throws those curve balls I have issues! But always try to tell myself to calm down, because when you freak out, nothing good ever comes from that.
I don't know if you are a planner but I sure am and I have found that really planning my cakes and designs out helps with nerves. And also, if you are going to try something new or different for a cake that is for someone else, practice first!! I can't tell you how many times I thought something new would not be a big deal and I was wrong. That will get you every time too!
Good luck and things do get better and easier!

In one of the major cake books, the author writes in the book she has a cocktail before she starts. : )

I speak for myself when I say that I'm always nervous when I make a cake. It could be because I'm really new at this and hopefully in time I'll become more confident and therefore my nerves will go away but I doubt it. And I haven't even sold any cakes yet!!!!!!!! I'll probably be a nervous wreck when I get my first paid order!!!!!



Daniela

Hi s_raines,

It will get easier as time passes.

I'm still nervous when I put the cake in the box...can see myself dropping it or when I have to deliver, the whole time I think I drive about 40 miles an hour... it use to be 25, so it's getting easier. lol

The cake making and decorating gets easier....I don't like to deliver the cakes though... might just start having the customer pick up their wedding cakes and put them together themselves...My nerves just don't like the pressure or the STRESS!!!!
But I love decorating the cakes the best....Now if I can just find someone to bake and clean up the whole mess that's made.... I'll have it made...LOL..
It does get easier...
cakegal

I just realized last week that I clench my jaw when I'm decorating, especially doing borders, because it still takes so much effort to get them even. My jaw is still achy, and I can't tell if I'm still clenching my teeth or if it's just a lingering feeling.

I get butterflies in my stomach, too, pretty bad. I'm a big planner, but my problem so far is that all but one of the cakes I have done have been at my discretion, so I lie awake in bed trying to plan out my design in my head, but never quite make a real decision until I start putting icing on the cake. Part of that is my lack of practice, though. Sometimes, OK, a lot of times I just can't execute what I have in my head.

All of it leads to a nerve-wracking experience that doesn't end until the cake is out the door. Then even cleaning the disaster area of a kitchen feels like a relief!!!

Ali

It gets easier but I still get the butterflies!

Debbie

Thank to you all. Hopefully, the feeling of passing out will go away!

Hey, I like the idea of cocktails first!!
Especially after the little ones go to bed

I did not realize when I started doing cakes how stressful it can be. At first I would just make them at will & bring them to work. No pressure. But when I started getting paid, WHOA! Yes, it does get easier, the more you do, the more confidence you will have. Unfortunately, in this business, you will always have stress & we just have to deal with it constructively. I'm glad I saw this post. Now I know I'm not the only one who gets very nervous!

I get very nervous too and my hands shake so badly I can hardly write, etc. Most of the cakes I do are for $$, but are also for someone I know. I've only had one person call just out of the blue and it was my first really big cake, character cake and stacked cake all in one. I was about to pass out by the time I got it done and my shoulders and head hurt for 2 days! Everyone has to leave the kitchen and I have a fit if someone speaks to me.
There has to be an easier way!!!!!

We all feel that way because every cake is a piece of art work. When you do this because you love it, your putting your whole self into each one. It's like the cake represents our heart and soul. Ofcourse you want people to like it and come back for more or tell all the friends, but don't you all truly want them to be blown away! Now, mind you, I don't do alot of cakes for profit so maybe that changes when you do alot of orders. But for me, I want EVERY cake to be the "best cake they every had, and looks the best" That's probably my downfall.

Rose

WOW I'M GLAD TO KNOW THAT IT GETS EASIER. DECORATING CAKES FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS IS NERVE RAKING ENOUGH AND I GET TO DO WHAT AND HOW I WANT.

I get nervous planning. BUT, when it comes time to start the work, I get hyper! My family knows that "I'm in a zone". They don't come into the kitchen without a risk!

So funny to read the posts!! We all relate!! My last wedding cake was this past Sat. This was the first wedding that I made the cakes & attended the wedding! I was a nervous wreck! My hubby was with me & so were some friends so they helped me get things together. When it came time to help hubby put the cake on the pedalstols my arms were like cement!! I couldn't lift them at all!! I was sooo nervous!! That's when our friend helped hubby. I was so nervous I was shaking! We were late getting to the wedding, then the wedding started earlier then planned!!! I will always get to a wedding 1 hour & 1/2 before it starts!! People were even there watching me put the finishing touches on it. That's so nerve racking!!

I'm not so nervous when I make them. I'm on high speed like the KA when I do cakes. I'm in a zone to & everyone in my family knows to stay out!!

I hope it does get better!!! LOL!!