Hi, newbie here, I love making/decorating cakes, but by no means am I a professional.

Anyway, a cousin emailed me if I could make her sister-in-law's daughter's birthday cake. She stated that she would provide all of the "supplies," which I don't know if she meant ingredients and bakeware...etc. There is no mention of paying me for my "labor/service," and I doubt it she will pay me, since she thinks she is supplying the "supplies."

On top of that, I don't even know her sister-in-law! Never met her before.

So, should I do it out of the kindness of my heart if she provided the "essentials" to make the cake or should I say, "Sorry, I'm busy???"

I just thought it was rude to expect someone you never met before to make and decorate a cake without talking about prices first, even if you are supplying the essentials.

Making and baking cake is expensive and hard work!!! I hate washing all those dishes!

ASo let's see, you want a bunch of strangers online to tell you whether or not you should make a free (?) cake for a stranger. What do YOU want to do? Forget ethics, let's try plain good sense and gut feeling.

Lol...NO. 

"Oh that sounds fun! Have her call me and we can work out specifics, like a budget and whatnot."

AAs the saying goes.... "Been there, done that"... You probably know the answer to your question. It's screaming out of your chest, and heart, and head !!! People will take advantage only if WE let them and if we do then we must NOT complaint. Once we open the door it doesn't stop, today is the daughter of the sister in law of a cousin, tomorrow a friend of a friend of an acquaintance we last spoke 1 year ago...

Annnnnnd, this.

Don't do anything you are not prepared to continue doing into the future.

Once that person tells another that all they have to do is give you the ingredients and you will make them a cake , everyone will expect the same " deal". 

...and there will be A LOT of people wanting free cake on your doorstep.

If you plan to make this a business eventually, you may have already muddied up your own market.

Ok, I appreciate the honest opinions!!

Gonna go shoot her an email.

I agree with you SweeTzippy!

She's probably giving her your cake for her birthday gift.  I would be busy, and the reason I would be busy is because if she's reaching that far out in her chain of relatives to provide them with a free cake - you don't want to say yes or you'll be busy as a personal chef (without pay).  It's a way to hone your craft, but once you've decided that enough is enough, and you have to cut your ties with her, .................trust me......................she won't like that at all and it could get really ugly - driving a wedge in the family so stop it now before it gets too big.

I think your post made it quite clear that you did not want to do it.  It is not unreasonable to say no.  It was unreasonable of your cousin to ask as far as I am concerned.