Close up of the couple :O)
An oldie but goody. I've done this one several times now and I think this ones models and bricks are the best yet.
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Couple of 2 tiered cakes this week, the first an anniversary cake for a repeat customer. I've done this model before standing with a mini car, the daughter wanted him again (only slightly more portly, lol) with his wife wearing drainpipe jeans and chequed shirt. The cake it's self is not actually my design, although the colours have been changed. Credit to the designer, only I don't know who it was (sorry).
Close up of the couple :O)
An oldie but goody. I've done this one several times now and I think this ones models and bricks are the best yet.
Close up of the couple :O)
An oldie but goody. I've done this one several times now and I think this ones models and bricks are the best yet.
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
“An interview with…………….Janet Berry”
MM: What names do you go by?
JB: Janet Berry or JAB
MM: And your business name?
JB: Just a ‘hobbyist’, However Catering is my line of work, sometimes makes cakes at work or at home, no family to consider Just Mike, who will always give his honest opinion.
MM: What’s your location?
JB: Lake district
MM: Where did we first meet?
JB: On the BSG then have met up at the NEC for the past 3 years
MM: What areas of sugarcraft interests you the most, do you specialise in any?
JB: Flowers with ATTITUDE
MM: Where can we see examples of your work?
JB: On the BSG and here on Facebook
MM: How long have you been involved with sugarcraft and what got you started?
JB: Started Sugarcraft at the early age of 9, my mum went to nightschool to learn, and she used to come home and start to do her homework and i used to take over, I shall never forget piping thousands of Forget me Not for a crinoline lady cake. Then I went to college to do my City and Guilds in Catering and Sugarcraft, then left it for a few years but just did the odd cake for family and the kids at work, its only been the past 3 years i have taken it up again
MM: Where did you learn?
JB: Mum, College and had a lovely tutor called Kathleen Metcalf, Now i am with Ann Parker and the " Twiddle and Stick club" and you will be able to see our table at the NEC this year, also demming in " The taste of Sugar" area.!!
MM: Is there anyone that has been your inspiration?
JB: Yes my mum, and my garden xx
MM: Where do you feel your love of the craft will lead you, have you any aspirations?
JB: Nope nothing, if something turns up that’s fine, but i am not going out looking for it. I do teach the kids at work and some of the work they produce is just fantastic.
MM: What’s your favourite and least favourite part of sugarcraft, do you have any pet hates?
JB: lol, Where do i start, I love it when things go to plan, i hate lining the tins, and i hate it when you get air bubbles in your icing, and if a petal is not in the right place, Oh dear i could go on and on and on!!!!! lol
MM: Have you ever entered your work into any competitions, & if so how did you get on?
JB: First competition i entered was at the NEC 2 years ago and i got a merit, then I entered Harrogate and got a 2 silvers and best in class, Oh I also won a book at school for decorating a cake!!!
MM: And I hear you’re having another go at the NEC again this year, good luck!!
MM: Have you a signature cake/style and where do you get your design ideas from?
JB: Ideas from all over, but mostly my cakes are plain and simple, I just like the flowers to have the spot light.
MM: Have you ever experienced anything interesting/useful you could tell us about another countries cake culture?
JB:I do live in my own little world sometimes!!!! does that count
MM: Er no……………………hahahahaha
MM: Have you any tips or advice that you think may come in handy to anyone who’s just starting to explore sugarcraft?
JB: Yes take your time, don't rush out and buy equipment, you will only buy the wrong things, experiment, if making flowers don't make them flat, a flower in a garden has attitude and so should sugar flowers, and remember, when someone wants a cake you are doing them a favour, not the other way round, so charge the right amount and don't give your time away!!!!
MM Do you have any stories about sugarcraft that have stuck with you?
JB: You really don't want me to start to tell you as i could talk all night !!!!!!
MM: Awwwwww go on………………..
JB: Janet Berry or JAB
MM: And your business name?
JB: Just a ‘hobbyist’, However Catering is my line of work, sometimes makes cakes at work or at home, no family to consider Just Mike, who will always give his honest opinion.
MM: What’s your location?
JB: Lake district
MM: Where did we first meet?
JB: On the BSG then have met up at the NEC for the past 3 years
MM: What areas of sugarcraft interests you the most, do you specialise in any?
JB: Flowers with ATTITUDE
MM: Where can we see examples of your work?
JB: On the BSG and here on Facebook
MM: How long have you been involved with sugarcraft and what got you started?
JB: Started Sugarcraft at the early age of 9, my mum went to nightschool to learn, and she used to come home and start to do her homework and i used to take over, I shall never forget piping thousands of Forget me Not for a crinoline lady cake. Then I went to college to do my City and Guilds in Catering and Sugarcraft, then left it for a few years but just did the odd cake for family and the kids at work, its only been the past 3 years i have taken it up again
MM: Where did you learn?
JB: Mum, College and had a lovely tutor called Kathleen Metcalf, Now i am with Ann Parker and the " Twiddle and Stick club" and you will be able to see our table at the NEC this year, also demming in " The taste of Sugar" area.!!
MM: Is there anyone that has been your inspiration?
JB: Yes my mum, and my garden xx
MM: Where do you feel your love of the craft will lead you, have you any aspirations?
JB: Nope nothing, if something turns up that’s fine, but i am not going out looking for it. I do teach the kids at work and some of the work they produce is just fantastic.
MM: What’s your favourite and least favourite part of sugarcraft, do you have any pet hates?
JB: lol, Where do i start, I love it when things go to plan, i hate lining the tins, and i hate it when you get air bubbles in your icing, and if a petal is not in the right place, Oh dear i could go on and on and on!!!!! lol
MM: Have you ever entered your work into any competitions, & if so how did you get on?
JB: First competition i entered was at the NEC 2 years ago and i got a merit, then I entered Harrogate and got a 2 silvers and best in class, Oh I also won a book at school for decorating a cake!!!
MM: And I hear you’re having another go at the NEC again this year, good luck!!
MM: Have you a signature cake/style and where do you get your design ideas from?
JB: Ideas from all over, but mostly my cakes are plain and simple, I just like the flowers to have the spot light.
MM: Have you ever experienced anything interesting/useful you could tell us about another countries cake culture?
JB:I do live in my own little world sometimes!!!! does that count
MM: Er no……………………hahahahaha
MM: Have you any tips or advice that you think may come in handy to anyone who’s just starting to explore sugarcraft?
JB: Yes take your time, don't rush out and buy equipment, you will only buy the wrong things, experiment, if making flowers don't make them flat, a flower in a garden has attitude and so should sugar flowers, and remember, when someone wants a cake you are doing them a favour, not the other way round, so charge the right amount and don't give your time away!!!!
MM Do you have any stories about sugarcraft that have stuck with you?
JB: You really don't want me to start to tell you as i could talk all night !!!!!!
MM: Awwwwww go on………………..
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Mother & Sons reunion
A freebie cake that I did for my sister. My BIL has never really known his mum, as she lost touch with him and his 2 brothers when he was 4yrs old.
He thought she'd probably died as his dad was quite old and they'd lost him a few years ago, but a few months back his nephew (who he didn't realise he had) contacted him on Facebook and he found his mum. They've talked on the phone and visited her once, but this week they came up to meet the rest of his family, so my sister asked me to do a cake.
Was a little tricky as BIL's brothers don't want anything to do with her so couldn't make any reference to them on the cake, so I came up with a kinda before and after theme of the 2 of them and made one of those heart necklaces that 2 people wear when they're appart, it reads "Love always"
Tried to give the models a 70's feel, but I'm not sure I pulled it off, shame you can't see their feet, she's got sandles and he's barefoot
He thought she'd probably died as his dad was quite old and they'd lost him a few years ago, but a few months back his nephew (who he didn't realise he had) contacted him on Facebook and he found his mum. They've talked on the phone and visited her once, but this week they came up to meet the rest of his family, so my sister asked me to do a cake.
Was a little tricky as BIL's brothers don't want anything to do with her so couldn't make any reference to them on the cake, so I came up with a kinda before and after theme of the 2 of them and made one of those heart necklaces that 2 people wear when they're appart, it reads "Love always"
Tried to give the models a 70's feel, but I'm not sure I pulled it off, shame you can't see their feet, she's got sandles and he's barefoot
Sunday, 8 August 2010
"An interview with..............Cheryl Morrison"
MM: What names do you go by?
CM: Cheryl Morrison or Chez on the BSG forum
MM: And your business name?
CM: Too Nice To Slice, at present I work from home. Like most cake decorators we don't make enough money to warrant paying rent etc on shop premises. I do find it difficult when I am working on a cake and it is taking forever, then the family come home and I have to stop what I am doing and make some space so I can prepare tea. Cakes take over the house as there is so much equipment and then there are the dummy cakes scattered around the house, taking up every available shelf space.
MM: What’s your location?
CM: Lytham St Annes, Lancashire
MM: Where did we first meet?
CM: I found MM on the BSG forum, we haven't met yet, but I hope we will meet at some point. I think her work is amazing, very inspirational!
MM: I’m sure we will, my OH and I met in Lytham St Annes. Be nice to take the kids there one day to show them the lights and visit the nice Patisserie they’ve got there ;o)
MM: What areas of sugarcraft interests you the most, do you specialise in any?
CM: I enjoy creating all types of cakes but my passion is wedding cakes I love the elegance of them. I think sugarcraft is a very under rated and under valued skill. I don't think many clients appreciate the hours and skills that go into creating a bespoke design.
MM: Where can we see examples of your work?
CM: http://www.facebook.com/l/72b6eivqP1Z5K1rg2SGV0dt-IUw;www.toonicetoslice.info I also have a Too Nice To Slice face book page
MM: How long have you been involved with sugarcraft and what got you started?
CM: I first learnt about sugarcraft when I attended catering college back in '82.
MM: Where did you learn?
CM: I attended W.R. Tuson college in Preston from 1982-1984 and sugarcraft classes were a part of the 2 year course. Over the years I dipped in and out, attended a couple more courses but never really had a passion for it. Then in 2006 I moved to Cyprus and was in need of something to do to fill my time & earn some money. I soon realised there was a huge wedding market and no bespoke cake designers. This is when I really became excited about sugarcraft. I ran the business in Paphos for 3 years before returning to the UK in 2009.
MM: Is there anyone that has been your inspiration?
CM: I admire so many peoples work, mostly people I have come to know from the BSG forum, who aren't necessarily in the media. Mystical Mischief of course for the amazing rock cake and, The-Dinosaur (her knowledge knows no limits), Aine-2 (models), Peapod Lucy's outstanding Koy carp wedding cake just blows me away every time I look at it. Alan Dunn and all the people that produce amazing flowers. There are too many to mention and if I go on I am bound to upset someone by leaving them out. Obviously unless your a member of the BSG message forum you wouldn't know who these people are but they are legends to us in the sugarcraft world lol!
MM: Where do you feel your love of the craft will lead you, have you any aspirations?
CM: I have recently taken the plunge and I am about to open a small patisserie. By doing this I will be able to have all my cakes on display and I hope to get a lot more wedding cake orders which is what I love the most. I will be running some workshops from the shop though nothing too indepth, more for fun and as an introduction into the craft. I still feel I have so much to learn and I am constantly updating my own skills. I would like to enter competitions but I don't know where to find the time. I have an idea for a cake I would like to do for the NEC this year, maybe I will manage it?
MM: What’s your favourite and least favourite part of sugarcraft, do you have any pet hates?
CM: I love the sense of satisfaction when a project is complete and it always becomes my new favourite! I hate rolling out marzipan, it hurts my wrists.
MM: Have you ever entered your work into any competitions, & if so how did you get on?
CM: Not yet, watch this space!
MM: I’ll hold you to that, lol
MM: Have you a signature cake/style and were do you get your design ideas from?
CM: I don't think I have a design style, though I would love to create one. I find inspiration everywhere, other cake designers, magazines, internet etc, and my 10 year old daughter very often comes up with fabulous designs. I have lots of ideas running around my head unfortunately clients budgets very rarely allow me to make them a reality.
MM: That’s the point of competitions, they’re a great opportunity to express your ideas and stretch your skills, all you have to do is fit them into a certain criteria, which ussually arn’t too limiting (size and materials mainly). I’ll expect to see you at the NEC then this year??????
MM: What are your experiences of other countries sugarcraft cultures?
CM: As I mentioned earlier I ran a wedding cake business in Paphos for 3 years. I have lots of stories, too many to tell here, Maybe I should write a book! One thing that I learnt is that high altitude affects a cake mix. For the last year I was there we lived at the top of a high mountain (not great for transporting cakes either) My first order in this house was for a 3 tier chocolate cake. I put the 6" & 8" into the ovens and I couldn't believe how they were overflowing out of the tins. It was like a volcanic eruption. When i took the cakes out of the oven they then collapsed. For various reasons the lower air pressure affects the cake mix. It took me a few more goes before I realised I needed to reduce the raising agent slightly and add a little more liquid.
MM: Have you any tips or advice that you think may come in handy to anyone who’s just starting to explore sugarcraft?
CM: Join the British Sugarcraft Guild, the information and support available is invaluable.
MM: Do you have any stories about sugarcraft that have stuck with you?
CM: I have quite a few from my days in Cyprus which invariably involve mountainous roads full of pot holes and incredibly hot weather. I think I willl save them for the book though :-)
MM: Oh can’t wait, put me down for a copy :o)
CM: Cheryl Morrison or Chez on the BSG forum
MM: And your business name?
CM: Too Nice To Slice, at present I work from home. Like most cake decorators we don't make enough money to warrant paying rent etc on shop premises. I do find it difficult when I am working on a cake and it is taking forever, then the family come home and I have to stop what I am doing and make some space so I can prepare tea. Cakes take over the house as there is so much equipment and then there are the dummy cakes scattered around the house, taking up every available shelf space.
MM: What’s your location?
CM: Lytham St Annes, Lancashire
MM: Where did we first meet?
CM: I found MM on the BSG forum, we haven't met yet, but I hope we will meet at some point. I think her work is amazing, very inspirational!
MM: I’m sure we will, my OH and I met in Lytham St Annes. Be nice to take the kids there one day to show them the lights and visit the nice Patisserie they’ve got there ;o)
MM: What areas of sugarcraft interests you the most, do you specialise in any?
CM: I enjoy creating all types of cakes but my passion is wedding cakes I love the elegance of them. I think sugarcraft is a very under rated and under valued skill. I don't think many clients appreciate the hours and skills that go into creating a bespoke design.
MM: Where can we see examples of your work?
CM: http://www.facebook.com/l/72b6eivqP1Z5K1rg2SGV0dt-IUw;www.toonicetoslice.info I also have a Too Nice To Slice face book page
MM: How long have you been involved with sugarcraft and what got you started?
CM: I first learnt about sugarcraft when I attended catering college back in '82.
MM: Where did you learn?
CM: I attended W.R. Tuson college in Preston from 1982-1984 and sugarcraft classes were a part of the 2 year course. Over the years I dipped in and out, attended a couple more courses but never really had a passion for it. Then in 2006 I moved to Cyprus and was in need of something to do to fill my time & earn some money. I soon realised there was a huge wedding market and no bespoke cake designers. This is when I really became excited about sugarcraft. I ran the business in Paphos for 3 years before returning to the UK in 2009.
MM: Is there anyone that has been your inspiration?
CM: I admire so many peoples work, mostly people I have come to know from the BSG forum, who aren't necessarily in the media. Mystical Mischief of course for the amazing rock cake and, The-Dinosaur (her knowledge knows no limits), Aine-2 (models), Peapod Lucy's outstanding Koy carp wedding cake just blows me away every time I look at it. Alan Dunn and all the people that produce amazing flowers. There are too many to mention and if I go on I am bound to upset someone by leaving them out. Obviously unless your a member of the BSG message forum you wouldn't know who these people are but they are legends to us in the sugarcraft world lol!
MM: Where do you feel your love of the craft will lead you, have you any aspirations?
CM: I have recently taken the plunge and I am about to open a small patisserie. By doing this I will be able to have all my cakes on display and I hope to get a lot more wedding cake orders which is what I love the most. I will be running some workshops from the shop though nothing too indepth, more for fun and as an introduction into the craft. I still feel I have so much to learn and I am constantly updating my own skills. I would like to enter competitions but I don't know where to find the time. I have an idea for a cake I would like to do for the NEC this year, maybe I will manage it?
MM: What’s your favourite and least favourite part of sugarcraft, do you have any pet hates?
CM: I love the sense of satisfaction when a project is complete and it always becomes my new favourite! I hate rolling out marzipan, it hurts my wrists.
MM: Have you ever entered your work into any competitions, & if so how did you get on?
CM: Not yet, watch this space!
MM: I’ll hold you to that, lol
MM: Have you a signature cake/style and were do you get your design ideas from?
CM: I don't think I have a design style, though I would love to create one. I find inspiration everywhere, other cake designers, magazines, internet etc, and my 10 year old daughter very often comes up with fabulous designs. I have lots of ideas running around my head unfortunately clients budgets very rarely allow me to make them a reality.
MM: That’s the point of competitions, they’re a great opportunity to express your ideas and stretch your skills, all you have to do is fit them into a certain criteria, which ussually arn’t too limiting (size and materials mainly). I’ll expect to see you at the NEC then this year??????
MM: What are your experiences of other countries sugarcraft cultures?
CM: As I mentioned earlier I ran a wedding cake business in Paphos for 3 years. I have lots of stories, too many to tell here, Maybe I should write a book! One thing that I learnt is that high altitude affects a cake mix. For the last year I was there we lived at the top of a high mountain (not great for transporting cakes either) My first order in this house was for a 3 tier chocolate cake. I put the 6" & 8" into the ovens and I couldn't believe how they were overflowing out of the tins. It was like a volcanic eruption. When i took the cakes out of the oven they then collapsed. For various reasons the lower air pressure affects the cake mix. It took me a few more goes before I realised I needed to reduce the raising agent slightly and add a little more liquid.
MM: Have you any tips or advice that you think may come in handy to anyone who’s just starting to explore sugarcraft?
CM: Join the British Sugarcraft Guild, the information and support available is invaluable.
MM: Do you have any stories about sugarcraft that have stuck with you?
CM: I have quite a few from my days in Cyprus which invariably involve mountainous roads full of pot holes and incredibly hot weather. I think I willl save them for the book though :-)
MM: Oh can’t wait, put me down for a copy :o)
Fishing for Sharks?!!
I did the topper for this one last week as I knew I didn't have a lot of time today to do this cake. Baked in a bowl and covered, as is.
I have to thank Chelle Wilson for letting me use her idea of the shadow for the shark, loved it when I saw it on her cake. She'd asked me for help with her design and after sent me a photo, which i thought was great! and on it she'd come up with this light gem of an idea!! so simple yet effective, the kind that I like, hahahaha
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