Monday, 6 September 2010

"An Interview with.........Denise Banks"

“An interview with...........Denise Banks”

MM: What names do you go by?
DB: Denise banks aka Esmesmum MM: And your business name? DB: The Cake Bank

MM: What’s your location?
DB: Warrington area

MM: Where did we first meet?
DB: I met your lovely self via the BSG forum and then at Cake International in 2009

MM: What areas of sugarcraft interests you the most, do you specialise in any?
DB: I particularly enjoy modelling and making nice simply classical cakes.

MM: Where can we see examples of your work?
DB: You can see my work on my website http://www.thecakebank.co.uk/ or on my facebook pages.

MM: How long have you been involved with sugarcraft and what got you started?
DB: I have been doing sugarcraft since 2005 when I paid a ridiculous amount of money for Esmes christening cake. I realised that I could do better for a lot less too!

MM: Where did you learn?
DB: I am mostly self taught but have taken lessons from Windsorcake craft and of course the BSG forum/Bolton branch.

MM: Is there anyone that has been your inspiration?
DB: Inspiration, difficult one but I adore the work of Lorraine McKay and our very own Elaine.

MM: Where do you feel your love of the craft will lead you, have you any aspirations?
DB: I only started this to make my kids cakes but hope that one day I could be good enough to teach! Although, I do find myself looking at vacant premises and dreaming.........

MM: What’s your favourite and least favourite part of sugarcraft, do you have any pet hates? DB: I do not like doing carved cakes but am trying to get over that particular hurdle.

MM: Have you ever entered your work into any competitions, & if so how did you get on?
DB: Not plucked up the courage to enter competitions yet. Do you reckon I should???
MM: Er YES!!!

MM: Have you a signature cake/style and were do you get your design ideas from?
DB: I like to think that people are impressed with some of my modelling attempts. I do like to do classy uncluttered cakes too. Which are much more difficult than throwing flowers all over them!

MM: Have you any tips or advice that you think may come in handy to anyone who’s just starting to explore sugarcraft?
DB: My top tip would be to just have a go, you never know where it might lead you. Oh and buy ready cuttin liners from Lakeland - a god send

MM: Do you have any stories about sugarcraft that have stuck with you?
DB: Make sure that you cut your dowels/spaghetti to the right size for your figures or else they might pop through the heads just when you don't expect it!




Free How-to video - Lettered Baby Blocks

I know christening and baby cakes are always received well and it occured to me the other day whilst making one, that maybe a step-by-step on the blocks that I was making might just come in handy.

So here it is, enjoy! :O)



DVD Preview

Wednesday, 1 September 2010

Gloucester BSG Demo

September 7th, 7.30pm (Tuesday) - Gloucester BSG branch, Lysons Hall, St Swithins Lane, Hempsted, Gloucester. GL2 5LW

Subject: Cake Sculpting

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.

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………………..

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