KK: Kathryn Kelly (chalet fan on the BSG forum)
MM: And your business name?
KK: Kathryn’s Cakes. I work from home around a 3 year old.
MM: What’s your location?
KK: Worcester
MM: Where did we first meet?
KK: I knew your work from the NEC – Cake 2008 my Novelty Cake was next to yours. We first met in person on our Demonstrator Training Seminar. I was really excited that you were going to be there – I remember telling you and you responding ‘no pressure then’. You then had to wait till last to demonstrate, by which time you were bright red and shaking like a leaf. I, on the other hand, was as calm as can be
MM: hmmmmm, thanks for reminding me Kathryn..........lol
MM: What areas of sugarcraft interests you the most, do you specialise in any?
KK: I like modelling and making ‘things’; shoes, animals, people. I also like airbrushing (though I’m not that good yet!) and painting on cakes and I’ve a passion for cake jewellery.
MM: Where can we see examples of your work?
KK:www.kathryns-cakes.co.uk, FB at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kathryns-Cakes/106747242683985?ref=ts
MM: How long have you been involved with sugarcraft and what got you started?
KK:When we moved to Worcester in 1996 I was looking for a hobby. I tried flower arranging then the next year thought I’d do pottery but it was full so I did cake decorating instead. The rest, as they say, is history
MM: Where did you learn?
KK: I had a few lessons with a local tutor and demonstrator, Janet Melillo, and I’ve been on a few workshops but mainly I’m self taught. I’ve loads of books and I’ll just have a go – if it doesn’t work, try again.
MM: Is there anyone that has been your inspiration?
KK: Well, I admire your work tremendously; it was very exciting at last year’s NEC to get a Gold in the same class as you. I’m a big fan of Jen Hook for her design and creativity, Rhianydd Easton’s modelling, Liz Finch’s style, the list goes on.
MM: That was a great exhibition, and I loved Rhianydd work at Squires this year.
MM: Where do you feel your love of the craft will lead you, have you any aspirations?
KK: I love demonstrating and talking about sugar; my son goes to school in September 2011 which should free up a bit of time enabling me to branch out, hopefully into workshops. I would like to be published at some point but I’m not sure I’m creative enough
MM: I’m sure you are, why not get in touch with the magazines and see if they’d welcome some of your design ideas for cakes?
MM: What’s your favourite and least favourite part of sugarcraft, do you have any pet hates?
KK: The best? Finished cakes, ready to go, happy customers, great feedback. The worst? The clearing up!
MM: So what competitions have you ever entered your work into, & how did you get on?
KK: Where do I start? Various awards culminating in Gold and Trophy and Silver at Cake International 2008, Gold and Trophy at Trowbridge 2009, Gold and Trophy and Silver at Cheltenham and Gloucester 2009, Gold (3rd, you were 2nd) and Merit at Cake International 2009. Coo, sounds good when it’s listed like that.
MM: Have you a signature cake/style and were do you get your design ideas from?
KK: I think the two most recognisable things I’ve done are ‘Horsy’ and the funky floral wedding cake. Horsy is based on one of DS’s toys and funky floral came from a birthday card so I’m inspired by lots of things, more than I could ever make into cakes unless I stopped sleeping.
MM: Have you any tips or advice that you think may come in handy to anyone who’s just starting to explore sugarcraft?
KK: See as many demonstrations as you can, even if you think it’s not your thing. Think carefully about what you buy and practise, practise, practise getting a good covering on your cake
MM: Do you have any stories about sugarcraft that have stuck with you?
KK: One of the first cakes I made was for my BIL. He was joining the Navy so I made Popeye from one of Debbie Brown’s books. Being new, I didn’t put a long enough piece of spaghetti through the head and neck into the body and consequently, the head fell off. I tried to sugarglue it back on a couple of times but no luck. So in desperation, and knowing it wouldn’t be eaten as it wasn’t going to be out of my sight, I superglued the head on.
MM: Superglue!! And did that work????????????? hahahahahahaha
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