Should You Start A Cake Decorating Business Or Cupcake Business?

If you love cake decorating, imagine getting paid to do what you love! You can when you start your own cake decorating business or cupcake business.

Jennifer James, author of the FabJob Guide to Become a Cake Decorator, says there are many benefits when you become a professional cake decorator and start a cake decorating business (also known as a cake design business) or cupcake business.

"There's never been a better time to start up a cake decorating business," says Jennifer. "With the low-carb craze over with, there has been a return to the idea of eating for pleasure, ushered in largely by the popular book French Women Don't Get Fat. Single servings and the personal touch are in - cupcakes are very popular right now, as are gourmet mini-cakes." Here is Jennifer's advice about the cake design business and why it's a great time to start a cake decorating business:

Professional cake decorators tap into the fact that people love to feel special, and are always looking for something new and unique. Clients who are tired of the supermarket's tired-old sheet cake with a cartoon character are looking for handmade, out-of-the ordinary cakes that truly reflect the theme of the celebration... and when they do, they'll come to you.

Cakes are getting more creative all the time, and the only limitation is your imagination. Three-dimensional designs are in vogue right now, resulting in cakes that look like pillows, animals, handbags, or whatever you can dream up. Contemporary cake towers rising up many feet in the air and can lean every which way, stabilized by mysterious forces known only to the cake decorator (that is, you!)

And it doesn't stop there. How about a cake + cupcake combo, with each cupcake sporting a unique design, or personalized for each guest? Floral toppers or edible pearls just might complete an elegant look perfectly. The finishing materials (glazes and dusting powders) available on today's market let you give your cake and decorations a look that is so real, your clients will hardly believe they are made of sugar.

Not only are people looking for custom, creative cakes, they are willing to pay for them too. The average amount spent on a wedding has nearly doubled in the last 20 years, and the average cost of wedding cake is $543, according to the Bridal Association of America. Prices of artisan cakes for special occasions range from $3 to $10 or even more per slice, depending on the complexity of the design.

If you're wondering if cake decorating is the right business for you, here are some more benefits of this career according to Jennifer:

Be Creative

If you want to work with your hands and experience with all five senses, cake decorating is the career for you, from smelling the yummy baking, to tasting new flavors of icing or filling, to piping delicate beads or roses on your cakes and cupcakes. No wonder many cake decorators call themselves sugar artists!

"I was involved in early childhood education, but I wanted to switch careers to something that would challenge my creative outlets. I learned that I had this talent and discovered a passion for the art of designing cakes. Creative talent and passion are so important," says acclaimed cake decorator Yvonne Zensner.

Be Your Own Boss

No more taking orders from anyone else - other than your many customers, of course! When you run your own cake decorating business, you make the decisions. You can choose to specialize in anything from wedding cakes, to children's birthday cakes, to cupcakes, to cakes shaped like fantasy castles... whatever you most enjoy. As boss of your own cake decorating, you decide your policies, your prices, and when you're going to take those well-deserved days off.

Let Them Eat Cake

By "them" we mean you, your friends, and your family. When you start a cake decorating business you'll be able to practice your new ideas by making cakes for your own family celebrations, or liven up a mid-week meal with some cake "leftovers" you cut off while shaping and creating. You can even save some cash when you give your cakes for wedding and birthday presents. It's great practice, and you'll land additional clients whenever your cakes or cupcakes are seen and admired.

You Can Start Right Now

A cake decorating business can be started simply or part-time if you wish, in many cases right from your own home. If you already bake cakes or cupcakes as a hobby, you may very well have much of the equipment on hand that you will need to get started. You don't need a certificate to call yourself a professional cake decorator or cake designer, either - you're in business as a professional cake decorator as soon as you are paid for your very first cake.

If you're ready to tap into the lucrative and growing cake decorating market, don't wait any longer. It's time to turn your pipe dreams into piping bags, trade in your overtime for oven mitts, and create your own sweet success story by starting a cake decorating business.



--------------
By. Tag Goulet
For step-by-step advice on how to become a professional cake decorator and start a cake decorating business (also known as a cake design business) or cupcake business, download the FabJob Guide to Become a Cake Decorator at http://www.FabJob.com/cakedecorator.asp Article Source: Free Article Directory - http://www.articleManiac.com Search And Submit Articles

Read more »...

Pick The Right Modern Wedding Cake

Modern wedding cakes can be individually created for the couple and become unique and elegant statements of simplicity or can be totally unconventional. They proclaim the couple’s style and the color choices are unlimited. A cake designer can create anything you desire, from the most sophisticated black to a fun shocking pink. Often a great deal of experimentation may be involved in the process of creating the finished product to match exactly what the Bride and Groom wish for. This can be alot of fun if you have the extra budget to spend on extra cakes while you make up your mind.

Modern wedding cakes can also be made to a unique theme using the new sugar craft techniques. A range of options is now available, from which you can choose one that matches your wedding. Modern Wedding Cakes can also be designed according to the season; a snowflake for winter or icing seashells for a summer beach wedding, a delicate gazebo for a spring garden wedding or rich earthy tones for autumn. Pick a theme and a color based on the season and the theme of your wedding, or simply go with what appeals to the senses.

You may be concerned that the cake will not taste as good as it looks. Can a wedding cake be decorative, and still be a delicious dessert? Today, it can. Skilled designers specialize in cakes pleasing to both the palate and the eye. The outside beauty may be important for pictures and as a personal statement, but remember that your guests will carry away how the cake tasted. Modern cake flavors are quickly replacing the traditional white cake. Lemon, tropical, Italian cream, carrot and pink champagne are the new popular choices. Textures, of cakes today, range from soufflé-light sponge cakes to dense, heavy pound cake quality. Fillings may be cooked fruit, crèmes, custards and mousse.

The shape of the cake can add another dimension to its style. Scalloped edges, tiers fringed with blossoms and lacy icing, all look feminine and delicate, without being overly frilly and ostentatious. Alternating layers of hexagons and circles can give the cake a completely modern and contemporary look. Polka dots, charming and almost innocent, on a basic round cake can add an extra Avant-garde look to the round cake or on an asymmetrical stack of triangles. Experiment with shapes and stacking. Don’t be limited to tiers and columns.

The sheer volume of available options can be overwhelming to someone looking for their ideal wedding cake. Many peoples first inclination may be to pick the popular look close to your theme to make your job easier. However, you should set your own style, decide your own trend. Each bride has an idea of what her perfect wedding cake would look like. Find yours. Combine the right look with the right flavor and filling, to make your own unique modern wedding cake. Remember, there is no pressure. Consider what you want, what you like. Close your eyes and imagine your perfect cake.


----------------
About the author
Visit http://www.forawedding.net for more tips and articles to help you plan your perfect wedding day. Article Source: Free Article Directory - http://www.articleManiac.com Search And Submit Articles

Read more »...

5 Ways to Make Easy and Stylish Handmade Wedding Invitations

These days many couples are paying for their own wedding celebrations. Whether the happy couple choose to fir the bill or be it the lucky parents most of us know that the costs for hosting a wedding can be overwhelming. Many are seeking ways to make their celebration a bit more affordable without sacrificing style and elegance. One great way to cut some costs from the budget is to make your own wedding invitations. You can make your own handmade wedding invitations that actually look like you spent a fortune!
For many brides the invitation is up there on the list of wedding priorities. The invitation is the first impression the guests will receive from the wedding. They set the tone for the entire event. Brides want their invitations to be special, one-of-a-kind, and stylish. The only problem is that you must pay handsomely for style. Ordering from a commercial printer will set you back a couple hundred dollars at least and a lot of times much more. For handmade invitations you could be looking at anywhere from $300 - 400 all the way up to $1000.
By making your own handmade wedding invitations you not only get to customize and stylize them to match your wedding colors and theme exactly, but you will also cut the price of your wedding invitations in half. You get the perfect wedding invitation that is a one-of-a-kind! Here are ten ways to help make your very own perfect wedding invitation.

1. Layer papers! I like to start with card stock as a base. You can purchase card stock by the sheet or in reams of 500 sheets at any arts and crafts store or office supply. Check the scrapbook aisle of the arts and crafts store to find great card stocks in many colors and textures.
Take a piece of 8 1/2" by 11" card stock and cut it in half leaving you two pieces of paper measuring 5 1/2" 8 1/2". Next you need to choose a paper to layer with this card stock to create an elegant invitation. I like to use pretty patterned papers or vellum. Cut these papers in half as well. Print your wedding invitation text onto the patterned paper or vellum. Next trim the edges of this paper about 1/4" all around so that it is smaller than the card stock. Now attach the two papers together with glue, ribbons, or decorative brads. Viola! You've got an easy and beautiful handmade wedding invitation.

2. Use blank cards! This is a great and easy way to make your invitations. You can purchase completely blank greetings cards online or at retail stores such as arts and crafts supply stores, office supply stores, and many other retail stores. Print your invitations text to the inside of the card and then decorate the outside of the card to match your wedding colors or theme. A great way to decorate these would be to use nice handmade paper or decorative patterned paper. I like to use scrapbooking background paper to decorate these types of cards and add accents such as ribbons or dried flowers.

3. Visit a local copy shop! A great way to make the task of making your own wedding invitations a bit less stressful as well as cut the work load is to visit a local copy shop. Choose the papers you want to make your wedding invitations with and then print out the text for them onto some plain white printer paper. Bring these to the copy shop and have them copy the text onto the invitations for you. They also have other very helpful services such as precision cutting, folding, and scoring.

4. Print onto blank wedding invitations. OK so this option is not as open to customization as making them from scratch, but it does cut costs substantially. To make things even easier you can bring them to the copy shop to have the text copied for you. Overall it will cut your costs in half or more.

5. Print the invitations onto stationary. This is a very easy way to make your invitations that is a bit low key but still elegant. You can buy beautiful stationery from most office supply stores. There are papers that are basically decorative printer papers and you can also buy 100% cotton papers that are quite elegant as well. I recommend printing onto a nice cotton paper and then attaching some pressed flowers to the paper or ribbon.

The best way to start making your handmade wedding invitations is to go shopping and look at some papers and craft materials yourself beforehand to get an idea of what kind of materials you want to use. There are many other crafting tools available such as decorative paper punches and decorative scissors which could be used to go with a more elaborate design, or keep it quick and easy with some of the ideas I show above. For more help and ideas, as well as step by step instructions visit my website at http://www.do-it-yourself-invitations.com

----------------
by Delilah Hatch
Article Source: Free Article Directory - http://www.articleManiac.com
Search And Submit Articles

Read more »...