3/25/2015
1/28/2013
Pricing...
I've been toying with possibly raising my prices, after not doing so for so long.
Here is a question/rant to all of my wonderful readers. Nothing bad has happened to me to cause this, but to someone I highly respect and is known probably by you too. (If you're into the Food Networks cake challenges.)
Your opinion is welcome, good or bad. I may choose to respond or not, but anyway here's what I have been throwing around in my mind.
People pay unbelievable amounts of money on parties, weddings and other celebrations with out blinking. (decorations, food, ball rooms, gyms, churches, etc.) Then when it comes to the "center piece" of the event, it has to be perfect, look great, taste great, and cost next to nothing. Why? I don't understand that. How long do you spend on planning and setting up such a celebration? Weeks, months, even years if it's a wedding, right? Well, do you think it only takes 30 minutes to throw together a cake for you? If you do, well, then it's time for a reality check. I've missed family events because of the hours and days I've spent on one custom order. It may seem so easy and simple, but it isn't. Not everyone can do what I do. The last cake I did for a customer cost them $120.00 and I spent a minimum of 20 hours on it. That doesn't say much, but if it's broken down it's not a lot of money. 20 hours is my time, then there's the utilities, the fondant, foam board, eggs, flour, sour cream, sugar, oil, pudding, ribbon, molds, fondant tools, cutters, tylose, cake box, and who knows what I'm not even thinking of. Has anyone ever thought of this? I have. I really don't make money with what I do, but I could if I didn't do a lot of my cake business as a ministry and if I charged more.
What if I based my prices on your hourly pay at your job, plus the products? Is my time worth as much as yours? Have you ever thought of that when ordering a custom cake? How much do you value your cake decorator? Do they deserve more credit than you give them? Next time you need a cake, please think about what you are asking and don't give the person you're asking a hard time.
There are those incredible customers and people who truly appreciate what I do. I know because they don't get upset when I give them a quote and they make sure to over thank me in person, send me an email thanking me, post it on social media thanking me, and also realizes what I've done for them is worth more than I quoted and makes sure to pay a little extra. There are many of my customers who are like this and are so faithful to me. It actually hurts if they're not able to get on the schedule. They feel they are missing something special at that celebration. To you...thank you. I treasure you and your families. A little goes a long way with someone who works hard and is sure to give you great results.
I guess all I'm saying is, please appreciate your cake decorator. Don't give them grief over a quote, because they are special and what they do is special too.
Please have a blessed day!
One last note: Orders are coming in quickly and I am scheduling all the way into October. Please email me if you need to check on a date. itsatonicake@gmail.com
Here is a question/rant to all of my wonderful readers. Nothing bad has happened to me to cause this, but to someone I highly respect and is known probably by you too. (If you're into the Food Networks cake challenges.)
Your opinion is welcome, good or bad. I may choose to respond or not, but anyway here's what I have been throwing around in my mind.
People pay unbelievable amounts of money on parties, weddings and other celebrations with out blinking. (decorations, food, ball rooms, gyms, churches, etc.) Then when it comes to the "center piece" of the event, it has to be perfect, look great, taste great, and cost next to nothing. Why? I don't understand that. How long do you spend on planning and setting up such a celebration? Weeks, months, even years if it's a wedding, right? Well, do you think it only takes 30 minutes to throw together a cake for you? If you do, well, then it's time for a reality check. I've missed family events because of the hours and days I've spent on one custom order. It may seem so easy and simple, but it isn't. Not everyone can do what I do. The last cake I did for a customer cost them $120.00 and I spent a minimum of 20 hours on it. That doesn't say much, but if it's broken down it's not a lot of money. 20 hours is my time, then there's the utilities, the fondant, foam board, eggs, flour, sour cream, sugar, oil, pudding, ribbon, molds, fondant tools, cutters, tylose, cake box, and who knows what I'm not even thinking of. Has anyone ever thought of this? I have. I really don't make money with what I do, but I could if I didn't do a lot of my cake business as a ministry and if I charged more.
What if I based my prices on your hourly pay at your job, plus the products? Is my time worth as much as yours? Have you ever thought of that when ordering a custom cake? How much do you value your cake decorator? Do they deserve more credit than you give them? Next time you need a cake, please think about what you are asking and don't give the person you're asking a hard time.
There are those incredible customers and people who truly appreciate what I do. I know because they don't get upset when I give them a quote and they make sure to over thank me in person, send me an email thanking me, post it on social media thanking me, and also realizes what I've done for them is worth more than I quoted and makes sure to pay a little extra. There are many of my customers who are like this and are so faithful to me. It actually hurts if they're not able to get on the schedule. They feel they are missing something special at that celebration. To you...thank you. I treasure you and your families. A little goes a long way with someone who works hard and is sure to give you great results.
I guess all I'm saying is, please appreciate your cake decorator. Don't give them grief over a quote, because they are special and what they do is special too.
Please have a blessed day!
One last note: Orders are coming in quickly and I am scheduling all the way into October. Please email me if you need to check on a date. itsatonicake@gmail.com
1/04/2013
Hi Cake Snobs! I trust you enjoyed your time off from the everyday rat race. A couple of days anyway. I certainly have enjoyed my down time with my family. Therefore, there isn't much to share photo wise, but you should know I'm taking orders again. I posted yesterday on the Cake Snobs fb group and orders are already coming in. Please contact me if you need to schedule a date. If you're not sure on the theme, that's fine, at least get your name on the schedule for your celebration.
There will be plenty of Sweetheart action coming around February 14th. If you're on a budget and stuck trying to figure out a special "I Love You" for your children and/or Sweetie, try something SWEET! There are always Cake pops and Decorated Sugar Cookies. It's simple, cost effective, and sends the sweetest message.
No, really and literally! Just contact me!
Have a great January. I'll share photos on the next post.
There will be plenty of Sweetheart action coming around February 14th. If you're on a budget and stuck trying to figure out a special "I Love You" for your children and/or Sweetie, try something SWEET! There are always Cake pops and Decorated Sugar Cookies. It's simple, cost effective, and sends the sweetest message.
No, really and literally! Just contact me!
Have a great January. I'll share photos on the next post.
11/02/2012
Baby Showers and Birthday Business
Good morning. I thought now would be a good time to share some things I've been busy with. I have really enjoyed making some of the cakes I'm about to post.
Please share you're comments, they are always welcome and if you have questions, I will do my best to get back to you asap. Also, I will be posting how I make and decorate a cake board, how to make a loopy bow and who knows, maybe a few other things I enjoy doing. Hope you like the new cakes.
Channel change
If you are a "Cake Snob" on Face Book, then you haven't missed out on anything. If you would like to be a "Cake Snob," you must first request to be my friend and then find the Cake Snob group and join. I don't let just any one hang around on my fb. I use to, but there was some scary and crazy things that would happen. Therefore security was put in place. My blog is to share with those who do not really fb and want to see the different types of cakes I have the privilege of making.
Channel change 2
I hope you're enjoying the fall weather in Oklahoma. We need to keep those who were and are affected by the recent super storm Sandy in our prayers. I couldn't imagine what they are going through. I know only one person who lives in NY and she is the daughter of our song service leader at church. Now, I've done tornado's my entire life, but never a hurricane.
Back to cake!
Remember the competition from my previous blog? Well, this is what I did and this is a picture from my house.
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| Lorax "You have been warned!" or "Unless" |
Here is a picture from the back of my car. Yes, if the armature is not correct, this is what could happen. So, be careful. It's funny, I can make a 3D figure from home and drive it all the way to Austin, TX for competition, but I can't seem to go from home to Tulsa, OK for competition with out a "caketrastrophe." I just laughed and was thankful it didn't land on my daughters cake.
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| Lorax "Caketastrophe" |
Onward and upward!
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| Scooby Doo |
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| Lennox Cake board |
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| Baby Cowboy 1st Baby Shower for Issac |
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| Paisley Cake board |
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| Dr. Seuss Cup Cakes Cat in the Hat Thing 1 & 2 |
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| Candy Corn Cup Cake |
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| Drippy Icing Hello Kitty "Kinley" |
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| 2nd Baby Shower for Isaac "Noah's Ark" |
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| Super Hero Kellen figures were added at party |
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| Super Hero Kellen (back) |
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| Fall Wedding gum paste leaves |
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| Grooms cake: Goat The couple are Agricultural Teachers :) |
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| Sesame Street Avery's 2 |
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| Golden Princess Ashley's 1 |
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| Golden Princess Smash Cake |
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| Pirate Pierce 1st Birthday |
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| Pirate Treasure Smash Cake |
9/18/2012
Competition Time again!!!
I'm so excited! and can't wait. The Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show is just around the corner. Where and when:
Yes, I'm entering the regular competition, not the "themed" competition. My work begins today on my piece. Please pray for me, because it makes me nervous for others to literally judge my work...it's just plain scary. I'm going to do it anyway.
***NOTE: September and October are booked. November and December are closing quickly. Please contact me as soon as possible in you need to schedule a date.***
My last post I promised new cakes and here they are. Hope you enjoy.
Have a blessed week!
OKLAHOMA STATE SUGAR ART SHOW
with
HEADGEAR, HATS & HEADBANDS 2012!
TULSA, OKLAHOMA
with
HEADGEAR, HATS & HEADBANDS 2012!
TULSA, OKLAHOMA
QUIKTRIP BUILDING, Sugar Art location #42 ON FAIR MAP
www.tulsastatefair.com
September 29 & 30, 2012, with competitor setup September 28
Saturday hours, 10:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m.
Sunday hours, 10:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m.
www.tulsastatefair.com
September 29 & 30, 2012, with competitor setup September 28
Saturday hours, 10:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m.
Sunday hours, 10:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m.
Yes, I'm entering the regular competition, not the "themed" competition. My work begins today on my piece. Please pray for me, because it makes me nervous for others to literally judge my work...it's just plain scary. I'm going to do it anyway.
***NOTE: September and October are booked. November and December are closing quickly. Please contact me as soon as possible in you need to schedule a date.***
My last post I promised new cakes and here they are. Hope you enjoy.
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| Captain Pikachu Bayly |
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| 3D Dinosaur Jude |
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| Down on the Farm Bentley |
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| OU RKT Football Mike's Annual OU Celebration |
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| Jumbo Oreo Cupcakes with Oreo b/c Oreo decoration |
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| Jumbo Triple Chocolate Cupcakes Dark chocolate, fudge and milk chocolate Hershey's candy decoration |
Have a blessed week!
9/01/2012
Scheduling Update
Good morning to all of my favorite cake snobs. I hope you're already having a great Labor Day weekend. My plans are to work on orders. Ahhhh, the life of a cake decorator/artist. I still love what I do and hope it shows in what I send out.
The scheduling is filling so quickly now, September and October are now fully booked. I hope everyone was able to get on the schedule that needed on. I am taking orders for November and December.
Side Note: I will be slowing down a little for the special holidays to spend with my family. So please let me know if you need on the schedule, as soon as possible and even before then if you really need a cake, cupcakes, cookies, cake pops, cheese cakes, cookie/fruit bars, etc.
Hey, if it's sweet, I will make it.
Have a great week!
Psst...I will post cakes next week.
The scheduling is filling so quickly now, September and October are now fully booked. I hope everyone was able to get on the schedule that needed on. I am taking orders for November and December.
Side Note: I will be slowing down a little for the special holidays to spend with my family. So please let me know if you need on the schedule, as soon as possible and even before then if you really need a cake, cupcakes, cookies, cake pops, cheese cakes, cookie/fruit bars, etc.
Hey, if it's sweet, I will make it.
Have a great week!
Psst...I will post cakes next week.
8/28/2012
Availability
I thought I should let you know the status of my schedule. People have been calling, texting and emailing me like crazy. If you do not see the date you need, it is already booked.
August - booked
September 10-15 (1 open)
October 9-13 (1 open)
October 29 - Nov (1 open)
November 5 - 24 open
Remember, you must contact me in some form of writing to confirm your date. Please do not put off what you need to do today until tomorrow, your party date might be reserved by your friend.
Here are last weeks cakes:
Have a great week!
August - booked
September 10-15 (1 open)
October 9-13 (1 open)
October 29 - Nov (1 open)
November 5 - 24 open
Remember, you must contact me in some form of writing to confirm your date. Please do not put off what you need to do today until tomorrow, your party date might be reserved by your friend.
Here are last weeks cakes:
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| Something Sweet Mini Cupcake Cake |
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| Super Sweet Super Heroes |
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| Spacey Sweet Angry Birds in Space |
Have a great week!
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