My non-cake friends and family just don't really get it! They can't understand why I spend money on classes. "You're great at what you do, why waste money?" they'll say, or, "Is it really worth the extra $$$ to travel to classes?". My answers - "Thanks and well worth it!" I know money is tight for a lot of people right now, but if you are selling your cakes, you should include a little bit more in the price and salt it away for at least one really great class. I try and limit the number of classes I do take each year, simply because I do usually have to travel as far as the Toronto area and stay in a hotel, which runs about $5-600 per 3 day class - still worth it!
Here's the best way to justify it:
1 - you get to see great cake friends and make new ones!
2 - if you have a registered business, it is a tax write-off!
3 - you pick up a few new tricks, even if it is something you have dabbled in before!
4 - by investing in a class (and it is an investment), you are investing in yourself - making yourself
better at something you love!
5 - you get to meet your heroes!
6 - if you are selling your cakes, you can advertise that you have been taught by some of the best
allowing you to bump your price a bit. Think about it - everyone whether or not they are cakers,
watches cake TV. They know who the big names are!
7 - you get new ideas and learn new ways of seeing things!
8 - you have time to work on a project and get tips from the teacher - this results in a great product
that you can add to your portfolio to advertise your skills!
9 - you get time away from the chaos known as life!
10 - YOU HAVE FUN!!!!!
Now, I have a list of classes I am anxious to take and am waiting patiently (somewhat) to know they will happen. If you are itching to take another class, or to take a class for the first time, here are some that are currently open at Icing Inspirations in Kitchener, ON (click on each image to be taken to that specific registration page). If you are an out-of-towner, get in touch with Chrissie, and she will be able to give you info for a local hotel that offers a daily shuttle to and from class!
August 11 & 12, 2012 - Beyond Sugar Flowers 3 with Diane Phillips - learn the art of making beautiful clay flowers including: Daffodil, sweet peas, tea rose and heirloom rose, peony (different style), chrysanthemum, Gerber daisy, camellia, Southern magnolia, freesia
September 17 & 18, 2012 - Sculpted Puppy Dog Cake with Courtney Clark - learn tips and tricks for creating an adorable 3D sculpted puppy cake, taught by a Food Network Challenge competitor! 2 spots left!!!!!!
November 7 & 8, 2012 - Focus on Hands & Feet with Food Network Champion Karen Portaleo - use modelling chocolate and learn to hone your skills in sculpting as Karen shares her amazing talents to teach her methods to achieving realistic features!
November 9 & 10, 2012 - Here Comes Santa Claus with Food Network Champion Karen Portaleo - Just in time for the festive Christmas season, this two day class will re-create one of Karen's favourite designs, and will teach how to make a lovely standing Santa cake! Students will work on expression and beautiful detailing for his costume all by using modeling chocolate, fondant, royal icing, airbrushing and hand painting techniques.
January 25, 26 & 27, 2013 - Higgins the Butler with 3 time Food Network Champion, Kaysie Lackey - The Butler Class is an excellent way for students to learn how to use modeling chocolate to make vivid, exciting characters and combine them with armature design to create jaw-dropping works of art. Students will learn methods for carving cake into unusual shapes, sculpting features into a character and micro painting.
March 23 & 24, 2013 - 3D Stork with Lindsey Sinatra - Join the adorable Lindsey Sinatra for 2 days of fun! Lindsey has quickly become known for her incredible talent and has been been commissioned to do cakes for celebrities like Betty White and Lily Collins. In this hands on class, you will learn the tricks on how to go above and beyond with their sculpted cakes! Those who attend this class will learn the foundation of cake structure and how to build and support elaborate sculpted cakes with a strong structure base. We will be using advanced fondant and chocolate clay techniques to create life, character, and whimsical movement in this 3D Stork cake!
March 25 & 26, 2013 - Ellie the Elephant with Lindsey Sinatra - Push the envelope on your cake designs with this whimsical elephant cake scene! In this class students will learn the basics of cake structure and how to support their cakes. We will be utilizing various techniques in modeling chocolate sculpting to create elephants full of life and movement as well as learning the tricks and tools to creating a cohesive cake scene!
I really hope this has inspired you all to take a class. Keep your eyes posted here for more class news around Canada and the US as I hear of great classes, I will definitely share! In fact in the next week or so, I will be posting about Jennifer Dontz' return to Canada - this time to my town - Montreal!
Until Next Time,
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