Major Class Annonuncement

Hi Cakeland

I know it has been a while since my last post, but I have been extremely busy working on a few cake related projects that I hope to share with you all very soon!

If you're as big of an Icing Inspirations fan as you know I am, you'll know their website is currently down for a complete overhaul, but that's not a bad thing.  One of the reasons I love them so much is the amazing customer service they give - and this seen through every stage of the order process from their product knowledge to the super fast shipping.  Currently, if you need to place an order or sign up for a class, you can either email them at chrissie@toonicetoslice.ca or give them a call at 519-576-3364 and get the experience of top notch service!  One benefit of being BCFs with Chrissie is that I get a heads up when new stuff comes in, and fresh from the recent celebrity class with my crush Kaysie Lackey, Icing Inspirations has if stock Kaysie's two DVDs on panelling/box cakes and a tree stump cake.  I am still reeling from not being able to attend Kaysie's class (thanks to my wife's bday, but I am NOT bitter ;) ).  I am optimistic Kaysie will return to Icing Inspirations in the future.

Speaking of classes, it seems Icing Inspirations students cannot get enough of one instructor in particular - the uber talented Karen Portaleo!  Karen is known for her lifelike sculpted cakes, and she will be back at II in March for 2 classes - a flamingo and a super cute bunny.  I did hear seats are extremely limited and these two classes are almost SOLD OUT! 

And now that we're on the topic of Ms. Portaleo, I am very excited to be able to learn from her this coming November , when she returns to Icing Inspirations for Cake Carnival a 3-day fun filled cake extravaganza where Karen and 5 more amazingly talented instructors (Marina Sousa, James Roselle, Elisa Strauss, Joshua John Russell and Courtney Clark) take over Kitchener and team teach 3 great carnival themed projects.  Carnival will be the cake event of the year - surpassing even the annual ICES convention!  I have already reserved my spot in class, and to learn from 6 of the top artists in the world is well worth the $1200 price tag.  Think of it - if you break it down into 10 payments, youre looking at $120 each payment and it is one of the best investments you can make in yourself as an artist in my opinion.  When these teachers teach individually, a 3-day class goes for $800-1400 easily - you'll get 6 instructors for the price of one!  If you want to secure a spot in Cake Carnival (taking place November 6,7 and 8), just call or email the store and sign up.  They do offer payment plans, and I know for a fact the seats are well on their way to being sold out!  Don't miss your chance - this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity!!!

Until next time,
Happy Caking!

Montreal Cake Show Recap

Hi Cakeland

As faithful readers, you all know that I spent alot of time from August to October to work on my product line for a "soft-launch" at the Montreal Cake Show.  The 1st ever Montreal Cake Show (MCS) was a two day event that took place the last weekend of October and all proceeds benefited dans la rue and breast cancer research.  Considering it was my first show as a vendor (and first show ever), I had high expectations - many of my online friends do the "show rounds" on the cake show circuit.  I must honestly say, this event met my expectations!

I was fortunate to have my booth next to my second family's booth - Icing Inspirations!  Chrissie and Justin from II were there and we had a blast talking with everyone and promoting each others' wares.  Part of being a vendor included the opportunity to do a one-hour demo.  My demo was on the Midnight Orchid, and it was such a hit, that the demo coordinator came and asked me to do a second demo to fill in a space that opened up last minute.  I could not say no, and thankfully, I had some pre made flowers that I was also able to demo my techniques for making hydrangea.  On day 2, Chrissie asked me to demo on behalf of Icing Inspirations, so I did, and my demo on making silicone molds and using isomalt caused a mass of people to visit the Icing Inspirations booth and buy most of their silicone and isomalt stock!  Hearing from show volunteers that my demos were the most popular and crowd favourites was awesome.  Honestly, I was chalking it up to them being polite.  That is until it was confirmed by the show organizer (and a very good friend of mine), Paige McEachren.

Another aspect of the show was the competition. There were multiple categories to enter for any level of designer.  I entered 2 cakes into the Wedding Professional category - both are some of my favourite work ever (even if one of the judges didn't "get it" on one of them :)  It was a great learning experience and even if I didn't place, I still feel like I won!  Here are my two entries:

 

I am really looking forward to next year's MCS.  I have decided to not have a booth, but instead will work with Icing Inspirations at their booth and they will promote my Montreal Classes (to see the first set of classes I announced at the show this year, click here).  Considering the success of my demos, I am hoping to be asked to teach a class or two.  But most of all, I am looking forward to competing again and seeing many of the new cake friends I made at the show.

 

Until next time,

Happy Caking!

Holiday savings starting!

Hi Cakeland!

As you know, I live in an area where there is not much in the way of cake supply stores, so I must rely on online shopping, which means having to be smart!  I only use products that I know will give me stellar results, from places with reasonable shipping.  One such place is Sunflower Sugar Art

Sunflower has a wide range of dusts (disco, luster, petal and highlighter) available in larger sizes if you need them.  They also have cutters, veiners and molds that produce some of the most realistic flowers I have ever seen.

They are currently running 2 specials for the holidays:

ENJOY 30% OFF EVERYTHING AT SUNFLOWER SUGAR ART WITH SECRET CODE 'HOLIDAY' UNTIL SUNDAY DECEMBER 2 AT MIDNIGHT!

ENJOY 40% OFF EVERYTHING ON CYBER MONDAY ONLY WITH SECRET CODE 'MONDAY' - VALID ONLY FROM MIDNIGHT MONDAY 26 to MIDNIGHT TUESDAY 27.

FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS OVER $150 WORLDWIDE UNTIL SUNDAY DECEMBER 2. 

 

 Take advantage of this opportunity and get yourselves what you really want for the holidays - no cheap perfume or ugly ties!

Craftsy Class Review - Exotic Sugar Orchids with James Rosselle

Last week it was Marina's Jeweled Wedding Cakes.  This week it is James Rosselle's Exotic Sugar Orchids!          
I am in sugar heaven!  If you know me, you know my most favorite part of cake design is sugar flowers!  That is probably why watching James in this class makes me feel so relaxed - we have the same feelings and philosophies when it comes to sugar flowers.  Or maybe, just maybe, it is James' smooth, relaxed way of presenting step by step how to create the most amazing, lifelike sugar flowers I have ever seen!

In Exotic Sugar Orchids, James teaches you 3 gorgeous orchids - cattleya, dendrobium, and cymbidium.  You learn step by step how to make and wire petals, make centers and throats, assemble and color your creations.  James also includes features on making leaves, rocks, and bamboo as well as offers a whole section on techniques for making stunning arrangements with your orchids.

As with all Craftsy classes, once you buy it, it is yours to keep for life - you can watch it as much as you want, whenever you want!  You can also interact with James and fellow students through the platform.  There are detailed resource guides and instructions, and you get a sneak peek at James' new cutters and veiners from his line at NY Cake.  I must say, the Cymbidium throat cutter is sick!  It makes the most amazingly realistic throat I have ever seen!

I have been fortunate enough to learn from James in person and consider him a good cake friend!  I can vouch that what you see is what you get - James' cool laid back personality and teaching style jump through the screen just as if you were live in class with him!  He is a genuinely nice person - so nice in fact, he wanted me to share something with you......James wants you all to benefit from this amazing class, so he has given you a link to get the class for $20 - that's half off!  Thank you James!

And the niceness doesn't stop there!  The great team over at NY Cake are giving one lucky reader the chance to win some of James' products - namely one of his new Orchid veiners (due to be released in a couple of months).  So here's how you win: you need to be following my blog publicly, and you need to leave a comment below telling me how James frills his cymbidium throat (hint: look for the comment I posted in that lesson).  Visit NYCake and see James entire line, as well as the cool cutters Marina used in Jeweled Wedding Cakes.

If you haven't gotten enough James after this class, fret not.  There are still a few spaces available to learn from James in person, when he returns to Icing Inspirations next year, where he'll join 5 other star instructors for a 3 day fun filled class at the Cake Carnival!

Until next time,
Happy Caking!

Craftsy Class Review - Marina Sousa's Jeweled Wedding Cake

Hi Cakeland!

The lovely and talented Marina Sousa has done it now!  With her latest online class with Craftsy.com, Jeweled Wedding Cakes, she has raised the bar for classes to come. 

If you are not familiar with craftsy, they are an online craft site that offers affordable online classes that you can view in the comfort of your own home, whenever you want.  You get to interact with the instructors and fellow students through the craftsy platform, and best of all your class is yours forever – there is no expiration date!

In, “Jeweled Wedding Cakes”, Marina walks you through techniques required to give your brides the bling factor they are all seeking these days!  In this class, you learn how to use molds, cutters, pearls and dragees, to create eye catching pieces of edible jewelery and adornments that add a touch of elegance, sparkle and shimmer to your creations.  If you are a novice cake artist, or a seasoned pro, this class is a must have to help elevate your skills to the next level!

Marina is one of the biggest names in cake land.  She has won multiple competitions including Food Network Challenge, and has appeared on Oprah.  I had the privilege of learning from her in person, and she is exactly the same on film as she is in class!  Marina starts the lesson with a focus on design – a primer in the “how-to”.  She then moves on to cover tips and tricks for covering and carving your tiers.  One of the more interesting segments is on how to create your own cake stand that looks like it is made entirely of sugar!  I love making wedding cakes and have learned so much from this class – including a quick and easy way for creating swags that look incredible! 

Marina uses molds from her line available through MarvelousMolds and Icing Inspirations.  She moves on to demonstrate how to brighten the baubles up by using lusters, disco dusts, edible pearls and dragees.  And speaking of Marina’s molds, a HUGE thank you to my friend Chrissie from Icing Inspirations, who has generously agreed to give one lucky winner the opportunity to get their hands on 3 of the molds Marina uses throughout the lessons, valued at $75!  If you would like to win Marina’s Bling squared, Jeweled Brooch, and Diamond swag molds, you need to do two things – 1) Make sure you are signed up for blogger and follow my blog; and 2)Buy Marina’s “Jeweled Wedding Cake” class and leave a comment below telling me what Marina does to make a “simple swag” (Hint: It is in lesson 4 at the 5:08 mark).  All correct entries received by 11:59pm EST October 25th, will be put into a random draw.

This class is well worth the $40 fee, but for a limited time, you can purchase the class (thanks to Marina and Craftsy here for 50% off!)

If you really enjoy this class as much as I did, then you should check out Craftsy’s other cake decorating classes, including Marina’s “AdvancedFondant Techniques”.  And if like me, you can’t get enough Marina, then join her (and 5 other amazing instructors) next November (2013) when she returns to Canada for Cake Carnival – a 3 day cake-a-palooza hosted by Icing Inspirations.

Keep your eyes peeled here next week, as I will be offering you a review of James Rosselle’s Exotic Sugar Orchids class on Craftsy.  Oh yeah, we’ll be having a contest for that too!

Until next time,

Happy Caking

Craftsy Class - Cityscapes with Lauren Kitchens

The folks at Craftsy have done it again!  They have added yet another great class to their growing stable of classes  taught by celebrity cake artists – this time, it is Cityscape Cakes with the one and only queen of modelling chocolate, Lauren Kitchens.  In Cityscape Cakes, Lauren gives you an amazing introduction to modelling chocolate.  You will learn how to make and color modeling chocolate, how to work the chocolate by rolling and cutting chocolate shape, adding texture, adding dimension through color, backfilling with buttercream, and so much more.  The class even gives you insight to Lauren’s design process and tips for assembling and transporting the cake.

Although this is an Introductory type class, there are many techniques included that even experienced cake artists will benefit from this class as well.  Lauren is an amazing instructor who’s personality jumps through the screen and keeps you captivated through the duration of the class.  What is also cool about the Craftsy platform is that the class is yours to keep and watch as often as you like, whenever you’d like!  The ability to make video notes as you watch for easy referral later on.  You also get to interact with Lauren and fellow students through the class message boards.  Valued at $40, this class is a bargain!  But, until 11:59 MST October 2^nd only, the folks at Craftsy are offering the class for only $20!  Just click  http://www.craftsy.com/ext/FB_Cake76

And when you’re done with this class, you are like me and can’t get enough of my cake dreamgirl LK, head over to her website and buy her 4 instructional dvds – I’ve seen em all and love them!

I am off to watch more of the lovely Lauren.  I really hope you decide to take her class – you will get so much out of it!  Stayed posted to the blog for more Craftsy class reviews including Marina Sousa’s second class as well as James Roselle’s Craftsy debut that may also include something extra special!

Happy Caking!

Show Time!

Hi Cakeland!

As Wedding season winds down, cake decorators worldwide start gearing up for all of the cake shows and conventions.  It usually starts with ICES in August. One of the exciting things about shows and conventions is the vendor areas, where cake toy junkies like me revel in new gadgets and gizmos.  Next weekend, Toronto hosts the Baking & Sweets show.  My second family - Chrissie and Justin of Icing Inspirations will be there with basically their entire shop.  Last year they introduced us to Sassie isomalt sticks, and this year they have something huge planned!  I am pleased to announce that along with stopping by their booth to register for one of the many upcoming celebrity classes they have (including 2013's cake event of the year - Cake Carnival), they have a special guest.  Chef Dominic of Marvelous Molds fame (and makeyourownmolds.com) will be there demonstrating his new line of products including new molds from Marina Sousa, Earlene Moore, and some Marvelous Molds originals.  Check out the pics below for a sneak peek at what you can find at the Icing Inspirations booth:

check out a video showing how to uses the fleur de lis here

 

Chrissie and Justin always have their fingers on the pulse of what is hot and good quality in the cake world, you know Dominic's product are top notch!  He has re-vamped Marina's bead molds to make them easier to unmold.  I unfortunately can't be there to meet Dominic in person, but if you are able to get to the Toronto show, be sure to swing by and say hi to the gang for me!

 

About a month after Toronto, Montreal (my hometown) will see it's first ever Cake Show and Competition (the Montreal Cakeshow).  I am very excited about this show!  Not only will I be re-united with my Icing Inspirations family (Chrissie is teaching at the show and having a vendor booth), but I will be entering a few pieces in the competitions and having my own vendor booth to promote my classes and a new line of cake decorating supplies that I have been working on.  This line includes, petal dust, airbrush color, silicone molds and veiners, and some cutters to make lifelike sugar flowers!  One such cutter has me really excited!  I was researching Orchids (because I am obsessed with making sugar ones) and fell in love with the Mokara Orchid:

 

 

I did more research to learn this was a hybrid orchid and that there are not any cutters out there that would allow me to make it, so I took matters into my own hands and made my own.  Here is an exclusive sneak peek at what the cutters resulted in:

 

I really hope to meet alot of you there!  I will be doing a demo on Saturday in the demo area and will be demoing some of my products all weekend at my booth.  If you can't make one of these two great shows, search online to find an upcoming show in your area - they are a great way to see new things, get ideas, and meet new people!

 

Until Next Time,

Happy Caking!