First Unhappy Customer

Begin rant.

So in business I can understand that not everyone is always going to be happy... But when it happens, it really hurts. Especially when it comes to your "craft" or "art". It amazes me what people choose to complain about, or pick apart.

It is my fault, because in the beginning I knew that this customer would be hard to please... I just knew it. Yet, I went for it anyway. While walking the cake into the venue, just the look on their face gave it away. I knew something would end up being wrong.

Honestly, it has been one of my favorite cakes thus far. It is by far the largest cake I have done, and took over 8 hours to complete. I skipped out on family plans, and got up early to finish it and deliver it. I had painted gold on to every little ball on this cake. I searched for the perfect tassel to add to it.
Some of the complaints were silly.
Another is that my cake was dry. That was interesting to me. Every cake I have ever made I test. Yes folks, I cut a small piece out of the cake to make sure it is ok.
I've remade cakes before. I always want them to be perfect. But who knows... Depending on how long it sits around, I can imagine it would get dry.

Maybe I have something to learn.
Maybe I should have followed my initial gut instinct and turned the business down.
I charged less than half the price of a custom cake shop. And I feel very firm in my prices because I am really reasonable.

There are a few custom cake shops in Sacramento and their prices are astronomical.
So if you are reading this, and you are considering getting a cake, I work very hard and do my very best to create something beautiful. But I am not perfect. Sugar is hard to work with and sometimes can have natural flaws. Always though... I do my best. I am always proud of my work when it leaves my kitchen... Always.

There is the prep, the clean up. The special pans and tools, the hand crafted decoration on your cake.
I do it all because I love it.

I'll admit. After I got the email with all the cake wrongs I made... I cried my eyes out on my way home from work. It makes me a bit hesitant to do a cake again. But we will see.
I think that if I ever get the hint of anyone being slightly picky again, I will turn down the business. It is not worth the stress. I will just recommend one of the pricey custom cake shops. They create perfection.

But... It's all a part of business right?


*sigh*

So after that long rant of hurt feelings... Here is another great blog piece about why it costs so much to get a custom cake.

http://sweetthangbakerybyhope.blogspot.com/2009/08/why-are-custom-cakes-so-expensive.html
http://cakeaffection.blogspot.com/2010/02/why-are-custom-cakes-so-expensive.html

Graduation Cake

A week long search for the perfect tassel,
Pounds of flour,
Numerous bags of sugar,
Enough marshmallows to make smores for the city
80 hand painted fondant balls
... The list could go on.

By far the biggest cake I have done so far


Here is the outcome :)
Hope you like it!