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!

Lakers-ish cake

Samanta's Birthday Cake

My first wedding cake

How nervous was I??
My first wedding cake...
After a minor meltdown. Crazy stress and a lot of sugar and flowers...

Success.

Sheryl's Retirement

I work in an amazing office. The women I work with are all unique and beautiful. I can truly say that I have done a lot of growing in the last four years, and these women are all my mentors and idols. Each one has a different role in my life, some more than others... Keeping me calm, listening to me rant or even just being the one to say Hello every single morning.

Today we say goodbye to Sheryl. She is the one in the office that keeps us in check, and always has others in mind. A kind hearted, sweet and dedicated woman. She has decided to go on to chapter 2. So of course... I had to make her a special cake.

Congratulations on your new journey Sheryl. You will be missed.

DJ JB

The logo



The cake

Bachelorette/Bachelor Themed Cupcakes Coming Soon!

A perfect addition to a themed party.
Some awesome names, and flavors. Will contain adult beverages in some, and with have an adult theme.
Stay tuned! (If you have any ideas email them to me at creativekristiec@gmail.com)

66th Birthday for Ruth

Cake Pops

Ill make them any way you like them.
$18 a dozen.

They can have fillings, different glazes etc.
Watch out for my new cake pop menu!

Beals Wedding

My First wedding... I was so nervous. It took a lot of preparation and ingredients, a lot of time and help from my best friend and sister.

I can say, this was a success and the feeling of accomplishment was really amazing.
Thank you to my Dad for building these great cupcake towers.
Thank you to my wonderful boyfriend for painting and assembling them.
Thank you Mom for being my biggest fan.
Thank you to April for her cupcake pans.
Thank you to Jody for her kitchen, time, and help.
Thank you Sam for the moral support and help setting up. (Thank you also for wearing my awesome apron)
Thank you friends for being so encouraging of my craft.
Thank you Melissa Beals for getting married.

Without all of you, well... I wouldn't be making 200 cupcakes.

Chocolate & Vanilla bean cupcakes with a decadent cream cheese frosting.

The florist brought the flowers, and we got to set them up how we liked them. That was a fun added bonus.

I am very happy, relieved and ready for a beer in this photo.

Samm & I. Showing off the aprons.

The bride was very happy, I got good reviews and some requests for business cards. Overall I am happy I accomplished this. It is something I thought I would never do.
Would i do this again? ... Yes.   .  .  .  But not for a while.
Yay Cupcakes.

Yum-cakes

My most popular cupcakes yet. Fresh Lemon zest cake with a raspberry whipped cream frosting.

Heaven in a cupcake wrapper.

Mardi Gras Cake

For Cathryn's 23rd Birthday

Chocolate & Strawberry Cake with Vanilla Butter cream frosting

I made the mask too, It is not edible so she could take it out and wear it at her surprise party.

St Patricks Day Cupcakes

Chocolate sour cream cake with fresh strawberries, topped with a cocoa agave cream cheese frosting.

And my outfit (inspired the color scheme of the cupcakes)

I know, I am a dork.

Princess Tiana Cake

For Skye's 5th Birthday

Watermelo-mmmmmm :)

One of those days.

So I come home to play in sugar. It helps me relax... Before I know it in kneading and enjoying a glass of wine and all feels okay. .. That is until I have to do dishes ;)

And above you have a heap of virgin fondant... The cure to my insanity.

Shortcakes... Well kinda not.

.

Well, my version of a shortcake. I guess it's not really shortcake though ;) either way... It's a vanilla cake recipe with fresh chopped strawberries added right in. Topped with a fresh whipped cream and adorned with a strawberry slice. Pretty yummy.

Next week... A super new treat mixing salty and sweet!! Stay tuned!

Paisley Cake

 

Paisley Cake for Elena :)

This was my take on paisley. I was really happy how it turned out for a little cake.

Hello Kitty

 

So proud of this cake. It took a while to make, but it was worth it to see it all come together.

What's Your Flavor?

Cupcake/ Cake  Flavors

One dozen minimum on each order of cupcakes

6” or larger cake on most orders

Specialty cakes/cupcakes cost dependent on size and ingredients.

Banana Wheat

Blissfull Berry

Carrot Cake

Cherry Cola

Chocolate

Double Chocolate – Chocolate Chip

German Chocolate

K’s Chocolate Supreme- Special chocolate recipe. For the chocolate lover.

Lemon

Maple Bacon

Pineapple Coconut

Raspberry Vanilla

Red Velvet

Sparkled -  ( Kristie Cake’s version of Funfetti)

Spice Cake

Strawberry Champagne

Strawberry

Tiramisu

Vanilla

Icing/Frosting Flavors

Buttercream

Chocolate Buttercream

Cream Cheese

Chocolate Cream Cheese

Whipped Cream

Café Whipped

Lemon Whipped

Raspberry Whipped Ganache

You have a flavor Combination not listed here? Let me know, let's dream up your perfect combo together!

Parker's First Birthday Cake

A robot themed party deserves a robot themed cake :) This cake took roughly 4 hours to create. It was delicious, everyone loved it!

Fancy Little Flowers

Making my first batch of Sugar Flowers

Staring with some sugared pink gumpaste.

This is a play-dough like consistency that dries out very quickly.

Half way through the project I decided I would start making leaves and stems.

Semi Finished Product.

I added some pink non-parels to the stems, and some small purple baby's breath flowers.

It dries in the same state, and shouldnt change color or crack. They are super delicate though.

I can't wait to get these on the cake I will be making.

But I can't tell you for who... Because it might be for you :)



Creating stickers.

I need something fun to put on my cupcake boxes.
Here is the sticker I have designed... What do you think?



Oodles of Oreo's

Made Oreo Truffles over the weekend.
They were a hit.


The recipe is easy
Courtesy of allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, divided
• 1 (8 ounce) package PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
• 2 (8 ounce) packages BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted

Directions

1. Crush 9 of the cookies to fine crumbs in food processor; reserve for later use. (Cookies can also be finely crushed in a resealable plastic bag using a rolling pin.) Crush remaining 36 cookies to fine crumbs; place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese; mix until well blended. Roll cookie mixture into 42 balls, about 1-inch in diameter.
2. Dip balls in chocolate; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover chocolate can be stored at room temperature for another use.) Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.
3. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refrigerator.

Add a little color by switching up your white and dark chocolate.
Just remember, white chocolate is a doozy to melt, so pay close attention and only microwave for 30 seconds at a time!

Enjoy!