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bethola
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Feb 21, 2006
Posts: 1460
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Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:58 am |
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Christi,
I can relate. I don't have a lot of "clients" and only do cakes for others when I want. But, wedding cakes.....I start losing sleep 3 weeks BEFORE the date and can't relax until the Bride and Groom have seen the cake and are happy. Not worth it.
I've made the decision that I will only do wedding cakes for family and the girls at church. But, now I think I'm going to narrow that field to family only. The next family that will be marrying won't be for ummm......at LEAST 15 years so I think I'm safe there! LOL
Take a BREAK and only do cakes when you want and for whom you want. THAT'S the fun part!
Beth |
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suzylynn58
Frequent Member
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Joined: Aug 03, 2006
Posts: 237
Birthday: Mar 15
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Tue Jul 15, 2008 6:05 am |
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Christie, I understand completely. I don't see how you mothers with small children do it. My son is college age and I work full time with cakes every weekend and I can hardly keep it together. Believe me, that time with your kids passes so quickly so embrace it and enjoy the heck out of them.
On the other hand, you have a great gift. I dont' believe God gives us talents for no reason and one day you will find your niche. I know your customers are upset, but they will get over it. 
Hope you stay around and share your charm and wit with us...
Susan |
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2sdae
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Nov 08, 2006
Posts: 2945
Location: lou, ky
Birthday: Feb 14
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Tue Jul 15, 2008 6:11 am |
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I am right there with ya sista!
We live close so instead enjoy your summer off and come see us at the fair this year. There will be plenty of cool cakes this year and lots of new categories to pursue through too!
Dont for get our get together in fall and all the good stuff coming up...  |
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margaretb
Frequent Member
Joined: Jul 04, 2008
Posts: 228
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Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:42 am |
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It does cross my mind that once you are rested and refreshed and would consider doing cakes again, really jack up your prices. What if you found that some percentage of your customers would still pay? If you had less work and made more money, you might be willing to take on the odd cake.
I do understand that there is more to this than just money, but keep it in mind for the future. |
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cakedout
Frequent Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2007
Posts: 413
Location: South East PA
Birthday: Dec 12
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Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:42 am |
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Your family and your sanity come first! Good for you!
Our children are with us for such a short time...and the cake business will always be there-ready and waiting- in the future, should you decided to take up the icing bag again.
Enjoy your children and the time off!  |
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roxxxy_luvs_duff
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Feb 08, 2007
Posts: 2896
Location: Kerman, CA
Birthday: Nov 24
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Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:01 am |
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I also have 3 kids so I know where your coming from. I decided this month to take a much needed break from cakes and spend the time with my family. I finally have gotten my weekends back and I love it. I also was really snippy with my family and my kids tryng to keep them away from kitchen and out of my cake stuff. Now after having half a month off I dont even think I want to go back to making cakes because I have enjoyed the time off so much. |
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NikkiDoc
Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 25, 2006
Posts: 534
Location: North Carolina
Birthday: Mar 01
Gallery Supporter Member
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Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:15 am |
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I totally understand. I know it must have been hard to come to that decision. I have two young ones and it is so hard to even find the time to practice...so my cakeing hasn't really improved as much as I'd like... but who cares? I'm not able to make a business of it now anyway. I enjoy doing it for family and friends and they like my cakes. Everyone is happy. Maybe some day. I keep on dreaming! |
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icantcook
Frequent Member
Joined: Mar 11, 2006
Posts: 206
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Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:38 am |
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Just popped in for a quick visit to the site, and Christi, I expected to see my login name at the bottom of your post - I could have written that! Not as well as you wrote it, but I am going through the same thing right now. On days that I am grumpy and SCREAMING at the kids, dh will go look in the cake room to see if there is a project in progress. Pretty bad when they can link them together! And dh asks me, "and you're doing this for FUN? When is the fun part?"
I am keeping my 1 August commitment, but have not accepted any new cake bookings for August. "I am already booked for my family." Haven't decided about September or October yet... |
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dragonflydreams
Forum Fanatic
Joined: May 31, 2007
Posts: 1531
Location: Oh! Canada, eh?
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Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:52 am |
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. . . I can definitely identify with the idea of cakes being toooooo stressful when there is a time line and level of expectation that exceeds my capabilities and I guess this is one reason I would probably never make it in the "business" of caking . . . in my case you might even call it perfection paralysis, I pretty much know I would never be able to live up to my expectations and therefore it could never be a satisfying experience . . . don't get me wrong, I love the "idea" of designing and following through to completion and have had some "limited" success, but I totally understand where the hobby and business line would be a tough line to cross successfully . . . Christi, my friend . . . you do FABULOUS work . . . and I can only hope you can find the niche you are comfortable with . . . family always first . . . they are only with you for a short while (make the best of it) . . . I'm glad to hear we will still be seeing you on line during your sabbatical . . . (and I'm also wondering if you are struggling with this due to other outside influences - specifically the fact that you are also trying to quit smoking at this time . . . one step at a time my friend, one step at a time . . . ) |
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Carson
Frequent Member
Joined: Mar 28, 2007
Posts: 404
Location: Manitoba, Canada
Gallery Supporter Member
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Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:27 pm |
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I can relate! I have two small kids and a full time regular job. I had a 3 week period of no sleep and stress and decided that I needed some time off. Had that and now am not taking more than 1 cake a week, less if I can get away with it. My husband told me to quit after that month from hell...but that motivates me to go harder (I'm stubborn and I can't let him tell me what to do!) Do what makes you happy, everything else will fall into place! |
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superstar
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Oct 19, 2006
Posts: 1580
Location: Kauai, Hawaii
Birthday: Jul 27
Gallery Supporter Member
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Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:47 pm |
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As long as you are still going to be around with your sense of humour & fun, you can take a break. Just keep doing the odd cake to keep your hand in, but don't stress out over cakes. |
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milissasmom
Frequent Member
Joined: Dec 09, 2007
Posts: 498
Location: Apple Valley, Ca
Birthday: Jul 18
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Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:53 pm |
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I understand how you are feeling! I have a two year old and a husband and can really only bake at night when they are sleeping and the house is quiet. I can't take away time from them...it would make me sad. I have never been a really good sleeper so I can give that up for now. I have honestly stayed awake for 24 hours (up with hubby and baby at six am, done my WIFEY and MOMMY thing, put the baby to bed and cranked out a cake until 5:30 am the next morning)!!!!!!!!! Then I slept til 9 or 9:30. Done this a few times and it works for me. I am so happy you have figured out what is gonna work for you hon! I am sure you will be a happier person!! Good luck my dear... |
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wgoat5
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Sep 15, 2006
Posts: 7553
Location: Kentucky
Birthday: Nov 21
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Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:37 pm |
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2Cupcakes
Regular Member
Joined: Aug 22, 2005
Posts: 114
Location: Kentucky
Birthday: Jul 28
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Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:42 pm |
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Christi,
Where in KY are you?
I understand why you are making this decision. If it's no longer enjoyable, then why put yourself and your family through it?
Friends and family keep asking me to do cakes for them and they refer people to me all the time. I appreciate that they love the taste and designs of my cakes but I don't want to stress over someone else's cake requests. You know? I do cakes and cookies because I love doing them. I want to surprise the birthday girl with a cake. I want to bake for someone. I have a full time job and I don't want the stress of another one. I think I will end up hating to bake and decorate if I have to stress over cake orders.
You are a VERY talented decorator and I hope you keep your passion for cakes. Hugs. 
Lora Anne |
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CeeTee
Regular Member
Joined: Jul 26, 2007
Posts: 184
Location: Mesa, AZ
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Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:07 pm |
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*applauds your decision* I made the same call a few months back for my sanity's sake, and I don't regret it one bit! I don't have kids, but I do have family that's near and dear, and doing cakes part time was eating away at what little time I had to spend with them.
I also fell victim to the 'Undercharge Curse' and started to resent spending all weekend to make a $10 profit. It almost killed my love of the hobby! Now, I only do cakes for friends and family on a whim, and I've declared myself the official family Birthday Cake baker  I also plan to continue to do cake decor competitions and have already started to work on my designs for my State Fair cakes! I do take the once in a blue moon paid commissions (usually for co-workers), but I always charge what I'm worth, and if the person passes, no skin off my nose.
Instead of under-the-table work, I now am a WMI @ Michaels teaching two days a week. I get to get in my weekly allotment of sugar play, and still have a life! Not only that, but since having my weekends free, I was able to start dating again and now I have found the most wonderful boyfriend in the world |
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