Where do you think my skill level is on a 1 - 10 scale?
(Zebra cake, pink gift box cake are most recent).
I've been decorating for less then a year, and haven't ever taken a class... I'm wondering if I should still go and take the Michael's wilton classes or just keep continuing to teach myself... Advice on how I can improve??
Thank You!!!

I'm new to this too, so I can't even begin to rate you, but your cakes are amazing! I do alot of buttercream myself and definitely need improvement, but I enjoy it and get many compliments from those for whom I make the cakes. I guess that is all that matters.

You do wonderful. You dont need lessons you can teach the classes. How do you do those zebra stripes are they free hand or do you have a pattern. Great job

CharmingConfections
I have never taken a class either but in my area their are some things I want to learn to do but I was told in order for me to be able to take the advance classes I have to prove that I've had the basic class.

Molly2

I have never taken a class either and I would love it - if only I had the time! I do know one thing that I can NOT do and why I want to take the first level of Wilton is making a rose! No matter how many videos I watch, or instructions I read - I just can't do it! There are also other flowers that I want to learn.

For natural talent, I give you a "10"!!!! For decorating less than a year, you are doing awesome. Hard to compare with the others on here on a scale of ability really. Obviously you can improve but so can all of us so there isn't really a way to put a number on it.

Your work is beautiful! I'm a rookie, so I can't rate you either, but I wanted to comment on the Wilton Classes. I'm just finishing up Course 3. From the looks of your cakes, I wouldn't be surprised if you were pretty bored with the classes. They are pretty basic. However, if you want to build your flower repertoire, Wilton classes would be great for that. We learned lots and lots of flowers in BC, Royal Icing and Fondant.
HTH!

Becca

I guess my scale would be 1 being "my 2 year old kid coulda done that" and 10 being oh... Sugarshack! (for example). I don't really ever expect to be a 10, but sometimes you wonder to your self while going through photos on here... do I have the right to even offer these cakes for money!?
Actually, I was just thinking that I want to start learning about flowers more. Next month the Michael's in my area is offering the classes at half price, so I am thinking maybe I will sign up.
I guess I will have to bring photos to "prove" i don't need the first basics classes...?
It probably wouldn't hurt me at all to take the buttercream basic courses though, I am horrible at buttercream and so I am afraid of it and end up doing all fondant! My friend thinks I am crazy and that buttercream is the easier of the two, but I think hiding under the fondant is right where it belongs

If you struggle with bc, then by all means, take the classes! In course 1, you learn the wilton rose and a couple types of borders and how to cover a cake in bc. Oh, and next month, all wilton classes and Michaels are 50% off AND an extra $10 off that, which puts them at $7.50 here. Go for it! It can't hurt.

Becca

CakesbyBecca beat me to my answer in her first post. If there is something specific you want to learn, like the flowers, then go for it. I took all the classes and I think you're still above my skill level. So, PP was right saying you could be bored. See if you can get the course books so you can check out the projects and skills taught in each class so you can see what you need help with the most. If the teacher is decent, she'll let you just jump courses if you say you're a decorator. The teachers I've had would never make you prove it! One even let my little sis take Fndant and Gumpaste with me knowing she'd taken no other courses.

I was given some advice one time by a lady who uses to decorate cake and let me tell you she did an awesome job. One day I was admiring her and said how I wished I could be as good as she. She said âIf itâs perfect then it's not original because in everybodyâs own eyes in everything that you do yourself nothing will ever be good enough stop and look around theirs a flaw in everythingâ. Well I took that advice and ran with it my cakes may not be as good as a lot of people on this site but let me tell you I enjoy every minuet of what I do and if I worried all the time about whatâs not good about them it wouldnât be fun anymore I saw your pictures your cake are beautiful keep up the good work.

Molly2

I would say you do fantastic. Some details that you can work specially on your bow is the fondant or the gumpaste is a little bit on the thick side and you can see the ripples of the paper where you dried the bow.
Is not major details, but for someone trying to get to a better place is something you can watch.
Keep the goodwork!
Edna

I would take the classes anyway. You get a certificate at the end of each session. I framed and hung mine, and they will proudly hang on the wall of my shop one day.

Theresa

Well, my first instinct is to recommend the classes, but I've taken two classes so far, one was a Michael's class, one was at a cake supplies store. Neither taught me more than a few things. That being said, I am glad I learned those few things, but I probably could've learned them on my own.

As far as your talent, you're really talented and your cakes show that you have attention to detail, which is good. I think there's always room to learn more, though! Just keep doing what you're doing and try to learn a new skill as often as you can!

Amber

I've taken the wilton classes, and not once has anyone asked for "proof" that I took the classes before it. It was just the cashier signing me up. Yes, the wilton classes are basic, but if you want to practice buttercream and flowers, they are not a bad place to start.

I dont think you need courses for proof..Is more to learn new things...Even the most basics skills have techniques. I been doing this for a long time and I havent taken anyhthing other than Wilton Courses and one small class from Nicholas Lodge.. I already knew what he taught..but here and there every teacher uses a different technique that you can use..and thats the beauty in it!
Me...I am going to ICES for the first time..I am
looking for knowledge..Anything I'll learn will only help me get better!
Edna

I know, my bows are too thick! I have trouble working with the fondant really thin - I need to work on that for sure. I have decided to sign up for the WIlton gumpaste & fondant course to start... thanks for all the advice! I hope the class will help give me a boost and I'll try to remember that no one is perfect!

I think your cakes are wonderful. Remember that everyone has their unique "style".

I think it depends on your instructor. I have taken the Wilton Classes and had an awsome instructor for I-III. My fondant class instructor was not so great.

I highly recommend Nicholas Lodge's DVD for learning fondant techniques. The one I have is Gumpaste roses and wedding techniques. In this DVD he also shows you how to do swags, bows, butterflies, and patchwork borders. I also have his Gumpaste Hydrangea DVD. He is an awsome instructor. I think you would benefit more from these DVD's than the fondant Wilton class.

You are absolutely incredible at this. This is my first time on the site and I am in complete awe.

Great tips! I am going to start with gumpaste.. i've haven't done anything with it before. The videos sound great, I am going to google it.
Thanks for all the positive feedback! You don't know how much it means! I love this website, everyone is so helpful and kind.
Thank You!