i decorated my first cake just 2 years ago, as a hobby. 6 weeks ago, i signed a lease for a shop and have been working night and day to renovate and get open. i am so excited, but very overwhelmed. i have made numerous lists of everything i think i could ever need.....but i am sure i am forgetting things!
does anyone use anything in their shop that they couldn't live without?

while it isn't necessarily cake stuff-- I find that I have multiple's of office supplies. I am ALWAYS looking for staplers, calculators and tape. It so ridiculous.

I also am in LOVE with storage drawers. Most of my cake tools are organized in them.

Lastly, pampered chef has a dish brush that doesn't lose its prestles and the bristles don't bend. I have one at home and have been meaning to order one for the shop.

Cute shop by the way!

Although I don't have one, I've heard an Agbay leveler is indispensable. It's on my wishlist!

I own a Agbay and I can honestly say that I can not live without it!!!!!! I think it is a must

agbay, lots of colors, my new complete set of americolor airbrush colors (to paint with... swoon!) Multiples of things like spatulas, brushes, sculpting tools, cutters etc.

OK, if you have the Agbay, is the similar Wilton one any good?

Notepads - can't live without 'em.

Also, in redoing my kitchen a few years ago, I had a custom island built for my height. The extra room allowed for an extra deep utensil drawer. That drawer that everything goes into.

What is great about it is it fits 2c glass measuring cups upright. Ladles never catch on the drawer. I can stack several packages of nesting cookie cutters. It is like having a toilet you never have to plunge. Don't ask why.

If you have an agbay you will NEVER be able to look at a wilton one again without laughing or crying. YES, it makes that big a difference.

The thing I can't live without is not necessarily cake-related, but I'm sure I'll eventually find a use for it on cakes as well. It is a tiny pair of tweezers called Uncle Bill's Sliver Gripper. Intended to remove splinters and slivers from the hands, it is the most useful sewing and craft item I have ever owned. I have four, and I've given one to everyone I know who sews. Best thing ever for picking out basting, ripped out stitches, little pieces of stabilizer used in machine embroidery, on and on.

Your shop is adorable! Congrats!

That shop is SOO cute! I love the girly colors!

I guess if you could afford it I would buy only Magic Line pans- 3 inch deep. They bake a lot more evenly But if you can't afford all ML, then get 2 sets for wedding cakes at least.