hello there,

ive been lurking for a while, learning loads of stuff, driving my boyfriend crazy, and its finally time where i start decorating cakes!

i was wondering if anyone knew about the Wilton 101 piece tool caddy. I am interested in buying it, i would just like to no if its worth my money, if its a good starting kit..

http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=3E30CE7F-475A-BAC0-5C84F2613EBB520D

thanks to everyone!!!

Just wanted to say "Welcome to our addiction!"
I don't know if the caddy is worth it, however if I had the $$ I'd get it in a heartbeat!!

The caddy itself is nice, I think you would be happy to have one. However, I would suggest purchasing just the case itself and filling it with what you actually use. I've learned the hard way over the years about finding a new hobby, getting EVERYTHING even remotely related to said hobby, and then losing complete interest in it. Just get what you need as you need it0--you'll find you have a "core" group of stuff you use, and other things rarely. You don't need to start out with a whole kit of stuff you won't use.

Hello and Welcome to CC! I bought the caddy right before I started the Wilton courses, and I love it! I used a 50% off coupon and got it for much less though. Don't know if I would have paid full price for it. It pretty much comes with everything you will need to get started. I would definitely buy it again if I had it to do all over again.!

I got the caddy as a Birthday present and I was so thrilled to have it to start out decorating with but I'm with Lots. There are many things in there that I haven't used. You might be better off to purchase just the caddy and separately stock up on the supplies you will need.

I love mine! I had been decorating for a while before I got it and it had a lot of doubles of what I already had, but it also had a lot of new stuff that I wanted, and at the same time there are still a few things I haven't used. However I will be using everything in there by the time I finish my wilton courses. So if you are looking at taking the courses it might be a good investment.

I also used a 40% off coupon for the whole thing, so in my eyes it was a great deal b/c I couldnt' have bought everything in there for the price of it originially, let alone the 40% off.

But to start off you may want to look at their decorating sets. They will get you started with the basics so you can see if it is something you want to invest more money into. If it is then you could look at getting all the goodies =)

http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=3E30FBB9-475A-BAC0-5EC8A0033609265C&fid=3E32BABF-475A-BAC0-569076FEF54A55FB

Just my 2c. Don't want to see you get a lot of the items then not really enjoy it as much as you thought you would.

Welcome to our addiction btw. Can't wait to see your first cake!

Leily

A while back I went to a class and the instructor used a regular tool box. I have the Wilton's caddy. But I can see that with the tool box from the hardware store, you get a lot more compartments. And you can get whatever size you think you need.

I would love to have that caddy if someone were gonna give it to me as a present. I personally just bought the basics when I started and then I kept adding to my collection when I wanted to try something new. I also use a regular toolbox. But if you have the dough and are gonna take classes, maybe it would be a good investment. You'll find cake decorating completely addicting!

I bought a fishing tackle box at Walmart and I LOVE it for holding icing tips and colors. It is a larger fishing tackle box that has about 40 leveled compartments about 1.5 inches by 2 inches, perfect size! And it has a very deep space at the bottom to hold cookie cutters, fondant tools, and whatever else you need! Here is the link ~ not bad for $20

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4307144

Oh, the tackle box is a great idea! My personal advice is to maybe buy the empty Wilton caddy or any empty box. Someone in my class used a great rubbermaid one with a handle. It was clear, too. If you are planning on taking the Wilton classes, they have the course kits you can buy on sale as well, and sometimes they have buy the kit, get the course for free.

Definitely pace yourself. You may realize that you find a better box later on. I'm still holding out for a better one, and have been using a clear container and a tote bag, so I definitely would like to get something. It's nice to have all your stuff together.

Good luck and welcome!!!!
Angie

My 2 cents worth. I would try to get a 40% off coupon for hobby Lobby or Micheals and purchase it there. I didnt think I would use everything when I took the WiLton classes. THought I would just buy what I needed. When comparing what I've bought to what is in it. I would have been better to just buy it from the beginning. With the coupon I know I would have been money ahead. Besides you can use the money you save for pans. lol. Good Luck. It is a fun hobby to do.

Check out Ebay. I bought my caddies and everything else there for less than in the store. The 101 piece is a bit overwhelming for abeginner. I would buy the caddy and by a basic tip set that comes with bags and couplers. Maybe a rose nail too. Start small, and gradually build as you need. That's my motto (as my storage area is now overflowing with cake decorating stuff I just had to have! LOL)

I bought the caddy without the tools. I had so much stuff already by the time this thing came out, I really didn't need the tools. I love it. It held most of everything I had. I have found that with most kits, you get many things you will never use. So if you buy the box alone you can build your tools as you learn. Just my .02. Welcome the CC buy the way!

About the extra stuff that you won't need, I was able to take back a couple of items ( they were packaged just like the stuff on the shelves) and get credit toward other stuff. Like the practice board which was provided in the class kits- took back the one from the tool box and got seven dollars to spend on some extra icing tips.

I'm with everyone else.... get the coupon first!

mommachris

I got my caddy (pre-filled) for Christmas. I loved it because it had so much stuff for me. It definately works out cheaper than buying each piece seperately. I wish mine was bigger now though. I totally do not have enough space for all my smaller equipment!! Actually come to think of it, i dont have enough space in my closet for all of my equipment period.

I went to Walmart and purchased a clear see through tool box. It's the same size as the Wilton box and it's works out just great! Plus it was only five dollars.! I bought two.