Hello,
I signed up for my second course yesterday and just realized she didn't give me that paper that I got with my first class... I cannot use my phone or else I'd call them and ask. Do I need to bring anything other than what I brought to the first class with me?

Thanks!

Sorry to bug you ladies again but I have to leave soon for class and have no way to call. So does anyone know if I should just bring the same basic things (paper/pen) to the first class or if the second course requires something else the first class.

Thank you so much!!

Sorry, JaneDee. I saw your post yesterday but didn't click on it until this morning. Oops! How did your class go last night? I know we were supposed to bring some bc to the first class of Course 2, but we didn't do much with it. Were you still able to get something out of the class last night?

Becca

It was actually really horrible for me. I was already stressing the whole way there through all the traffic about not having anything. I couldn't find anything about what to bring online and I was finally able to call them since I couldn't use my own phone and the guy didn't have a clue, he said not to worry if I showed up empty handed but for me it just made me worry and more frustrated when I got there and realized I was suposed to have more than just paper/pen the first night. I made out okay with using the teachers icing but didn't have the right tips, nothing to practice on but a napkin so it really made my experience bad.

I also have a new view on the Wilton classes held at that Michaels store. I spend too much money getting things for that class when I could have easily spent less and had less frustration teaching myself the rest of what I wanted to know. As I do usually. I wasted gas money, and all really for the few things they put in those student kits and all the extra things you have to buy; the class should be FREE. I had no idea what I was getting into when I started these classes and they have turned out more frustrating and expensive than what it's worth.

Sorry for babbling but my husband is sick of hearing me complain about them so I thought maybe you guys wouldn't mind me getting it out of my system. =P

Thank you good night

I'm sorry to hear your experience was so bad. As a WMI, I know the pressure to push the products on the students, but as a student, I also know the frustration with buying too much that I don't use. Feel free to PM me anytime if you have any other questions about the class/es.

This learning experience should be something you really enjoy, not something that frustrates you so much.

Misty

im sorry you had a bad experience.
i do agree with you that once items are purchased the class should be offered at no cost. they truly push all wilton items on the students.
IMO- taking course one is great, to learn the basics etc.
after that coming here can offer you more than any wilton course.
again thats only my opinion.
and it depends on the instructor. i had a wonderful woman for my course one. but she wasnt certified to teach beyond that.
good luck i hope all goes well for you with your second class.
and dont forget to post your pictures!

Ah, man! I'm so sorry I'm currently in Wilton Course 2 and I have to say that I felt exactly as you did after the first class of Course 2. I had the second class last night and I'm so excited again. We did royal icing and color flow and I'm stoked again . I know what you mean about the cost though. I have $50 a month spending money and all of it goes to the classes and supplies. If my tuition wasn't 40 to 50% off each month and using the 40 or 50% coupons for my kits, I wouldn't be able to do it. I feel kind of silly toting everything around in my rubbermaid container, but I can't afford the special totes. That's ok. To me, it's worth the money so far. Hang in there! Let us know how your next class goes.

Becca

I was just wondering if I should take the Wilton classes.

There are so many mixed reviews on it... I have not taken any classes at all, and I am not sure if it is a good idea or not. I have learned so much from this website. I have some tips, fondant kits, etc. already and have already done a cake or two (getting ready to do my forth this week, that will have fondant flowers - Hopefully - LOL) These cakes are just for family and friends ..... but I just wonder if it would benefit if I was in a class setting....

HMMMM?

I'll keep my eye on this thread!

I am so sorry to hear you are having a bad experience and hope it gets better. As a WMI, and a long ago former student, I think the classes are very much worth taking to be introduced to the art of cake decorating. A lot depends on the class teacher and the student's dedication to learning the craft, but for the money you actually spend to take the classes... it is a bargain compared to "food schools", or classes taught by "professionals". Most students learn more easily once they see a technique, rather than just reading about it. As far as investing in the supplies for class, every trade needs certain tools, but maybe you could just buy the basics and add to it a little at a time. Good Luck with your class...it truly is an enjoyable art!

I've taken the classes, and although I found the first one to be a little slow, I had just had my first daughter and I enjoyed a few hours a week of getting out of the house and doing my own thing. I really enjoyed the second course. I felt that seeing the instructors demonstrate the techniques was the easiest way to learn (for me). As for the rest of the classes, I think I would have done just as well to buy the books and do my own practising. Bottom line, I liked course 2 the best, so I recommend keeping with it. Sorry this has gotten long, I hope you enjoy your classes!

All i can say is it Definately depends on the teacher! I wish you could come to our class, the instructor is 63, and has been teaching since 1977! She's amazing, and unlike some of the posts i've seen here, she doesn't push the products. In fact, she tells us NOT to buy some of the things. Well, she goes through the "I'm supposed to tell you to buy this....but Here's how to do it better!"

I'm still new to the forums here, but as i learn more in her second class i'll try to post some of the little tidbits she gives us that aren't Wilton techniques.

I truly hope you can find a class that won't frustrate you so, because what started as an idle night away from the kids has turned into a passion for me. I know it can be the same for you!

Hello again, I haven't checked back on here for a while. Been out of the house mostly...

Not to ramble yet again but.....

I will keep with these classes only because they are all I can afford right now and I will agree with you guys, I do enjoy getting out of the house for a few hours and being able to come home and relax since I chose the 6-8 classes my dh already has our daughter in bed by the time I get home. So that's nice for me =)

I FINALLY got my digital camera back from getting repaired so I will be posting all my new cakes on here. Thanks for your replies and comments. If I had more money at the time I think these classes would be a lot less frustrating but it'll be good in the end.

Sorry to ramble - as usual!

Poor JaneDee! Why did none of us see this post!? Anyway, why didn't the store have the teacher's phone number for you to call. Sounds the like the store and teacher maybe aren't the best and that is too bad because my course I teacher was absolutely awesome and I learned so much in that class. My experience was actually good. I wish you had more options on where to take the classes.

Sorry about your experience! I took the classes with two co-workers and we had a blast! The instructor gave us her number the first night of course 1, and I liked seeing the demonstrations for the techniques. We also split up class chores. One of us made cakes, one made frosting and the other crumb coated the cakes before class. That took a lot of the prep pressure off of us. Then I found this site and had enough of a base understanding to really enjoy all the hints and idaes here!

I was a WMI for about 6 months, I ended up quitting because I hated pushing unwanted/unneeded products on people. I'm a full time pastry cheff and I showed my students as much as I possibly could in the time we had, not just Wilton stuff, but all kinds of different techniques. I would say if you really want to save time/money just buy the course books and go from there. That's all the teachers are supposed to be showing you anyways. The teachers don't have to be trained in cake decorating at all, it's kind of sad really.