learning to decorate?
hey, i'm new here...i actually found the site because i was doing an online search for cake decorating schools.
what do you guys seem to think is the best way to go about getting started? going to school or learning as you go?
my grandma taught me the basics about decorating when i was little and i've made a few cakes here and there...mostly friends birthday cakes and my sister's college graduation cake. the things i have the most problems with are making sure the cake is level, getting the right consistancy of icing for the job and sometimes i have troubles spacing boarders evenly. i haven't quite got the hang of making roses yet and i've never worked with fondant...although i'd love to.
i've looked at the wilton master course (i live in the boondocks of south dakota so the nearest place that teaches wilton courses is 3 hours away)...i don't know if that would be the way to go if one would want to be a professional cake decorator or not. i'm also interested in sugar art and what not as well.
i'd appreciate any input!
thanks!
well, I have taken Wilton course one and let me tell you.........I learned a heck of a lot more just surfing around this site........dig into the forum threads and the how to articles you'll be amazed at what you learn...I still learn something new everyday on this site. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how quickly your skills will elevate just from reading other peoples tips and suggestions on here. Welcome to Cake Central, prepare to become addicted
I have learned a lot from this site, I love it. But I am one of those people that needs to be shown how to do something. So I took all three of the Wilton courses. I feel like I learned quite a bit taking them. But, CC really continues to educate me and fill in the holes.
Thanks to all ya'll who are so helpful.
Yes, Prepare for the ADDICTION! I am also self-taught-with this website and other helpful decorators here. I am still on the buttercream stage, next fondant stage. LOL. I learned to do roses on my own-just make a batch or 2 of royal icing and go at it with making roses. Everyone says to make alot of them so that you can get the hang of them. Another thing I am still working on is how to make my buttercream cakes smooth as can be. That is hard for me right now. But you get alot of tips from other decorators here. I am actually getting better and better with smoothing.
You can search on past posts and actually learn so much. I did that and printed out so much that I had to get a big binder with nothing but cake stuff and recipes. I'm still adding. Good luck in everything you do! ~Josie 
You came across a great site!
I know that classes, etc. cost money & cake decorating items cost money too, but you can ask as many questions you want on this site, no one will think any of them is silly or stupid, and you will get lots of answers & ideas & approaches on how to do things.
Practice, practice, practice is a great way to go!!
Welcome to cc!
If you are a very visual learner classes will help to get you started but boy oh boy I would not trade this site for anything! You have found the best place to learn! Read old post, research things that are discussed here often with past post, ask as many questions as you like, and get out that pastry bag and practice,practice, practice. I need to do more practice myself and less reading but I can't help myself. On the home page in the upper left hand corner is a warning stating that this site is addictive. Click on it. It will explain alot of us and what your future will become!! LOL
Seriously...prepare for addiction!
I just finished Wilton's course one. Lots of stuff I COULD self-teach...but LOTS of stuff that I needed to actually be shown (instructor had to literally hold my hand and guide me). She was a big help. I am planning on taking courses 2 and 3, but I have also been reading this site like CRAZY! I am having a ball!
I live in SD, too! Where are you from? I live in Sioux Falls, so there are cake decorating classes near me. I agree with everyone else here, this site is awsome. I have taken the Wilton classes from Ace hardware and Michaels. I had better luck at Ace than at Michaels, but it all depends on the instructor. There are plenty of decorating techniques you can teach yourself, but there are some things that are just easier to learn if you watch someone else do it once or twice. The tutorials are a big help on here.
Wow, 3 hours away is a long commute for Wilton classes. I took all 3 and loved them but I'm not sure I would commute that far for a class. You can purchase the Wilton I, II, & III course instructions and I think they have a video as well. That might be the way to go. One thing I've learned is that even when you take the course you never stop learning. There's always more and different ways of doing things. This is an awsome site with wonderful advice from all!
Jacqui
If you are a very visual learner classes will help to get you started but boy oh boy I would not trade this site for anything! You have found the best place to learn! Read old post, research things that are discussed here often with past post, ask as many questions as you like, and get out that pastry bag and practice,practice, practice. I need to do more practice myself and less reading but I can't help myself. On the home page in the upper left hand corner is a warning stating that this site is addictive. Click on it. It will explain alot of us and what your future will become!! LOL
Hahaaha! That is so funny-I did not know you can click on the highly addictive sign up top. Hahahaa! See you learn something everyday here. And I remember when Ellyrae first got on here-she made the poem in another post on a topic. She was addictive alright! That is so funny! LOL. ~Josie
I am pretty much self taught. Between this site and www.baking911 you will learn what you need. Every single day that I log on here I learn something. And the big plus is, someone is always available to help. I started the Wilton course twice and quite because the teachers didn't add anything else that was helpfull. For a few weeks I drove an hour to and from a class. I "knew" most of the things that were taught. The difference was the teacher was so excited about teaching that I came out of the class with a lot of hints and tips that made the drive worth it. There are so many good books, videos and DVDs now that you could get. Just my 2 cents.
Yes you'll learn a lot in here!!! And also, by reading the posts and asking questions, I saved a lot of money on cake decorating supplies!! If something doesn't work you get to know it, and don't buy it!! I learned new techniques that saved me time a whole lot!!
And yes it's addictive!!!
good to have you around!
Lorris
Welcome to Cake Central =)
Is there a community college near you that has baking/decorating classes? Since the wilton classes are so far away? As for learning, reading through the post on this site has helped me learn a lot of new stuff (even after working in a bakery)
It sounds like you have a good basis for decorating, like maybe you are just fine tuning what you know? A lot of that come with practice and learning new tips/tricks from other decorators. There is a lot of information on this website. If you need to see it visualy done i would suggest videos, if you are good with reading instructions and learning, there are tutorials on this site and you might do a search on google and I am sure there are more out there also.
Welcome to the addiction =)
Leily
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%