How Did You Learn How To Decorate Cakes?
Decorating By Amberslilzoo Updated 7 May 2007 , 8:05pm by emmascakes
I am new to all of this. And because we don't have classes way up in the boonies where I am, I have to learn everything from here! lol I was thinking of buying some video's and some good books also. But I am curious - How did you all learn how to decorte cakes?? This is the best place that I have ever come for ideas... and as we can see - I am already addicted!!
So tell me, where did you learn all your tricks of the trade?!
There's a good thread here under how did you get in the cake world? I started it when I was new (not long ago) and was touched by the stories. It doesn't really tell HOW they learned, but where everyone started from.
I bought a couple of books, 1 from Kate Sullivan, 2 from Colette Peters, another from Debbie Brown (I think thats her name) and A wilton book on working with fondant. I also record any cake show and watch it over and over. And of course this awesome site. I can't go one day without logging on and checking out what has been done.
i learned by taking the wilton 1 and 2 course..everytime i signed up for three it would be cancelled..so i just played with the fondant myself. i bought lots of books and did some of the cakes in them..then i took a couple classes with nicholas lodge...my friend dawn (dawnbakescakes) had encouraged me for years to take it up and i finally did and she was a help as well. the internet is a great source too!!
I taught myself some and then later when on to take the Wilton courses at my local hobby store. I've learned so much though at this site. I can't say enough about how wonderful CC is for the exchange of decorating information.
Started off with the 3 Wilton courses at Michaels, then independent studies with my cake teacher (who still occasionally teaches me to this day!) Lately I've taken independent classes on whatever I want to learn, and have lots of videos too. Oh yes, and the place I learn the most -- Cake Central!!! 
I initially learned from my grandmother, who was a professional cake decorator at the time. I then took the 3 Wilton courses and others down thru the years. I've also bought zillions of books and videos. Someday I'll be lucky enough to take a course from one of the greats.
I learned everything I know from my mom, who is also a professional cake decorator. She has had her own business in Northeastern Ohio for about 15+ years, and I helped her out and learned from her. I started my own business about 5 years ago. 
itsloops said:
I've seen some online tutorials on youtube as well. Check them out.
I never thought about youtube before, i just visited it and saw a couple of cool videos about fondant. I have been really curious about how to do it and those helped. Thanks for the idea itsloops
I grew up being famous for having the best birthday cakes, my mum used to make them too. She also made them for non family, I didn't know at the time it was how she managed to make ends meet. She has always been the unofficial family cake decorator, I think every family has one don't they? Anyway it was a big moment for both of us the day she realised her time had come to hand over the reins, and gave me all her cake stuff. I still feel guilty about making cakes for my nieces and nephews, as I know she has always loved it too.
I learned most of it through trial and error. Didn't get a single book for the first 6 months because I was too cheap have gotten a lot of tips and tricks from CC and another forum, but most of it I've had to figure out myself. I've wasted tons of gumpaste practising suger flowers.
so far i am self taught with help from this site! think i might need to take some classes though to get to another level! but im doing ok so far....
My mom took WIlton classes when I was a kid. I picked up a few things from her. When I was out on my own I took a job at a grocery store bakery. That's when I took the Wilton courses myself. Found my passion for the art, and began to teach it. I've fallen in love and nerver looked back.
I am so glad that you asked this question. I am a newbie and have been DROOLING at all the pics that I have seen. It is nice to know that you can do alot of this on your own (learning, that is) and it is even BETTER to read that you all learned so much from this AWESOME site.
It gives newbies like me some hope!!
Thanks everyone.
I've been decorating for a year and a half now and I learnt by getting Collette Peters 'Cakes to dream on' from the library - without even thinking I wanted to make a cake. I was so wowed by what she had made that I wanted to see if I could do something like it. I've learnt from books and trying stuff out. I haven't been to a course apart from one day on covering cakes with fondant. Next month I'm going to a Debbie Brown course and I'm SO excited!
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