Hi all! I just discovered this site a few days ago, and have really enjoyed looking around.
I just started Wilton Course 1 this week, and am really looking forward to decorating beautiful cakes. I'm hoping to eventually make a side business out of this, as I've always loved to bake. Decorating cakes is new to me, and I am prepared to practice a lot. I have decorated cookies in the past, and have been pleased with the results.
Aside from the 3 Wilton courses, are there other courses that you all have taken? Or have some of you gone to a professional school, or culinary school?
Thanks!
Kristen
Hi Kristen and welcome to CC!
I have only been able to take the Wilton courses and a couple of candy clasees but if you have a local cake supply store they will sometimes offer extra classes. Wilton also offers classes at their school but they are more costly. One place to get lots of info (besides CC!) is an ICES convention. You can attend lots of classes and demos over the course of a few days. I haven't been able to go(closest I made it was the Cake corral at the 2005 convention to look at all the beautiful cakes) but hopefully 2007 or 2008 (since that one will be in my home state!!). Here is a link to their website: http://ices.org/
You will find that you will learn alot here just by looking thru old posts, asking questions and lots of trial and error! The tutorials on the home page are also a wealth of info!
Good luck and have fun!!!
The Wilton School is somewhere in Illinois. I wish I could go, but it's just a wee bit too far (I'm in CA). Although if I planned it far enough ahead of time, maybe.... 
Welcome to CC and cake decorating. I'm new, too, but totally addicted (to both cake decorating and this site...)!!
IL is kinda far for me too. I'm in NJ. 
Oh well, they should make an At Home Course that is different from what we learn at our local craft stores. that would be awesome.
I just got back from getting the rest of my supplies for my Course 1 at Michaels. The prices for the September classes were all half off, so it was only $12.50 but I think $100 in supplies made up for that 
I'm going to start practicing what we need to know for next weeks class tonight! I'm really excited!!
After taking the Wilton Courses at a shop called the Chocolate Gallery [currently NY Cake and Baking Supplies]. I took courses with Colette Peters, Toba Garrett, and Scott Clark Woolley. I just love cake decorating because it combines my love of art and nature, and I find that I'm my happiest when I have a piece of gumpaste or pastry bag in my hand. I would love to go the the Wilton School in Illinois, but I can't afford it. 
Maybe someday.....
I loved taking all three of my wilton classes and I was sad when they ended. I did look into some private classes offered at a cake supply store, but the closest two are an hour away in opposite directions from my home! I also checked out the culinary program offered in a vocational school, but only a few weeks were dedicated to cake decorating, mainly just the safety of running a kitchen etc. Someday though I would like to go to the wilton school
I've taken a gum paste class a few months after class III. It really helped me with my recent wedding cake venture. It turned out really nice. Sorry, for some reason I'm unable to download my pictures. Ugh!
Yes, that class is a must. We made a cluster with roses and rosebuds. Next will be the hisbicus, can't wait. I'm a little surprised that your local craft store does not have classes. Or is there any? You will enjoy the Wilton classes, I sure did!
My local craft stores only offer the 3 Wilton ones. I live 45-60 minutes outside of NYC, so I'm sure there is SOMETHING else, I just haven't found it yet. I will see how things go after the 3 Wilton classes at Michaels first though.
Would deffinatly love a Wilton gum paste class!
IL is kinda far for me too. I'm in NJ.
Oh well, they should make an At Home Course that is different from what we learn at our local craft stores. that would be awesome.
I just got back from getting the rest of my supplies for my Course 1 at Michaels. The prices for the September classes were all half off, so it was only $12.50 but I think $100 in supplies made up for that
I'm going to start practicing what we need to know for next weeks class tonight! I'm really excited!!
Welcome to CC! There is a previous thread under Cake Decorating For NJ Cake Decorators, check it out!
sweet success..... you have taken the classes from all the masters! i am sooooooooooooooooooooooooo jealous! I took the 3 wilton courses and am now an instructor. yes, we are doing a gumpaste course next year so that will give you more locally to learn from. My suggestion is (and i have done this out of necessity being in alaska) study anything you can get your hands on! books, websites (this one has taught me a TON), videos, etc. It's all out there you just have to find it. Good luck with your adventure! It's quite a ride!!! 
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