I would love to see this completed cake and what techniques you used

I don't know if anyone is still checking this thread....or if you are needing any advice at all, but I just found emmascakes amazing creation called "African Queen" It looks simalar to the one you are doing and is totally cool!! (In case you need someone to talk to...) Anyway, here is the link:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo-54379.html

Wow, good luck on the cake, I am sure you can do it. : ) Hope you charged enough to make it worth your time though. Looking foward to pictures! : )

Before any other comments - very well done and you are FAST girl! But I do agree with you, I'm looking at each element and none of them are very difficult in themselves. I have VERY little artistic talent and I could probably do each of those elements - would take me a LOOOOOONG time, but I could do it. The cake carving however, I don't even want to venture there, but if I were to, it would be something like this where it's just geometric shapes, not animal shapes! EEK! If you ever see a sculpture in my photos, you'll know that DH did that for me! LOL

Another question - did you make these with dummy cakes? That would speed things up tremendously - no need to support the weight and such and carving is easier too.

And I have to comment. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that I see your messy kitchen. That is EXACTLY how mine looks when I decorate too! LOL Gotta love the vodka bottle on the side!

But it can be SURELY said, you are very talented and if you can work that fast, that's more REAL profit for you (can do more cakes in less time)... Gooooooood job! I might actually try something like this one day because now you've showed me it's POSSIBLE and I've recently discovered fondant is easy to work with on a cake. I guess all those pie crusts and European cookies I've rolled out and had to drape have given me practice.

Melissa

Your cake is beautifu!!

I could not even come close to duplicating that ~ how much fun to try though!!!

[quote="BrandisBaked"]

Hi Brandibaked, would love to see the step by step photos, is there any easy link to your blog? thank you

Hey, can you make the Empress Theadora one for me?

Wowsie! I hope you get alot of sweet $$$ for that one! Boy, I'm slow anyways with detail, I can't even imagine how much time it would take....now...if she calls you and asks you for some ridiculous request for cake flavor and filling like some out of season fruit with liquor all different for each tier...just hang up the phone and run! LOL!!!

Forgot to answer the other questions:

Yes, they are dummy cakes. However, I don't think there is a much a time saving difference - as I spent about an hour cleaning up the little styrofoam shavings after the carving. I think they become electrically charged and don't like to be wiped up. I ended up using my vacuum to clean my counters off after each tier was carved.

I think it all evens out and I'd have spent the same amount of time on a real cake.

I have no idea how many servings this would be (didn't figure it out yet) but I'd charge $8 per serving for a cake like this - mostly because of all the gold luster dust used (I used the cheaper stuff since it was just a dummy - but on a paid cake, I'd use the good/expensive stuff). Now, if only I could get someone to order one from me, I could go to DisneyWorld! LOL!

maybe i missed it but did SweetArt ever say what she quoted that bride for a price?

I was curious about that myself, or if she decided to do it at all. I'd love to see her finished cake.



Holly

I haven't been on for a while.

This topic caught my eye. I'd love to find out what happened!

Sorry, but nothing new has happened. I don't require details to be finalized until a few months before the wedding, so there is no set price yet. She has put down a deposit, so unless she totally changes her mind on the design, it's a go. I will post the details when things start to happen in the spring.

Your brides will book with you when you just tell them "I'll let you know the price a few months from now."?

No. They know my prices up front. We go into details and pricing during the first consultation. I found that a lot of brides would change their minds on the # of servings or flavors, and sometimes the designs and I would have to change the paperwork anyways. We discuss it all, we just don't set it in stone. They like the flexibility.

how much did you end up quoting her for the margaret braun cake?

OH! Now I understand. That makes sense.

The price was $4 per serving, so about $1,000. No, I'm not cheap, that is high in this area and she did tone down the overall design.

Ya know.. I'm gonna follow Brandi on this. I'm gonna go buy some styrofoam and see what I can do!

Cross your fingers!

Dear God! That is certainly a high quote cake to get her running!

Wow..

We recently learned about how to price and gauge time, etc in my pastry classes.

I just briefly looking over that cake, with the size it'd need to be, and all the items, the least I'd charge for it is 20 dollars a slice. My quote would have been at least 6,000. Your bride better be thanking her lucky stars that you're a nice person!



Holy freaking cake! ha!

Of course, I also live in CT so things are higher priced here.

I HATE STYROFOAM NOW!!!!

Just had to share that.

I got it carved up, covered with magenta, then got sidetracked.

I'm *aiming* to have it done by next Tuesday, though.