I've always been interested in cake decoratinng, and this past year I have invested much more time into practicing (and money on tools). I really want to improve so I can sell my cakes one day and I was thinking about going to culinary school.. but its really expensive 
, and usually involves cooking. I only want to learn to bake because I really can't afford to learn both.
How did you all become so good? Did you go to school? Were you an apprentice? Did you just practice a lot? Did you charge for cakes when you were learning?
FYI- I am in Chicago, so if school is really what I need, tell me where I should go. 
WILTON! You are SO lucky to be near it!
www.wilton.com
And many of us are professionally trained while many of us are self taught.
Practice practice practice on your friends, family, and dummy cakes. I'm like you, I wanted to learn more, but wasn't in the position to go to culinary school. I'm sure you could take some of the classes at the Wilton headquarters there in Chicago. What I did was to buy video classes from Nicholas Lodge. I'm also a book fanatic, I'm constantly trying to find out how to do something new. CC is a wonderful learning tool as well. You can probably find just about any topic you're looking for here.
Hi,
years ago, I went to California Culinary Academy in San Francisco
to learn basic cakes and icing and pastries.
It was expensive , but it was sure worth it. School such as they are
provides everything. Tools, ingredients and reputable, experienced
instructors. although I learned so much from them, i would say,
it's my constant practice and perseverance that made me do the thngs that I am capable of doing now. YOu can go to the best schools, but if you don't do it with your heart, then you will never learn.
Hands on is the best way to learn. 
I agree, practice and more practice will make you better at any thing you do. Even I practice new methods of decorating before putting them on a cake. I use dummy cakes, to practice with.
Lots of practice and trying new creative things...and of course...CC!!! I've got so many helpful ideas and tips from this site! It's helping me step out of my comfort zone and try new things! I'm no professional, by any means, but I have the passion and I'm getting better every time! I haven't tried any of the wilton classes, I'm just self-taught. I'd love to be able to afford some sort of culinary school, though!
Do you know of any other cake decorators in your area that might be willing to give you lessons? I had lessons with a lady who was an experienced cake decorator and I just came to her home and she would show me how to do different things in her kitchen, she didn't charge me much at all and I found it very helpful.
PerrySt.Cakes is right--you've got the Wilton School right there in your own back yard. You can take 1/2 day classes, full day classes, 3 day classes, week long classes, multiple weekend classes, or 2 week classes--all to fit your time and budget.
http://www.wilton.com/classes/index.cfm
I'd suggest taking the Wilton 1,2,3 classes at a local Hobby Lobby, Michael's, or Joann's and then sign up for whatever interests you at the Wilton School. It's well worth the time and money to learn it first hand, if possible.
Also, for an expanded view, you've got the French Pastry School in downtown Chicago next to the Sears Tower. The 26 wk. program is intensive and expensive, but I hear great things about it. They also offer guest chef programs that last from 1 day to 1 week and those can be very reasonable. Laura Ragano teaches their wedding cake program and she's great.
Rae
Here are some other possibilities:
1. Look in your phone book for kitchen stores. The gadget stores near me will offer classes on different topics. I think you may want to take as much baking, pastry as you can find, not only cake decorating. Learn as many tricks and basic techniques as you can.
2. My local technical college offers a degree in culinary foods. But they also offer all kinds of classes for the general public like christmas baking, pies, cajun food, etc. Unfortunately, I was signed up for my first cake class and it was cancelled due to low enrollment.
3. Find out if there is a cake club near you. I belong to my local quilt guild. I can't believe how much I have learned about quilting just by going to meetings and seeing everyone's work.
4. USE YOUR LIBRARY!!! Everytime I want to learn something new, I head to the library. (After the internet that is!) I checked out books and also the library ordered books from other libraries in the region for me. Some of the books I checked out, I ended up purchasing on Amazon. I also checked out some DVD's on decorating. I checked out the Martha Stewart wedding DVD. I think that she offered good basic information on cake construction.
5. Stay tuned into Cake Central daily. You won't believe the wealth of knowledge that people share here. It's a great place to park after a long day of work.
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