I was just wondering how many of you on here are slef taught cake decorators and how many have gone to or are currently in school for the craft? I myslef am slef taught i started out a baker in casinos and then decieded cake decorating was funner im still learning of course and trying to build up my collection of tools

I took all three Wilton courses this past year but I have learned ten times more on this site. I just do cakes for family and friends right now . . . I hope that someday I can expand my horizons but for now I'm enjoying the opportunites to practice and improve.

I took a four-night basics course. The rest I learned on the computer or looking at books.

I took classes for fun as a stress relief ( I am a Critical Care Nurse). But then I also love to learn fun things. I have taken plumbing, carpentry, masonry,woodworking, upholstery, cake decorating then went on with the wilton classes. So far I do it for pleasure and have sold some of them. My husband and some other people said I should open up a business....I laughed and said "Nursing pays the bills and we would starve to death if I had to do cakes for a living". I am not that good but have fun doing it and love to hear the 'oo's and aaah's.....but I don't want to be poor...so I continue to be a nurse....

I've never taken any classes just kind of learned on my own and through this wonderful sight and books. I sell about 10 cakes per month and plan to open a specialty "appointment only" part time cake business next year.

I am self taught then took the Wilton Courses.

I taught myself alot then took all 4 Wilton classes to see where I was making mistakes and help me with somethings I had problems with. My wilton instructor, Elsa, was fabulous. She helped me whenever I had questions and told me about different pastry chefs. I then took a private gumpaste class with my instructor and her friend "sweetsuccess" with Scott Clark Wooley. Sweetsuccess introduced me to this website which has been a great help with everything from ideas to how-to's. Recently I took a Colette Peters "Lopsided Wedding Cakes" class at ICE in NYC thanks again Elsa.

i am self taught, decided when the kids came along that i would make their birthday cakes and here i am eight years and four kids later.

just starting now to make and sell some cakes in my town.

oh.... and have learnt heaps from cc!!!!!!

kylie

I've never taken a class, I would but the nearest one is 180 miles away. My mom did the shaped cakes when I was little and I learned some from her.

I learned a lot on my own, then took some classes.

Self-taught from books and lots of trail and error. Had fun eating all the mistakes. Have learned heaps from CC.

I'm self taught but I'd like to take classes. But to take classes I need to drive about 6 to 8 hours. So I'm trying to learn more from CC. I can get tricks and tips from all over the world and don't have to take out my passport!!!! I love reading and trying things.
But CC is my cake decorating bible!!!!

Hi
I had never attempted to decorate a cake until I just finished taking
Wilton 1&2. So please check my photos of my final cakes for 1&2. So
for me I vote for taking the classes. I don,t think I would have gotten
my cakes to look this good in 16 hrs. ( the total of the 2 classes).I,m
looking forward to taking Wilton 3 next month .Please don,t get me wrong thier is nothing wrong with being self-taught.I taught myself on
computers this why I,m on my 4th new computer the last 3 could
not be repaired I,m still this one is working.

On my own pretty much. Started and thought I would take come classes BUT the times around here are not good for me--5p and dh isn't home for hours later. Plus making cakes that have to be done for the next class--I don't know if I could work on a deadline w/3 kiddos under 4y! Right now, I look to CC and books to get idead and teach myself. I may not have the best techniques but like Matisse posted, once the kiddos came I decided I wanted to make their cakes pretty and special. Plus this is my stress reliever. Unfortunately I want to lose weight and I choose this as a hobby!!!!!
Someday I hope to take some classes.

Self taught by trial and error. This is my stress relief from the kids and work (respiratory therapist). I've learned alot on this site. So many things I want to try! I would take the classes but I can't seem to work my schedule around it yet. -fabbo

I started with the Wilton Courses, then used books for quite a while. After that I starting taking gumpaste classes from Eleanor Rielander of South Africa. I take her class every time I can. Now, I do mostly self-taught with plenty of trial and error! I did get to take a class from Alan Dunn. He was hilarious!

Michele

I am mostly self taught also. I took basic decorating classes in high school, and after having my second baby I decided to start decorating to make some extra money. I learned pretty much everything from internet and books. I've always been drawn to 3D cake sculptures, and just kind of wing it and hope it works, LOL.

I would LOVE to take a class with Collette or someone like that...or maybe Duff. I could learn a lot from him!

Courtney

I took Wilton course I, and then self-taught everything else....not by choice, mind you. The Michael's where I took the classes went out of business, so I just read and practiced. I would absolutely love to take a Collette class (or any of the 'big' names) though. Just not in my budget now **sigh**

Wilton course 1 (grand total of 4 hours "formal" instruction) and then self taught, God Bless the Internet! (and dolores's site and this one and all my online buddies)

I think I've about read every book in the library on cake decorating. I've also spent a lot of time on this site. I took Wilton 1 and will be starting 2 tomorrow, but most of my skills I've learned from this site.

Self taught. I would love to take the Wilton Courses but the nearest location is over an hour away.

I've ordered the Wilton Cake Decorating Course books from Ebay and plan on doing my own version of the courses with the weekly deadlines etc. It won't be as good as having immediate feedback in the classes but it's a starting point.

I've taken all 3 of the Wilton classes. I learned a lot from my instructor, who now decorates and sells cakes full time. She was great, but I've learned all the "tricks" to cake decorating here at CC. I don't have as much time to practice as I would like, but hoping this winter to have more time to work with some of the techniques I've learned.

Here's an odd story for you all:

I was a Vice President of a bank by the time I was 26; I was a Court Reporter by the time I was 31; I was a California State Election's Specialist up until this past summer (age, ahem!, 42). Soooo, after finally getting sick of the corporate life, I moved to the mountains, started making gourmet doggy treats and decided I might try decorating cakes. I soon fell in love with cake decorating and have been addicted ever since. I am equally addicted to Cake Central.

So, to answer your question, I have had NO TRAINING, WHAT-SO-EVER in cake decorating. But I sure want to take some courses. The problem is that I live up in the mountains in the middle of NOWHERE! So, I hope to have an opportunity to take a class someday, when I grow up!

I am self-taught. I am always making something and was walking through the craft isle in wal-mart about a year ago one day and picked up a cake decorating book and I have been hooked ever since. I started out by learning through Wilton's website until I found CC. I have learned so much here. Thanks to everyone!!

Self-taught until next week...I take my first class next Tuesday! I can't wait! I do love all of the tips that are shared on this site...it's like a correspondence course in Cake 101!

I've baked and cooked all my life, so that's self taught (and by my mom).

I took all three Wilton courses in 2001, and recently took a wedding cake course locally for 4 weeks. Self-improved since then...

I'm possibly going to take a gumpaste private lesson class this weekend, because I'm SO not happy with my ability in that area.

So..both, I guess.

Self taught, after a birthday cake that was supposed to have football helmets on it for my son came back with pink roses and football helmets. I have learned so much from the internet, and this site!

Cakes Unleashed, I can't believe your cakes! They're fantastic!

i took 2 wilton classes...then i worked as a decorator at cookie bouquet....and and 4 other bakeries as a decorator.

i learned alot about speed at the bakeries...i own a small cake bakery now, and since i have so much overhead...time is important.