Ok so I've made several cakes and gave them away...getting a little better everytime I think....I wanted to just see if I could get the word out that I am doing cakes. How long do you do these "practice cakes" before you actually start charging a little bit....DH came home from work yesterday and said a co-worker found out his wife was pregnant..if I would be interested in making a shower cake..then he (DH) asked me if I would charge anything for this one...well..what do you think? I thought if it were a big cake like a full sheet cake I would just charge for materials..but not sure if I should even do that..can I get a opinion please. 
Judging from the work in your photos, I'd say you're definitely good enough to charge! Your flowers are amazing! And didn't you say you were self-taught? I'm impressed!
I'd suggest charging what you're comfortable with for a while. If that includes just the materials cost, then go with that. Then, after a few more projects, you can raise your prices to include a small profit for your time and effort. After that, the sky is the limit! Go for it, girl! 
I'm sure your husband's work partner will be very glad to have found you.
Believe in yourself and your work! You'll do fine.
Best to you,
--Knox--
I would definately ask for ingredient and any packaging cost. Your roses and basketweave are awesome, keep up the excellent work and you'll be amazed at what you can turn out everytime you do a cake, because I find that most of the time people ask for the oddest things that they want on a cake
you'll be amazed at what you can turn out everytime you do a cake, because I find that most of the time people ask for the oddest things that they want on a cake
That is the understatement of the year at my house! I am constantly puzzled by what people are thinking!
Yea and thats what gets me, we do cakes you can't get at these supermarkets and do unbelieveable things to please the customer and then they seem to go into cost shock
I think you should start charging b/c you can't continue to give away free cakes. If they ask why you are charging now, just say that the others were practice cakes in order for you to start a client base.
I learned the hard way. I gave away a lot of free cakes for almost 2 years. I finally put my foot down to say no more free cakes. The only time I'll offer something free is if I'm making a new product. Today I'm going to make some decorated cookies and since I've never offered these before, I will give this to my co-workers. But after that, no more.
I agree with kjgjam22. This is a good place to start charging because it's for the wife of your husband's co-worker. It's not your co-worker or friend. The distance is great enough that they should not expect you to do it for free anyway. They are probably expecting to pay for it, maybe just hoping for a little discount, so give them a reasonable price but CHARGE!
I don't know about anyone else but I am always amazed at how long it takes me to get a cake done! Your time is worth something!
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