Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and Sallie's all offer the Wilton classes so they're primarily the same. They'll differ a bit as each teacher tends to have their own style but they follow the same guidelines. Sallie's has a lot of other offerings, too, from cookies and chocolate classes to fondant and gumpaste. They always have a couple of classes going on and tend to also do special holiday related ones (Halloween, Christmas, etc...). It's worth it to call them and get their current schedule. They do have a small room for classes and tend to fill up quickly, though. I took all three Wilton classes there and really enjoyed it. Sallie's is on Manchester just West of 141 . . . it's a small brick building that you really have to be looking for or you'll miss it. They're a cake supply store so you can get most of your cake stuff there (I like to go there over Michael's and Hobby Lobby a lot of times because they offer a much wider selection). There is also a cake store a bit further south called Karen Anne's -- I have no idea if they offer classes but they've got as good a selection of cake stuff as Sallie's does.

I have never taken classes at the Viking store but I know people who have taken cooking classes there and they do have really good classes. I think they're known for their classes in addition to their product line. If they offer cake classes there, it may be worth looking into. There's a place further down on Clayton off of Brentwood called The Kitchen Conservatory that has awesome classes, as well, but they don't have a lot of cake decorating ones. They occasionally have a basic class . . . what I like there besides their cooking classes are their pastry and dessert classes. They have some that are hands on (more expensive) and others that are more of a demonstration. But they always feed you what they make!

I did take a basic cookie decorating class at Kitchen conservatory and really enjoyed it.

Paula,

Where do you live in St. Louis? How long have you been doing cakes? I'm in the Ballwin area and just got into decorating this past March.

There are a few St. Louis cake addicts here. When you have the time to read through it, check out the post, "Missouri Cake Club??" at this link:

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=35599&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=0

As far as getting the quote box, I just clicked on the quote box on your message, and it brings up POST A REPLY and has your message there. I scrolled down to the end of your message and put my reply after yours. Let me know if it doesn't work.

As far as the location, I have that in MY FORUM INFO . . . double check yours (in the pink "My Account" box to the left on your screen) to see if yours is listed.

It's always good to talk to a fellow addict!

Carol

I hope that worked? (to include the quote.. )

Anyway, I am in Jefferson County, Arnold/Fenton to be more exact. I'm going to read more on the link you sent tomorrow, as of right now it's 12:21 AM. I got home from my Course 2 class 3 tonight and had to do up some of my flowers for the finale Basket cake next week. I've got a busy week ahead, a 1/2 sheet cake for church on Friday, a regular cake for a community dinner related to church for next wednesday, bake my class cake, and do my nephew's birthday cake by the 4th. Whew! I'm off to bed...

Thanks for the link. I'll write again tomorrow when I get a breather!

- Paula

PS Sorry forgot to answer your question. I just took course 1 in September. I've been doing my own cakes for my family for a couple of years. Nothing big, you can check out my photos... there's only a few more than that but I didn't post everything. The classes are something I've wanted to take since before Michaels was Michael's, do you remember Leewards? I just found out too that there is a Course 4 coming in February! TTYL!