I Will Make Your Wedding Cake For Free!!!!
Business By Jasmine33 Updated 13 Aug 2008 , 3:28am by stephanie214
Hi Everyone,
I've done 5 wedding cakes - 4 of them free !! The one I did charge for was a two tier with a ribbon around the base for a co-worker and I charged her $55.00, and even she thought that wasn't enough.
My question to the person that posted the question in the first place, is why does it matter? Is it affecting you selling cakes? Are you in the same area as this other woman and she's taking business away from your bakery? I'm confused, I guess I just don't understand why it would matter what anyone charges for a cake or chooses not to charge for a cake.
I haven't been on this site long and I just started posting my cake photos and I'm even a little embarrased, because I can't compare to any of the cakes on this site - there are so many wonderful, talented cake decorators...but I got the feeling from this site that no one cares if the cakes aren't perfect it's the attempt that counts. I've started reading some posts and I've been frightened by some of the topics and comments...my DH has always said women were brutal when it comes to being nasty to other women...and I have to say, I've seen some of that here.
Let's just make cake...and eat it!
my DH has always said women were brutal when it comes to being nasty to other women
Unfortunately, you'd be hard pressed to find any community of (mostly) women where this isn't true.
If i remember correctly they shut that thread down cuz it got brutal... it was mostly about members finding their own pics on her site without permission... it wasnt too much about why she makes them for free... why she does it isnt the issue.. its that she wasnt properly advertising her talents and not giving credit to the pic's that she lifted on other websites.. she now has a disclaimer to that
Are y'all talking about the "Stolen Pics" thread? The people in TX that were making cakes in the "comfortability" of their own home?
Yes, I believe it was the thread where people were ganging up on Trent. 
No it was the thread about the one who will make cakes for free but her pictures were of cakes from this site and other cake decorating sites and was disclosing them as her own work..
I see. There have been several threads about people using pics from this and other sites without permission recently, I must have missed the one where she was doing them for free.
No it was the thread about the one who will make cakes for free but her pictures were of cakes from this site and other cake decorating sites and was disclosing them as her own work..
I see. There have been several threads about people using pics from this and other sites without permission recently, I must have missed the one where she was doing them for free.
Please don't let this be another one.
Thanks for sharing the website.
If not for threads like these, I would never know there was stuff out there like that!
I will always be shocked by people using other decorators cake pictures on their website without permission or proper credit.
Make some cakes! Take some pictures! Don't falsely represent yourself!
If i remember correctly they shut that thread down cuz it got brutal... it was mostly about members finding their own pics on her site without permission... it wasnt too much about why she makes them for free... why she does it isnt the issue.. its that she wasnt properly advertising her talents and not giving credit to the pic's that she lifted on other websites.. she now has a disclaimer to that
It was actually locked because I PMed Heath. It got way too out of hand. Let's not rehash that-it was a terrible experience for everyone involved, and I am STILL dealing with backlash from the people who stole the photos.
No it was the thread about the one who will make cakes for free but her pictures were of cakes from this site and other cake decorating sites and was disclosing them as her own work..
I see. There have been several threads about people using pics from this and other sites without permission recently, I must have missed the one where she was doing them for free.
Please don't let this be another one.
Amen, mcelromi1. Amen.
curiouscakemaker
My question to the person that posted the question in the first place, is why does it matter?
You seem pretty snippy for a thread that allegedly doesn't involve you. Why does this matter to YOU? 
Is it affecting you selling cakes?
She lives in Nevada and I don't. I started this thread because I am in complete amazement over someone who does such beautiful cakes/work, yet doesn't charge a dime.
I don't make wedding cakes or elaborate cakes like that so I have no clue how long it takes. It does seem like a whole lot of work to go through for free though. Unless it was for a friend or family or something.
I'm confused, I guess I just don't understand why it would matter what anyone charges for a cake or chooses not to charge for a cake.
Maybe you need to pay a little closer attention to what forum you are on. People discuss the price and cost of cake ALL DAY LONG here. If this bothers and "confuses" you, maybe you need to hit the exit button.
I haven't been on this site long and
Oh really?
curiouscakemaker
Newbie
Newbie
Joined: May 09, 2005
Posts: 5
Three years seems like a pretty long time to me. Keep playing the game curiouscakemaker, with only 5 post. I think it is very funny that you would be so offended by my thread and be so snotty about it.
I've started reading some posts and I've been frightened by some of the topics and comments...my DH has always said women were brutal when it comes to being nasty to other women...and I have to say, I've seen some of that here.
Well isn't that the pot calling the kettle black? I came on here and started a thread in amazement over this website and you threw a fit about it. Guilty much? 
To the others who said it may be a great way to get your name out there...Well it seems to me that people are always going to expect it to be for free now. That is something she may have a hard time overcoming. 
As far as the cakes being hers or not. She does have two different spots. One for her pictures, one for others. If other peoples cakes are listed as being hers then yes that is wrong. I do think she should ask permission before using any cake pic that is not hers on her site.
Jllo6024
Since you are more familiar with Boweens pics, can you check and see if this website has her pic listed as a cake she wants to do or is she saying it is her cake?
The Pink Rose Delight cake is in the gallery she claims as her cakes.
After looking at her site and boween's gallery they are not the same person. I think her disclaimer states that she does have other people's pictures in there. HOWEVER I really think she is implying that she has duplicated those cakes..and those are not necessarily hers! Because that picture is boween's cropped. If you look at the pictures in her gallery, they are all different types of pictures..some with foggy border around it etc. I have respect for her becuase she says it is other's pictures and if you have picture on there, she will gladly remove it. I do see how in can be interpreted that those are her actual cakes.
^^ oh. i must've misunderstood then. i thought i was looking at the gallery of the cakes she has made. *confuzzled*
She has a disclaimer. She did not say all the cakes in her "gallery" are hers. She says "cakes I can easily do". Then she has the "cakes I want to do" which are obviously not hers. This poor girl has been torn a new a$$hole on this site. Some other site recently was caught with pics not her own. Something like cakes by betty? The cakecentral gestapo came out and did all kinds of investigations trying to find out who she really was and such. If someone has your cake up simply ask them to remove it. There is no need to hurt them. Mind your own. Leave them alone.
I make cakes for friends and coworkers darned near free. I just charge them enough to cover my costs (supplies plus a small amount to cover my gas). My family gets free cake. I really need the pratice, so I think of them as my willing victims. I wouldn't dream of setting up a web site though. She might be biting off more than she can chew. Can you imagine all the calls? It would go from fun to a nightmare FAST!
I haven't had the time to read this whole thread this early morning, however I need to put my $.02 in.
In today's world, graciousness and kindness and giving have been replaced much of the time w/ greed and selfishness. Not to say that cake artists shouldn't be paid for what they are worth or their skills, so please don't stone me for saying so. I am by no means saying that all people are like this! However, I see nothing wrong w/ someone offering their skills for free to couples who really need the help. I'm sure the majority of people contacting her for a "free" cake have a small budget and really appreciate her generosity.
Since I no longer do cake for pay because of the stress of the whole thing, I also do cakes for "free" or cost. I don't believe this makes me a bad person. I get my cake fix and get to see the smile on someone's face for something they couldn't normally afford elsewhere. I'm certainly not taking away any business from anyone w/ the very small # of cakes I choose to do. I believe there's enough business for everyone.
I don't think her intentions were to take away business from those cake artists that do this for a living...I think they were pure. She wants to improve her skills and have an excuse to decorate while doing good for someone. I think it's great!
My question to the person that posted the question in the first place, is why does it matter? Is it affecting you selling cakes? Are you in the same area as this other woman and she's taking business away from your bakery? I'm confused, I guess I just don't understand why it would matter what anyone charges for a cake or chooses not to charge for a cake.
I've started reading some posts and I've been frightened by some of the topics and comments...my DH has always said women were brutal when it comes to being nasty to other women...and I have to say, I've seen some of that here.
Exactly! I highly doubt she is not taking away any business from anyone on this site. Has anyone thought that maybe she is only wanting to get more experience? Not something sinister like you folks love to go on about!
curiouscakemaker, you say you are frightened by topics. There are many more good topics than bad here. The bad ones can get really bad. There is a cakecentral gestapo. When they come out, nothing good happens.
Well, I think she's talented enough to charge $ for what she does. I don't think she should be undercutting her competition. That's just me. But lucky for me, I'm not in her area! If I was, it would bother me a lot more.
If she's reading this - start charging, girl! You've got the idea. You know what you're doing - and you're qualified!
Ilovewedding wrote:
There is a cakecentral gestapo. When they come out, nothing good happens.
Come on! Sometimes people need to be told that what their doing is WRONG. I see no posts in this thread that actually bashes her for doing it for free, the opposite in fact. BUT, taking photos off the web and posting them on your site IS NOT LEGAL. It doesn't matter that she has a disclamer.
Since October 31, 1988, works no longer need a copyright notice to have copyright protection. This means any image you find on a web page may be copyrighted. The traditional notice, such as "Copyright 1989 XZV Co." or " ©1989 XZV Co." is no longer required. The Copyright act gives the copyright owner the exclusive right to reproduce or modify their work, and to exclude others from doing so. Copying includes copying or saving their image to your hard drive, or copying to other mediums, like scanning a photo from a book and turning it into a JPEG file.
If you take a copyrighted image without permission, and put it on a web page, you are violating the exclusive right of the copyright owner to display his work. (See 17 U.S.C.A. § 106).
In order to put an image on your site you NEED TO HAVE THE PERMISSION of the owner.
I just get so tired of this kind of abuse of photos. Really, mabye the owner of the photo don't want to be on her site. They should not have to ask her to take it down. It should just not be on there!!!
I don't think her intentions were to take away business from those cake artists that do this for a living...I think they were pure. She wants to improve her skills and have an excuse to decorate while doing good for someone. I think it's great!
I completely and wholeheartedly agree with you, yummymummy.
I recently heard about a website where you can buy art at a HUGE discount (maybe at cost) from art students, rather than pros. I thought that was such a fantastic idea! Art should be accessible to everyone - not just the super rich. And you know, the people who can afford professional, unique art will pay for it. But, just because I can't afford an original Diako (or whomever) doesn't mean I don't deserve to have beautiful art in my home.
I know it's not exactly the same, but people will always pay for something even when it's free (or cheaper) somewhere else.
Just look at the market for bottled water. 
this topic post must have gotten out b/c you can no longer see her cakes on her website. I'm on the fence on this one only b/c I have to think, "What if I lived in Vegas?" I dont so its no big deal for me...just thinking about what others would feel.
I do fully agree with one of the previous poster saying that she could write under each pic (if not her own) original design created by Jane Doe.
Ilovewedding wrote:
There is a cakecentral gestapo. When they come out, nothing good happens.
Come on! Sometimes people need to be told that what their doing is WRONG.
She probably knows. She knows she has up cakes not her own. Proof, the section of cakes she wants to do. It is illegal copyright...well so is doing Lightning McQueen, Spiderman, Batman, Sleeping Beauty, Dora, Nemo etc. It's just that those are big wigs so people overlook that infringement. (Not to mention that is patent infringement) But if it is a cake a creation of little joe snuffy it is soooooo wrong! "Copyright infringement...copyright infringement", you cry.Give me break. Cast the first stone!
I don't mean to be a stone-caster, but there is also an issue of protecting customers. Let's say you need a wedding cake and you see these gorgeous pictures. So you order one, and then when you get your cake, it looks very amateurish and looks NOTHING like like your expectation.
I don't know the skill level of the person whose web site this is, so I certainly don't mean to insult them. But one reason to get upset about posting other peoples' photos is that it is false advertising and could lead customers to have a (potentially misleading) set of expectations.
You need to post pictures of your own work.
I (personally) think it's okay to have the 2nd gallery of "cakes I want to do" as long as under EVERY cake, you reiterate that you DID NOT do that cake, and denote WHO DID that cake.
Ilovewedding wrote:
There is a cakecentral gestapo. When they come out, nothing good happens.
Come on! Sometimes people need to be told that what their doing is WRONG. I see no posts in this thread that actually bashes her for doing it for free, the opposite in fact. BUT, taking photos off the web and posting them on your site IS NOT LEGAL. It doesn't matter that she has a disclamer.
Since October 31, 1988, works no longer need a copyright notice to have copyright protection. This means any image you find on a web page may be copyrighted. The traditional notice, such as "Copyright 1989 XZV Co." or " ©1989 XZV Co." is no longer required. The Copyright act gives the copyright owner the exclusive right to reproduce or modify their work, and to exclude others from doing so. Copying includes copying or saving their image to your hard drive, or copying to other mediums, like scanning a photo from a book and turning it into a JPEG file.
If you take a copyrighted image without permission, and put it on a web page, you are violating the exclusive right of the copyright owner to display his work. (See 17 U.S.C.A. § 106).
In order to put an image on your site you NEED TO HAVE THE PERMISSION of the owner.
I just get so tired of this kind of abuse of photos. Really, mabye the owner of the photo don't want to be on her site. They should not have to ask her to take it down. It should just not be on there!!!
It works both ways.
Its getting really old and tired with some people on here getting all huffy when it come to their photos that they freely post on the internet for all to see and quoting copyright laws when someone else decides to use them to attract buisness. But why is it any different than you (cakehelp) using copyrighted images on the majority of the cakes in your photo gallery.
I do believe that Winnie, CARS, Batman, Hello Kitty, etc. are copywrite protected and truly doubt that you got permission from each company to use the images on your cakes.
My whole point is that I truly doubt that any one person who makes cakes for hobby or business has never gotten ideas or shown a client, friend or family member a cake from the internet, a magazine, newspaper, television or anywhere else, to help get ideas or designs.
So she posted pictures of cakes she admired and wanted to have a reason to do one day. OMG, lets shoot her. She can still print the photos and show them to people.
I print pictures off the internet and tear out pages from magazine all the time and keep them for inspiration for new things to try and ideas.
Why do you think people put photos in their favorites? Duh! Things they admire or would like to try at some point.
She stated that some were cakes she had done (reproduced), and that others were some that she wanted to do (admired and would like to attempt). And wheter she does them for free or not is no ones business. So I truly and honestly, don't get what the problem is.
No one, no one is getting hurt by what she's doing.
I just looked at her site, and you can see the pictures.
If anyone has a cake there just email her and she will take it down. Also if you see a members cake on there PM that person and let them know. I assume she's not licensed so she may not know all the laws, hence her disclaimer. I think this should be handled in a civil manner. If she doesn't take down your photos in a timely manner then you can do what you feel neccesary. JMO.
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