Gatchamarie - Did I read the post right , did you mention sugar work? as in Taffy, toffee, spun sugar or sculptures, confectionary? Could you elabourate for me?!!!

She makes very fancy cakes of the wedding variety.

Yes, LW! I'm a part-time cake decorator who works from home and mostly with sugar paste, also known as "fondant", flower paste and royal icing. In order to retain my prices low, due to our country's present economic situation, and in order to attract a greater clientele, I don't do a lot of elaborate sculptures or moulding, as these would take such a long time for completion and would inflate the price by far! The majority of times, I'm mainly ordered cartoon, or disney, characters for kids' birthday parties, but I also cater for the occasional wedding, hen's or bachelor's parties, and other adult themes, such as football logos, etc. When clients come to me with their order, they usually know that they could bring me a picture they like, or a photo, and I can adapt the particular picture into a cake form, drawing it and building it up from scratch. I also do figurines and some types of flowers, which I mould with sugarpaste, or flower paste, and which are put upon the top of some cakes. I don't deem myself as a professional like those artists we see on tv, like on the Food Network, etc, but my work is somewhat distinct, and more requested, from other cakes one can find at our local confectionaries! Every day that passes I learn more and try to keep refining! I'll try to attach a couple of photos for you to have an idea. If I'm not able to make attachments, or you won't find the pics immediately, please just wait a bit so I could try with Photobucket.

Phew! Sorry for the delay! I had to use Photobucket, but I'm still learning how to use it! The photos resulted bigger than I wished them to be! The above are just a few! Some day I have to upload all at DeviantArt ... some day! And there's also another very, naughty pic of a hen's party cake at the Rubber Room of this site!

I remember that naughty one from the rubber room. These are amazing. I remember doing a unit of royal icing work for my apprentiship years ago, trying to get the white icing to settle in humid weather was painstaking, let alone piping till your hands ached. and icing sugar everywere I will admit loving easter and doing chocolate eggs and rabbits , till I could not look at chocolate anymore, as for spun sugar - I still have a few burn scars from that I was better at carving and sculptures displays, (vegetables, ice and aspic) I always admired the bakers and their ability to decorate cakes with such ease and dexterity, me, obviously I was a little to kakey handed, I think I ended up wearing more of the decorations than the cakes, but it was so much fun and eating way to much sugar ha ha, just had a bad flashback to when the kitchen and bakery was busy (usually over chistmas ) and dreaming about cooking in my sleep and waking up and wondering were the kitchen had gone, or if I had followed the recipe before it went in the oven I take my hat of to you, your creation are truely wonderful You don't have to deem yourself a professional when you have passion, What I see in these pictures is passion, love, art,creativity and heart and beauty thank you for showing me some of your work

Originally posted by littlewolfI take my hat of to you, your creation are truely wonderful You don't have to deem yourself a professional when you have passion, What I see in these pictures is passion, love, art,creativity and heart and beauty thank you for showing me some of your work

I have to agree completely Marie. Your work is beautiful and very creative. Thank you for taking the time to down load/up load (I am not sure which it is) your pictures and showing them to us.

Marie, those are awesome!!!! I should say that my son was looking at the pictures with me, and he was really excited by the Ben 10 cake! He wants one now.... I told him that you lived very far away, and couldn't make his cake for him, and his immediate response was, "Maybe we can get in a plane and fly there!" You never know, maybe.... In any case, I've tried to work with fondant and it was just a mess! I can really appreciate the talent you have for doing this!

Originally posted by littlewolf trying to get the white icing to settle in humid weather was painstaking

Doing such a job in that type of weather is really a headache! That is the problem I always encounter, and am encountering right now, during the summer season! The sugarpaste literally melts in your hand while you're working with it and figurines just do not keep their original shape as they begin to droop! Being quite a perfectionist, I'm always worried that my clients would notice the difference in the final result! It really does make a difference working in such a weather! I'm so happy hearing that you know what it means! ... some people just do not understand at all!

I will admit loving easter and doing chocolate eggs and rabbits , till I could not look at chocolate anymore, as for spun sugar - I still have a few burn scars from that I was better at carving and sculptures displays, (vegetables, ice and aspic)

From what I'm reading, it seems that you're very creative, and able, yourself! And it really shows, especially when seeing the creative work you've already kindly had the pleasure to share with us! I wish I could see more of your art! Do you have any pics of your carvings and sculptures? I love seeing such work, especially on vegetables, fruit and ice! I've never tried with ice, only with veggies and fruit, but I'm always fascinated seeing such work of art, and admire those who are able to do it! You surely must have an awful good talent!

I think I ended up wearing more of the decorations than the cakes, but it was so much fun and eating way to much sugar

What I see in these pictures is passion, love, art,creativity and heart and beauty thank you for showing me some of your work

It's me that want to thank you! You have really made my day! And, hearing such words from who does really know what this kind of work involves, and who appreciates it, is endlessly rewarding!

CD ... thanks a lot! You know ... this thread (again thanks to LW) helped me to learn how to attach pics using Photobucket! I've never tried it before! I could do with learning to be quicker when using it, though! TJ ... my son also requested the Ben 10 cake for his last birthday! He's quite a fan! It's always immensely rewarding when you see kids' faces lighting up in front of such characters as cakes! If only we lived near! Thanks also for your complements! ... as I always say, there are endless, different talents in each and every one of us, just expressed in different ways! If you make a mess with fondant, you surely do not do one with a pen in your hand or at a keyboard, or simply whipping up a ficcie in your delicious head!

Marie, I live in a place that likes to consider itself very elite when it comes to food. I have to say that I've seen very few professional bakers with the level of talent you have for decorating cakes. There is no reason why you could not be on the Food Network teaching your craft to others.

Marie, your designs are absolutely wonderful!! You have such a fabulous talent for cake decorating. You must get such satisfaction from the responses of your customers - and from us here! Thank you so much for sharing your pics. I hope you'll share more in the future!

Originally posted by gatchamarie Yes, LW! I'm a part-time cake decorator who works from home and mostly with sugar paste, also known as "fondant", flower paste and royal icing. In order to retain my prices low, due to our country's present economic situation, and in order to attract a greater clientele, I don't do a lot of elaborate sculptures or moulding, as these would take such a long time for completion and would inflate the price by far! The majority of times, I'm mainly ordered cartoon, or disney, characters for kids' birthday parties, but I also cater for the occasional wedding, hen's or bachelor's parties, and other adult themes, such as football logos, etc. When clients come to me with their order, they usually know that they could bring me a picture they like, or a photo, and I can adapt the particular picture into a cake form, drawing it and building it up from scratch. I also do figurines and some types of flowers, which I mould with sugarpaste, or flower paste, and which are put upon the top of some cakes. I don't deem myself as a professional like those artists we see on tv, like on the Food Network, etc, but my work is somewhat distinct, and more requested, from other cakes one can find at our local confectionaries! Every day that passes I learn more and try to keep refining! I'll try to attach a couple of photos for you to have an idea. If I'm not able to make attachments, or you won't find the pics immediately, please just wait a bit so I could try with Photobucket.

Those are awesome!

Amethyst and Hino, you're being too good and you're making me ! Thanks again! Amethyst ... those on Food Network, etc, are my idols! I simply keep watching them, over and over again, with an open mouth every single episode! Believe me ... they're way more experts than me!! It's a good thing we've invested in cable tv and satellite, though ... I didn't know what I was losing before! Hino ... it's true! My customers' response is very important for me ... yours is even better! I also like to hear constructive critisisms in order for me to refine my work, but then, when you have to deal with people, you can also expect some negative responses ... thanks God, I haven't had that many since I've begun this activity, but then, you could always find that one or two who try to find the least flaw! Some time ago, a client argued with me about the red colour I've used on her son's cake of the Manchester United Logo! It was red, but it wasn't the red she wanted, according to her! I've done this cake for a lot of persons, before, and everyone complemented me regarding it, in the past! She even got her husband to talk to me about it and I've spent the next couple of days worrying, and feeling nauseated, just because of this feedback!

Thanks a lot, Allen!

Wow! Gatchamarie, I was already impressed with your nudie cake and now I'm looking at more unbelievable cakes! I was especially impressed with that Spiderman cake...that foreshortening must've been tough! They're all gorgeous, though! If I lived close enough...I'd have to commission a Gatchaman cake, though!

Originally posted by Springie If I lived close enough...I'd have to commission a Gatchaman cake, though!

You and me both!!!!

Originally posted by Springie that foreshortening must've been tough!

That is quite an elaborate work, but it's all a matter of good planning, regarding the design, and the way you layer different cuttings of sugarpaste in order to give that effect! The few embossed features also play an important role, as they give the illusion of prominent features protruding further, and so do all the incisions that illustrate the web! Also, thanks a lot for your compliments, Springie!

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Green ... ! Mind you ... between friends ... no wrong impressions!!

Marie these are awesome cakes! You're as good as any professional.

Okay, who wants to hire Marie as a specialist to come overseas and teach them how to do this?

Ebony, thanks for your wonderful comment!

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Okay, who wants to hire Marie as a specialist to come overseas and teach them how to do this?

Hmm ... I might consider such a request! Just as long as I'll have all the expenses covered!

I am sure if we all chipped in we could bring her over during the Con and have Marie teach us how to make cakes at night and view the Con during the day. Then we all get the most bang for our money and she gets to see you crazy girls in your uniforms.

What about sleep?!!!! Well ... being able to meet you all would be the icing on the cake!

I am sure we can survive on one or two hours of sleep a night. I know we did this year.

Originally posted by clouddancer I am sure if we all chipped in we could bring her over during the Con and have Marie teach us how to make cakes at night and view the Con during the day.

Yes, and we would have to get her to re-make her naughty cake! (Didn't we decide it was the Condor? ) Gatchamarie, your cakes are works of art. I'm rather sorry they get eaten, even though I know that's their purpose. I'm glad you have photos of them!

CD, you answered Marie before I could... we definitely didn't get much sleep at the Con this year! But yes, I like that idea....

Originally posted by lborgia88 Yes, and we would have to get her to re-make her naughty cake! (Didn't we decide it was the Condor? )

Just to be fair ... I could also make one wearing white jeans, so everyone will be happy!! Thanks, LB! And how can a bunch of girls, having something so unique in common (i.e. Gatchaman fandom), and meeting each other after so much time, could sleep when they can talk, and talk, and talk instead!! I can thoroughly understand!

Originally posted by gatchamarie And how can a bunch of girls, having something so unique in common (i.e. Gatchaman fandom), and meeting each other after so much time, could sleep when they can talk, and talk, and talk instead!! I can thoroughly understand!

And talk and laugh about only one subject and the various incarnations of it ALL night. You would think after one night we would have run out of things to say but nooooo. Of course to be truthful we did also watch some eps. on a lap top and pull up Youtube vids. *nods head*

It was so much fun! And the more, the merrier! I'm hoping we can all do it again next year!

Originally posted by clouddancer I am sure if we all chipped in we could bring her over during the Con and have Marie teach us how to make cakes at night and view the Con during the day. Then we all get the most bang for our money and she gets to see you crazy girls in your uniforms.

Depending upon how the Con works, she might be able to teach a class on doing it at the Con, and depending upon Maltese tax laws, may be able to use the whole trip as a business write off.

Wow Marie, your cakes are AMAZING! You are truly an artist! I'm curious, you do you start with a sketch or a picture in mind?

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Okay, who wants to hire Marie as a specialist to come overseas and teach them how to do this?

Hino shoots her hand in the air Ooh! Me! I do!! Where do I need to sign???

Originally posted by Gatchamarie What about sleep?!!!!

Sleep?? Pshaw! Who needs sleep??? I just saw a picture of myself from Day 3 of the Con, and my eyes were all puffy from lack of sleep! Like CD said, 1-2 hours, and we were ready to go again!

Originally posted by Clouddancer And talk and laugh about only one subject and the various incarnations of it ALL night. You would think after one night we would have run out of things to say but nooooo.

You would think after a week we would have run out of things to talk about, but nooooo! It was an amazing time, and it would be wonderful if more fans were able to come every year!

Originally posted by Hinotori

Originally posted by Clouddancer And talk and laugh about only one subject and the various incarnations of it ALL night. You would think after one night we would have run out of things to say but nooooo.

You would think after a week we would have run out of things to talk about, but nooooo! It was an amazing time, and it would be wonderful if more fans were able to come every year!

Shhhh, you were not to let on we were together for a couple of days before and after the Con as well.

Originally posted by nuni I'm curious, you do you start with a sketch or a picture in mind?

Thanks, Nuni! All of you guys ... you don't even know how much you made me feel happy and encouraged these couple of days! Trying to directly answer your question, Nuni, I usually first build a picture in my mind, taking into consideration adequate dimensions, colours and design, then I draw it down once, as it's going to be cut or constructed! This is the method for flat cakes, with embossed features (e.g. that of Spiderman or Ben 10 as per attached). I'm saying this because cakes are different ... some need drawings and some need to be built up, and created, as you're going on with the work, especially when we're talking about multi-tiered cakes which require figurines, or flowers, on top, or around them! Having planned the structure, and the colour palette, of the whole cake beforehand, I then mould shapes by hand, trying to make them resemble what I have in mind, or what could have been requested by customers, and try to put them cleverly around the cake in order for the final product to be attractive to the eye. Trying to be brief ... as I mainly deal with clients, most of the times they come with a character, or theme, in mind. I browse through a lot of pictures on Internet, or else depend literally upon the picture a client could have brought me, giving them my opinion as I deem necessary! When I'm doing something for myself, or my family, it's another thing! I'm free to venture freely with my imagination! I try to choose pictures which could be adapted into a cake form, trying not to have many wastage from the baked cake, as I don't use moulds or ready cake forms. Then, I adapt it myself, enlarging, or alterating it according to the required size or pose. To be really honest, I also am very glad when I immediately find an adequate picture on Internet which I could enlarge to the necessary dimensions and so would only have the need to draw and cut along the outlines, sparing me the hassle of drawing freehand!!! I then trace the final design over cardboard piece by piece, as if making a collage (e.g. a drawing for the hair, another for the pieces of clothing, another for the eyes, etc). I wasn't that all brief, wasn't I?!!!

Originally posted by amethyst Depending upon how the Con works, she might be able to teach a class on doing it at the Con

Me?! ... in front of all those people?!!

Originally posted by Hinotori It was an amazing time, and it would be wonderful if more fans were able to come every year!

That would be awesome!

GMarie - thank you for such a detailed answer! It's amazing the amount of work (and care) each one of your creations requires. I'm sure your clients are so appreciative - I definitely would be! Have you ever seen a TV show called Ace of Cakes? Your cakes remind me of that show.

Originally posted by nuni Have you ever seen a TV show called Ace of Cakes? Your cakes remind me of that show.

I've heard of it, but I've never had the occasion to see it! I know who the chef is, though, and I also saw him taking part in Food Network Challenges! He's great! I so appreciate and am very flattered, hearing you say that my cakes remind you of his! I even like to watch "Cake Boss", on another channel, and whatever cake show comes across!

Honey - One thing you can guarantee on this board is honesty. When we tell you that you are just as talented as any professional that has their own TV show then you know we're telling you the truth!

Originally posted by green you know we're telling you the truth!

That's for sure! That's why I'm so grateful!

Originally posted by gatchamarie

Originally posted by Hinotori It was an amazing time, and it would be wonderful if more fans were able to come every year!

That would be awesome!

Especially if you came, Marie!

Originally posted by gatchamarie

Originally posted by green you know we're telling you the truth!

That's for sure! That's why I'm so grateful!

back Marie. And I have to agree with TJ, you joining us would make it even more fun! In fact having ANYONE else join us would make it that much more fun.

Originally posted by Transmute Jun

Originally posted by gatchamarie

Originally posted by Hinotori It was an amazing time, and it would be wonderful if more fans were able to come every year!

That would be awesome!

Especially if you came, Marie!

back, TJ and CD! It would be awesome to have the possibility to join you, some day! Next time I see a shooting star, that would be the wish I'll express!

I knew there was something better I should have wished for when I watched that Meteorite shower last week.