So, this week, and so many weeks much of what keeps me busy is total immersion in the details.I have been cursed with this need for accuracy. I will go to great lengths to be as accurate as possible. Much of the time this means using a lot more math than I ever thought I'd be using (shoulda' paid more attention in geometry!) scaling projects up or down.I will spend countless hours researching a subject on the internet.Sometimes my quest for realism has me buying beverages that I'd never ever consume (anyone want a 12 pack of root beer?), eating in and out burgers , you know just for reference =) and sometimes, just sometimes I'll show my dedication
by watching a movie just for a glimpse of the scenery or some obscure element in the film. This week I watched a few episodes of "Gilligan's Island" to get a good look at their dining table. Yep, just the table.Now, I'll admit, as sacrifices go, this one was pretty easy. Anyone who knows me, is no doubt familiar with my obsession with television. Now I realize how that is not a particularly cool thing to admit, no erudite person would actually own up to enjoying the "idiot box". I think I'm living proof that this is pure bunk, see me use the word "erudite" above. I credit TV with exposing me to all kinds of things that were not just entertaining but educational. Alas, I digress.
I did in fact get the data I needed from watching the castaways . Bet you thought I was never going to get around to the subject of my blog title, but see? Thanks for sticking with me and my pro TV rant . I set out to create a special cake board or base for my Gilligan themed cake; now that I knew what it looked like I was obligated to faithfully recreate it . Even . If. It. Killed. Me.
I set out to replicate the woven tabletop with bamboo edging.A quarter of the way through, I was asking myself, "What was I thinking???" but it was too late then, I was too invested.
So a cramped hand and a few hours later I had a pretty nice island tabletop.I'd love to say that this is the first time I was so dedicated to a mere cake board but I remembered that I'd been here many times before. To me, nothing is more sad than to go so far to create some intricate sculpture only to have the board bring it back down to "cake", if you know what I mean.Don't get me wrong, I too will use simpler coverings when necessary, sometimes it's the best option but it kills my soul just a wee, little bit.
Here I've compiled some of my more interesting bases, a long overdue spotlight on the lowly cake board.
9 comments:
I really love your cakes. The attention to detail is what I strive for also. I am told all the time to not be so detail oriented. I can't help it. I think it should look like the real thing, and be more than is what is asked for. My problem... I have no idea what to charge people for things. Maybe you could help me out. Check out my blog, and tell me what you think. I have been decorating for a year and a half now. My blog is psiloveyoucakes.blogspot.com. I sure would appreciate it.
Pricing is a tough issue, one that I continue to struggle with all these years later.My best advice is to see what is the going rate in your market. You want to be careful to not undercut your competition too much, but you must also take into consideration your skill level and the true costs of labor and supplies including lots of non cake things such as rent, utilities, insurance, advertising , packaging, etc....
I know there is some software out there called Cake Boss . I have not personally used it but it mght be something you'll want to look into.
Best!
Debbie
I'm lovin your blog Debbie!! And I love your dedication to your art - it truly shows in every cake you do! I myself have neglected the board time and time again - reading this will make me try a bit harder! The one board that you didnt include in your collage which is one of my favourites is your 007 board! I LOVE that one!
Keep it up!
Lisa,
I forgot about that one! I too, mostly use just regular coverings for boards. I find that so often I end up doing something more elaborate (read: time consuming) usually when I just can't find a foil or other covering that works with the cake.I could cover all my boards with coordinated fondant I suppose but I'm too cheap to do that, haha!
I totally agree that a well-designed cake board can take a cake from fantastic to stupendous. Unfortunately, most clients don't realize how much time and effort they take, nor do they want to pay for them :(.
BTW, I'm also a TV junkie and I'm proud of it, lol.
Another great post, but few and far between. :o)
Debbie, that Gilligan's island table board with bamboo is breathtaking. Sometimes it's the smallest detail on one of your cakes that makes the leap from really cool to astonishing. Like the edges of this table, the condensation on one of your many bottle cakes, or the tiny gump/sugar objects to the side the masterpiece.
I too love your bamboo and whicker cake board. I have been trying and trying to figure out how in the world you got it to look shiny and real!! I honestly neglect my cake boards waaaaay too often then kick myself later.
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