40 Comments

Well said Nina! And I am very concerned that your very polite comment stating your opinion was deleted from that editorial. Very unhappy! :(

Raewyn, Sydney, Australia https://www.facebook.com/cakesbyraewyn

Yep, that was lame! Would love to hear what Michal thinks and await his response.

Nina, Make Pretty Cakes, New Zealand, http://www.facebook.com/makeprettycakes

Very well put Nina! ♡♡♡

Tastebuds Cakery

Yes!! 100% behind this! Art for Arts sake! Are we seriously to believe that its in the best interests of the caking industry to only make safe cakes, that can be easily replicated?? Where’s the innovation? The creativity?? And some classes NEED to be based around styro, for cost as well as time, or are we limiting classes now only to those that can pay large sums of money they earned from being “real” cake decorators?? The more I have thought about this, the crankier I have gotten. I KNOW how hard I have worked for the things I have achieved, and for someone to tell me that I don’t “qualify” would be laughable if it wasn’t so damn insulting. I create art, I don’t sit idly back and judge the work of others, I roll up my sleeves and put my work out there to be judged, but never in a million years did I think that one of those judgements would be whether or not I used a dummy tier! I am thoroughly disgusted with this whole thing, and I’m very proud to say that the hashtag #makeartnotwar is going swimmingly on my page, proving that not everybody is as judgemental as the author of that article, and THOSE are the people I want seeing my Art.

I knew that this is little bit controversial theme, but I didn’t expect so much hard feelings. My fault is that I didn’t have time to read the editorial before it went live, I just checked the formatting – my bad.

I would like to answer to all your questions:

1. Editorial is written by the Editor – Sharon and do not necessarily reflect the views of CakesDecor.

2. We are not going to change anything on CakesDecor – no badges or labeling – CakesDecor value and respects all members who are creating cakes – no matter if they use real cakes or dummy cakes. We believe that cake decorating is more ART than food industry.

3. I’m little bit sad that you accuse CakesDecor of deleting or blocking comments, because we have NEVER block or delete anyone’s comment on CakesDecor or CakesDecor facebook. That’s why I took the time to reply you instead of deleting your blog entry. If you’ tell me where exactly did you add the comment(url link of the Facebook post) I can try to investigate why it’s not showing.

4. We are sorry for removing the watermarks, we deleted the photos already.

5. And the last one … I would like to react on your sentence “You earn money from our beautiful cakes being posted onto this fantastic monetized site.”

We (CakesDecor owners – me and Martin) spent almost 95% of the money we earned from CakesDecor back to CakesDecor(all costs that are necessary to run the site and promote it) and to give away to you, CakesDecor members(awards, challenges, give aways …). We can’t even afford to work on CakesDecor full time, because it would not pay our bills … we work on it every day in our free time – early mornings and nights.

PS: So many negative comments and no-one noticed that we added discussion into the gazette :(

-- Michal, http://cakesdecor.com | My Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/michal.bulla

Completely agree, labelling, putting people in boxes and bullying is wrong on every level. And removing your comment on the editorial? Why? Are you not allowed an opinion? Very very wrong.

Kerry, www.facebook.com/KiwiEat.Cake

well said Nina… Perfectly written xxx ♡♡♡
It was an èditorial that never need be written. It was always only ever going to cause nothing but hard feelings,controversy and conflict, and I guess the fact you commented thanks for sharing rather than removing the whole horrid editorial looked like you supported the statement.

Robin https://www.facebook.com/UnusualCakesForYou

Michal, you said “Editorial is written by the Editor – Sharon and do not necessarily reflect the views of CakesDecor.”
Then I don’t feel it should have been the editorial.
Sharon could have had her say – shared her opinion – in a blog post, on her own site or on Cakes Decor, where she could engage with people who agree or disagree.
The Cakes Decor Gazette is just that, the “Cakes Decor Gazette”. It DOES reflect Cakes Decor. I found the piece harsh and mean-spirited. Not the way Cakes Decor has always seemed to me.

Heaven in paper cups!

Thank you for your post Michal, and I massively appreciate your honesty in revealing you had not actually read the editorial, only checked the formatting before it was released.

I was blocked, and reported to Facebook. I am on a 24 hour ban from my page that occurred directly after I posted directly under the comment. I attach here two screen captures. Of course I have contested it.

My point in the monetising is that many of these labeled “FAKER CAKERS” have posted thousands of beautiful cakes on your site – bringing you lots of views, tags, comments and shares, and profile and it seemed strangely hypocritical slamming any of these cakes that have helped grow your site and saying there is a “new breed” of decorator, when decorative dummies have been used long before I daresay your Editor started making cakes.

I appreciate your point that the Editor does not necessarily reflect the views of CakesDecor – but perhaps that needs to be explored as well. As my deleted post suggests, it might be worth looking into inviting a few more writers into the Gazette to have a fair, balanced and well rounded view on the cake industry. It is very dangerous to be represented by someone that is keen to coin offensive labels on those within our cake family.

Nina, Make Pretty Cakes, New Zealand, http://www.facebook.com/makeprettycakes

I haven’t posted here, cakes or comments, for some time. …..with this post now I think I know why. This is an editorial which never needed to be written. We are all artists in our own rights and should be proud of where we are and how far we have come or where we aspire to be. There is no need for a badge to determine how great someone’s ability to càrve be it cake or polystyrene.
Love to everyone in he caking community ❤

Sarah, New Zealand, http://www.facebook.com/#!/TheCakeTin

I’m sorry if you as the owner of this site can’t stand behind a blog post than it should not be posted

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Designer-Cakes-by-Anna-Garcia/258572457508427

I found few articles on google describing the same FB issue that you have. The problem is that Facebook rarely(or never) explains whats going on and why it happened. I guess that you or one of your comments has been Reported by someone on Facebook … actually it could be anyone with Facebook account. Sorry for that, but I do not have competence to I solve this.

I agree with you about the “more writers into the Gazette” part … actually we were planning to do that, but didn’t have time to do that so far.

-- Michal, http://cakesdecor.com | My Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/michal.bulla

Thank you, Nina!
“Faker caker” did I take this personally?… no.
Do I find the term derogatory and offensive?… Hell YES!… and it will no doubt be a word bandied about for some time to come… unfortunately.
Angel… I think you hit the nail on the head! “Cakes Decor Gazette” DOES reflect on Cakes Decor.
In my opinion, the fact that there is an apology for removing watermarks, and those pics now being deleted… speaks volumes in itself.
I question whether the CD disclaimer “Any posts on CakesDecor.com (CD) are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of CD. CD will not be held liable for the actions of any user”, would hold up in court, where CD has engaged someone to be an editor on their behalf.

Julez, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Allways-Cakes/450634018350115?ref=hl

I’m sorry your cake comment was deleted Nina and you are banned. I agree with you, there is no one clear cause for this article. So sad.

Cakes by Angela Morrison, Dayton, Ohio http://www.facebook.com/cakesdecorcom?sk=wall&filter=12#!/pages/Cakes-by-Angela/110644185643397

Thank you very much Michal for investigating my ban. The irony I was singled out amongst many upset posts doesn’t pass me – and I await the wrath that will no doubt follow and being “taken down” or whatever other crazy threats have been made. I understand the need to maintain distance and silence from cake drama – but it is through this silence that bullish behaviour is allowed to continue, and good people are allowed to be hurt. As for your site Michal, I am sure a direct publicly issued apology for the term “FAKER CAKER” from you would go a long way – as it no doubt has hit a nerve and stuck many within the community who support you.

Nina, Make Pretty Cakes, New Zealand, http://www.facebook.com/makeprettycakes

Well said Nina! It was uncalled for article! Nice way to save you own butt Michal. Are you telling me Sharon never used styro ever? Please …. Rolls eyes

Ann-Maries Cakes http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ann-Maries-Cakes/262945553740371

Thank you Nina — I am one of the timid ones, so thank you for being on point. I’d rather comment here and promote this post, rather than the Editorial. I think they did a lot of name calling to attract attention. It was a harsh label. There is enough room for everybody in this industry without isolating people. Let us all let each other be. <3 <3 <3

Sarah G. -- visit me at ... https://www.facebook.com/GSweetsBySarah

I was personally outraged by the article and I wrote to both cakes decor and Michal and my messages were not read, so I am posting them here in this thread. Thank you Nina for this, common sense and common decency prevails!

Hi, I wanted to message you in reference to the article that was written by Sharon for the Gazette. I actually just responded under the post with a lengthy and toned down reply, but I felt it necessary to also message you directly. I am, in truth, appalled by the insensitive article that Sharon wrote. It is a slap in the face to cake decorators who have both used, promoted and supported Cakes Decor. I am one of those decorators, a so called “Faker”. I have supplied tutorials (using both real and fake cake). I have liked, shared, supported and followed the work of many decorators on your site and to be told, through this insensitive article that “you are not a caker” because I have worked with foam is an outrage. Let me tell you, I am a cake Decorator, cake decoration and this industry and it’s community are my absolute passion. I didn’t know that there were certain conditions under which people were considered to be cake decorators ….I assumed if you love cake decorating then you’re a cake decorator. This is supposed to be a decorating community filled with support, advice and encouragement. The job of Cakes Decor is to unite cake decorators through a common passion, not to cast judgement on who is an who isn’t worthy of membership. Garbage like this only seeks to build walls and ostracize members of our community through the judgement of their skill (but only with REAL CAKE) and the medium in which they work. By publishing this piece you, cakes decor, SUPPORTS the views of the editor and casts a supreme judgment on who is and who is not a cake decorator, and, likely in doing so, insulted half of your contributors. Wow to this…“Editorial is written by the Editor – Sharon and do not necessarily reflect the views of CakesDecor.”…My apologies but isn’t the Gazette sent out to all those who subscribe to Cakes Decor? It is not sent to all who subscribe to Sharon!! Getting this in my e-mail inbox, from Cakes Decor, says to me and anyone else, these are our opinions. Having a personal opinion, a stance is perfectly fine, it crosses the line when a public platform is used to push a very personal and meanly written agenda. I will promise this, never again will I use your site as a means to connect with fellow cake artists, never again will I use your site to offer my years of advice and support to fellow cake decorators. It is incredulous that on one hand, you are interviewing artists, celebrating and showcasing their work, taking advantage of their generous nature, tutorials and advice which supports this website and brings in new users, whilst on the other hand calling those same cake decorators “FAKERS”. This is a shameful article, written with one purpose, to inflame and divide our community and to single out individuals. Is it possible that all those “complaining and spitting out their dummies” as we have been accused are wrong, or is it possible that your Editor, screwed up! Are we all wrong or did an individual cross the line for which they must be now held accountable!!!

RebekahNaomiCakeDesign

And now you can see how easily the bad reputation can grow … 5 years of CakesDecor, millions of comments, not a single comment deleted or banned(except spam), thousands hours spent answering questions and you see the reaction of people who not even read my comment above or verify If your comment was really deleted.

CakesbyAngelaMorrison: Noones comment has been deleted and we didn’t ban anyone.

Ann-Marie Youngblood: I’ve never said that Sharon don’t use styro, actually I don’t care – it’s everyones’ choice.

-- Michal, http://cakesdecor.com | My Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/michal.bulla

Really sad to see the consecuences of insisting on make a division in a community. It is really irresposable not knowing exactly what was written for the gazette, because Cake Decor IS absolutely behind it!!! Sad to know that this is mostly a personal opinion, which was written with “what intentions???” I have seen Karen Portaleo use styro to replace the dress of one of her sculptures, is she fake? Not in million years!!! Do you think is easier to cover a 5 inches tall square styro It is not. The artist’s pictures that were used ( which watermarks were removed) has always ALWAYS stated they use fake cakes, they are called “scenografic cakes”, because thats normal in Brazil culture, and of course you have no idea they use cold porcelain to cover them and then those cakes are sold to party decorators. Obviously there was no previous research about the work of that artist. Sooo many issues with that editorial. Instead of using this editorial to divide our community into 2 sides like we always do: black/ white, gay/straight, male/female, christian/ jew and so on, the editorial should be to embrace us all into a growing community , without labeling, without calling name, without personal issues, without belittling others, without stirring the beans and bringing this terrible division. We are responsibles of what we write, what we post and for our opinions. I m really really upset with this unnecessary situation. Listen to all the voices, listen to all the opinions and include other people in the editorial. Look for new voices and different point of views. Bring editorials that are positive, inclusive and that embrace us all into this sugar passion, we want less personal opinions and personal issues into those editorials.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viva-La-Cake/ http://vivalasugarcake.blogspot.com/

Thank you Nina, for taking the time to voice the concerns of so many. I purposely left “that other cake site” , which btw has gone to the dogs because of divisiveness, sneakiness, and general nastiness within the forums. I choose not to join in fb cake groups or sites that like to stir up bad feelings and pit one “side” against the other. This was force fed into my inbox, I didn’t choose to be a part of this. The Gazette is a direct reflection on you and CD. You’re right, Michal, 5 years of a good, fun website has now been trashed by your very own editor. The question is, how are you going to repair the damage done by your appointed editor? Your actions, or inactions will play a huge part in the future of CD.

I’ve been saved, I’ve been changed, I have been set free! www.facebook.com/sbcakedesign

Michal, my deleted comment is not an issue – I believe you fully and back you 100% that you did not delete it. Is was more than likely someone on the comment thread that did not like my opinion. Once the ban lifts after FB investigates it, my comment will show on the post again. I don’t doubt, however, the bad reputation can grow directly from a badly worded opinion Editorial post calling out the most offensive name calling a cake decorator can hear: CAKER FAKER. That’s what is causing the grumble. People are not reacting to your comments – they are reacting to the insults within the Editorial, and rightly so.

Nina, Make Pretty Cakes, New Zealand, http://www.facebook.com/makeprettycakes

Michal: I find it a bit odd that Nina’s comment was singled out for deletion. If it was because random FB users were offended, it seems other comments would have been deleted, as well. Please realize that your editors represent you and your site in what they are allowed to say. Of the hundreds of cakes I’ve made, only 2 ever have been dummy cakes (for magazine collaborations), but I am still utterly shocked and offended at your Gazette editorial. It should be removed at once.

https://www.facebook.com/PeggyDoesCake

I am very disappointed I never knew that you have an editor full of negativity and i think she has been really upset for a long time at things that this was a breaking point… The problem is that she GENERALIZED and unrealistically wrote the article based on the emotion she felt that day ..she maybe had a bad day and something set her over the edge.. you never shoot first and ask question later … After all is her opinion and if she wanted to rant she should of have put the blog on her page and not use cake decor as a platform … Hope that we can move on from this and i hope that you read the articles before they are published

lilchick

I’m sorry for you Michal, that all your hard work has been so quickly put in jeopardy.

Heaven in paper cups!

Michel, I never said you banned Nina. She told me she’s banned from fb and I’m sorry for it. Also, I’m reading that her comment was deleted, not by you, but that doesn’t change the fact it was deleted and she’s showing proof of it.

Cakes by Angela Morrison, Dayton, Ohio http://www.facebook.com/cakesdecorcom?sk=wall&filter=12#!/pages/Cakes-by-Angela/110644185643397

Tough I like you sharing your feelings and can agree in some points. I think most of the sad feelings about the article are because of misunderstanding and the Facebook issue.

I must say that, even if Sharon wanted to polemize, She has thrown her opinion and she has her right to do that. I can’t think of her trying to set some kind of new law or labeling. So, even the article maybe wrong at some points we can’t do a crucifixion now and here. Please calm down and don’t be sad cause Shag is not a high priest and probably she’s having a deep thinking about all now.

You make pretty cakes, as your business name says, and some of us love them. Sometimes there’s a lot of polemic because of gossiping and guessing about caking and faking, but that’s not new, a lot of people asks me at cake fairs or even in posts or messages and I answer the clearer I can, but anyway they are allowed to think what they want. Even if they don’t like of some of us using styro sometimes I can’t find the problem and will use when I find it reasonable. Up to anyone to work one way or another. And up to anyone to to believe if something can be done with real cake or not. I’m still enjoying the sight of cake artistry all around in the cake community, sharing and living it.

A lot love your work so… please share the love.

Daniel Diéguez Cake Artist

All I can add to this is I believe us cake artists create cakes out of genuine love of cake decorating. We’ve found our passion and want to use that to inspire others- if that’s on real cake or cake dummies that really doesn’t matter.
Our passion is also to inspire others- Isn’t that what this industry is all about anyway? Inspiring others… for me I get inspiration from everywhere, my surroundings, fabrics, movies, photo’s and yes- other designers cakes. I would be the first to say that we all in this industry need to first of all Support each other, encourage and help upcoming cake decorators along with giving credit where credit is due. For myself this is quite sad to be a newer cake designer and seeing this type of drama in this industry, an Industry that I support, give money to and advertise. What a shame it would be for me or anyone to have to think first “should I share this post” or worse, should I even comment.. to have to think hard about our actions first so we’re not afraid to be chastised or discredited. For myself- I just want to see Cake, new cakes, old cake, new idea’s new inspirations… I want to keep growing-learning and supporting others. Yes and in return expecting nothing- it would be nice to be supported in return.
Following this thread..
please visit my website and check out my first cake decorating video tutorial. I sure would love to see a small amount of support from this industry I’ve been supporting for the past 3 years.. even a share would be a blessing right now to my family.. my info in my profile. ( see even that I was afraid to say) isn’t that sad…

Wendy's Custom Cakes SC

Always kind Daniel! I always share the love. That was exactly my point – to show support and love and to assure everyone they belong. Their work counts. To stand up and feel proud of their work. And not to feel alienated or made to feel bad, or told you cannot call yourself a cake decorator. If you read my prior blog post, and every post before it, it is always thanking this lovely community for it’s kindness. There has never been an issue with such polarity. I don’t dispute anyone’s entitlement to their own opinions, what I dispute is the derogatory name calling chosen to introduce into our cake community and the misuse of other cake decorator’s photos with watermarks removed to make a point. It’s not okay. I felt I needed to be brave enough to stand up and shout: You count! You belong! You are loved! despite the fear. But you are correct, I will continue to share the love, and make pretty cakes, and let people know their work is validated. Look at my tag line on CakeDecor – you all inspire me! Let’s continue that support for each other, which is in the spirit of this website and why so many of us love it.

Nina, Make Pretty Cakes, New Zealand, http://www.facebook.com/makeprettycakes

<3 <3 <3 Great!! <3 <3 <3

Daniel Diéguez Cake Artist

Yes! This is a great comment and I’m so pleased to see support from so many cakers here. I have never even questioned whether somebody who uses styrofoam can be called a ‘cake decorator’ and i was so angry when i read this article that seemed to have no goal other than to create segregation and animosity. Why do we always have behave so terribly towards each other? Why can’t we support and encourage artists, whether they’re using cake or styrofoam?! I cannot believe that an artists photos were used (presumably without their permission, or without them knowing what they were going to be used for, as surely they wouldn’t have agreed to it?) and watermarks removed. By the way, removing a watermark doesn’t make it impossible to find the artist – I already knew them (big fan) but i did a reverse google image search just to test it and found their website in about three clicks. So well done on attempting to publicly shame a brilliant artist. Really saddened that a site like this, which has always seemed supportive, friendly and encouraging up until now, would let this article be published. Can’t believe no-one proof read it and thought, no, this is MEAN.

Beth Bakes Cakes

BRAVO Nina! Extremely well said and I agree 100%! The article was nothing less than ridiculous! And don’t get me started with ANY artist removing watermarks. I truly can’t believe what would have made Sharon think that was acceptable. I happen to have looked into whose photos she used and manipulated and would be more than happy to share that information with you is you would like, feel free to message me and OH, NO, she did NOT have permission to use them or manipulate them in any way. Using dummies is a VERY common practice in our trade. They are a tool, just as all the other tools we count on daily. It is rather obvious to me, Sharon must have had some personal buff with the very talented artist and used CakesDecor.com Gazette as her personal platform in an attempt to shame said artist. I realize this is harsh for me to say, but I also am sick to death of this continued bullying by grown adults within our community. Just last week one of the dearest, sweetest, kindest and very talented artists I know, was shamed and threatened over NOTHING more than a misunderstanding about a “Like”. This behavior MUST stop. It’s embarrassing and degrading to our entire industry.

JulieTenlen, Michigan, http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sweet-Life-cakes-cookies-by-Julie/441695505908096

Well I can’t speak for anyone else but my geode cake is a “fake”, in fact it isn’t just a fake, it’s a repurposed fake, I used the dummy and marbled fondant from my Memorial Day/Remembrance Day cake, and I really couldn’t care less what anyone says about “fake cakes” I suffer with fibromyalgia on top of a lot of other things, I take care of my husband who has had to have his pancreas removed and is now on an insulin pump and our four year old wild child son who has speech difficulties because his glue ear took 18 months to diagnose, I don’t have the time, energy or spoons (as those with chronic pain/fatigue disorders like me call it) to make cakes all the time but I want to build up my portfolio for when my son starts big school and I do have a little more time and energy to start a business, I use dummy cakes on those occasions where there is a particular design I want to try or I have an idea in my head that I need to make right this second, I’m not going to stand half killing myself baking all day just because someone I’ve never met has deemed me unworthy of the title cake decorator, let’s face it whether it’s sponge, fruit or a dummy they’re all cakes, it’s just some of them aren’t edible, we shouldn’t have to waste our time, money and energy baking “real” cakes in order to express ourselves and hone our skills just because someone said polystyrene isn’t good enough. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but if your opinion is derogotary to others keep it to yourself.

Dear Nina you summed up what most of us thought, some of us were a little more verbal than others but alot of us feel the same way you do. I feel there is enough dischord in the cake community without adding additional labels. I tossed and turned on this all last night I was so upset….yeah it really upset some of us. PS I think you spoke your mind Nina cos like me…..you are a kiwi! we are like that lol :)

Claire North

Well said Nina!
Pretty much what a lot of cakers were feeling, including myself.

With all my respect to all people opinions I found the article for the “FAKE CAKERS” pointless, unnecessary and mean. Cake decorating develops so much and so fast lately. There are so many new tools, materials and techniques out there. Pleasing a customers and working according their requirements on a REAL CAKE is very important but not enough. We also must show the customers what the cake decorating industry could offer nowadays. How? As decorate and work on a FAKE CAKE, learn and experiment new ideas on FAKE CAKE, advertise showing our work on a FAKE CAKE. I honestly do not see what is the problem with the FAKE CAKES? Also more and more customers of mine order FAKE CAKES ( especially for weddings) with a tire or two of REAL CAKE.

Custom Cakes by Albena

Nina I admire your courage and the fact that you stood up and spoke out knowing what kind of backlash you could receive ( as evidenced by the fact that your original response to the editorial was the only one reported and removed for 24 hours….) you have always been a huge champion in this crazy cake world and nothing but kind, supportive and encouraging. Thanks for linking the blog post above, I think it sums up what the majority of us Cakers ( fake or not!!) think about the editorial. ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Huge love

Kerry, www.facebook.com/KiwiEat.Cake

Thank you Nina, I saw so many dear friends insulted and hurt by a very thoughtless editorial. There was just no need for it to be said, at all.

Hey Nina – what happened to the post that was originally here? It had a different title too?

Heaven in paper cups!

Hey all, I just wanted to let you know that the Editorial has been edited to be less controversial. You can read Gazette’s and Sharon’s Statement at the end of the Editorial.

Thank you for your opinions and comments.

-- Michal, http://cakesdecor.com | My Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/michal.bulla