The first time I hated making an order

I used to do cakes from home for a couple of years before my daughter was born and although I experienced nothing as bad as you, I still hated the fact that people kept ordering the same cake over and over again – It was a clown cake!!! Very pretty the first couple of times but doing it over and over was getting too much!!!

Well all I can say is as a hobbyist atm I’m tempted to refuse orders for last than 20 ppl, and add a disclaimer that I won’t copy another cake in any way, that an item of the party decor or dress/jewellery /other theme can be provided and I’ll make my own design up based on that and show it to the client. But I was seriously considering starting as a business so I’m not sure if I’ll be in this situation a lot, or if a different design would be a dealbreaker for a lot of people. Well it’s reassuring you say what I experienced was pretty bad Marlene, at least that seems like it’s not standard for an order!

It is your hobby Sawsen – the fact that other people can benefit from it does not mean that they should dictate to you. Stay in charge and stand your ground. Knowing that you can provide a wonderful, original (and improved) design is one thing but convincing someone that you know better is sometimes easier said than done, especially when it is a friend. So far, when someone has come to me with an idea I haven’t been keen on I have either been able to suggest something better (my New York cake would have been a 12" square with silhouettes of NY around and 3 buildings plonked on the top if left to the customer) or I have turned down the request. After all, a hobby is for relaxation and enjoyment, not to make us miserable. Well that’s my opinion anyway :-)

I think you’re right Julia. I think this was important for me to learn through this experience.

And also, isn’t it a shame that you have spent so much time on something that you don’t want to show us. I don’t want to make you feel worse, but do you feel like your friend didn’t trust you? – do you feel hurt that she didn’t let you design it?……. I know I would, but then I think that especially when cakes are a hobby they are more of a passion and we put a lot of emotion into them that non cakers just don’t understand. She probably thought she was helping….. :-/

I don’t know, i guess mainly I was disappointed that instead of trying out some of the really cool ideas I have I had to spend ages on a cake I disliked that was far from straightforward for a mediocre result. I could have made a far nicer cake in half the time I feel.

Well, at least it’s all over now – onwards and upwards :-)

Yes, I hope I’ll remember this next time and have the courage to say no!

It is OK to say no!
I loved doing my “Asian tattoo” cake, as it was for my son’s best friend, who has visited my home a lot.
On the night, her mother asked if I would do one for her sister’s 18th… 3 tier with a pink superman design on one side and M&M’s design on the reverse side…
As an Aussie hobby decorator, I cannot profit from decorating.
I did not know the sister, hated the sound of the design, and did not want to spend days decorating for no profit…
So the request was answered with a simple “no”.
(It has taken me years of experience, to get to this point, but much happier now!)
Don’t let people take the fun out of your hobby. Enjoy it, doing what you love… ♥♥♥

I think that’s what this experience has given me Julez – the ability to say no because now I know how bad the alternative is! Xx