My relationship with Novelty cakes

Being frank, If you asked me if I loved Novelty cakes, you'd likely get a definite "No!"  

Novelty cakes and I have a funny relationship. I love to hate them. 

You see, I get such satisfaction from making a jaw dropping Wedding Cake, the thought of a brightly coloured Novekty cake really doesn't excite me. Or so I thought. 

My lack of enthusiasm for Novelty grew as I began to realise that most consumers put less value on this style of cake. It's just a Cake right?? It's GOT to be simpler than a traditional wedding cake doesn't it??

Well, no. 

It's true, a wedding cake is complex. It requires skill and finesse to finish it to a level worthy of its positioned glory. 

A Wedding Cake is the central focal point of the reception. It's the ceremonious symbol guests rush to ogle over when they enter the reception. The Wedding cake is the surprise factor. Will it be a big opulent structure coved with hand crafted sugar flowers, or will the guests be delighted by the surprise of a unique cake that represents the quirkiness of the couple. Or maybe something In-between . Whatever the design a Wedding cake is held in high regard. 

Novelty cakes, sadly, don't have that same rap. They're fun. Sometimes they're cute. They're not as hard to make- are they????

I use to fear the very thought of mixing up 19 different colours to create a novelty. I don't like waste, and when mixing up this many colours there's always some waste. Even with years of experience colour matching and blending, knowing how much you'll need to cover a tier, still means that there's leftover.  While some colours can be saved for later, most are fiddly little bits that are not worth keeping, yet if you put all of the "bits" together in a ball, you'd have something between and orange and a grapefruit size piece left over. Pffft! That's a couple hundred grams of icing. Yes , but if you're making a few each week it adds up. 

There isn't that kind of waste with white or ivory cakes. 

Clients who couldn't see the time, effort and value in a Novelty are another reason I began to loathe this style. 

I was so disheartened by this that I dreaded anyone who inquired about a novelty cake with me. I'd send a quote, or offer one over the phone- to be met with akward silence. Or cries of "WHAT?!?!?" "IT'S JUST A CAKE!"  

But soon enough clients started to see the "Cool" in Novelty, they began to see that a 3D cake that was a replica of an object would not only serve as a delicious dessert at their gathering- it too would provide entertainment! It could Wow the guests as well as satisfying their sweet tooth!

I loved hearing how my clients guests reacted. "They couldn't believe it was a cake!!" "I didn't want to cut it", were common feedback I received. 

With all this joy and excitement I started to like Novelty cakes (insert very surprised face). And while the majority of inquiries were still alarmed at what a novelty cake costs- there were clients who appreciated their worth and ordered some truly awesome cakes. 

My appreciation of Novelty cakes was probably summed up with this cake I did in 2012

I thought it was way cool! It's head even turned!! 

It was more than just a cake. It was a feature decoration at a party. "That's a cake?!?!" "Wow!"   My job was complete. 

In 2014 I did some pretty fun cakes. I didn't realise how many until I spent time (hours) looking back through last years pictures. 

I also realised that maybe I liked Novelty design. Maybe it was pretty cool?  Perhaps I did get job satisfaction from making them :)

So I thought I'd share my favourites from last year.

This push car cake was a 1/2 scale model. 

Then there was Lola Pickles. 

Ordered as a surprise for the birthday girl- this 3D novelty cake was a cartoon replica of the family cat. 

The one that possibly impressed grown men the most was the Lego Man Transformer cake. 

 He was so big that I couldn't photograph him easily in my tent. 

He was entirely cake- with the exception of the wheels- which were Rice Krispie Treat. 

He was allot of fun. 

Then there was a replica of a young gentlemans Longboard. Complete with a mini Mr on the edge. 

Then there was the Pinball machine cake. 

This was actually for my dad. 

He turned 60 last September. I actually waned to buy him a real pinball machine, but that wasn't possible, so I gave him the next best thing- an edible one :)

My dad had a 60's themed 60th. I wanted to make a personalised cake, rather than just replicating an actual machine. 

He gets called "Magoo" by some friends due to his glasses. 

So "Disco Magoo" was the Pinball theme. 

Psychedelic swirled icing, and "scores" reflecting significant years and dates. 

It was another giant cake. Thanks to my husband Steve for drilling and screwing the supports in place. 

There were many more in 2014, but I will leave them for another day. 

Just a small collection of some satisfying novelties I did last year. 

I now get excited by the prospect of creating a fabulous 3D novelty. I love the challenge of getting the structure right, and making it entirely from cake! 

So if you've got something you'd like made out of cake - give me a shout!

Thanks for reading

SJ 

The Countdown..................

to both my holidays and the brilliant Debbie Brown's arrival was well and truly on this week of June. The final preparations for the workshops was getting in order- and my holiday was being finalised (more on that later) so I was super excited!

I had a cake this week that "In My Opinion" was just jaw dropping beautiful. The design itself was not my original- in fact it was adapted from a small magazine clipping- so unfortunately I do not even know who to credit for the inspiration. Not only had the bride chosen a great cake- she had also commissioned Sandee from Always Fabulous Flowers to look after all things Floral for the wedding! Destined to be an Enchanted wedding for sure!

So now that I have whet your appetite....... I think I will save my favourite of the week for last ;-P

I also had another V cool cake to do......... The Brilliant Toni Snell had me make her partner's birthday cake- A Monaro... pretty cool hey! 

Now I am blessed to get so many referrals from Toni- beautiful wedding cakes for her equally gorgeous brides- so when I got asked to make a car birthday cake I was certainly eager to have a crack! I was honest and upfront when I told Toni that I had very limited car cake making experience- but if she had faith that I could create some thing "car like" then of course I would love to give it a go!

Having  husband who is car mad- and who races scale model cars meant that I had my own personal critic to "help" me create the correct shape- detailing etc... albeit that he was still very critical and pointed out on numerous occasions where I could have improved- in the end I thought it looked pretty damn cool indeed! I finished the cake with  glaze to make it all shiny too!

 I can see where "perhaps" Steve was right and I could have made the cake a bit more realistic- but in the end it is a cake- Toni and Tony loved it so that is all that matters ;))

You can read all about the Birthday on Toni's Blog too!

With Debbie Brown in town the last weekend in June- I found it quite ironic that of all the cakes I have ever been asked to make- it was one of her designs that a client this particular week chose. If only Debbie was here a week earlier- then maybe she may have been able to give me a hand LOL!

This princess ballerina cake was made for Sofia's 4th Birthday.

Layers and layers and layers and layers of frilled icing all around this design.  A pretty Sugar Plum Fairy in her ballet position ( to which I have forgotten the name of... Bravo?????????????)  looking nothing but sweet on the board.

My worst Cake Wrecks Nightmare came to light when the birthday girls Dad came to collect the cake- and noticed that Sofia's name was incorrectly spelled! ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had the order on hand where it was written "Sophia" however this was never picked up earlier.... although my heart rate was sky high with panic- I took a deep breath- removed the "ph" and replaced it with an "f"- moved the "ia " closer and placed on a number 4 and Viola!!! Perfect finish!

So the moral of the story is when you peruse your order double check that every detail is correct... because what I have written down is what you will will get.

I suppose if that is my worst mistake to date it isn't all that bad in the end.

So with the panic over- it was off to deliver the cakes for the day!!!

It must have been birthday week (and the fact that there are fewer weddings in the "J" months) because I had a third birthday cake design to do for the week.

A Handbag cake in soft purple tones for this lovely ladies 40th!

Her wonderful husband came and met with me and did all of the ordering/designing to create a special cake for his wife- awwww how lovely!

I was really lucky to have two weddings almost around the corner from one another- which meant my delivery day was over by mid afternoon!

The first delivery went to the Sailing Club at West End.

The Bright and colourful theme wedding was reflected in the cake! A chocolate creation iced in a chocolate ganache and finished with bright coloured ribbons around the base looked very fitting indeed.

The rolled chocolate roses clustered across the design finished the cake of nicely.

So after the day of delivery and collections- it was off to deliver the grand baby of the week.

I am sure that the Bride thought I was hamming it up on the Friday when I was expressing my love for her cake over the phone- but indeed it really was. Love it Love it Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This two tier Extended height cake with a piping and applique fine detail was more than beautiful. Elegant and divine- with Ice pink open roses- with darker pink centers really looked smashing on this cake! I can imagine this design in a four tier too- it would look doubly grand and amazing... so if there are any brides out there who would love a bigger version- I am up for it for sure!

So by the end of this week in June I had managed to create a selection of wonderful client cakes- order for the workshops- and finally book in my holiday accommodation! I am certain my browser is thankful for the rest from Trip Advisor LOL!

 I cannot believe that August is upon us! Hasn't the year just been flying by!

Looking forward to sharing the end of June and the Debbie Brown workshops with you all soon

Thanks for reading
SJ