Hobby or business?

When I was growing up, my mom used to make us homemade birthday cakes.

Nothing overly elaborate, like some of the birthday cakes you might see today, but she still baked each of us a birthday cake and decorated it with love.  (I wish I had pictures here, they were great cakes, and plus, I was a cute kid! ha!)

When we were young, it was always a shaped cake pan decorated to the accompanying pattern. My siblings and I had birthday cakes ranging from Rainbow Brite, Bugs Bunny, clowns, baseball gloves, bubblegum machines, etc. I've even inherited some of the pans that my mom saved over the years!

As the years went on, the cakes became less elaborate, and the joke now is that mom doesn't even take the cake out of the pan. Just bake a standard 9"x13" cake, leave it in the pan, and frost the top!

　

I had decided after I had my first child, that I too, would make my kids' birthday cakes each year. 3 years in, and I've stuck to my promise.

Check it out for yourself (and please excuse the poor pictures...I need a new camera!

　

{T's first birthday cake & smash cake}

{T's 2nd birthday cake, Elmo of course!}

{T's 3rd birthday cake}

{T (3) & JB's (1st) birthday cake}

{JB's 1st birthday smash cake + mini cupcakes}



{dessert table at joint party}



　

　

As you can see, the cakes aren't overly elaborate, but I love knowing that I did it myself. Each year for Christmas, I ask for some new "tool" to help me along with my baking skills. I am totally all self-taught, although I've toyed with the idea of taking some decorating classes.

Baking has become more of my "thing" and now I'm usually the one that volunteers to make the dessert for various family and friend functions.  I've always dreamed of starting my own business and baking delicious treats, but honestly, don't have the guts to put myself out there like that.

Yesterday was my sister-in-law's last bridal shower before her big day (coming up in less than a month!!) and I had the responsibility for the cake. Of course I wouldn't being buying a decorated cake from the store, and I took her color theme and ran with it. Her wedding colors are cornflower blue and yellow, so of course that needed to be the cupcake and cake colors as well.

My father-in-law's side of the family is quite large (he's one of 12 children) and almost all remain local. I needed to be able to feed approximately 50 women for the shower :)

I made a very small cake, and tried a new "rose" technique I had seen but hadn't had reason to try.  I thought it turned out OK for my first trial. 

Next up were the cupcakes.  I made some mini cupcakes, as well as some traditional sized cupcakes, and did a combination of the yellow and blue icing.  "Rose" swirls, of course (her wedding flowers are roses, too!).

Sorry for the terrible lighting in the next few pictures, but the "cake area" at the party was on a kitchen counter that didn't have any natural light and was a little dark.  You'll get the idea!



{the bride's new last name starts with an "N" if you couldn't guess!}



As I was unloading the cupcakes and making my "cake display" more than a few people asked if this was a new business of mine or just a hobby.  At first I answered that it was mostly a hobby...but that I wouldn't mind if it turned into a business!  I had always day dreamed about doing something like this as a business, but could it really be a reality?!  Who knows.

At the end of the party, I offered my cake baking services for the next bridal shower (only a little over a month away....remember when I said it's a large family?  That means LOTS of bridal/baby showers!!). 

I also volunteered to make cupcakes for the bachelorette party "pre-party" this weekend.

Today, I daydreamed a little more seriously about making my dream a reality.  But on a small scale.  As in, starting with word of mouth among friends and family and seeing where it takes me.  Who knows, right?

Maybe this won't actually go any farther than just being the one who always makes dessert for family functions. 

I guess you never know for sure unless you really put yourself out there and actually take a chance.