Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Catching Up & Cherry Blossom Flowers...



I can sum up my life over the past six months since my last post in one word...

WORK.

I finished up August, September, October & November with weddings--only to realize that Thanksgiving came quickly, then Christmas and now it's 2011.  Of course there are always more things going on in my life other than work, but I would have to say that the majority of my focus, time and energy has been spent on my passion and trying to figure out what the next step is for Jillicious Desserts. 

It's time to expand my business and I spent the greater part of last year (starting in March 2010) looking for the right space to open a Jillicious Desserts Bakeshop.  This has been a very long journey, and I'm still in the midst of this idea of creating a retail store front.  I'm a planner and if I had my way, I would have had my Bakeshop open last May or June, but alas, I have discovered that I don't have total control of these things.  So now that the holiday season is completed, I'm reviewing my ideas and options of what I want to do and where this should take place. 

Remember this post?  Just scroll down to the previous one in case you haven't visited my blog in the last six months (and I don't blame you, because I've totally slacked on my posts).  I find it interesting how one cake can inspire clients to use a common detail in other cakes for different occasions (you'll notice that five of these desserts have the cherry blossom flower incorporated into the design of the cake).

These are some of my favorite cakes & cupcakes that I really enjoyed creating for my clients.  And sometimes there is a story behind the cake; either my experience or a from the client.  I'll share a couple of them with you.

August 2010

Twin Boy & Girl Baby Shower Cake




Side note:  I was so excited to create this cake, but on the morning that I was decorating it, my website had been taken down without my permission by Microsoft and they also deleted my email account that had over three years of correspondence with clients.  It was so devastating to discover this horrible mishap and while decorating this cake, I just stood there and cried out of sheer frustration.  So, when I see this cake, that is the memory that comes to mind and how it was the longest two weeks till it got fixed.

Outdoor Wedding Cupcakes & Sugar Cookies
Location: Corvallis/Albany, Oregon





Outdoor Wedding Citrus Cupcakes
Location: Eugene, Oregon




Side note:  It always amazes me what a small world it is.  The client for this wedding was a sister of a friend that I knew when I lived in Palo Alto a few years ago.  I met the bride when she came out to Oregon for her wedding consultation and we made all the plans at that time.  She flew in from Washington D.C.--word of mouth is truly a great advertising tool.

September 2010

Yin-Yang Birthday Cake



1st Year Camouflage Anniversary Cake



Side note:  This anniversary cake was for a couple who's wedding cake I had made the previous year.  The client wanted to surprise her husband for their 1st year anniversary with this camouflage cake that she was bringing on a hunting trip that he was looking forward to.  I hadn't ever thought to make a cake like this before and I'm glad that she had suggested it--because I think it turned out better than I had imagined.

October 2010

8-year old girl's Flower Birthday Cake


Side note:  This little girl was so sweet and wanted a cake that was wedding-like.  When I delivered it to her home, she answered the door and her eyes lighted up when she saw her birthday cake.  I love it when I get to see a genuinely happy reaction like that.

November 2010

Under-the-Sea Theme Birthday Cupcakes




Side note:  This client had sent me a picture of her idea of what she wanted for the cupcake decorations.  While making these fondant animals, the time just flew by--this type of thing is so relaxing and I was pleased at how they turned out; especially this little guy--the blue octopus.

January 2011

80th Birthday Cherry Blossom Cake


Side note:  January is typically a slow month for a dessert business, as everyone has had their fill of holiday treats and all the diets have begun.  So, it's always nice to design a birthday cake with all the features the client asked for; down to the colors, the simplicity of design and the cherry blossom theme.  I hope the lady that was celebrating her 80th birthday enjoyed it too.

I know that many blogs have shared their new year's resolutions at this time of year, and though I too, have jotted down a few things I'd like to accomplish, I think I will keep the future possibilities wide open for now and share with you as things happen in my life and business.  I'm off to California this week and I'll see you again soon, fellow bloggers and readers. 

It's good to be back.  I've missed you.

12 comments:

  1. Wow, Jill...Such gorgeous work. I really loved the Twin Boy & Girl Baby Shower Cake and the 80th Birthday Cherry Blossom Cake. So beautiful! Food shots are the hardest to capture...who in the world is your fantastic photographer?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Shaggy Chic Pet Sitting: Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures, although I had to laugh because some of these photos were taken dring the wee hours of the morning or in bright outdoor lighting...but I'm a perfectionst and they could be better. :) Btw, I took all the pictures, so thank you again! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow - I think the cupcake fish and the simple yin-yang cakes are my favorites. Yes, your images are beautifully done.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AWESOME!AWESOME!AWESOME! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. :D Glad you are back!!! Took me 8 months to get back to mine! hahahaha. Love all the cakes/cupcakes you made...esp. the Under the Sea theme and the cherry blossom cake! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Glad you got a new post! I love the cherry blossoms! and of course the blue octopus!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm so glad you're back! It looks like you've worked on so many amazing projects over the past few months. Those cherry blossoms are gorgeous! Best of luck finding a place to set up shop!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jill, So happy to see you again! Glad that business is booming for you! The cherry blossoms are so beautiful and delicate, and look so real! I am in LOVE with the little blue octopus! Take Care, Sue

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi there! It was about time for a post of yours! ^-^
    I wish to you all the luck in the world for your business. You're so talented, you deserve the best!
    I love your last creations, especially the cherry blossom cake. Too cute for words.
    Big hug from Madrid-Spain!

    ReplyDelete
  10. You are truly talented! I love your work!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Impressive, Jill! You have a great potential to become a very successful bakeshop owner. If you haven’t started with your store front yet, you will need to start a well-thought and systematized business plan. This includes your vision, your understanding of equipment costs, marketing data on other similar businesses in your area, and a good understanding of financial management for a bakery. Good luck!

    Clint Shaff

    ReplyDelete
  12. It’s good to hear that you’re expanding your business. Looks like you’ve got good sales from previous year. Looking at those desserts and cakes you’ve made, there’s no wonder you’ve got an increase in sales. And you definitely deserve to expand your business.

    ReplyDelete