Wednesday, May 28, 2008

My First Cupcake Order!



So a lot of people have been on me to start selling my baked goodies. But I'm not a fan of selling anything you make with your heart in it, because let's face it, critiques suck. And I am probably my own worst critic. But one of my friends REALLY wanted me to make an order for her friend's graduation cupcakes, and then again later this week for a huge work staff meeting.

Since I bake anyway, I said okay. My nerves leading up to the event were pretty funny, I mean it's not like I'm a total novice, I could make cupcakes in my sleep. But somehow it was different when someone is depending on you.



They came out cute and they tasted yummy...though of course I have my favorites. They got rave reviews from the purchaser and her cupcake-eaters and she said some of them want to place future orders. Wow! I don't know if my nerves could take this on a regular basis. It's much more fun baking for people who are just happy when you are giving them a slice of whatever!



On Sunday I made coconut minis and regular Kahlua chocolate. This was along with making a mini coconut cake for dessert with our friends on Sunday night AND finishing up my TWD brioche pecan sticky buns. Sunday was a busy day. Then last nite I made the 2nd order, for 100 minis of vanilla buttermilk, chocolate peanut butter, and my favorite lemon.

16 comments:

steph- whisk/spoon said...

look at all those cupcakes! i think that's great!! you have no idea how much i wish i could do my own stuff from home, but i don't have the guts to solicit business. :(

you've got to get that KA up and running again!!

Anonymous said...

Hey there!

The cupcakes look great and I bet they were delicious. I was the pastry chef at a cafe for years and after I had to quit, I made the decision to start my own baking business from home. It's hard work, but it's been a lot of fun!

And yes, critiques can be hard to take, but you gotta take any sort of criticism and see what you can take from it. And not everyone is gonna love what you make--it's just the way it is. It took me a long time to learn that!

Honeyed Hashette said...

I love the Chocolate in the blue paper with the blue sugar! So pretty! (but you know I am a fan of blue and brown).
I say go for it! You would be very successful at a cupcakerie. :)

Shari@Whisk: a food blog said...

All those cupcakes look delicious! They'll be some lucky customers out there!
Shari@Whisk: a food blog

Anonymous said...

OMGosh! Look at that army of cupcakes! They turned out gorgeous and if I lived closer, I would order some!
Like Tanya, I was also a pastry chef at a number of Inns. I did what she did, I quit my job and opened up my own business. It was hard work and I did it for over 15 years from cafe to wholesale and commercial baking.
But, I have to say, it was SO worth it!
Hard work? Yes!
Riches and wealth? Nah!
Fame and Glory? Priceless!

Take your time and ease into it. I guarantee you'll be addicted in no time!

marae said...

thanks ladies!!

i am in awe of you gals who worked in the baking industry -- it does seem like it's a true 'labor of love'. it was nice to get some petty cash for my work but the mental stress that i went through, it doesn't quite equal out just yet.

i already have an career i love -- and my hub reminds me i would never make as much doing this, so it's def 'for fun', but it is nice to have people think your stuff is great and want to give you money for it!!

and yes i need my KA back!! i am taking it into the service store today *sob*

CB said...

I hear ya girl. I've been teetering back and forth about making a decision and committing to it for a home business. For now I do it for love of baking for friends, family and word of mouth. Just call me a wuss! haha. Cupcakes look fabulous!
Clara

Amelia said...

Yay, you did it! Love the blue-brown cupcakes especially!

Laurie said...

Oh Mara..yeh!! I am so exited for you about your first cup cake order!! I have to tell you..I too just recently had my first order for cheesecake pops..the second time around making them were much better than the first..and today I was asked to fill a cake order.."woohoo for both of us!" :)
About my camera..now I am the one making sounds audibly..lololol! I am so looking for a new camera..I have a small Cannon power shotA550 with the tiniest of tiny lenses!!!! My husband hears me rave all the time about all the beautiful blogger food photo's! He took me out this past weekend to look at new camera's. My dream camera is a
Nikon D80 with a kit,
http://www.shopcartusa.com/P_Nikon_D80_Digital_Camera_25412/View_Overview/
plus I would eventually like to get a macro lens for the close up food shots. But as I said.."in my dreams!" :)
Thank you for your kind word about my DB Challenge! Are you not a DBER? For some reason I thought you were.. :) :)
Ciao!

Laurie said...

http://www.shopcartusa.com/P_Nikon_D80_Digital_Camera_25412/

The last link I gave you didn't work..lets try this one! :)

Faery said...

Oh my God what a beautiful blog with so many beautiful creations I love your blog. from now on is in my favorite link list in my blog

marae said...

laurie, thanks for the camera info, yours is pretty nice it seems!! and YAY for cheesecake orders..!

faery, you are so sweet!! i love your beautiful blog too.

cb...you're not a wuss! it's a lot of work! i definitely want to keep it a 'labor of love' because when it's not fun then you don't want to do it anymore right?!

Laura said...

I am in love with your postings!! Beautiful cupcakes!!!!! I just started selling my cakes, and I completely know how you feel!!! Whenever I bake for a paying customer, I have, what I describe as, the "oh shit" moment...the "now they will all know that I have no idea what I am doing!!!" moment. It is a balance I need to find...baking has always been for relaxation and enjoyment...and I don't want to kill that.
Thanks for your beautiful blog...keep on baking and sharing!

Ivy said...

On the first picture, I love how the light blue and brown compliment each other.

I know how you feel about the selling thing. I tried to start a little business too because people kept telling me I should.
It seems like once you start selling them, you lose the passion or something goes missing. Hummm. :)

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the new business - your cupcakes look delightful...if they taste half as good as they look I'd say your in for huge success!! :)

Anonymous said...

Hello! I am new to your site. And I love your cupcakes by the way! You have an amazing talent...a gift. And you were able to verbalize exactly how I feel about baking for others when it just for fun versus when it's for profit. It was kind of nice to know I wasn't alone in feeling that way too about my food...very protective and usually I am the worst critic too! I get a little nervous as well and usually for nothing because everyone is almost always delighted with their treats. Thank you so much for your site and your awesome treats, recipes and gorgeous photos. Best wishes and happy baking!!!