Good Photos

Now that I've made the decision to start my own company, I now have the difficult task of photographing all my products, as a newcomer to photoshop I'm finding it rather tricky. However, I'm sure my family and friends won't mind eating all the goodies when I've taken the pictures...
Found a cute cardboard cake stand last week, love the blue with white spots (my cupcakes don't look too bad either!)

Lots to look forward to at the moment - got some gorgeous sample packaging on it's way, can't wait to see what it's like, and I will start making lots of cupcakes for my chocoholic range - will be very tempting to eat them instead of photographing them!!

Also on the way on July 1st is the launch of my friend Claire Keay's new website, jellypark.co.uk, Claire is a wonderful artist  and illustrator and you can buy all her fantastic work soon including original art, personalised prints, digital stamps, postcards and much more. If you just can't wait, check out her blog at http://jellyparkart.blogspot.com/

Taste Test!

So, let's talk about how these cupcakes tasted (the one's from Bradford's Bakers that arrived in a jumbled mess - see previous post)

Well, for a start, they were very heavy and when you pushed the sponge with your finger it didn't spring back, so my hopes weren't high! I persuaded Simon (my other half) to take the first bite and he was not impressed to say the least..
The only good thing he had to say was that the texture of the sponge was quite nice as it was kind of a madeira, but after I tasted it too we both agreed it was stodgy and tasteless. As for the icing, god it was disgusting, really gritty and left a horrible aftertaste in the mouth. Yuck :(

Oh well, at least I know the competition isn't up to much! They still haven't replied to my emails either.....

Cupcake Safety!!

Is there a way to send cupcakes through the mail safely? As I'm developing my new range now, it's a tough question - do I stick to local delivery by hand where I know my cakes will arrive in the condition they left me or do I risk the postal system and heavy handed couriers? 
In the name of research, I ordered 6 plain sponge iced cupcakes by mail order, I chose Bradford's bakers (www.bradfordsbakers.com/) as they offered next day delivery and seemed a large, reputable company. These are the cakes I picked for my order http://www.bradfordsbakers.com/?target=product&product_id=20806


At £9.90, plus a hefty £6.95 for delivery (a grand total of £16.85), my expectations were high, they promised attractive packaging "pink box with clear lid, beautifully wrapped with gift card and your personalised message", so I admit, I was a little excited and had high hopes that this company would show me the way forward.


You can guess what happened can't you?

That's right, they were a mess! Absolutely ruined! Packaging wasn't as described either, the box was matte gold and the "gift card" was one of those cheap tags you get on xmas presents.


Not too struck with their customer service either - I emailed through their website and explained the problem, I received a reply a few hours later asking for photographic proof which I duly sent off. This was at noon today and as of yet, no answer. Needless to say I won't be ordering again....


As for tasting, I'll let you know the gory details tomorrow!!
So, DOES anyone know how send cakes and have them arrive in great condition??? 
Please let me know :)

Not too keen on their customer service

Jellypark Launch

I am very honoured to know the fantastic artist Claire Keay and her beautiful artwork always makes me smile! Her new online store Jellypark is getting ready to launch in July, there will be lots of gorgeous things to buy including original art, greetings cards, t shirts, personalised gifts and digital stamps. So head over to this link http://jellyparkart.blogspot.com/ and check out the amazing promo video :) Here's a sneak peek at the girl's colouring posters, I'm sure big girls like me are allowed to colour too?!

History of BakerLou

Hi Everyone!

Here's a bit of background so you can understand the history behind my cakes.
When my son Jamie was a year old (he's 12 now, gulp!), I didn't want to leave him to return to work as a qualified nursery nurse so I decided to use my skills in a different way and set up business as a childminder working from home. This was something I really loved doing and over the years the children would ask me to make their birthday cakes as we were always baking together.

 My first cakes were a bit tragic to be honest but as time went by I learnt more tricks of the trade, word of mouth spread and I was soon doing countless cakes for friends and family. A local bakery hired me to make their celebration cakes, what luck getting paid for something I enjoyed huh?

Anyway, lately I have started to branch out into cupcake making, testing them out on my willing neighbours, and am thinking of starting my own cupcake online range. Stay tuned for the launch! Meanwhile, here's a few pics of cakes I have made over the years...