Book recomendations

[Nauseen]

Hello all, I know that Alison does a few books in her shop, but there's not a lot of info about the books, tried amazon and they are useless. Just need to know, which books to go for and what they include in them. I need some about flowers too. I have had my eyes on the alan dunn one, is it vey good, easy to follow? And some of the cheaper ones, like the idiot guides, are there like many pictures? Would especially like to see pictures of sugar pasted cakes. Also wedding cakes etc. Any views pls?

[dkcrooby]

Hi Nauseen,

I've got Alan Dunn's exotic flowers and you definitely need experience in making flowers if you wanted to get that book. I've only made a few flowers but nothing anywhere near to the one's he makes in that book. That's what i would like to do some day!

I have the same problem as you with looking for books. I try go to Waterstone's first but even then they don't have a great variety. If i find something i like, i then order it from amazon as they're much cheaper.

A good book is Spectacular Cakes by Mich Turner. Lovely wedding cakes and a few novelty cake too. For children's cakes, i've got Debbie Brown's 50 Easy Party Cakes and that's great. Nice, bright, colourful cakes.

Hope that helps a bit!

Shianne :-)

[rach]

Okay..books......

For me Alan Dunns book on wedding cakes....my wedding cake was taken from that book....beautiful book lots of cakes and flowers..if interested I will check the exact name..but its lovely.....

I also find I buy books which can help me with skills and cakes I think I might be asked for...

I love Debbie Browns Books I have nearly all of them except naught and saucy........
I have Magicla cakes, Enchanted cakes, cartoon cakes, 50 easy party cakes..

I also have Carol Deacon books these might be the better ones I only say that cos I find them easier and i can change them around to make the designs more my own..I have used quite a few of her designs like princess castle, horse and rider, woodland..
I find they cover alot of differnet novelty ideas rather than having to buy 10 books to get a whole range..

I have No time party cakes..perfect party cakes..

Also Lindy Smith ..wow..what amzing books there again loads of pics more detailed cakes like Debbie Browns but quite different aswell...
I have her new book animanl cakes, celebrate witha cake, storybook cakes, creative celebnration cakes, quick and clever party cakes...

For me the one of the best things is subcribing to squires kitchen cakes and sugarcraft magazine as you get lots of different things in each magazine lastest offers etc...only £4.99 and you get 4 per year..

I have loads of other book..like collette peters school of sugarcraft..now these books are very good for step by step tip three books in total they give you a good background to all te methods....wouldnt be without them

Alos another book for explanations which I must say I use alot id teh merehurst cake book....more written info on what thing are and can do like gum trag etc..it gives you the explanations..Also it has recipes for various cakes..but not really a picture book.....
But for me its a great informative book..

Well I hope that helps..If any of the book apeal to you let me know and I can give you more info...got loads more flower books and chocolate ones..can never have enough books.....lol......

[Nauseen]

Hib Thanks so much for help.. N=Agree with alan dunn's book being too advanced. I am still on the lookout, will definitely look at the book recomedations. Also i am awaiting details of that craft club. Sorry a bit short of time, going to work.

[rach]

i would go for carol deacon perfect party cakes...really good one I use it alot........

[emmascakes.co.uk]

I know I've banged on but Colette Peters is AMAZING and I go to her books for inspiration. Also Margaret Braun is just fantastic.
Their web-site are:
www.margaretbraun.com/
www.colettescakes.com/
Everyone seems to like Lindy Smith, her stuff is quite 'samey' but very professional:
www.lindyscakes.co.uk/
Also have a look at:
www.thecakeartist.ph/main/artist.html
www.mikesamazingcakes.com/wedding.html
Colette Peters is going to be at Birmingham Cake Show in November and I can't wait!

[rach]

just looked at mikes amazing cakes..and wow they are amazing......cant imagine how he does some of those..wonderful........

How r u getting on Emma with the website etc are u busy do u find u get alot of enquities from the website..should have mine up and running by next week

[Nauseen]

Thanks emma and rach and everyone else. I do love the cakeartist ones. Not sure about mikes one, not my type. Have an order for next week, its a dora the explorer one. Got the tin and she wants buttercream sandwiches as well, so i'm gona have to do two cakes, level one ff then buttercream them together. Have a monkey cake to do, beginning of may she said. Not sure about that one, still looking for inspirations. She said only a monkey face.....yeah right...ther's only one ppicture on the interbet, the wilton one, which des not look too bad!! But i'm sure i hav e sen one in a book somewhere, not quite sure where!!

[emmascakes.co.uk]

I don't get a lot of enquiries from the web-site, but I've had a few, and it gets a lot of hits. I'm going to fork out for a listing in the yellow pages which includes a web link (it's free to just be listed but to include your web address costs about £100) I'm fairly busy for work and have turned a wedding cake and a birthday cake down simply because they just weren't my thing and if I don't enjoy it I don't want to do it. I'm trying to be fairly strict about what I'll do - which is ultimately going to get me less work, but I'm not in it for the cash. I'd like to establish a reputation first and see how I get on.

I'm doing an MSc in educational research as well so that's another good reason to only accept orders I really want to do!

[rach]

gosh you do sound busy Emma...good for you.......Must admit where I am I get the childrens cake alot but I do enjoy them mostly..especially when you see the childs face..wonderfull..abit like the face painting...hoping my site will be up and running by next week..so I will let u know..

Nauseen In the lasterst Lindy book the animal one..look on her website..there is a monkey face...its brillant..it would be perfect for you....

[Nauseen]

Thanks Rach!! I will have a look now!!