Cake Couture – a designer handbag cake carving class with Lindy

Ah the handbag… such a statement piece… the accessory that defines your style. Do you tote… or are you slouchy (me)… do you like a clutch… or a simple shopper (Lindy) classic brown or black leather (me – always)  or something colourful (Lindy) green leather (Jane).

MNO (money no object) what handbag would you buy? Valentino (Lindy)… Chanel perhaps… Vivienne Westwood (Jane)… Prada… or perhaps something a little less eye-wateringly expensive (me!) Whatever your choice… it says a lot about you. The couture designers inspire Lindy in much of her work. Like the high street fashion houses she translates these designs making them more accessible and affordable… yes this does apply to cakes too!

Lindy’s designer handbag class has been a runway success ever since she added it to her education programme. This class is always full and it is so much fun. I am sure there is a designer in all of us and this class is a fantastic way to un-leash it. With Sally and Jane on hand for support, and Lindy with her wealth of knowledge, you are in safe hands. Oh and the best thing of all, you can eat your creation!

This class is a carving class so the morning was spent carving the hand-bag shape, laborious… may be… crucial… definitely!! A well carved handbag shape will serve you well when you come to cover and adorn your handbag in all its finery. At this stage of the day the cakes really don’t resemble handbags… as our Sally says ‘more like thatched cottages, or ships’!  But don’t despair its all part of the process. I am sitting next to Lindy and getting a first glimpse into what colours she is using. She is kneading her sugarpaste in preparation for rolling then covering her cake… it’s going to be red today. I can see a jubilee theme happening again Lindy! Let the decorating fun begin…

We have 8 budding cake designers here today… one familiar face as we welcome back Katy who has been on a Lindy’s workshop before. Friends Vicky and Donna have come from Bridgend, Wales. It’s always lovely to have friends come on a workshop together, what a super way to spend a day. And Jane tells me that quite a few of the ladies are here because they have been given a birthday voucher from Lindy’s Cakes… a day out and you haven’t even paid for it. Result!

Today we’re using Cake Stencils, which Lindy uses for creating texture on the sugarpaste, a Sugar Shaper to add the contrasting trim and Silicone Moulds to make the clasps. Lindy is using the new vintage button moulds for her clasps and to add decoration to the sides of the cake… what are our students going to do.

Sian is making her daughters 21^st Birthday cake, which is wonderful but naughty naughty! We actually discourage our students making cakes for a special occasion at a workshop because it put you under so much pressure and can hinder learning but we are turning a blind eye today… we know nothing!! There are 20 friends and family gathering to celebrate and Sian is going to present her daughter with her own couture cake! Her cake is chocolate and is currently being covered in her favourite colour purple. How gorgeous and how wonderful to have a special cake made by Mum!

Nicola has joined us today because she is undertaking various cake and sugarcraft classes so as to achieve her dream of opening up a cake shop. She plans to open this with a friend and we wish her well.

Fellow blogger Rebecca has changed cake focus today from cupcakes. She is more used to writing about cakes on her blog than making them. Her bubblegum pink handbag will feature no doubt!

As the day draws to a close, yet again we are left feeling we want more time! One could be mistaken for thinking you had walked into a posh designer boutique because sitting before me are 8 super stylish and individual cakes plus Lindy’s of course. Well done ladies… you’ve all done a fashionista job!

Cake couture… yum!

Join us on another class by clicking here

KiwiRachel