Doodling, Facebook Live and the Curious Cake Decorator

You have probably heard the old English proverb ‘curiosity killed the cat’ used to warn of the dangers of unnecessary investigation or experimentation. But I would argue that in most cases, the smart reply of ‘and Satisfaction brought it back’ taught to me by my grandmother, is more appropriate. I am naturally curious, always have been and always will be. So I was thrilled to read in Elizabeth Gilbert’s recent book ‘Big Magic‘ that for her:

“Curiosity is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end”

She explains curiosity is not the answer, it is a clue, something you have to trust. It has the potential to lead you to amazing and unexpected places. It may not of course, but the exciting thing is that it can. And for me sometimes it does.

The curious cake decorator

A little while ago I had an author’s stand at the Cake International Show in Manchester, which was being put on in conjunction with the Hobby Crafts show. Early on the Sunday morning of the show, it was particularly quiet, so I took the opportunity to explore Hobby Crafts in the hall next door. I saw many amazing things but what really caught my attention was a mini class, where students were being taught the art of doodling as a therapeutic art form.

I was curious and watched for a while and whilst I watched, I wondered could this work on a cake? An idea about how had popped into my head, but I didn’t know if the tool I had in mind would work. The tool in question is called a fluid writer. A special tool designed to write on vertical surfaces and I’d been given one a few months previously. Once back in my studio I experimented, the tool as I hoped was perfect. I could easily doodle away to my heart’s delight all over my cakes.

The domino effect of curiosity

This is where the domino effect of curiosity comes in, where one thing leads to another and another and another…My cake doodling discovery lead to a doodle cake design, which now adorns my ‘Simply Modern Wedding Cakes‘ book.

This, in turn, lead to Craftsy approaching me to film my latest online class ‘Contemporary Cake Designs’.

However, it didn’t stop there, whilst I was filming for Craftsy, I was asked if I’d like to film a Facebook Live post.

Curious about Facebook Live

Now I had heard about this new option on Facebook and I was curious but needed to find out more; what was involved, how did it work? I jumped at the chance to be shown and I am so pleased I did. It is so much fun doing a live broadcast, where nothing has to be perfect, I can be myself, I can talk to my followers in real time, answer their questions and afterwards I can post the video so people can watch wherever and whenever they wish.

Here is the live broadcast I recorded on Facebook Live all about fluid writers. I hope you find it useful. Visit my doodling inspiration page for more ideas how you too can use this marvellous tool.

It’s still early days for Facebook Live and I’m learning as I go but the feedback is all positive. However, if I hadn’t been a little bit inquisitive, if I hadn’t been a curious cake decorator, I would probably never have found out how much I enjoy going on Facebook Live. Going back to the cat, I am sure on the balance of probabilities, it is still alive. It is good to be curious; it enriches our lives, we make unexpected discoveries and go on fascinating journeys…

I would encourage you all to ask yourselves the question:

“Is there anything I am curious about right now?”

I am sure there will be…but are you going to do anything about it?

Sweet wishes

Lindy Smith