“SELF TAUGHT” No you’re not!

Jan 26

Why I invested in my skills and why I believe you get what you pay for…

Self-taught implies we learn our skills completely on our own, without any guidance or influence from others. Come on, none of us have!!!

Instagram, love it or hate it, became a rabbit hole for me. I spent way too long scrolling and even longer watching and reading everything by Don’t Tell Charles, I bought all her tutorials. I even got featured in one of her blogs!! Then I discovered Marina Machado, her work is what I dream of achieving, her energy is infectious, I want to be more Marina. Watching these talented cake artists made me realise I needed to invest in myself to become the cake artist I wanted to be. I came across Cake Buds, the lovely Liz and booked a one-to-one with her in September 2022 and loved every minute of the learning experience with Liz, she is amazing but I wanted to learn more. Scrolling again and Marina has posted she is coming to the UK to do a Masterclass at The Dawn Welton Cake School. I immediately contacted Dawn and booked, 4 days!

4 Days with Marina and Dawn. A whirlwind of highs and lows as Marina guided us through her techniques using different mediums. The lows were low for me, I didn’t think I would be able to ever work with these mediums, there were tears, I almost gave up but a huge hug from Dawn and a chat with Marina I stayed the course. All I needed was to take a step back, a deep breath and get on with it. Marina has a hands-on approach to teaching and that works for me, it worked for everyone in the class, and she swears more than me. I came away so proud of what I had achieved. I still have all 3 dummy cakes!

Attending a masterclass at Dawn Welton’s Cake School is an experience that will hook you right from the start. Dawn brings together the most talented cake artists from around the world, who share their unique techniques and mediums. Some may argue that the cost of these masterclasses is expensive, but I strongly disagree. The knowledge and skills you gain from an in-person masterclass are truly priceless; you can’t replicate that through online tutorials alone. Believe me, I have bought so many courses and some haven’t even been watched all the way through. Online just doesn’t work for me.

April 2023 - Lima Cakes. Another masterclass I was not going to miss. Sona’s passion for experimenting with different textures, shapes and architectural elements blows my mind. Sona and Dawn had us working in pairs, it was challenging, but Sona was so generous in sharing her skills that we were all able to create a finished cake that truly resembled a piece of edible art. Sona’s attention to detail and the creativity she brought to class was remarkable. It’s no surprise that Sona has been recognised as a top cake artist internationally.

May 2023 - Fleur De Lys Atelier, Helena. Helena is unbelievably talented, the queen of edible mediums, her skills are nothing short of magical. The skills and knowledge I gained from her have become an integral part of my cake-decorating repertoire. I now incorporate these techniques and mediums in almost all of my cake designs. Helena and Dawn create a calm and peaceful learning space which is incredibly soothing and restorative. It really was magical.

November 2023 - Marina Machado is back and as someone who was determined to invest heavily in my learning that year I booked onto two of her masterclasses: Torso and Abundance. I soon regretted not booking on to all of them. Marina’s classes are an absolute game-changer. Not only did she share some of her signature recipes, but she also shared invaluable insight into how she runs her business. This knowledge was priceless for any cake artist looking to elevate their craft. Marina introduced us to two new mediums and taught us a skill set that took our decorating abilities to a whole new level. The Torso cake was so elegant that I wanted to display it at home so Marina suggested that instead of filling with cake, as everyone else was, I fill mine with chocolate. I took it home and filled it and took it back to class the next day to finish. It’s now on display in my studio.

Attending the masterclasses at Dawn Welton’s Cake School has been a total game-changer for me. The impact they have had on my style, approach to cakes, and business has been transformational. The knowledge and skills I have gained from these classes simply can’t be replicated through online learning. I’ve tried.

Dawn herself is an amazing person. Her knowledge and exceptional skill set are on par with every cake artist who teaches at her school. Her dedication to her craft and her ability to create a nurturing and inspiring environment are truly commendable. She keeps that coffee flowing too!

Dawn’s Welton’s Cake School is a place where passion and expertise converge to create an exceptional learning experience. The masterclasses offered there are an opportunity to elevate your skills, expand your knowledge, and take your business to new heights. I highly encourage you to invest in Classes. You won’t be disappointed.

Although I initially thought I wouldn’t attend any more masterclasses I already have my eye on a couple. The quality of education and the value I receive from these classes truly justify the investment. It’s clear you get what you pay for!