Today is Day 3 of a new mini series all about cake artistry! Three of our contributors teamed up on a project conceived to challenge each other while inspiring all of us. We talk about inspiration and techniques all the time here on The Cake Blog. But how do you take those concepts and translate them into your own cake designs? It’s a process that every cake designer must go through, time and time again, as they build their skill set and define their own personal style. Because really, cake artistry starts with a solid foundation of technique and then blooms with imagination and creativity.
So let’s join Allison Kelleher, Erin Gardner and Erica OBrien as they each design a cake incorporating the other’s signature techniques. Each of these talented ladies learned a new technique or two from watching the other’s online cake classes at Craftsy (all three participants are Craftsy Instructors!). Then each artist set about creating a cake that was true to her own design aesthetic while incorporating the newly learned skills. United by the Pantone Fall 2014 color palette, the end result is three gorgeous cakes, each with distinct personality and style, yet built upon the same techniques.
Next up is Erica OBrien…
The design for this cake draws from the techniques of three Craftsy instructors: Allison Kelleher, Erin Gardner, and me (Erica OBrien). Incorporating all three styles into a single cohesive cake proved fun and challenging. I like working within parameters (“Do anything you want!” is just too open-ended for me) and using the Pantone 2014 color palette really helped determine the direction of the design.
I was particularly inspired by Allison’s zig-zag drip motif cake and wanted to do a fun interpretation of her method. By turning the zig-zag vertically and limiting the design to just four triangles per color, a trendy arrow shape emerged.
I thought Erin Gardner’s take on an inverse stencil was genius, and could work well with the geometric pattern play of Allison Kelleher’s mosaics. I used the same method Erin teaches in her class but with triangles instead of circles. I love the subtle, barely-there texture the technique lends to the cake.
To soften the look and make the cake a bit romantic, I added some sage leaves, lavender, and cherry blossoms, all made of sugar (and all taught in my class. The morning glories, also seen on this cake, are not covered in the class.) I wanted to stay within the color palette (defying botanical correctness) and colored the cherry blossoms in hues of deep red, cranberry, and sangria.
The middle tier features mauve-colored gumpaste cut with a die cut, one of my favorite techniques in my Craftsy class.
If you missed cake number one by Allison Kelleher, you can find it HERE. And cake number two by Erin Gardner is HERE. We hope you enjoyed our collaboration and are inspired to grow your skill set. When you learn a new technique and truly make it your own, with your personal sense of style, the sky is the limit!
VENDORS & CREDITS
Cake : Erica OBrien Cake Design
Photography : Erica OBrien
Learn More : Erica OBrien’s Cake Class online at Craftsy
And as an extra bonus…. Craftsy is having their Big Fall Sale!!
That means All 77 cake decorating classes are all on sale!!
Up to 50% off online Cake Decorating Classes at Craftsy.com
The best part about these classes is that they’re online and available whenever you are. You can watch classes at home or even on the go with your iPhone or iPad. Squeeze a session in and around your busy schedule and then pick up where you left off later. Before you know it, you’ve built a whole new set of skills, while learning from the best of the best. With proven techniques and an an easy to follow format, there’s no better time to learn something new!
This big Craftsy Sale ends Monday, September 22, 2014 at 11:59 PM MT. Snag your class HERE, before it’s too late!
Craftsy is an affiliate partner of The Cake Blog.
I love the designs on the cake! Very unique!