DON'T FORGET TO TURN ON YOUR LOG TO RECORD OUR CHAT TONIGHT: TO DO:  AT THE
TOP OF YOUR AOL MENU, CLICK ON <<FILE>>, SCROLL DOWN TO <<LOG MANAGER>> CLICK ON OPEN LOG...... AND SAVE-AS ---ANY NAME ...CAKECHAT.LOG (ETC) IN A FOLDER (DIRECTORY) ... AFTER YOU EXIT AOL YOU CAN USE ANY WORD PROCESSOR TO OPEN AND READ IT.

LATER WE WILL HAVE 'OPEN MIKE' AND WE WOULD LIKE IT IF THOSE WHO ALREADY HAVE A WEB SITE WOULD GIVE THEIR OWN URL AND ADD TO OUR INFO.

Vcakes1: Does anyone have a good recipe for a Red Velvet Cake?
Dolores777: there was one on AOL in the cookbook
Dolores777: .I use a yellow cake mix, the usual eggs, water & oil. Then I add 2 TB cocoa and red food coloring to the right color. Bake as usual. Will taste like you worked all day
Vcakes1: Thanks, Dolores, What about the frosting?
Dolores777: I usually use our cream cheese frosting. But its artificial...taste great...we carry it in our shop. Love it

L2jlu2: Dolores- when i make flowers on wires can i stick them on the cake as is or is there another way of doing it. that will be safe
Dolores777: Yes L2, as long as that’s the best 'look' I have needed to do this many times.
Pwd Sugar: Just be sure those wires are wrapped if you need to stick them directly into the cake
Dolores777: Oh that’s right Pwd!
L2jlu2: Pwd- what should I wrap them in to stick into cake
Pwd Sugar: White florist tape is my preference
L2jlu2: Can I put them in the cake the day before or same day of the party
Pwd Sugar: bare wires are stuck into the cake.  I wrap them with tape cut in two. Thinner tape makes for neater wrapping of the wires.

Aren't computers fun! And technical! But not nearly as difficult as way back in the '80's when I learned! Isn't it nice to write a letter on a word processor and be able to move sentences or paragraphs around to get it perfect? Or to save your pictures. Or to simply play games on.

Then there is the web. The kids can make wonderful school reports using info obtained from the web. There is no end to what they can accomplish here.

"What makes your cake web site interesting to other cake decorators?

I love Dolores’s web site. Http://www.sugarcraft.com  it looks great generally and it also has lots of information for all cake decorators.  It is the ultimate site for all of us.   Here are some of the things that make Dolores’s site great.

Icing Wiz: Do cake web sites cost money?
Gigimama: You can set one up for free with AOL…see how in Dolores’ part of this chat

PICTURES
As cake decorators I think one thing we all look for first is the cake pictures.  Although Dolores has been an experienced cake decorator for many years she has pictures and instructions for several cakes that are practical for all cake decorators to use.  Such as the frog, the apron and etc. Dolores is truly outstanding in her understanding of what we as cake decorators want.

CHAT INFO
She has available for all of us the chats that have been conducted on AOL from the very first one.  As new people come online and find her site they can copy or print all of those chats for their own personal reference book.   Just a word about these chats - Dolores and i have been providing most of the information on these chats but your questions and comments are what keep this chat  interesting to all.   We all work in this sugar world in a slightly different perspective and our variety of work still has a common theme.  There is no absolute way to do anything.  Yet we all have things to contribute and we all learn from one another.  I have learned a lot from all of you doing this chat.

Gigimama: I love being able to refer back to the old chats!

PERSONAL INFO
I enjoy knowing a persons background.  If they are self taught,  what vein of the sugar arts they really love,  some have pictures of their families.  You can learn just where a person is coming from.  Are they promoting themselves or are they just telling you how they have learned.  Dolores is a very sharing person - with her time as well as her expertise.  Reading her background she has contributed greatly to our sugar world.

BULLETIN BOARD
I have noticed lately that several of the web sites have bulletin boards available for questions and comments.  These are great places to go when you have a problem or question about a product, a cake or equipment you might be considering buying.   First hand knowledge from other people who have your common interest.

Dolores777: Bulletin Boards are a new thing. That is complicated. Most of us rely on a 'server' rather than try to learn ‘CGI’ script.

JTHJoe: Are there other cake sites (chats) throughout the week?
Dolores777: JTHJoe:::I have found only one. I have one set up but t-i-m-e!
Pwd Sugar: Joe I found one online this last week - but it was very slow and nothing
Bridal1: The cake message board is a good place Joe. (From http://www.sugarcraft.com)
JTHJoe: DOES anyone know of other chats for cake decorators for the rest of the week
Icing Wiz: I don't know of any other cake chats bu t h ave met many cake decorators through Digital city pen. I found it accidentally under Keyword Pen Pals I think, I put in my interest Cake decorating and keep meeting new people.
Dolores777: JTHJoe...you CAN visit my Message board from my web site anytime

CATALOG
New to Dolores’s site is her catalog of products she carries in her store.  Those of you who are lucky enough to live in a town where a cake shop is available are very lucky.  Most of us live where we are grateful if we have a shop that just carries Wilton’s products.  But most of them don’t carry products from such companies as country kitchens, Parrish’s, Appolo’s, Marpol’s, and many other companies who make specialty products for sugar artists.  Dolores now makes these available to you through her online catalog.
   I believe that Dolores has the absolute best web site for cake decorators in that she is so sharing with what she knows but she also makes information available to all of us.   Three cheers for Dolores.    HIP HIP HOORAY -  HIP HIP HOORAY - HIP HIP HOORAY.

MMcfarl971: thanks, never heard of these supplies
Dolores777: MMcfar...this is right...most shops keep you in the dark...they don't have to if you don't Pwd  is explaining that you can buy that through my shop online. Wholesalers do not have a license to sell to the general public, only to retail stores. Sometimes they are both retail and wholesale.

LINKS
Have you checked out the links on Dolores’s page    these wonderful links on web pages will really carry you to lots of wonderful sites of sugar artists,  sites where you can find recipes, sites where you can find equipment and etc.   I really appreciate that Dolores has constructed my web site and keeps it up with new pictures and info that i send her.  Links from her web site take you to my site   http://members.aol.com/pwdsugar/private/index.html
As well as several other decorators.  But there are lots of other sites now on the web that are very interesting too. Here are few other sites i have found that you might be interested in visiting.

http://members.aol.com/shavkin/index.html
This is Diane Shavkin web site.  Diane specializes is sugar pieces and chocolates.  She has several pictures of her work and techniques.  Diane also puts out a traveling newsletter for all who are interested in contributing as well as getting this newsletter.  I think she send this out every two weeks and each one has a theme.  If you would like on her list just e-mail her at Shavkin@aol.com.  Her site has one unique feature.  She has a guest sugar artist each month.  This month I believe it is Mary Gallagher from Pennsylvania showing how to do a chocolate box with roses.  In December she had Steve Stellingworth from SD showing his gingerbread specialty.  You will want to check out this site each month to see the demos she is making available to you.  At the end of the month they are removed and a new person and technique is featured.   Here you will also find some great links to other cake related sites.

http://pastryarts.com/cakes.html
Steve Klc’s particular love is the real chocolate made into a dough.   Then that dough is made into beautiful flowers.   He does outstanding work with chocolate - the real chocolate instead of the compound chocolates that most of use.  He is quite an artist and has beautiful cakes on here.

www.weddingcakes.com
Ron-Ben Israel’s web pages are a treat for the eyes.  His cakes have been featured in several of the past brides magazines.  Here is a collection of some of those cakes.  Truly some outstanding sugar work.

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/6189/
Mary Gallagher hosts this web page.  She has a few of her cakes on here as well as some of her teddy bear collection.  Mary also overseas the ices web site

Dolores777: Mary Gallegher's site is nice...she makes great cakes...you can link to Mary from my LINKS page...Diane or Pwd too

http://www.ices.org
Here you will find articles, pictures and information about the ices organization.   This week I found my article about the lace wraps featured here.  Instructions as well as a few graphics.   These pages are just a sampling from past newsletters for you to know what type of information is in the monthly newsletter published by this organization.   You will not find the current newsletters - you must join the organization to receive those issues.   Lots of good info here as well as some amazing sugar work.

NOW FOR A FEW SITES THAT HAVE SPECIFIC INTERESTING THINGS
http://members.aol.com/orchardste/index.html
Cakinbakin hosts this site for orchard products in England.  Here you will find pat Ashby’s product line for gum paste equipment .
http://www.wilton.com  Wilton’s online site
http://www.toburan.com  Sugar flowers made for you ready to order.
http://www.amazon.com  The book store that does have several cake decorating books available for all of us.  good prices as well as a nice selection of books
http://members.aol.com/winbeckler.html   Roland and Marsha Winbeckler web site.  you will find a list of their books available.   Roland is one of the best practical decorators around.
http://www.cakemag.com   American cake Decorating’s web site.  a few of the articles from past issues along with subscription information.

http://www.alpha.net.au/~artintype/pages/page1.htm  A new Australia cake decorators magazine web site (under construction)
http://www.futurenet.com/craftnet  Cake decoration magazine from England’s web site.  you will also find that this company has several craft magazines available.
Dolores777: new one for me Pwd
MaraTLee: Dee, she's been all over your message board:0

ADBears: http://members.aol.com/ADBears/LuvC00king.index.html - If you like good homemade meals..that is the site to check.

Dolores777: the CAKEDOCTOR's web site is also good. He has a 'cake album' Though new it is nice
JTHJoe: what is CAKE DOCTORS address
Gigimama: He has about 50 pictures on his site!
Dolores777: Gig...I taught him cake decorating...cake doc

JTHJoe: Why can't I find a recent copy of ACD magazine at Michael’s anymore, I have checked?

1. Above all else CHANGING OR ADDING INFORMATION OR PICTURES --- often! If you don't offer something new, there will be no reason for decorators to keep tabs on you. There is so much information that one could read my web site for days, or even weeks and not read it all LOL. Sharing furthers our art. This is a good way for us to come up with a new idea.

2. Keeping to the subject of cake decorating will make your site interesting to others. Its okay to share info about your family. People enjoy finding out what each other look like, and their families. But I would keep most other information strictly to the subject.

3. Sharing! Share your favorite cakes, recipes and hints. There are so many beginners visiting these web sites and they need to know what YOU do. They really want to find out what icing you use...maybe the most of all.

4. Have enough information that people can learn a lot from your web site. Then even if they don't order each time they visit, they will remember you and come back again.

"What should you include for possible customers information?"
TRUST! There is so much reason not to trust anyone that you must do all you can to instill trust in the cake decorators who might order something from you. The most important thing to do is to give them all the information about you that you can. You should give your exact location, phone, fax numbers, etc. I also included maps to make sure each customer knows where I am located exactly. No one should think I am not honest...they know where to find me easily.

CAKES: Include some cakes so your customers can get a good idea of your style. Maybe even prices. Let them know what flavors you offer.

BE CAREFULL: It isn't the web that is a bad place, but the companies and people on those sites that are bad! You must learn to use your own common sense in evaluating the web sites. Do they post their street address? Their phone number? Why not? I would not order anything from a web site that didn't post all this information.

CREDIT CARDS: Are they safe? What IS absolutely safe anymore if someone wants to crack it? Nothing! But I don't think there is much danger in our field. There aren't many bad people...Our chats are even clean and nice people...unlike others I've heard a lot about. We have no interest in smut and they have no interest in us LOL.. My customers email me credit card info, or they call or fax. Then I delete their notes...NOTE: Using Netscape,  you must also delete their note in the SENT box..

BAD PEOPLE: Recently, I heard about a site 'selling' Beanie Babies. (I think I read this in the newspaper). They weren't actually selling them, just taking orders and keeping the money with no intention of sending the item ordered. Finally the government went looking for them...I don't know which office. They posted questions as to someone knowing them and finally found someone who did. They were caught and arrested. GOOD! They make honest people a lot of trouble.

Gigimama: If you work at home, you should not give your address and phone on web page for safety!
Dolores777: good point GIG!
Gigimama: ANYONE can get that.  I never had my address or phone, but did have my name.. Removed even that because I got obscene e-mail
Dolores777: I guess I've been lucky on the bad email..get very little since I turned it all off on AOL
Gigimama: Yep, I was so shocked!  Have no idea where it came from or why
Pwd Sugar: Being on a Rural Route helps.  They have to call to find me.
Dolores777: NEVER answer BAD email. They say your name can be re-routed all over the place causing you

Dolores777: but if you turn off the bad email you can only receive AOL email...not the web
GOOO8: Dee, I sent you a virtual card and it came back as undeliverable
Dolores777: GOOO...that was why...I can't receive any email from outside aol at dolores777 You can send me at proicer@one.net anything though....gee I'm sorry!
MaraTLee: So, Dee, we need to go into AOL to send you mail???
Dolores777: But...as Gigimama pointed out...I can give my address, you shouldn't - not at home

WHY A WEB SITE: Maybe you only want to have a web site for the fun ad 'techy' part of it. Or maybe you want the prestige for your cake customers. Your customers will hold you a cut above the rest when they can show their friends you are on the web. (Or just for sharing). Not many others have a commercial web site such as mine. But it is very profitable and fun. (I have a catalog online from which you can order cake decorating supplies). My web site: http://www.sugarcraft.com ---  Besides my catalog, I post our aol chats, my monthly shop newsletter, pictures of my cakes etc. And even a message board!  I think AOL now allows you to use 60MB of space for your web pages. That is a lot!

MAKING YOUR WEB PAGE:  Briefly, do you want info on how to make a web page? Just log on AOL and click the KEYWORD icon. Fill in My Place (or myplace works too). Here you will find all the information you could possibly need to understand how to create it all. Once you have a web page created, all you do is go to the area of 'My Place' where you put it all. Then click UPLOAD, type in the file name (IMPORTANT: the first file name should always be called index.html) Then you must browse to the location of the file and click SEND.

MANAGING YOUR WEB SITE, you can send up any file in the format of HTM or HTML. These are actually text files and take little space. You can also send pictures if they are formatted (saved as) GIF or JPG (or JPEG). On the MAC they may be JPEG but on the PC pictures will be JPG. So the file name will be something.jpg or something.gif. Sometimes you will make a html file and 'INSERT' a picture. Then sometimes you may just add a LINK and people then click on the link to open the picture. (This is faster for them).

OPEN MIKE: Now I know many of you have web sites that we have not mentioned how about letting us all know about yours.  Your web address and a little bit about your site

Gigimama: With AOL you don't even need to know a thing about programming! It's VERY easy!
Gigimama: Oops, time for ER, gotta go!  My website: http://members.aol.com/SwtCreatns/index.html

KYcakes: any one got ideas on a special birthday cake for a one year old they have invited 100 people and rented a huge place
Icing Wiz: Use mini number pans from Wilton
Pwd Sugar: Keep it simple - One year birthdays are more for parents than the kids
Dolores777: yes...number pans on a larger cake maybe
MaraTLee: can use a styro #1 stand-up on cake--decorated with icing
Veggie4all: KY.....you can write on the cake you are  wonderful...but write the number 1

MaraTLee: Dee, you didn't mention that you can use your 'puter to make flyers, brochures and labels!
Dolores777: I use WORD or Print Artist for most of that
MaraTLee: I 've bought programs for that, I even do my business cards.

Icing Wiz: Do you need a scanner to put on pic's?
MaraTLee: can find as inexpensive as $99.
Icing Wiz: Do you think I should wait until I get a scanner before I do a website?
Pwd Sugar: It will be hard to put pictures of your cakes on with out one Icing.
Dolores777: Icing...I don't know....there must be a way. You could be learning in the meantime
MaraTLee: Icing, you should be pricing them, and yes! Get one ASAP
Gigimama: Icing, check with places like Kinkos, they probably will scan (for a price, of course!)
Bridal1: Any advice on scanners??
Cindycake1: We bought our scanner at Sam's
Pwd Sugar: Don't buy one of those little hand held scanners
Cindycake1: Buy a flatbed scanner
MaraTLee: I got mine through AOL
Pwd Sugar: Right - flatbed scanners are much better
Gigimama: You need a good scanner to get all the details of your cakes, especially wedding cakes
MaraTLee: Yes, Flatbed is good.  I got a pass through and I don't like it as much
Icing Wiz: Hi Blu
Dolores777: I have an HP flatbed...its great...be sure it does 32bit =windows 95
MaraTLee: 1200X1200 is the best out there right now.  It print out almost photo quality
Dolores777: scanners...be certain to buy a <<<NEW>>> one. NOT one that’s been on a shelf a long time because it won't work 32 bit/ windows 95 if its old at all...not like software not backwards compatible at all
Gigimama: They also like showing their friend that their cake is on the web, too!

MaraTLee: Dee, Remember the cake pic I sent you"ode to spring"?--
MaraTLee: I finally broke the lattice panels this weekend---boo hoo
Dolores777: I have a lattice church I made of royal icing 17 yrs ago for my daughter's wedding. Broke it packing it back up from a bridal show this weekend company or person who goes to ICES and sells the revolving cake stand with the tiny block
mirrors? A customer of mine really wants one. I told her I'd ask you.
MaraTLee: Dee.I think that was CK that had that
Dolores777: not CK...whoever it was donated the use of it for the Ohio ICES show...a man
Icing Wiz: country Kitchen has mirrored revolving cake stands
MaraTLee: Yes, Dee and Icing, I think that were I've seen them too
Bridal1: Mr. Suter of Virginia
NSaltzman: dIt is Sutters because I had him make up one for a cape but not turning.
Cindycake1: I bought a revolving Xmas tree stand. it hold a wedding cake just beautiful
MaraTLee: Cindy, good Idea about the tree stand
Cindycake1: She wrapped it a gazillion times. I put silk cloth draping on it then placed the cake on top. It
turned real slow. I had little lights around the bottom tier.

MaraTLee: Dee, I've decided to get the Sweet art computer
Dolores777: you ARE Mara! WOW!
Gigimama: What's the Sweet Art computer?
MaraTLee: I know, expensive but......
L2jlu2: what is a Sweet Art computer

Icing Wiz: Is anyone here near Jackson Michigan I need a cake for my great Aunt
Pwd Sugar: Is Jackson in the north or south of Michigan. I am in Texas and I don't know where Ann Arbor is either
Icing Wiz: Ann Arbor Michigan.... I didn't think sending a cake from Florida would last in the mail
Cindycake1: There was an article in Mailbox News last year about sending through the mail
Dolores777: Pwd...who lives near there...do you know? Ann Arbor?
Icing Wiz: what issue Cindy
Pwd Sugar: I only know one gal in Michigan you could reach by e-mail and she is in the very top of Michigan
Bridal1: Also question/answers on cake message board on sending cakes.
Gigimama: Icing, post on Dee's bulletin board, you might find someone there
Icing Wiz: I think it's in the top not too far from Ohio

GOOO8: I'm planning to post a question on the Cake Mess. Bd. as to what cameras people like
Pwd Sugar: I bought a new one about a year ago.  It is now in the drawer and I am back to using my old faithful hand focus Olympus 35 M camera
GOOO8: May buy a new one in the near future; feedback would be helpful
Dolores777: GOO...cameras...I'd sure like one of those new digital ones...hooks to the computer etc
Dolores777: did the same thing once Pwd...too many 'features' aren't good
MaraTLee: Dee, somewhere in my notes I have some stuff about cameras and films to use for shooting cake will send along as soon as I find it
Icing Wiz: pics of it from the convention
Dolores777: Was it on a chat & in my wedding cake book too...Pwd did most of it
MaraTLee: You didn't put anything about Vlux
Pwd Sugar: Be sure and get one with a zoom lens.  Very important
GOOO8: Mara-don't forget me, too, unless they plan to post it in some chat
Dolores777: Mara's notes:::I'll post them in her part of my web site...
Pwd Sugar: Vlux?
MaraTLee: V lux is what you have the photographer take of your cake if you want to have your picture in print,---newspaper and such. It's like a negative, but not
Pwd Sugar: I got it.  I have some wonderful photographers here that are great about doing whatever I need.
Icing Wiz: My camera was stolen from the craft store where I teach class
MaraTLee: Icing, baaaaaad people, baaaaaad!!
Pwd Sugar: :<(  Sorry Icing
Icing Wiz: they got pic's of students holding their final projects
MaraTLee: I also have the kind of film and speed needed, but not handy, will send along
MaraTLee: show.  It worked out great.  people took the samples home.

Dolores777: I've noticed that when AOL made major form at changes all the old recipes dissapeared from the other cooking forums. NOW is your chance to save ours that you'd like to keep ---> on 'Disk -. TO DO: Open your Log Manager as usual but use the bottom OPEN for 'session.log' /save as... After you open session log it will record every window you open you either close the log or exit AOL.

LBsGrandy: When you make gum paste flowers, how long can you keep them?
Dolores777: forever LB...I have some that are 20 yrs old at least
Pwd Sugar: Forever LBs if you keep them away from dust, moisture and bugs
LBsGrandy: Can you eat these things?
Dolores777: never eat gumpaste flowers...take me too long to make and I keep them
LBsGrandy: I'm gonna try those flowers and see how it goes.

MaraTLee: Dee, speaking of computers, I made some labels for boxes to hand out the cake at the bridal show
Dolores777: Good Mara, I buy special paper for our bridal brochures...its worth the $s to have it the wa

Tha503: need help i have someone who wants a fishcake(bass) for 50
Gigimama: Tha, I hope you mean a cake that looks like a fish! LOL
Pwd Sugar: Sure you can eat them.  Expensive shaped candy   LOL
KYcakes: bass cake did one in the plastic pan of the bass used rolled fondant to cover it do you know
Icing Wiz: I have a wedding cake to do in May they want Bass fish in the middle of the tiers
Pwd Sugar: That is one fantastic cake NSalt - I was amazed at her craftsmanship
Dolores777: Icing...once Pwd did a great fish in the AMCD magazine
KYcakes: that 503 buy a plastic pan that looks like a bass about 5.00 make you cake turn it out roll out the rolled fondant place it in the pan of coarse dust it with corn starch. place cake back in  the pan press to get details then turn out . airbrush sent in a picture of it in  AMCD  in  reader's spotlight  the issue with the  gingerbread house on it
THA503  you can cut out you bass and use the wrong end of a tip to make the scales but the pan is so much easier pans are called Pantastic Pan. (This is available at http://www.sugarcraft.com---under PANS) Takes me a while I am new at computers but have been decorating for 28 years.

NSaltzman: Carole Faxon and I went to the Orlando Science Museum & saw the Fla. cake. what a display.
Tha503: have not done fondant yet
GOOO8: I heard that Orlando cake display is fabulous but have yet to get there
NSaltzman: They built a display for it, glassed in.  We went around it 8 times and were still finding things we missed.
Pwd Sugar: GOOO8   that cake is the ultimate in sugar art.
Icing Wiz: I am taking a class from Mercedes in March she is the one who did that cake I have a million
Tha503: kycakes where do i get the pan?
NSaltzman: That cake is down in the lunch room so you don't have to pay to see it.
GOOO8: Icing, what class are you taking from Mercedes?
Icing Wiz: it is an 8 hour class the day before our DOS in March in Daytona Beach