Earlene will have so many more ideas on this subject than I. This is one topic I don't know very much about at all. I haven't had the experience of  having traveling teachers in but three times. This is the best way there is to learn more about some special techniques. There really is no better way. Seminars and mini classes are better than nothing, but real hands-on all-day working with a medium is the way to get really good at something. There are many wonderful teachers around the country. DO take classes if you really want to excel at cake decorating! It can be a sacrifice both time and money-wise, but there is no alternative to really getting good at this and sure of yourself.

If you know of a traveling teacher who will be coming to your area within the next year or so, DO post the information on my message board so we know about it.

Classes may be better directed to your local cake decorating supply shop. This is a good place to have a special class usually. Otherwise, cake clubs can arrange for a traveling teacher too. Ours did this once...and held the classes in my classroom. I provided the teacher a place to stay.

SOME CLASSES WE'VE DONE:
Bonnie Yusko (from near Columbus Ohio, but may not be into cake decorating anymore), does a great airbrush class. This was a 1-day class - all day.
Susan Bragg (no longer into cake decorating: This was for a week...all day for 5 days. We did 3-days of royal icing flowers and 2 days of rolled fondant. We even had time to make a few gumpaste flowers.
Vicki Livingston: (lives in east central Ohio) figure-piping: We did a 1-day class. It was really great. Vicki has her own style, different than others. Is VERY good at this...and also a VERY good decorator too. She IS still into cake decorating. In fact, she is a Wilton teacher. Virgie Baird (Wilton teacher organizer) would have her name and phone number. She has a computer but I doubt she has AOL.

I have never organized a class totally by myself by a traveling teacher. But I would like to. I am planning to see if Earlene can come up maybe next fall....or next Spring.

PLAN: Realize that you need to plan at least a year in advance. The first thing to do is decide what your group would like to learn. Then find a teacher who matches this specialty. You must organize getting the dates, times, cost, class fees, etc.

MONEY: From what I've seen happen in the past, I also recommend that you get at least half of the class fee ahead of time. Realize that every American is VERY busy and may change their mind just out of frustration or lack of planning. I would set a deadline for refunds. Once that date passes, then people who drop out should not get a refund. The reason IS...the teacher is traveling...must know far enough ahead to make plans and sometimes get airline reservations. They may need to know 1-2 months prior to the date as to whether it is still on. In some cases, you may want to have a waiting list for when someone drops out. This is ideal. Always sign up as many students as you have seating for (or as many as the teacher wants in a class)....and a few more if possible.

FOOD: For Nicholas Lodge's class (arranged by Earlene), we had the ideal situation. It was in a catering hall with LOADS of space available. (Tastebuds Catering of Lubbock TX) They fixed gourmet meals for a week for just $40.00. And I DO mean gourmet! I have never eaten better in my entire life. But the rest of us aren't so lucky. If classes are held in my shop, the best thing to do is for everyone to bring a sack lunch and drink. Once we did have one student bring a catered lunch. But that was a great burden on her and NOT necessary. I think its a good idea to allow people at least an hour to relax at lunch. For items you want to buy, if you have a shop and do this, see if you can get a carry-around shopping basket and write one check when class is over. If you are lucky enough to have the traveling teacher bring items you can buy, they will probably also want you to write just one check. (This is what we did at Nick's class.)

CCChefPwd:  We will be doing a class again in Oct 2000 in the same place with Nicholas Lodge
CCChefDol:  you should take Nick's class!
GOOO8:  Pwd--in Lubbock?  I am going to diary it now
CCChefDol:  ...but be sure to buy your tools THERE! I'm having a time getting them now
CCChefDol:  ...on hotels - food etc
CARJAR4:  Where is Lubbock?
CCChefPwd:  Texas
CCChefDol:  CAR...I flew down...figured it was still cheaper than most places...considering the room and all being so cheap. Pwd laid out the red carpet to us too...invited us over etc. You should see her baking rooms. Its a dream come true - taking a class like this!

Now - Earlene has the 'REAL' facts for you, since she is experienced at this sort of thing:

Many of you have made remarks about wishing you could attend a class but that it was to far away from where you live.

  So how do you go about getting a really good teacher to come to you.
FIRST  -  one person who organizes and arranges for a class is called a sponsor.  That sponsor has lots of responsibilities and some expenses.  The sponsor must collect deposit fees (up to half of the class fee) from prospective students, arrange for a class venue, see that accommodations are available for the teacher and some out of town students.  The sponsor will have expenses checking out class sites, mailing info, long distance phone calls, picking up ingredients for some teachers and even possibly helping with the preparations in setting up the class for the teacher.  Every teacher has different needs and they will advise you on what they require

  1.  You need to find other cake decorators in your area or state.  Talk to them to see if there is any interest in having a teacher come in.  Most new cake decorators are only accustomed to paying the local class fees for classes and traveling teachers fees are usually higher.  They must pay their travel expenses plus the preparation time and materials do add up.  Find out if your local people would be willing to pay a teacher to come in.

2.  If you have enough people who are interested - do you have a place available to hold the class.  Is their a charge for using that room?  If so then that fee will need to be divided and added onto the class fee.  Are their restaurants nearby for the lunch break?  Will you need to advise people to bring a sack lunch with them because of the location of the class?

3.  What teacher will draw the most people?  If you have mostly beginner decorators and bakery decorators in your area you might want to begin by bringing in someone such as Roland Winbeckler who teaches really basic good decorating techniques.  As a bakery decorator himself he is absolutely one of the best teachers for good basic techniques.  You will need to contact the teacher and see what their minimum and maximum class requirements are.
   If you want to know more about the new lace work on cakes you might want to consider asking Rosemary Watson,or Geraldine Randlesome to come teach for you.   There are several teachers who teach gumpaste flowers, rolled fondant and some of the more advanced techniques.  But if no one in your area knows the reputation of the teacher and the type of work they do then you probably won’t have many sign up for the class.

4.  What time of the week, month or year will a class work in your area.  Here in Lubbock classes must be done in the early spring or in the fall if we want to schedule a full week class.  The weather is to unpredictable in the winter.  The cake business is to hectic in the summer to take out for a weeks class.  Most decorators are very busy from Thursday through Saturday with cake orders.  So you might want to consider a three day class to get you started.  Say Sunday afternoon, Monday and Tuesday for your first try at this.

5.  You have decided on a teacher, the time of year and a place to have the class.  Now you must contact that teacher to find the availability in their time schedule
 and their class fee.  When I began trying to get Nicholas Lodge here in Lubbock the most difficult thing was being able to find a time in his schedule for him to be able to come here.  It took us four years to finally get him here.  Now we have him scheduled again for October of 2000.

6.  You have the teachers dates that they can come.  Now the work really begins for the sponsor person.  Double check to make sure of the availability of the class site after the date has been set.  You will need to contact as many people as possible to let them know of this exciting upcoming class.  Give them the dates, class fee, deposit amount to hold a place for them in the class and cross your fingers you get more than enough people to fill that class.  Important - when those class deposits begin to come in - number them.  You will have a limit for the number of people in the class.  All deposits that come in after that limit has been reached should be put on a back up student list. The reason you need more than enough people for the class is that some people will have things come up at the last minute and will have to cancel out on you.  Then you need to notify that next person on the list that there has been a cancellation in the class and they can now attend.
   Ask the teacher to send you a list of supplies needed by each student to bring to class.  Ask also for a list of supplies that the teacher will need for you to acquire for them. Do you need to make icing for them, have fondant made,  accept ups packages with their supplies and etc.?
Would the teacher prefer to stay in a hotel/motel or with another cake decorator in a home?  Do they have dietary special needs?  Will they need transportation to and from class?  Will they be flying in and need to be picked up at the airport?  If they are driving in you will need to make a simplified map for them.

7.  If you are a member of ices you might want to schedule that teacher coming in around a day of sharing date or a scheduled cake show.  Many of the teachers are more than willing to do a demo for a show or a day of sharing before a class.

8. How do you find out who are traveling teachers?  Ices has a good list to give you a start and then just talk to other decorators and find out what teachers they have taken classes from and who they would recommend.  That is the best way to check out who you get your money’s worth from.  Ask the teacher where they have taught and check with the sponsor or shop about how that class went.  One of my most favorite teachers is Betty Newman May.  Because of health problems she is no longer able to travel and teach.  In her classes we worked all day and into the nights.  We didn’t have time to run around town and play in her classes.  We worked and worked to be able to get the most out of our time we were there.  She would teach us technique in the class and then in the afternoon and evening hours we would make multiples of flowers, lace points and etc. To be able to have several finished pieces by the end of the class.  I don’t know of another teacher who makes you work that hard these days.  I expect a lot from a teacher - lots of different techniques and lots of information.  Those who don’t give me much for my time and money don’t go very high on my recommendation list.  One thing to remember is that classes are like anything else.  You usually pay for what you get.  Not much money- not much information
.
The other benefit you get in taking classes - learning from those around you.  If I am going out of town to take a class I try to sit near the most talented person I can find in that room.  I want to learn from them as well as the teacher.

SCSOHIO:  i need a good white icing chef dol???????????
CCChefPwd:  http://hometown.aol.com/pwdsugar/index.html
CCChefPwd:  SCSOHIO  I also have icing recipes I use on my web site. You can copy/paste it
CCChefPwd:  SCSOHIO you can copy and past right from this chat info and there is a link to Dolores's from mine
GOOO8:  SCSO--be sure to visit those sites, you'll be in for a real treat!

PjW10:  we have our state cake show this weekend, can't wait to get the heck out of here!
CCChefDol:  where Pj?
Swtelegnt:  Spokane, WA
CCChefDol:  Sw...do you know Doris Stahl?
CCChefPwd:  She lives in Spokane and I also have another good friend who lives there
Swtelegnt:  hw name sound familiar, can't place the face!

CCChefDol:  How many of you have ever had a class by a traveling teacher?
CARJAR4:  Not me i always traveled to the teacher
FashnDzner:  Colette Peters recently came to the Chicago area.  She was wonderful!
PjW10:  I can't wait to meet Colette, she is terrific!
FashnDzner:  Roland will be coming to Chicago in Sept...looking forward  to that
Thinkchoc:  Just took a class with Adrian Westrope last weekend
CCChefPwd:  I have probably taken 25 classes from traveling teachers.  Most of them I traveled to where they were teaching but I have also had about 6 classes here in Lubbock
Ploeger642:  Florida's had lots of traveling teachers.  We use to have someone come for DOS and stay after to teach. Mini classes are scheduled in Jan again in FL too (2000). Wait to you see this the line up.  I'm very excited!!!! We're sticking to Daytona but still looking for larger hotel
GOOO8:  cool, (I am jumping up and down)
CCChefDol:  don't know Adrian? What does he specialize in?
CCChefPwd:  Fun   LOL - You never know what is going to come out of that mans mouth  LOL
CCChefDol:  ...yes...grab Nick when you can!
JWGPKG:  Chris, please put me on mailing list for WOS info!  I attended this year's and loved it.
Thinkchoc:  Gumpaste. Lived in England, but just moved here to the states- teaches in Vermont Culinary I
CCChefPwd:  Adrian does really beautiful work.
FashnDzner:  Nicholas Lodge will be in Chicago area in Oct.  Just an FYI  for those in the area
Thinkchoc:  We had Colette, and Toba Garrett, and Pat Trunkfield too.
CCChefDol:  Nick's in Lubbock TX in October too
GOOO8:  What city is Nick coming to in Jan, Chris?
CCChefDol:  Nick is really great with gumpaste or cold porcelain
Thinkchoc:  Pwd  who pays for their hotel, do they?
CCChefPwd:  They do.   Unless you arrange otherwise.
CCChefDol:  but hotel in Lubbock was only $44.07 including tax - per night. Flat rate - one to four people. Real nice rooms too...pool right in the center of the hotel...walk out the back door to class
Thinkchoc:  sorry Dol, I meant the teachers if we were to ask them to come
CCChefDol:  Oh...teachers sometimes stay with me...or another student etc. but Nick preferred to stay at the hotel. The teacher needs plenty of rest.
GOOO8:  There are so many classes I'd like to take.

GOOO8:  How does one determine who has the most talent, by having discussions?  Sounds like a stupid question
CCChefDol:  GOOO...you get to know them. Find a teacher who shares openly.
CCChefPwd:  When you have been in this a long time you begin to know people
CCChefDol:  Students figure out that they are holding back too...and say so ...all over
CCChefPwd:  by what they do.  Ask another decorator in the room if you don't
know anyone or the sponsor

Icing Wiz:  I teach Basic, Course 2 and Course 3. But students find it hard to make it four time
CCChefDol:  I teach all 12 at once
Icing Wiz:  The same day?
CCChefDol:  Mine are once a week
Icing Wiz:  Yeah same here once a week four 2 hour classes, But, students can't seem to always make it to all 4  Most can but it is hard for those who can't to make it up and hard on me
CCChefDol:  Icing - they do better attendance - wise with all 12 I found out
Swtelegnt:  Icing offer a incentive, IE.. recipe, special information ect..
Icing Wiz:  I do . I give them all kinds of free stuff. Mailbox news, recipes and even a rice krispie decorating ideas, but someone is sick or has to work etc....
CCChefDol:  I don't offer to let them make it up...but they can if they follow my schedule and the next class isn't too full
CCChefPwd:  Dol she probably has to abide by Wilton's format
CCChefDol:  this is true Pwd, glad I don't
Icing Wiz:  I just thought I would see if anyone had ideas on a one day class
CCChefDol:  Icing...just do your best and don't worry. Some just want to learn a little...to make cakes for family
Swtelegnt:  Have them make it up at a later series (different month)
CCChefDol:  they won't COME to make it up
PjW10:  Icing, if they're serious, they'll make arrangements
CCChefDol:  I do one-day cooked candy, 2-day gumpaste, 1-day fondant
CCChefDol:  yes Icing...they will if they want. Don't worry too much. I tell my students to relax and ..Let them learn at their own speed according to what they want out of it

CCChefDol:  Icing...Pwd was saying that you should take a class with Roland W for basics
CCChefPwd:  Right - Roland is the best for buttercream basics

FashnDzner:  CCChef, Cold porcelain??  what is that fondant?
CCChefDol:  cold porcelain isn't edib;e - feels and does like gumpaste - can't eat it...keeps forever and isn't so fragile

Icing Wiz:  I was talking buttons she likes ribbons though. We also need to see how many are actually going to convention
Ploeger642:  Needs a blank line to write in our screen names
GOOO8:  I got my list of ICES demos in the mail from Millie

CCChefPwd:  What did Colette teach in the Chicago area?
FashnDzner:  Colette taught in Darian at the Wilton School.  She taught a weeks worth of gumpaste and fondant.  Wonderful class...I learned a lot
Thinkchoc:  Fashn what town near ChicagoWas out there last year to Wilton
Thinkchoc:  Colette will be back at Wilton Sept 27-Oct 1
Icing Wiz:  I wish Colette would come here
Thinkchoc:  Fashn you took Colette's class?
Ploeger642:  Tried for Colette but Nick came through first -  Maybe 2001
Thinkchoc:  I'm going to take it at Wilton in Sept
FashnDzner:  You'll enjoy her...bring lots of $$ she brings along materials to buy
FashnDzner:  Thinking of taking Nicholas Cages Class & Rolands
CCChefDol:  I thought about Wilton...was cheaper to fly to Lubbock than to drive 5 hrs to Wilton... considering prices
GOOO8:  Can anyone expound on the Birthstones Cake Class Colette w/be teach teaching at ICES
CCChefPwd:  Colette is one very creative lady.  So talented and very down to earth gal. I understand it will be a birthday cake book.
Thinkchoc:  she sure is. She signed books and was very gracious letting us take pictures. She said she just finished her new book
FashnDzner:  Nod)  She will also be having another book coming out next year.

FashnDzner:  I've enjoyed Cakes by Design by Scott Clark Woolley ...does anyone know if he teaches
CCChefDol:  YES - he teaches...I'd go anywhere for a class by him!!!!
CCChefPwd:  Someone on here a few weeks ago said they had taken a class from him

CCChefPwd:  Tell us also how the NY Day of sharing went please.
Thinkchoc:  Ny day of sharing was GREAT. We had Colette, Adrian, Pat honoree Trunkfield, Toba Garrett
CCChefPwd:  Colette, Adrian and Pat - WOW you really did have a good DOS
CCChefDol:  Rosemary Watson is coming to Ohio DOS

FashnDzner:  Does anyone know where one can get the lace silicone mold cheap?
CCChefDol:  cheap...don't even try...you need quality
CCChefPwd:  Silicone lace molds cheap are just that.  pay a little more and get good ones
Ploeger642:  Carol Webb's are more reasonable
CCChefDol:  only have ti buy them once...get good ones from Rosemary
CCChefPwd:  More reasonable but also more work
FashnDzner:  Well the ones I'm looking at are $75 - $115
Ploeger642:  I do swear by Rosemary's too. They work better and last for ever.  More flexible than others too. Lace Wraps are great but you have to use them with butter in icing.  Not always possible in FL
CCChefPwd:  Did you check out the one piece lace wraps????
CCChefPwd:  No Ploeger - I don't use butter in my icing - I do them different than she does.
CCChefDol:  why butter Plo?
CCChefPwd:  I use them on buttercream cakes all the time.
CCChefPwd:  My cream cheese buttercream that is.
CCChefPwd:  Rosemary doesn't show the way I use them.
CCChefDol:  how does she do it dif. Pwd?
CCChefPwd:  I have the instructions written down if you want them just send me your address.
CCChefPwd:  She uses butter and refrigerates them to get the mold to turn loose
CCChefPwd:  I do teach that as part of the groom's cake class believe it or not
CCChefPwd:  I don't have that much refrigerator space.
CCChefDol:  groom's cakes aren't popular in the north much
CCChefPwd:  We just work in chocolate and do lots of things.
CCChefPwd:  Just call it something else and we can work in white icing just the same
Ploeger642:  I enjoy all my other molds better but I do alot of chocolate. Can't beat the same mold for all mediums
CCChefPwd:  I do one day with fondant and two days with buttercream and we do 13 different side designs on three different cakes
CCChefDol:  that sounds like great fun Pwd
Ploeger642:  Now that's my kind of class
CCChefDol:  Do I need pictures to entice them to sign up Pwd? Or how?
CCChefPwd:  The cake that was in the last ACD is one of the side designs we do
CCChefDol:  I really liked that cake
CCChefPwd:  The cakes I have here that we did in that class are all in chocolate shades of icing
I know I can give you the side designs that are on the cakes on my web page that we will be doing in that class.  Would that work?

CCChefDol:  do we work on cake dummies in your classes Pwd?
CCChefPwd:  Some dummies - some real cake
CCChefDol:  so we have a 'cake' to show for it
CCChefPwd:  Yes - sample side designs that you can show customers

Ploeger642:  Pwd - great info.  I agree with the 3day being the best length - THANKS!!!
CCChefDol:  3-day...is that good for a traveling teacher Pwd?...make enough money to be worth it?
CCChefPwd:  Depends on the number of students in the class
CCChefDol:  how many is good Pwd?
CCChefPwd:  12 is great for me.  I think Roland now requires at least 15
CCChefPwd:  Nick requires at least 16
CCChefDol:  plenty of room for 12 in my classroom!
CCChefDol:  ...at least 12, right Pwd?
CCChefPwd:  12 - 20 is great If the class is close then the minimum can be lowered but the farther away The teacher must go the more the minimum number
Ploeger642:  All of our teachers at Mini Classes last year were 12-14
CCChefDol:  I see the reasoning in that Pwd...you have to at least meet expenses