Meet Tammy Miles: She Promised To Decorate Her Son’s Wedding Cake…And Didn’t Even Know What To Do!

I’d love to introduce you to my friend, Tammy Miles.

Tammy has been a member of Fun Cake Decorating Ideas for many years and had truly impressed me with her creative talents over the years. She is a woman who is always ready to take action and join in the fun. She’s been in many of my cake decorating contests and has just been such a dear supporter and inspiration that I wanted to take a moment to introduce you all to her.

I asked Tammy if she would share her story with you. Why she got started decorating cakes, what her learning curves and successes have been over the years. I was over the moon that she was honoured to share her story with us.

Amanda: “Tammy please tell us a little about yourself?”

Tammy: “I’m 47 years old and the owner of Tammy’s Cup-Cakery in Palmerton, Pa, USA. I really started baking and decorating cakes in 2012.”

Amanda: “What made you want to decorate cakes? How did that become a business?”

Tammy: “My oldest son was getting into the military and him and his girlfriend wanted to get married. So…we decided to put a wedding together in 1 one month’s time. My friend said she would bake the cake as a wedding gift to them as long as I help decorate it.”

Amanda: “Wow! That was a big ask, what did you say?”

Tammy: “I said, ‘Sure’….what was I thinking!!!”

Amanda: “Oh my! So what did you do?”

Tammy: “Well, the day came to decorate the cake. My friend and I just stood there laughing cause we had no clue on how to decorate a cake; let alone a wedding cake.”

Amanda: “That must have been quite the learning curve! Your son must have been so impressed!”

Tammy: “Yeah, after the wedding was over with without a hitch, luckily, we decided to take some Wilton classes.”

Amanda: “Oh WOW! You really took the bull by the horns Tammy! That’s awesome! So what happened next?”

Tammy: “I then became a Wilton decorator teacher.”

Amanda: “Oh that’s so cool!”

Tammy: “Yeah and then I started show casing my cakes on my Facebook page. I started selling cakes from that point on. My name started to get out there.”

Amanda: “That’s awesome Tammy!”

Tammy: “Yeah, I started collecting cookbooks, character pans, tools of the trade.”

Amanda: “Do you have any tools in particular that you really like using or would recommend to other new cake decorators when they’re just getting started?”

Tammy: “My favorite tools that I use all the time are: The Pro Mat, The Abgay, Exacto Knife, and paper towels.”

Amanda: “Oh the Exacto Knife and Paper Towels are definitely some of my favourites too! Although, if you don’t have an Exacto Knife a good sharp pearing knife will work in a pinch too! So you learned most of your cake decorating techniques at the Wilton course?”

Tammy: “I learned a lot through the Wilton courses but it was Youtube, books, and other cake sites on Facebook that I learned the most from.”

Amanda: “Oh I know, there is so much out there to help give us ideas and tips online. I do find it can be a little overwhelming sometimes but as long as you remember to K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart) then those places are a great way to get started for sure! So do you do most of your cake decorating alone, or do you work with other cake decorators too?”

Tammy: “I was contacted by a friend that hooked me up with yet another cake friend. She invited me over for a few hours to meet, talk and to pick her brain for the day over cake decorating. Since then we have helped each other out, and even went to a D.O.S (Day Of Sharing) together.”

Amanda: “Oh that’s great! ‘Teamwork makes the dreamwork!’ That’s from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a musical I did before I ended up in the coma last year, I love that line! But it really is so true, it’s wonderfult o collaborate with fellow cake decorators to get new ideas, help them, let them help you, and to keep each other accountable and moving forward!”

Tammy: “I got to even meet MORE people that were on Food Network channel and have the same love for decorating as I do.”

Amanda: “Wow! That’s incredible Tammy! Good for you!”

Tammy: “What TALENT they have! My friend even introduced me to Ices. Sometimes when I go onto cake sites I am so wow’d at the beautiful decorated creations that I have mixed feelings: either I need to step up and learn/practice more or it’s time to pack it in.”

Amanda: “I know what you mean, it can certainly be daunting when you see how talented others are for sure! But we just need to remember that for others, we are super talented too! We really don’t ever need to compare ourselves, there is enough cake to go around!”

Tammy: “Yeah, learning/practicing more wins all the time. When I decorate a cake the nerves set in. I get focused and determined to give the best cake that I could possibly do. Between the text messages, phone calls. But, after I get the cake done, I stand back and wonder how did I ever get it done and amazed that I was able to create that.”

Amanda: “It sure is a wonderful feeling. I swear I could stand and stare at my finished cakes for hours, I’m always amazed at what I’ve created, ‘how on earth did I do that!’.”

Tammy: “Then I think to myself, okay now I still need to deliver oh how I hate deliveries… But when it’s done the happiness sets back in.”

Amanda: “Exactly! So do you have any advice you’d like to share with other new cake decorators who are just starting out?”

Tammy: “My advice to them would be: First don’t go over board on the character cake pans. More so than not a client would want the “character” on the cake as a decorative piece. For an example a Mickey Mouse cake – having him standing on top of the cake made out of Fondant/Gum paste vs. Just a flat cake.”

Amanda: “That is so true! They always love to sell you the pans, but we never ever actually end up using them!”

Tammy: “I know, I ended up selling all of my character cake pans. I maybe used 2 out of the 100 that I had.”

Amanda: “Oh my goodness, no you didn’t buy that many did you! WOW! Thank-you for the great tip for sure. Just think how much money you’re saving our new decorators just with this tip alone!”

Tammy: “Yeah, so DON’T waste your time on them! What’s gonna make your cake a “wow” factor is standing out from the crowd; the non-cookie cutters. Another tip would be to take your time. Set up a head of time. Have your items in one place before you get started. You don’t want to be running around like a crazy person the day of decorating.”

Amanda: “Whatever do you mean! Just kidding, oh the amount of times, I rushed around in desperation. This is a great tip. Think ahead, prepare, then then enjoy the decorating process. The art that is the most fun part of it all!”

Tammy: “Exactly. You want to be relaxed and take your time. Let the magic begin.”

Amanda: “Right! Thank-you so much for taking the time to chat with me today. If you had one last piece of advice to share what would that be?”

Tammy: “Always keep learning. The best Chef out there always keeps up with the new styles, so why not your decorating skills. Always something new to learn; but don’t forget the basics.”

Amanda: “YES! That’s what I always teach my kids, keep learning! Don’t think you know it all. Keep your mind and heart open to learn and grow!”

Tammy: “And ENJOY! Have fun! You should always like/love what you do!!!”

Amanda: “Oh I love that Tammy! I agree wholeheartedly!”

Here’s the most recent wedding cake that Tammy made, isn’t it just gorgeous!

And here are some other of her amazing creations!

Would you do me a huge favour and leave a comment for Tammy below letting her know what cake is your favourite and also what tip you found the most helpful! Thanks so much. Hey we all need to know we’re appreciated from time to time.

Cheers…Amanda…Excited Life Enthusiast! ;o)

P.S. So glad you got to meet Tammy, isn’t she incredible? Do me a favour and leave a nice comment for Tammy below to let her know which of her cakes you like the best and which of her tips you found the most helpful.

P.P.S. Please share this post with your friends and help me to showcase Tammy’s talent and inspire other new cake decorators too! Thank-you for your help. If you would like me to showcase your own cakes, you can message me through my facebook page.