Crystal, Barrhaven’s Cake-Maker

Jul 19, 2011 by Natasha

Last year, when my son turned one, I was on the hunt for an inexpensive, well decorated, delicious cake for his birthday.  It turns out that there was a perfect neighbourhood cake lady maker right under my nose.  Crystal, who lives in has created several cakes for me and I have been delighted every time.  Crystal’s cakes are delicious and well-priced.

Meet Crystal, the cake-maker from Barrhaven.

ShopHaven (SH): How did you get started making and selling cakes?
Crystal (C):  I became interested in cake decorating when I was pregnant with my son, who is now 2.  It was during my 3rd trimester – and I am not sure if it was a nesting thing that got me into it- but it came to me very naturally. I let my friends know that I wanted to decorate their kids’ cakes for their birthdays and it has taken off from there.

SH:  What flavours do you offer?
C:  I offer almost anything.  Marble, chocolate, vanilla, lemon, gluten and dairy free varieties.  I have also had requests for cherry chip and rainbow chip.

SH:  What is the drive behind cake-making?
C:  I find cake decorating to be very relaxing.  It is a time in my day when I can just forget about everything else and concentrate on creating something that I know will bring a smile to someone’s face.  The reactions I get when people come to pick up their cake is what makes it that much more rewarding.

SH: How to you balance life with small children and cake-making?
C:  I run a daycare full time and cakes are usually ordered for weekend parties.  I make the cakes the day before and decorate them after my son and daughter go to bed at night.

SH: What about your children, do they get to help out with your cakes?
C: I get my kids and the daycare kids involved.  Not with the cakes I am making for the clients but we have a baking session, usually on Friday mornings where they will make muffins or cupcakes as well and then I let them do their own decorating on those.

SH:  What is your favourite cake you have made so far?
C: That is a tough one!  I am really proud of the Jesse from Toy Story 2 cake that I made and more recently, the Senators cake I was asked to make.  Both were free hand designs and they turned out great!

SH: How can people get in touch with you if they would like to order a cake?
C:  I currently have a website at http://crystalscharactercakes.webs.com but I’m working on a new site.  They can also e-mail me at crystal@smileydesigns.ca or call 613-843-0310.

SH: How far in advance should people place a cake order?
C:  I generally ask that people request a cake at least 3 days in advance.  But I have been very busy lately and usually limit myself to 3 to 4 cakes per weekend.  So if they know the date and time of the event, they should get in touch with me as soon as possible.

SH: Do you provide peanut free cakes?
C:  All of the cakes I provide are peanut free.

SH: Chocolate or vanilla?
C:  I am a chocoholic – but the butter cream icing is my favourite part:)

SH: Thanks Crystal