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May 16, 2012

A New Path

I hope you are all having a great week!  Today, my post is a bit different than previous ones.
Most of my blogging thus far has been about the projects going on around our house and the inspiration I have found from other bloggers and decorators/designers on the web. 

 I wanted to open up a bit more and share a few things about myself and what I am currently up to. 

As of last April, I received my teaching license to teach elementary school k-6.  Since receiving my license, I have been working as a substitute teacher in the school district in our area.  I have gained a lot of experience working with the students in all elementary grade levels, but so far, the teaching jobs in our area continue to be far and few between.  I haven't given up hope on a teaching job, but I am also looking down other avenues. 

Throughout this past two years, while I was working towards becoming a teacher, I have also been heading down a different path without even knowing it :-)  
To me this couldn't come at a better time! 

The other path I have decided to take is
Interior Decorating

 I don't know where it started, but I know that I have always loved the ability to express myself in various artistic forms and interior decorating seems to come natural to me!! 

Let me take ya back...

Eight years ago, I started a cake design business with my mother in law.  We started from scratch, but moved quickly from the regular bakery style sheet cakes in to some amazing works of art for our clients.  I worked with my mother in law to design the cakes and from there I was able to bring the cakes to life!  Many of our high end cakes that I was fortunate enough to create, where published in Wedding Cakes, A Design Source Magazine.  It was something I never imagined would happen and to this day, was one of my biggest accomplishments :)

Designing and decorating cakes gave me a lot of insight into decorating!  Over time I knew what colors worked well with others, how to give the right mood or feel to a cake, and working with my mother in law, we were able to bring a brides dream to reality!
My mother in law Elizabeth Williams is still running the cake business The Magic Cupboard.  You can check out the amazing site here.  

Here are some of the cakes I was able to make during my time at The Magic Cupboard.


Choc scroll cake

Chivas Regal


Black and White Classical cake


 Sponge Bob
Spongebob was one of the funnest cakes to make!!! 

Baby Diaper bag #2
This cake was by far my favorite baby shower cake! 


weber grill
 Anyone for a backyard BBQ?


The tiara and pillow cakes always seemed to be a big hit...

purple pillow cake


Princess pillow cake



Vera Bradley look alike
 My attempt at a Vera Bradley Knock off.

fireman helmet grooms cake
A surprise firefighter groom's cake for one of my husband's co workers. 


The last two cakes describe more of my current environment of the DIY world ;-)

 home depot


Home Improvement

Just taking this little cake walk ;-) down memory lane is bitter sweet!

It was a VERY difficult choice to step away from designing and decorating cakes, but my kiddos where still little and needed more of my time than the cakes would allow! 

So, where does that leave me?  Well, I have thought long and hard about it and I have come to the decision to start my own interior decorating business.  I know, CRAZY and EXCITING all in one!!!  Currently a little more Exciting than crazy.  I went back and forth over the name and finally chose Seaside Interiors, LLC

 I have a relaxed and cozy way of decorating, I love to decorate interiors that give the feel of a retreat in your home, and I live on the East Coast, so I think the name kinda sums it up ;-) 

I still have quite a few things to do which include:

Building a Website
Setting up my Office
Make my Brochures
Begin Marketing my Business
Adding an E-Design Option to my blog and/or website
Have a logo made

A few things on the list are already underway. 

First, I am currently working with Molly of Mixed Molly Designs



 to create my logo and business cards.  I saw Molly's work on Blue Roof Cabin when she created this logo for Mimi.   


 I emailed Molly immediately!  She has a great eye for designing logos and her pricing is very reasonable and much cheaper than many of the other graphic designers that I came across.

So over this next month, I will be able to share with you my choices of logo and the completed product.  I am soo excited to see the end result!!!

Another "to do" is to set up the E-Designs portion of my business on my blog and website.  Many of you already know about E-Designs, which are also known as Mood Boards or Design Boards.  I have been creating them for a few years now.  I started doing them for my own rooms when we began to build our house and then more recently I was asked by friends and family to create Mood Boards for their homes.  I love doing them and I hope by this next week I will be able to have it set up and available on my blog. 

Here is one of the recent Mood Boards I created...



Thanks for letting me share all that with you guys!  I would love to hear your feedback and I will keep you posted on the process of starting my business. 




9 comments:

  1. Wow you are crazy awesome at making those cakes. I just showed my husband and he said "she's very talented!" So glad to hear you are working with Mixed Molly Designs! I have enjoyed following your blog and I know you will do well in this new adventure you are very talented! Follow your heart girl!

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  2. Congrats to you for making such a huge decision. I wish all the best for you in your next journey.

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  3. Wow! Starting a new business is so exciting! LOVE your cake designs. I am sure you are going to do well with interior decorating. You have done such a great job on your own home. I look forward to following along and watching your business grow!

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  4. This all sounds so exciting, your obviously very clever & creative so Im sure you will do well. Good Luck!!

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  5. Hi Helen,

    Those cakes are fantastic and you clearly have the designers eye, I am sure your new business venture will be a success. If you need any web/blog assistance I'd be happy to help (I am a professional web designer by day and craft/decorator blogger by night!) My biz web site is
    Indigo Image

    Zoe

    (a brit in Chicago)

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  6. Thank you for your such kind words and well wishes!!! You made my day!

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  7. I am not wishing you luck in your new adventure because you don't need it. I know you will do great because not only are you good at what you do, but you are also passionate and dedicated. Truly that is the best combination to succeed.

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  8. One elementary teacher to another... jobs are few and far between AROUND THE ENTIRE DAMN COUNTRY! If you want to set yourself apart, I recommend you read Harry Wong's book and attend one of his seminars. I did this when I couldn't find a job and it just helps lift your spirits a little more.

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    1. That is very true! Jobs are scarce everywhere. That is wonderful that you went to Harry Wongs seminar. I have the book and it has been very helpful! thanks for commenting.

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