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Posted by gatchamarie on 05-12-2010 at 15:42:
Those are just wonderful, Ebony! I can see that you're refining your technique with every cake you make, especially where flowers are concerned! Those white, gum paste roses are exquisite! I like your style ... simple and elegant!
I'll surely take a peek, every now and then, at your blog! It's a great idea! I don't have one, as I'm more used to clients coming to my house, from every part of the country, and view my portfolio personally, since we live in such a small island! I have almost filled a whole album, by now! And, to be really honest, I've found it more convenient for me as, due to the fact that, again, in such a small country, we have only a few, very competitive artists in this field, it's an easy thing to have your ideas stolen by others, especially when they're exclusive creations from the very scratch, and especially when people, here, do not hesitate that much to do so!
Sharing them with you is another thing, though! Thanks for sharing yours!
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Posted by Ebonyswanne on 05-12-2010 at 22:02:
Gatchamarie- It happens here too don't worry. The thing I need to do is watermark some of my cakes and prevent downloads. But the truth is people can still copy things. The only real protection is copyright, but then change it by 10% and you don't have a leg to stand on with it.
I'm finding potential clients like going to the blog rather coming to my house. I'm doing a paper portfolio as well. The blog started from one client wanting to see several cakes, I was sick of the constant attaching of pictures to emails and losing track, and she had no time to come to the house so I made the blog up quickly.
I'm only putting more recent ones up, some of my older cakes aren't that good. I do have one with Australian wildlife flowers on it, but I have to scan in the photo. Some our local flowers can look very dramatic on a cake... Waratah is beautiful just on its own with its bright reds and green leaves.
There is a lot of people around who make cakes in Sydney, but like anything else creative I feel people have to like your style too. I'm not worried about competition, I'm just getting on with the business, plus I've found some other blogs of local cake designers who are supportive of others in the business here. Some cake artists won't carve cakes and I love doing it... so there's room for all.
A small Island might be different though...
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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.
Posted by amethyst on 06-12-2010 at 00:50:
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Not sure about in Australia, but in the US, most intellectual property is automatically copyrighted, no need to apply for it like one would do a patent.
Since you don't release your recipes from you blogs, competitors may try to steal your ideas, but they won't be able to recreate your cakes.
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Posted by Becky Rock on 06-12-2010 at 01:10:
Ebony, your cakes are beautiful and I'm sure they're yummy, too, but I'd hate to cut them up.
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Posted by Pufles65 on 06-12-2010 at 04:40:
Oh wow Ebony those are gorgeous and so nummy looking. I'm like Becky too, I'd be afraid to cut them and ruin the beautiful cake. 
I love the one with the teddy bear with the flowing ribbon. However I think my favorite is Ribbon and Roses, absolutely breathtaking. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by Ebonyswanne on 06-12-2010 at 05:06:
Awe, thanks for all the lovely compliments... 
Cakes are to be eaten, part of the fun!
As for the copyright thing, you have to pay in Australia for the copyright symbol which is basically placing copyright on an item. Patents are different, and more expensive.
__________________
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.
Posted by gatchamarie on 06-12-2010 at 15:51:
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It is different, especially when there's an increasing number of artists who want to cater for the same, small amount of very demanding persons who have the trend of browsing through all the best options before deciding. Competitiveness arises ... it's kind of the survival of the fittest! I try to give my best in quality also, though, as you can find many artists who do a great job where decoration is concerned, but do not tend to fuss a lot about the taste, and texture, of their cakes. For now, I'm surviving, also due to the fact that I always try to keep my prices as reasonable as can be.
Amethyst, you're right in saying that any creation is difficult to recreate ... LOL not even I myself can do the same cake ordered for the second time, or third, etc, exactly as the first time! But, you don't know how far people can go in order to always have the better, here! There was even once when a certain lady called me and asked whether she can borrow my photos, and keep them for a while ... just like that, without even thinking of ordering!
I've edited this post because I wished to add that, notwithstanding the circumstances I've written above, I'm one artist who minds my own business, and would never think to copy anything from others! First, out of respect, and because it's against my nature, second because I find it more challenging, and satisfying, to create something totally original, from the very scratch!
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To be or not to be a gatchamaniac - that's the dilemma!
Posted by Ebonyswanne on 07-12-2010 at 02:52:
The thing you probably run into, which happens often with me is that people will see it somewhere else and then want that particular cake- but you make it. I always point out that its an art, custom made item. The idea can be there but it will not turn out exactly like it. Then after that they think about it and 9/10 will make changes to it anyway. They just like the idea because there are a lot of people who can't visual things or have much in the way of creative instincts. I offer a few suggestions that will improve it.... Then it ends up looking nothing like someone elses work and becomes an original. Which makes me happy, because I'm not into copying...
I love my cakes to taste as good as it looks. (My friends have been giving me feedback on carrot cake samples at the moment... I've altered a recipe. But won't offer it to customers until its really outstanding... A few more alterations and it will taste amazing...)
That where Artist Guilds come in handy. (I've been part of the Doll Artisan Guild, and they were so encouraging for businesses,) Instead of everyone getting competitive it creates an enviroment where they work together instead for the good of the art and business making it stronger... Do you have a Cake Artist guild in Malta Gatchamarie????
I'll scan in some of my Australian wildflowers when i find the photo's. I'm making some more soon for a design I have in mind for a cake.
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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.
Posted by green on 07-12-2010 at 04:49:
Oh, wow, Ebony..... *sigh* I always get so envious when I see talent like yours and Marie's! Seeing such amazing skill makes me wish I could do something similiar.... But not to be, sad to say - probably for the best considering the trouble I have reigning in my sense of humour... LOL
Gorgeous stuff, seriously.
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Exaggeration misleads the credulous and offends the perceptive. ~Eliza Cook
Posted by Ebonyswanne on 07-12-2010 at 06:57:
Awe Green... thanks.
I've been thinking about a Gatch cake design of late... that would be fun!
I might just make it...just because...but I'd then want to cut it up for people who love BOTP/Gatchaman. Sigh...
Don't worry, my sense of humour comes into it too... I've just been commissioned to make a Harley Davidson style cake... I'm so tempted to put a girl with flowing green on it! Wouldn't the Swan love a Harley...I bet she would.
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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.
Posted by gatchamarie on 07-12-2010 at 08:30:
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To be totally honest, I don't know exactly, as I've always opted for more academical subjects, and I've never searched well down that route! But, I'm sure that it exists, as our culture encourages a lot of artisans! There are a lot of courses available around, and we have a special culinary school, of high standard, in which one can also specialise in his own field. Moreover, regular competitions of various categories are held.
My advantage is that of taking my dad's creative genes, who was a painter during his good, old times. I've learnt what I know by reading related books, taking part into competitions, and by practice ... it's now more than fifteen years that I've started this activity as a hobby, and I've also created my own style. I've also attended some art lessons when I was very young, but not enough to specialise. I'm very thankful that, after I've found myself not being able to pursue my banking career any more, in order to take care of my kids by myself, I was able to turn this into an almost full-time job! I agree with you, when you said that cakes must taste as good as they look ... that's also my motto! And, it's great to share opinions, and experiences, with a geniune artist like yourself!
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To be or not to be a gatchamaniac - that's the dilemma!
Posted by gatchamarie on 07-12-2010 at 08:43:
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Ebony is right ... there's nothing wrong to introduce one's sense of humour in what has to be created! It makes it more interesting! I wouldn't have done one I've showed you (I don't think I have to specify which one!), and others similar, or with a more relaxed theme, if I weren't able to introduce mine! I cannot tell you how much my husband and I laugh whenever I'm making such humoristic cakes, which are often related to my clients' stories!
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To be or not to be a gatchamaniac - that's the dilemma!
Posted by Ebonyswanne on 07-12-2010 at 22:16:
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Guilds- are more support, setting standards, porper practices- rather than just academic. (Though at times they do offer day classes on subjects.) They're not just about education. I'm looking into the local artists guilds at the moment because I can network through them too.
__________________
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.
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