Fondant figure cake topper

[Pink Sherbert]

Hi

I've made a few cakes with fondant figures on top, like the one below. The figures are made to resemble the birthday girl/boy. Not an exact replica but same hair colour/style, clothing etc. I always struggle with pricing though:confused: It takes me hours to make the figures and I usually add a lot of detail. Just wanted peoples opinion on how much I should charge for them or how much you would be willing to pay;)
18535

[Lilac Moon]

OMG that looks too good to eat. I would luv to receive a cake like that, even tho I hate pink. it is fab. I havnt a clue how much to charge. but I know from cake shops similar cakes cost around £25 / £30 so if you are not charging that, maybe you should?

[Pauline@weddingtreasures]

Oh gosh, I would hate to say how much to ask for it because I can appreciate the time and effort its taking you to make it and have to admit that it really would be a shame to eat it!

I've been thinking of going into the fondant/icing figurines but not got there yet.

Work out how long its taken you to make it, how much you have paid out in supplies etc and give yourself an ideal costs of what you would like to earn in an hour........

Pauline :)

[dreamstar]

People will never appreciate just what goes into making cakes and so would probably always query prices you charge but dont undersell yourself.
I remember making my bosses daughters wedding cake about 13 years ago. I put hours of work in and several delicate pieces of icing. When she asked me how much i said that the ingredients,boards and boxes had cost £50 so if she doubled that it would be fine. Her reaction was, "ingredients dont cost that much!"
She paid but i made a point of showing her receipts to shut her up.
So anyway back to you! Why dont you make inquiries at cake shops and see what the going rate is then just slightly undercut them?
Adore your cakes by the way and am loving following your blog ;)

[bubbleicious]

Very stunning, i might just commision you to make me a cake for my 40th this year! I have seen a lot of cakes because a friend of mine is considering starting up a business, i have trawled the net to find out the competition and prices for her. Cakes can cost a fortune and lets face it you can buy one from a high street bakery and they cost a lot for what they are ( just a standard, not personalised cake) I saw cakes similar to yours and they were £75 and upwards! Have to say they were very nice, but not as good as yours im very impressed.

Anna x

[Pink Sherbert]

Thanks everyone for the lovely comments and advice. I was thinking that I might charge seperately for the figures/toppers etc. So say for example I charged £30 for a basic cake and then charged extra for any add ons. Maybe £10 for the wire topper and £20 for the figure then that would make a cake like the one in my picture £60 in total. That way it's upto the customer how much detail they want and how much they want to pay:) Do you think people would prefer that? People always seem so shocked when I tell them how much cakes cost to make and how much time goes into them.

[bubbleicious]

I think thats about right considering the work that goes into it, i would personally pay £60 for a cake like that, if people don't want to pay that they could always go to Asda and buy a naff mass produced one for £10!!!

[Pink Sherbert]

Thanks bubbleicious :0)

[fairycakes1972]

At least £60!!! I charge from £80 upwards for a 6" round cake with Bride and groom models. Not everyone is going to be willing to pay that, but it depends on what you want to earn for the hours it takes to make them!! Lets face it, more love and time goes into these things than anyone ever wants to pay for or appreciates!!!

18585

I made this bride and groom just before Christmas, and spent all in nearly 4 hours working on them!! Didn't charge anywhere near what I should, but loved doing them!!!

[Pink Sherbert]

Hi fairycakes, thanks for your comments. I tried to click on your attachment but it doesn't work and I'm dying to see your figures! lol

[fairycakes1972]

I'll try again!!!

18640
http://www.craftsforum.co.uk/images/misc/pencil.png

[Pink Sherbert]

Wow! Fairycakes they are fantastic!

[fairycakes1972]

Thank you!!!

[Jayne1873]

You will always get the people willing to pay the price you suggest and those who go 'how much!' but stick to your guns on your prices. I think it is a good suggestion offering additional costs for figures etc. I will sometimes ask people what their budget is and then tell them what I can offer them for that.
Your cake is fab btw and very deep so that would reflect in the price.

[Pink Sherbert]

Thanks Jayne and your're right about the depth, they are just over 4" high! lol

[spaceangel]

Where do you get your sugar paste from? I love the colour.

[bakingsinsations]

Your cakes are fantastic (was looking on your blog) and would definitely agree on the pricing recommendations you've been given already. I make cakes as well and understand how easy it is to undercharge for a cake. Sometimes when you take something on for the first time you just don't know how long its going to take you, and at the end you feel like "damn they're getting a bargain!". Have to say my skills are not to the same standard as most, so I think I tend to fill the somewhat "cheaper, but still handmade" niche in the cake making market. I REALLY would love to do some courses, but they are always too far away it seems...

[Jayne1873]

Never do cheaper it just means you do more work for less rework, value your work. You will always get lots that go 'HOW MUCH' but then you will get those that appreciate the time, effort, skill and work involved and will pay for it. It is much more rewarding doing 1 good cake then 10 that you have rushed to get through.
Bakingstations you are in Scotland, anywhere near Lorraine McKay? She is awesome if you have never heard of her.She makes fantastic models and also sells online tutorials which are fab and a great help to people who cant get to classes. I did a basic 10 week course at the local school, bought some of Lorraines tutorials and have been on a day lesson with Debbie Brown (also awesome) the rest you pick up from books, utube etc x

[denyalmartin]

I am doing a fondant figure sitting on the top tier (2 tiers 6" on a 8") with her legs hanging over the edge. I am undecided if i should sit her on there before the customer picks it up or should i have them place it when they get it home. I am wondering it it will travel well.

[Pink Sherbert]

I am doing a fondant figure sitting on the top tier (2 tiers 6" on a 8") with her legs hanging over the edge. I am undecided if i should sit her on there before the customer picks it up or should i have them place it when they get it home. I am wondering it it will travel well.

Hi

If it was me I would stick her on there at least the day before they pick the cake up. Should be well and truely stuck by then and should travel no problem. Sorry if this reply is too late, I've only just seen this:)

[cupcakes]

Lovely figures!