Today we’d like to introduce you to Karlie Story.
Hi Karlie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up loving to bake with my family, making all sorts of desserts for birthdays and parties. I never did any fancy decorating, though, until about 15 years ago when my middle daughter turned 3. She wanted a ladybug cake so I found a tutorial on YouTube, made my own fondant and first specialty cake. It did not look amazing but I was hooked! I continued watching YouTube videos and making cakes for any friend or family’s special occasions. I then slowly started getting orders and building my skills. At first I focused mainly on the decorating, then I found a cake recipe blog and started experimenting with different flavors and icings. In 2014 I got a job at a bakery and became the head cake decorator. I worked there for 5 years and learned that I really loved highly detailed and decorated cakes, especially handmade elements like sugar flowers and sculpting. In 2019 I moved to Santa Cruz, CA and decided to start my own business, Story Cake Studio. I operate from my home with a cottage food license and deliver all over the area from Big Sur to the greater Bay Area. As I have developed my style it has become very elegant and floral, though I do still love themed cakes as well!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being self-taught has definitely brought challenges – for the first several years I felt like I was learning something new (the hard way!) with every cake and there were many times when I wished I could have attended a pastry arts program so someone could tell me how to do it all. But all of the things I learned kept accumulating and developed a strong foundation which informs every project I take on now.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in luxury wedding and event cakes. For me, the big, intricate cakes are where my heart is. I love creating something brand new, each cake an art commission created specially for that event, whether the inspiration is “chic James Bond” or “the ocean and redwoods” or a line from the couples’ favorite song. I particularly enjoy making sugar flowers – some fresh flowers can be toxic or they wilt, whereas the sugar flowers are food safe and look amazing, even beyond the wedding! Sugar flowers keep indefinitely so a couple can keep them and display them in a frame or vase as a keepsake. I also make sure the inside is as good as the outside! My cakes are delicious with interesting flavor pairings, like lemongrass cake with blueberry jam or dark chocolate cake with cherry buttercream and toasted coconut.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I love the Smitten Kitchen and Sugar Geek Show blogs for recipe inspiration! Winifred Kriste Cake’s online sugar flower courses have been a tremendous resource.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.storycakestudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storycakestudio
