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Here's some sweet news: there are a bunch of new prints for sale in the CakeSpy online shop!
While I pause to tell you that sweet news, maybe I should point out a few of my personal favorite products in the store.
You could pick up one of these...
or this sweet print...
or maybe this one!
Check out everything on offer at CakeSpyShop.bigcartel.com!
Are you ready for some totally sweet and awesome art, friends?
Well, get ready. Because CakeSpy and Rampage Toys are collaborating again, with the best art show ever at CakeSpy Shop! Here's the shop release on it:
Last year, we hosted a show featuring paintings and toys from Seattle based character designer Jon Malmstedt - RAMPAGE TOYS! Jon is known for his cupcake monsters running through towns destroying all that they find, flying to space, and traveling undersea. You may have heard, but our founder, Ms. CakeSpy, is pretty well-known for her OWN cupcake-themed artwork, so obviously, a collaboration was bound to happen! Come and see all of their AWESOME collaborative works for yourself Thursday, May 10th from 5-8pm--you can expect tattooed unicorns, dinosaurs chasing treats, and more!
Here are the details:
Opening reception: Thursday, May 10th, 5-8 p.m. Facebook event page here.
Location: CakeSpy Shop, 415 East Pine Street, Seattle WA 98122
Don't panic if you can't make the opening; the art will be up all month, and very soon the art and prints will be available at CakeSpyShop.com.
Want the recipe? Come buy the book!Save the date, sweeties.
Joy the Baker is coming to CakeSpy Shop in Seattle!
We are THRILLED to be hosting this extra-special event for our dear friend, Joy the Baker! Join us to celebrate Joy and her first cookbook at CakeSpy Shop on Saturday, March 17th! Come hang out with Joy, CakeSpy founder Jessie, and the winner of the "So You Wanna Be a CakeSpy?" contest, Molly Allen!
Want to learn more about the book? OK.
Joy the Baker Cookbook: 100 Simple and Comforting Recipes
Joy will be here to tell us all about her awesome new book, answer questions for her fans, and of course have a stack of books to sign!
Date: March 17
Time: 3-6pm
Location: CakeSpy Shop, 415 East Pine Street, Seattle; 206.325.1592
Check out the Facebook invite here. Oh, and you might like to hear the interview with Joy and CakeSpy together, too!
You know what's totally sweet? Making a living doing what you love. And if you're curious about how to make it happen with a handmade artwork (or artisan baking business, for that matter, because many of the concerns are the same!), this event featuring a meet and greet with Kari Chapin may be of interest to Seattleites!
Here's the 411.
It’s an exciting new world for crafters. Handmade is hip, creativity is what the market wants, and there are many profitable sales opportunities that didn’t exist a few short years ago. For crafters who have more confidence running a sewing machine than setting up a website, The The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and On-Line
Come meet the author of this wonderful book, who is in town for the Schoolhouse Craft Conference this weekend! From 6-8 pm Kari will be at CakeSpy Shop to hang out, eat cake, and answer your questions about starting a small craft business.
About the author: Kari Chapin is a marketing and publicity savvy crafter who has sold her goods online as well as managing a bricks-and-mortar store. She has worked in marketing and publicity for a variety of arts and nonprofit organizations and managed a retail store featuring artisan goods.
Buy The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and On-Line
Like, OMG. CakeSpy Shop is already sweet, but Capitol Hill's sweetest little spot is about to get a heaping dose of awesome overload.
That's right: Jon Malmstedt (you may know him as the evil genius behind Rampage Toys) is having an art show at the store in May!
Entitled 'Monsters, Cupcakes and Monster Cupcakes', here's the 411 from Jon:
This show will showcase paintings and toys from Seattle based character designer Jon Malmstedt - RAMPAGE TOYS! Jon's work focuses on fun and colorful creatures that just so happen to be monsters. Expect scenes of urban destruction a' la the classic films 'Godzilla' and 'Mothra', but with a bent in the direction of silly - instead of Godzilla think 'giant cupcake that has no arms.' The show will include paintings, custom vinyl toys, handcast resin figures and a couple collaborative pieces done with the Cakespy herself - something for anyone who loves monsters, cupcakes, monster cupcakes or all of the above!
Oh, and need we mention that actual, real, edible and delicious CUPCAKES will be in attendance? YUMMY!!!
The reception will be on Thursday, May 12, 5-8 p.m. at CakeSpy Shop, 415 E. Pine St., Seattle WA 98122. Shop for Jon's work in advance here.
You know what was awesome? The Vegan Bake Sale that we had at CakeSpy Shop last weekend. In fact, it was such a success that monthly bake sales are in the works! Future events with Bake It In A Cake and The Piecycle coming up in March and April, respectively!
But back to this first lovely one with the talented Shavon Hutchinson, who was raising money with her delicious baked goods to go to Bikram Yoga teacher school. I know, I know. Sounds healthy. But trust me, the baked goods, while vegan, were totally decadent and delicious. Here's just a preview of a few items on offer:
...and they were baked by this adorable girl:
And happily, Shavon has offered up a favorite recipe for your viewing (and baking) pleasure, for some pocket pies!
Shavon's Pocket Pies
PIE DOUGH:
2 1/2c all purp flour
1 tea sug
1 tea salt
1/2 c organic vegan palm oil shortening
1/2 c vegan "butter" ie earth balance
mix all dry ingredients and put in freezer along with your shortening and butter. it is mui importante to keep all ingredients as cold as possible when making pie dough.
put dry ingredients in food processor and slowly add your butter/short mix til resembles fine bread crumbs. then slowly add 1/4 c ice water. add more ice water 1 T at a time until dough comes together. turn out onto a lightly floured surface and need until all smooth texture. divide into 2 discs, cover in plastic and chill in fridge for at least an hour.
now you can mix your pie guts.
BASIC PIE GUT MIX:
2 C prepared fruit (peeled cored sliced) or berries, you can even use frozen fruit here, its ok dont be ashamed...
2 T sugar (i like a mixture or brown and regular)
2 T flour (a little less if using apples or other dryer fruit)
pinch salt
cinn, nutmeg, cloves (if your taste buds so fancy)
mix all together until well combined and let it sit out and get nice and juicey. if using berries i like to mash up a few of em to really get the juices out. and walla...pie guts...
ASSEMBLY:
take your 2 discs of die dough and let em thaw a little so they are more manageable after chilling time. over-worked pie dough is not very fun. use whatever shape cookie cutter or glass top you want to cut out bottom layers and tops. now make an assembly line and fill em up. i use about 1 T filling per pocket. you want to make sure and have enough room to make a seal. once youre ready to top em off then brush the rims with soymilk or water or butter, i like the butter option the best. pich together and make pretty with a fork edge or whatever. place on a parchment lined cookie sheet, sometimes they leak yum!, brush with melted butter, sprinkle with sugar and bake at 375 for about 20min or until golden brown. enjoy!
Did you miss National Pie Day on January 23rd? Aww, poor thing. But don't despair, because in the effort to keep you fat and happy all winter long, CakeSpy and Four and 20 Blackbirds are teaming up to host Seattle's first Pie Slam on March 14 (the "other" pie day...Pi Day!), at CakeSpy Shop, 415 E. Pine Street in Capitol Hill. Here are the details:
Cake and Pie Peace Talks Result in Seattle’s First Pie Slam
Seattle, WA – While the media has been heralding the demise of the cupcake and the ascension of pie – two Seattle bakers have come together in peace to hold Seattle’s first writing and baking contest – the Seattle Pie Slam.
Jessie Oleson, artist and blogger of CakeSpy fame, and Wendy Sykes, owner of the baking business Four and 20 Blackbirds decided there was no room for malice in the world of dessert and came up with the concept of a Pie Slam.
“It’s a writing contest and a pie contest, all baked into one,” said Sykes. “The concept is loosely based on a poetry slam, but in this contest the plot must contain pie. And the writer/baker is judged not only on the content and quality of the story -– but also on the quality of the pie.”
The Details
While entry is free, space is LIMITED! So whether you'd like to perform or just attend, be sure to RSVP via email to jessieoleson@gmail.com.
When: Monday, March 14th, 6:30pm
Where: CakeSpy, 415 E Pine St., Seattle WA 98122 (space is limited)
What: Be prepared to eat their words!
It’s Seattle’s first Pie Slam, where judges decide who has the best story, and the best recipe – all baked into one contest.
Pie Slam Rules, based on rules from Poetryslam.com
Each story must be of the writer's own construction;
Each writer gets three minutes (plus a ten-second grace period) to read one
story. If the writer goes over time, points will be deducted from the total score.
Of the scores the writer received from the five judges, the high and low scores
are dropped and the middle three are added together, giving the writer a total
score of 0-30.
Recipes:
Recipe does not have to original, but must be made from scratch.
Contest Rules
Pie must be mentioned in a way that is intrinsic to the story, not peripheral (as in, “…and then he had a piece of pie.”
Writing submissions must be acceptable for a mixed-age, family event. Keep it clean folks!
Submissions must be entered in digital form, including recipe, by 5pm Monday, March 7th, or will not be considered.
Pies/desserts must be dropped off at CakeSpy on Monday, March 14th between 4pm to 6pm
Plates/desserts must be clearly marked with entrants name and phone number.
Please bring knife/serving tools if needed.
For more details on entry rules, prizes and judges, email jessieoleson@gmail.com!
Um, OMG. The two awesomest blogs on the internet (hey, modesty is not my strong suit) are teaming up for a super sweet bake sale at CakeSpy Shop!
That's right. CakeSpy and Bake It In A Cake are having a bake sale on March 26!
There will be dozens and dozens (and dozens!) of cupcakes! Filled with delicious things! Available for your purchase (bring cash, sweeties!) and eating! At a shop full of adorable cards, art and gifts! What other information could you possibly need?
Oh, ok, dates and times.
Date/Time: Saturday, March 26, 12pm - 5pm
Location: CakeSpy Shop, 415 E Pine Street, Seattle WA
Learn more about Bake It in a Cake here; shop for awesome art in advance at cakespyshop.com.
Um, Save the Cake! I mean, save the Date. There's some totally sweet (you know, figuratively) artwork coming to CakeSpy Shop!
The ever-lovely art of Jess Rees is coming to CakeSpy, Thursday March 10th! Full of twinkling and intricate feather watercolors, ceramic tea kettles, jars filled with crocheted mushrooms, and mini scenes on shrinky dinks (hello? AWESOME,) the evening is bound to be as sweet and magical as her art. There will be treats, and the opportunity to chat with the artist herself! Here's the deal:
Second Thursday BLITZ Art walk, Thursday, March 10th @ CakeSpy (415 East Pine Street, Seattle WA 98122)
5-8 p.m.
Shop the show in advance online here!
Cake Will Be Served.
Did you miss National Pie Day on January 23rd? Aww, poor thing. But don't despair, because in the effort to keep you fat and happy all winter long, CakeSpy and Four and 20 Blackbirds are teaming up to host Seattle's first Pie Slam on March 14 (the "other" pie day...Pi Day!), at CakeSpy Shop, 415 E. Pine Street in Capitol Hill. Here are the details:
Cake and Pie Peace Talks Result in Seattle’s First Pie Slam
Seattle, WA – While the media has been heralding the demise of the cupcake and the ascension of pie – two Seattle bakers have come together in peace to hold Seattle’s first writing and baking contest – the Seattle Pie Slam.
There isn't much cake in Bunny Lee's artwork, but it sure is sweet!
She'll be showing a series of original watercolor and pencil pieces at the retail CakeSpy Shop in February--many of them affordably priced under $100 for original artwork!
The artist herself will be on hand for a reception on the Second Thursday--and there will be cake served!
Here are the details:
Artist Reception with Bunny Lee
Shop for other sweet stuff online at cakespyshop.com.
It's no secret that the artwork featured on this site is totally sweet. But have you ever wondered about how it comes to be?
Like a delectable baked good, it requires many steps and sometimes quite a bit of time to come together--but ultimately, we're all rewarded with something sweet and delightful. Right? Well, in case you've ever been curious, here's how the magic happens:
Step 1: Find inspiration. Lately, I've been finding a lot of inspiration from Andy Warhol quotes--my favorite source is The Philosophy of Andy Warhol : (From A to B and Back Again)
Looking through it, it was quickly clear that this quote was the one: 
Step 2: Lay down a game plan. I usually pencil in a rough sketch, and then ink over it in permanent black ink.
Step 3: Get ready to paint. I give the ink a few minutes to dry, then erase the pencil markings underneath, so I have a surface primed for paint.
Step 4: Get to it. I wish I could say that I have a method in terms of laying down dark to light colors, or something of that nature, but I don't, really. In this case, I started by painting in the green of the leaves because I knew that I'd want to do some more detailing on top.
Step 5: Lay down your paint, color by color. Now, I know I said I don't get technical about what colors I lay down in what order, but what I always do is let one color dry before laying another one next to it. With watercolor, if you want to keep your colors clean and separate, this is important--otherwise they will bleed. This can be nice if you want the colors to blend (such as in a sunset, or on the coloring of a flower) but in my work I don't look for that effect. (Note: Please take a moment to admire the friendship bracelet below, made by my friend James).
Sometimes if I get bored waiting for it to dry I'll either speed the process along with a hair dryer, or I will just work on another painting for a few minutes.
Step 6: Once I've painted in all of the elements, I like to go back and add some detailing in lightly darker paint--for instance, shadowing on the buildings:
or add some slightly darker green on the leaves, to add a little more dimension.
Step 7: Finally, never forget to finish off the cake with a cherry!
...and voila, a finished painting. Andy would be proud, I think.
Dudes. Dudettes. Don't, like, freak out, but there are some very awesome things on the horizon at CakeSpy Shop (415 E. Pine St, Capitol Hill, Seattle) this month.
October 9, 5-8 p.m. Witch Craft Book Tour Halloween Party
Trick or Sweet? There will be plenty of both at this Halloween party with guest of honor Alicia Kachmar, co-author of Witch Craft: Wicked Accessories, Creepy-Cute Toys, Magical Treats, and More!
Oh, and there will be prizes! WIN sweet treats or perhaps even a copy of Witch Craft
October 14, 6-8 p.m. Artist Reception: Jill Labieniec
Let's face it: the walls of your house look lame. Why not remedy the situation by buying a gorgeous print by Seattle-based artist and CakeSpy buddy Jill Labieniec? She'll be showing artwork in the upstairs gallery at the shop for October, and we'll be hosting an artist reception on Thursday, October 14th, so you can meet the super sweet artist yourself!
Sorry for the inconvenience buddies, but the event for Tuesday, 10/19 has been cancelled. We'll reschedule soon, ok?
Some say that the Christmas season starts earlier and earlier every year, but I say if it's a season that involves cookies and Yule Logs, bring it on.
And it's in that sweet spirit that I'm delighted to unveil my 2010 collection of holiday cards! As reported on Cupcakes Take the Cake by the charming Java Cupcake, the sweetest cards on earth are now available online and at CakeSpy Shop--but be warned, they won't be reprinted, so when they're gone they're gone!
Of course, if you were a fan of last year's popular Naughty and Nice collection, I do still have a limited quantity of mixed cards available; or, you can either mix and match or have me choose a mix for you.
Find it all online at cakespyshop.com!
Things I'm having a hard time with? First and foremost, wrapping my mind around the awesomeness that is Mike Geno's artwork. Second, believing that it's really here at CakeSpy Shop!
These oil paintings are lovingly rendered on wood panels, and seem to channel the skill and style of another famous foodie painter, Wayne Thiebaud.
Now, I certainly can't afford a Thiebaud, but these Peeps might be within my price range:
Oh, and there are savory offerings too:
But even if you can't visit the shop, you can check it all out online here!
Cake plates are awfully pretty...
...but cupcake plates are freaking adorable.
And why not put it on a pedestal? It's like a shrine to the sweetest type of experience there is, the cupcake: a treat you don't have to share with anyone else.
And now, the cutest individual cupcake plates in the world, made by the super-talented Michelle Miller, are available at CakeSpy Shop (both online and in the retail store!).
Giveaway Alert!! One lucky reader will win one of these plates, in a sweet summery light green! Just leave a comment below saying what type of cupcake you'd use first on this pretty little plate.
The giveaway will close next Friday, July 23, at noon, and the winner will be contacted shortly after. US entrants only this time, please!
Shop available colors here, or come visit the store at 415 E. Pine Street, Seattle WA 98122!
Dudes. Dudettes. Are you ready for some serious awesome?
Well, I want to tell you about the artist of the month for June at CakeSpy Shop: Kris Garland! Where pop culture meets punny food art, you'll find Kris's work, culminated in this show entitled "Suspect & Fugitive".
Here's the 411:
"Suspect and Fugitive" is a companion show to the 365 blog (suspectandfugitive.com) of the same name. All pieces in the series are composed of suspect (questionable) and fugitive (nonarchival) materials. Kris Garland, the artist behind the blog, has been making nonarchival pieces since 1996 when she learned that she enjoyed silk screening with nail polish. She has since moved on to working with food items as that is what she typically keeps in the fridge.
Happily, though the works in this collection are made in part with food, they're made to last, on archival paper and framed!
Now, there will be an artist reception in the store on Thursday, June 10, from 5-8 p.m.--but if you want a preview of the awesome, check it out--here is a preview (and pre-sale) for several of the items that will be on show!
The show will be up all month at CakeSpy Shop's retail location at 415 East Pine Street, Seattle WA 98122; open Tue-Sun, 12-7 pm.
OK, here's the info on the art!
"Beety White", Betty White made from beet juice on paper, 11"x15", $175
"Blue Ball", Lucille Ball made from blue food dye and acrylic on paper, 15"x 22", $200
"Dill Bert", Bert made from dill and watercolor on paper, 15"x 22", $200
"Coffee Coffy", Pam Grier as Coffy made from coffee on paper, 15"x22", $200
"Frankenwine", Frankenstein made from cabernet sauvignon on paper, 11" x 15", $175
"Soy Boy", Bat Boy made from soy sauce on paper, 11" x 13.5", $175
"Cinnamona Lisa", Mona Lisa made from cinnamon and watercolor on paper, 11" x 15".
Well friends, as many of you know, CakeSpy Shop had its grand opening this past Saturday. Hooray!
And one of the sweetest (literally!) parts of the opening was the gorgeous cupcakes donated by Seattle's famous cupcake shop Trophy Cupcakes. 
People. They had my artwork printed on them!
Now, I used to think that having my artwork printed on cupcakes was the "I've made it moment" as a cupcake artist.
However, now I see that is false--the real peak of cupcake artist achievement is having artwork of yourself and your husband, as cupcakes, printed on a cupcake. Surrounded by pugs.
And as if all this weren't enough awesome...they tasted just as good as they looked.
P.S. In case you were wondering--yes, there was a moment of wondering "Can I eat this? Can I possibly?". Rest assured that it subsided quickly, and I can attest that in Trophy Cupcake form, my cupcake-self is delicious.
Trophy Cupcakes does custom photo or image cupcakes by request; to find out more, visit trophycupcakes.com.
