TRANSFORMING FLOUR INTO ART
TO STACI CAKES
based in Tremont, IL
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M2y C3ake J1ourney...
W1e13lcome7
1 Samuel 2:2
"there is none holy like the Lord;
there is none besides You;
there is no rock like our God."
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I've always enjoyed baking but I had never made a "fancy" cake until my sister in law encouraged me to try it in 2017. She bought me the basic supplies needed for decorating a cake and I gave it a go.
After my very first cake, my brother asked if I was going to start my own cake business. I responded with, "I don't think so. It was a lot of fun and I think I'll keep making them for my kids but it takes a lot of time!"
Indeed it does. But it makes me chuckle now because God's story isn't always the story we plan on writing for ourselves. But truly, it's the best one!
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For 2 years I dove into the internet cake world (there are endless tutorials and blogs out there!) as I made our own kids' cakes. I focused on finding delicious basic recipes, getting a smooth buttercream finish, learning how to make and use fondant for decor. I was content continuing in that direction but your sweet words of encouragement to bake for others changed my vision.
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E1cclesiastes 2:24
"this too, I see, is from the hand of God."
So in February 2019, I started baking for family and friends: "Staci Cakes" was born! It was an honor to have so many friends reach out with new style and theme requests. I grew in decorating techniques (chocolate drips, naked cakes, piping flowers, making cardstock toppers with my new Cricut). I also added specialty flavors to my recipe box, tweaking and perfecting them -- each at the request of a friend or family member.
Yet I still couldn't bake for the public because the laws in IL made having a home bakery virtually impossible. So I planned to stay in this space (baking for friends and family) indefinitely. I had no idea what was coming...
In January 2022 the laws in Illinois changed, allowing home bakers to legally bake for the public. I wasn't expecting such a huge change in Illinois but am so grateful for it! It's opened up a whole new world for me. The wider customer base has really allowed me to find my own unique style, and grow in perfecting it. From texturing to fresh flowers and dried naturals, gold flakes, bubbles dipped in chocolate, and more texturing... I bring my unique style into every cake I make!
As orders increased, I began outsourcing my toppers to a few wonderful ladies who make them from wood + acrylic rather than cardstock. It was a huge step forward, and I am grateful for their constant help.
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This has been and always will be a journey for me. But looking back, I can see God's hand at work in taking me slowly down this path and giving me the grace and time needed to pursue it effectively. One step at a time. He is good!
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And I'm beyond grateful I can do this within my own home on the farm. My husband adores farming but I'm not exactly an outdoorsy farm girl, so this gives me a little oasis within our home on the farm.
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So THANK YOU - for following along on my journey, for encouraging and supporting me, and for allowing me to create for you. I wouldn't be here without you.
T1hank you from the bottom of my heart!
S4t33a2c13i1
G1et to know me more...
8 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ME
1. Jesus has changed my life! He pursued me, saved me, and gave me new life when I was in junior high. It's been a journey but He's changed how I view everything in life. There is so much hard, but He is trustworthy. He has a plan and purpose for your life and mine. Jeremiah 29:11
2. My husband Rodney and I live on the family farm in Tremont where he grew up. His parents, grandparents and great grandparents lived here before us, and before them a colonel from the Civil War (who built our house!). Farming is a lot of work but Rodney thrives in it. His dad passed away when our youngest was born, but God has placed other farmers in his life that walk alongside him.
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3. I am not a farm girl at heart. So that makes life interesting! I do love watching my husband and kids thrive outside - they've learned to work hard and work together as a family. They get dirty. I see so many positives raising our family on the farm, but I also recognize I am the odd ball. And that's ok, God wires each of us differently. Thankfully one of our girls is just like her mama so that is a gift to my soul!
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4. I've had a handful of part time jobs over the years but mostly have been a stay at home mom. It can be a lot to balance being a farmer's wife, mother of 5, and run a cake biz, but I'm so grateful I can do it within my own home.
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5. I wanted to be a missionary when I was in high school. I went on mission trips all over the world (Alaska, Jamaica, Haiti a few times, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama) and loved sharing the gospel message of Jesus and experiencing different cultures. But God's story was different than my plan - I married a farmer and found out God wanted my mission field to be right here in central Illinois.
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6. We have done every form of schooling there is with our kids: public school, homeschool, and private school. We're taking a year at a time and are open to where God leads.
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7. I hate coffee. My husband and all 3 of our boys love it. Rodney has tried to get me to drink it with him (because "it would speak love to him"), but I just can't. I also don't like soda or alcohol. Water's my jam.
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8. I love the beach; it's my happy place! The sound of the ocean, the warmth of the sun... ahhhh. Rodney & I took a (very short) trip to Mexico on our 10th anniversary and have been going every year since. It's usually a pretty short trip, but it's revitalizing to get away, feel the sun, read some good books, and have some alone time together.
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