Cake decorating is one of the sugar arts that uses icing or frosting and other edible decorative elements to make plain cakes more visually interesting. Alternatively, cakes can be molded and sculpted to resemble three-dimensional persons, places and things.

Career:Cake Decoration

What was your motivation for taking this career path?

From a young age I have loved creating beautiful hand-crafted cakes, topped with sugar flowers.  However I developed it into a business when I took a break from my career as a teacher to have children. When I decided to home school them, it was natural to explore something I love doing that I could also do from home.

What do you do on an average day?

It takes a week to create a substantial wedding cake. I make showpiece cakes for weddings including working closely with the bride to design intricate details and matching colors to create each as a work of art. I specialize in sugar flowers and wedding cakes, and create cakes and cupcakes that capture the romance and beauty of the classic vintage style.

 In the mornings I bake, fill, crumb-coat, apply fondant and cover the cake board.  In the afternoons I make the sugar flowers.  I will continue into the evening if I am making a very detailed cake. Apart from the cake-making and decorating, much of the business sales and promotion is conducted online, which fortunately, I can fit in around my family priorities.

How do you express your faith through your art?

I believe every good gift comes from God and so I know that God wants me to use it to his glory and for the good of others. What I try to create is really a poor replica of God’s beautiful designs but I love it when my art reflects even a little of the beauty of God’s creation. Often I get the chance to make something, as a gift, for the elderly or a young person in a difficult situation. It is a blessing to see their reaction when they realize that someone cares.

Education: B.A. in Education

Employer: Owner, Leslea Matsis Cakes

Leslea Matsis

Cake Decorator