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Practice Bakes Perfect Challenge #47: Customer Order (Wedding Favor)

 

Welcome to Practice Bakes Perfect Challenge #47! There are many people who have a cookie business - or would like to have a cookie business - so, in the spirit of cookie entrepreneurship, this next challenge is all about creating the perfect customer order! The "event" will be a wedding, and it will include packaging as part of the overall presentation.

But before I mention the details of this challenge, let's talk about our AMAZING PRIZE! One lucky entrant will be chosen at random from among all of the challenge entrants to receive a $100 gift certificate to BRP Box Shop, donated by @Julia M. Usher!

BRPBoxShopLogo-5pix

BRP Box Shop is the go-to source for many cookiers who recognize the important role that packaging plays in the overall presentation of their clients' cookie orders. Thank you, Julia, for such an excellent and well-suited challenge prize!

And now, let's talk about the details of your "order" . . .

For this challenge. you will be working on a fictitious order for a wedding reception. The happy couple has planned a summer wedding, and would like to have cookie favors made for each of their guests. The favors will be placed at each table setting, and will be part of the overall table presentation. For this reason, it is important that the cookies be decorated and packaged thoughtfully and to the best of your abilities. The couple has provided a photo of the table setting, as well as other photos for reference and inspiration. The order details are listed below the photos . . .

Photo by Agung Pandit Wiguna from Pexelspexels-agung-pandit-wiguna-2788492

Photo by Secret Garden from Pexelspexels-secret-garden-931158

Photo by Lindsey Savage from Unsplashlindsey-savage-HN_CbS68TP8-unsplash

Photo by Olya Kobruseva from Pexelspexels-olya-kobruseva-4544726

Remember, these photos are for inspiration, so try to pick a few different elements (color, texture, etc.) to guide the design of your cookie favor.

ORDER DETAILS:

1. Create one (1) large cookie favor using any one of the following shapes:
  • the shape of a cake;
  • the shape of a heart; or
  • any geometric shape (e.g., hexagon, circle, square, etc.).

You can use a cookie cutter, or you can hand-cut your cookie shape. Your cookie should be about 3 to 5 inches in size.

2. Your cookie should include the following elements:
  • the words "Mr. & Mrs." or the date of the wedding "08•25•21";
  • floral elements; and
  • colors and designs that coordinate with the inspirational images above.

3. The design of your cookie should reflect a mid-range price point. I am purposefully not including a dollar amount, since pricing (and what people are willing to pay) varies widely across the world. Please interpret "mid-range" according to what that price point looks like in your area and for your business.

4. Include packaging for your cookie favor. The packaging should have decorative elements that coordinate with the overall theme and design of the wedding.

5. For all other details, you will have complete creative freedom.

If you would like to ask further questions about the challenge, the wedding couple's desires, or their wedding, you can do so in the comments section below this post. Anyone can use this additional information to guide their decorating and packaging, however, only the information contained in the rules will be required for this challenge.

Think outside of the box when decorating your cookie favor. Experiment with both traditional and non-traditional designs, techniques, and media. Consider cookies that are contoured or have dimension. Remember, the goal of these challenges is for YOU to challenge YOURSELF. So experiment, be creative, and don't be afraid to try something new!

RULES:

PLEASE READ THEM CAREFULLY. I would hate to disqualify an entry because someone failed to read ALL of the rules.

1. Create one large cookie favor based on the Order Details mentioned above. The cookies and their decorations must be 100% edible.

2. Include a packaging element to your entry. You do not have to purchase packaging for your cookie. You can make it by hand if you prefer; however, all packaging must be food-safe.

3. Post a photo in the MAIN CLIPS section that shows your cookie WITHOUT packaging. In the comments section, under your clip, post a photo of your cookie inside its packaging.

4. Your design MUST BE ORIGINAL and NOT a copy of any other artist's design.

5. As always, we ask that you make a brand new cookie design for this challenge.

6. And because Cookie Connection is all about learning and sharing, I would love for you to share in the comments section under your entry the media and techniques you used to create your cookie favor and packaging, where you drew inspiration, and what you learned along the way.

TO ENTER:

  • Please post an image of your cookie favor to the site under the Practice Bakes Perfect clip set no later than August 22 at 5 pm central.
  • Because these challenges are ongoing, we ask that you put "Practice Bakes Perfect Challenge #47" in your photo caption AND in a tag, so that we can tell the challenges apart from month to month. Please use the main title field to uniquely name your cookies as you normally would.
  • Please also assign other relevant clip sets and tags to your images, as you normally would (meaning don't just use the Practice Bakes Perfect clip set and leave it at that, or your photos won't easily be found with keyword searches).
  • You can enter more than once, but please post only one clip of each distinct entry. Multiple clips of the same entry are not allowed unless added in a comment beneath the one primary clip.
  • The prize is given entirely at random. This means that everyone who participates in the challenge has an opportunity to be rewarded with this month's terrific prize!

After the challenge has closed on August 22, we will announce the random winner in the Saturday Spotlight on August 28. The next challenge will be announced about a week after that Spotlight.

And, remember, these challenges are NOT a competition. They are intended to inspire and motivate you to step outside of your comfort zone, to experiment and be creative, and to try something new. The goal is for you to challenge yourself artistically and technically, and to develop your skills so that you may reach your full potential as a cookie artist. And, of course, the goal is for you to have fun along the way.

I can't wait to see what you create. If you have any questions about this challenge, or if you are looking for ideas, technical advice, or creative help - or if you just want to talk cookies - I would love to chat. You can leave me a comment below, or you can send me a private Cookie Connection message.

ChristineCROPPEDChristine Dutcher's journey as a cookier began in early 2013 when an online search led her to the amazing world of cookie decorating. After spending countless hours learning all that she could, Christine decorated her first set of cookies in October 2013. In 2016, she decided that she would begin to focus on perfecting her skills, challenging herself each time to create more detailed and progressively complex pieces of cookie art. In 2019, Christine became one of the very first sugar artists from around the world to be named as an "Honourary PME Five Star Sugar Artist" by Knightsbridge PME. You can learn more about Christine's work here on Cookie Connection, and by following her Facebook and Instagram pages.

Photo credit: Christine Dutcher

Note: Practice Bakes Perfect is a bimonthly Cookie Connection blog feature written by Christine Dutcher that poses inspiration or challenges to get you to stretch as a cookie artist - for practice, for prizes, and for fun! Its content expresses the views of the author and not necessarily those of this site, its owners, its administrators, or its employees. Catch up on all of Christine's past Cookie Connection posts here.

Attachments

Images (6)
  • Practice Bakes Perfect Challenge #47 Banner: Photo by Steve Adams; Cookie and Graphic Design by Julia M. Usher
  • BRP Box Shop Logo: Logo Courtesy of BRP Box Shop
  • Wedding Table Setting: Free Stock Photo by Agung Pandit Wiguna from Pexels
  • Wedding Flower Arrangement: Free Stock Photo by Secret Garden from Pexels
  • Wedding Flowers and Other Elements: Free Stock Photo by Lindsey Savage on Unsplash
  • Wedding Invitation, Place Cards, and Other Elements: Free Stock Photo by Olya Kobruseva from Pexels

Sweet Prodigy

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Comments (25)

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@Virago posted:

What an awesome challenge! Can't wait to see the various interpretations!

Question Christine @Sweet Prodigy...can shapes with floral kickouts be used?

Shapes like this --

@Virago Yes, the certainly can. So long as the main shape (heart, cake, circle, etc.) is still easily recognizable, then it's perfectly fine to use these shapes with kickouts.

Jak skvělá výzva pro mne😍😍👏👏👏léto je plné svateb a já nejraději tvořím svatební sušenky. Jak báječné, tolik se těším na všechny výtvory. Moc děkuji ❤️❤️😍

What an interesting challenge.  Thank you Christine and Julia.  If I ever am asked to make a wedding favor, my plan has been to try and do justice to one of Julia's @Julia M. Usher stencils.  Guess I'll need to come up with a plan B for this challenge!!!😂

What a super fun challenge Christine @Sweet Prodigy!! Love it, especially at this time of year. As always I hope to be able to enter . I have a couple of full months (July & August) and none are wedding related. I hoped to enter challenge 46 and hubby had a lot of physical issues that required him being hospitalized twice so my thoughts were with him and not cookie decorating...this challenge will encourage a LOT of creative juices flowing in cookiers' minds . Can't wait to see what everyone makes ❤️❤️ Hugs...

What a super fun challenge Christine @Sweet Prodigy!! Love it, especially at this time of year. As always I hope to be able to enter . I have a couple of full months (July & August) and none are wedding related. I hoped to enter challenge 46 and hubby had a lot of physical issues that required him being hospitalized twice so my thoughts were with him and not cookie decorating...this challenge will encourage a LOT of creative juices flowing in cookiers' minds . Can't wait to see what everyone makes ❤️❤️ Hugs...

@Cookies Fantastique I do hope your hubby is doing okay; family first, of course. This is definitely a busy time of year for many - one reason why this challenge requires only one cookie to decorate. Maybe if you have some extra time, it would be nice to see one of your beautiful creations in the challenge.

@Cookies Fantastique I do hope your hubby is doing okay; family first, of course. This is definitely a busy time of year for many - one reason why this challenge requires only one cookie to decorate. Maybe if you have some extra time, it would be nice to see one of your beautiful creations in the challenge.

I, too, hope there's enough time for me to participate 😊. Thank you for all you do to investigate challenge projects. It's such a labor of love dear Christine @Sweet Prodigy! Your work continues to amaze and inspire me and so many others. Blessings and lots of hugs ❤❤❤

What a super fun challenge Christine @Sweet Prodigy!! Love it, especially at this time of year. As always I hope to be able to enter . I have a couple of full months (July & August) and none are wedding related. I hoped to enter challenge 46 and hubby had a lot of physical issues that required him being hospitalized twice so my thoughts were with him and not cookie decorating...this challenge will encourage a LOT of creative juices flowing in cookiers' minds . Can't wait to see what everyone makes ❤️❤️ Hugs...

Hope your husband is feeling better Carol @Cookies Fantastique. Wishing him well.

@Zeena posted:

Hope your husband is feeling better Carol @Cookies Fantastique. Wishing him well.

Oh how sweet of you dear Zeena @Zeena!! Yes, he's doing much, much better now . Lost part of a toe in the process but it could have been so much worse. We feel very blessed  ❤️❤️ Hugs...

@LisaF posted:

Hey Christine - just to clarify - I know this is a « one cookie «  design. However, is it okay to use multiple cookies on the one cookie to create the 3 dimensions ?

@LisaF Hi Lisa - yes, you can. In this case, you would be combining the cookies to create a single favor, which is fine.

@Virago posted:

Another question Christine @Sweet Prodigy...I personally don't sell cookies, but I would imagine quantity would come into play in this scenario? How many packaged favors are anticipated?

@Virago Great question. Do you mean quantity in terms of determining what a mid-priced cookie would be?

@Virago Great question. Do you mean quantity in terms of determining what a mid-priced cookie would be?

Yes Christine @Sweet Prodigy, price both for the cookie and packaging, as well as work involved which would encompass time, accommodating space, and freshness considerations. Plus, I've looked into pricing both in my area and outside, the norm looks to be min order 1-2 dozen with discounts offered for higher quantity orders.

Are we talking smallish order or mass production?

Last edited by Virago
@Virago posted:

Yes Christine @Sweet Prodigy, price both for the cookie and packaging, as well as work involved which would encompass time, accommodating space, and freshness considerations. Plus, I've looked into pricing both in my area and outside, the norm looks to be min order 1-2 dozen with discounts offered for higher quantity orders.

Are we talking smallish order or mass production?

@Virago Excellent planning. There will be about 75 guests in attendance including the wedding party. The couple would like to order 7 dozen (84) cookies. This will allow for a few extra if needed, as well as one or two that will be saved as keepsakes.

@Virago Excellent planning. There will be about 75 guests in attendance including the wedding party. The couple would like to order 7 dozen (84) cookies. This will allow for a few extra if needed, as well as one or two that will be saved as keepsakes.

Thank you Christine @Sweet Prodigy...this detail is a game changer.

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