Learning More About Lettering!

-- There is ALWAYS Room for Improvement --

Never Stop Learning!!!

Over the past couple of months, I have noticed how easy it is to want to "stay safe" when it comes to cookie projects. Recreating old designs, utilizing familiar cookie cutters, practicing the same techniques, and embellishing in the same old way. If certain things function and work well for me, why fix them? Why would I make myself more stressed trying a brand new idea on a client's order, not knowing whether it will succeed or fail? 

This mindset has really held me back when it comes to cookie decorating. Just recently, I realized how detrimental this fear of breaking out of my comfort zone can be for my small business and ultimately my potential in the baking world. However, discovering a want to learn in my craft has made all the difference. Don't get me wrong, learning is difficult! It takes an abundant amount of time, effort, energy, and grit. This summer I enrolled in an oceanography class/lab and I honestly questioned if I would make it out alive. (Still have three weeks left, but I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!!) I know that sounds incredibly dramatic, but it goes to show that learning something we are not naturally gifted in can be extremely tiresome and seem absolutely impossible at the time. 

I am here to tell you that it is NOT impossible! You will get through it with hard work and dedication. Learning doesn't happen all at once. It is a journey that has to be tackled day after day. I didn't learn all I know about cookie decorating and baking today in a single day or even a couple of months. Continually I am learning about this beautiful and unique craft and there is still SO much to learn about! Let's take a look at where I focused my learning in the month of July.

Libbey Likes Lettering!

This subtitle is a little misleading because "Libbey Actually Dislikes Lettering". It is truly amazing how gifted some people are when it comes to lettering. The clean strokes, loopy letters, and extensive detail is awe-inspiring to me. I wouldn't say I am "bad" at lettering, but I am also not "great". The lettering increases in difficulty when you move away from pen and paper. Piping lettering with icing is and has always been my greatest nemesis.

The consistency of the piping has to be perfect or else your letters bleed into each other and as a result, the words are unrecognizable. I feel like the shiny piping tip is never small enough to pipe the delicately spaced words in the way that I want. Lettering makes my hand cramp, frustrates me to no end, and brings me to tears 10 times out of 10. All in all, I avoid lettering at all costs. 

Although, this July I told myself I was going to learn to LOVE lettering on cookies! I quickly realized "loving" it was a little ambitious, so at the moment I am learning to simply like it. I created four very different cookie orders this month that incorporated very distinct lettering styles. I can genuinely and confidently say that I like lettering now! I am dying to show you all what I created!!

**Click or tap on the photos and they will be more clear!

-- House Warming Cookies --

*My first lettering project of the month! These cookies gave me confidence that growing to like lettering was a very achievable goal. I really liked the look of the combination of both cursive and print on the house cookie.

-- Wedding Cookies --

*The "love" cookie took me a while to figure out. The utilization of both flooding and piping consistency was a challenge, but very worth it. They all turned out so elegant and clean!

-- Fourth of July Cookies --

*These cookies were simply so fun to make! The various piping colors were intimidating at first, but everything worked according to plan. I am still shocked I pulled these off!

-- LJays Bakery Cookies --

*My favorite cookies I have made to date! It seems like a biased statement because my business name is on the cookie, but that is not why they are my favorite. The "LJays Bakery" cookies were the first cookies that I made purely for myself. They are comprised of lettering that I was too afraid to execute just a few weeks ago. This project was so special to me because it was a representation of my lettering journey. The journey is far from being over, but these cookies enabled me to be proud of my piping abilities despite the imperfections.

What are YOU Learning?

I hope that this little glimpse into what I am learning about cookie decorating encouraged you in one way or another. Learning something new can seem very overwhelming, but don't let that feeling deter you from embarking on an adventure for knowledge and growth. You don't have to take a flying leap out of your comfort zone, but I encourage you to simply take a small step. I think you will be surprised at the end results. 

A few questions to consider: What are you working on learning in your life? What do you want to learn more about? How are you going to start learning about it? Why is learning about this important to you?

You've got this and I am rooting for you! If I can learn to like lettering, you can accomplish anything!