April’s Cake Decorator Spotlight
Hi everyone! I am happy to be featuring Olivia Smith, @savingcakes from Hugo, Oklahoma, for April’s Cake Decorator Spotlight. Olivia creates some fun and elaborate cakes with a lot of attention to detail, especially her kid cakes! I am always fascinated by her cakes when she posts a new cake! Read on to learn more about Olivia, and check out some of her favorite cakes.
Can you share a bit about yourself?
Hi! ❤️ My name is Olivia Smith, and I’m the owner of Saving Cakes. In addition to being a baker, I’m also a registered nurse and a certified lactation counselor. I am passionate about caring for others, and about expressing my creativity, so I decided that instead of choosing between the two things I love most, I’ll just do both!
How did you get started with making cakes?
I’ve always had a love for baking, since I was a child, but once I made my daughter’s first birthday cake, I realized that I love decorating just as much as baking. Making my daughter’s birthday cake each year became a tradition, but once I entered my nursing program, I decided to use baking as my stress outlet from writing so many papers! That’s when I got my very first customer order, and everything took off from there!
What is your favorite buttercream to work with?
Many of my orders are made with American buttercream, but I love working with the smoothness of a Swiss meringue.
What are your challenges with running a business?
It’s all challenging really, but I’d have to say personally that the biggest challenge I have is being a one woman show. Some days it’s a benefit because I call all my own shots, and only have to work around myself, but most days being the executive, baker, decorator, photographer, financial advisor, designer, promoter, and janitor makes for long days…and nights.
Where do you find your inspiration from?
Oh everywhere! Bouquets, balloons, invitations, architecture, pottery, and of course fellow bakers!
What is on your next to try on your list for trying new techniques?
I’m dying to make a comic cake! They absolutely amaze me!
What are your must-have cake flavors?
Oooo, I love carrot cake! I’m a texture person, so the more goodies you can stuff in a recipe the happier I am! Another top favorite of mine is my caramel apple cheesecake flavor! It’s got caramel, a cooked apple pie filling, cheesecake, and a graham cracker crust. Just everything my dreams are made of!
What is your favorite process of baking/cake decorating?
Washing all of the dishes afterwards!
I’m totally lying. I wish that were my favorite part, because that would make cleaning a lot easier!
My favorite part is actually decorating, especially when the design consists of lots of little details, for example, painting buttercream, making fondant decorations, and palette knife flowers. I love getting lost in the details, and that’s when I feel most creative!
What are your favorite current cake trends?
Slab cakes and comic cakes! Polar opposites, I know. I love the fun twist of nostalgia on a slab cake, and the amazing visual effect of a comic cake.
For 2023, what do you hope to accomplish for your business/content?
Honestly, I just want to keep growing in a way that stays true to me, without feeling the social media pressure to be someone I’m not. I just want to accomplish being me, and allowing others to see me through my art. If that grows my business, then I’m fine with that, if it grows me personally instead, I’m fine with that too!
What do you enjoy doing besides making cakes?
Drinking a cup of coffee in the quiet morning, spending time with my two children, listening to my audio books, and dancing in my kitchen is an absolute must!
Share a fun fact about you!
I’m actually a gym rat! This summer will mark my 6th year of weight lifting, and I hope it’s something I am able to continue doing for the rest of my life. It’s how I start every morning, and I can’t imagine it not being a part of my life.
My Favorite Creations
Giraffe Birthday Cake
This banana pudding cake was made for a little girl’s 3rd birthday, and it is by far one of my favorite cakes!
Cow First Birthday Cake
One of the sweetest cow duo cakes (first birthday and smash cake!)
Alice Wonderland Birthday Cake
Lot of incredible details for this Alice in Wonderland Cake!
Nightmare Before Christmas Cake
I did this for my husband’s birthday, and we celebrated with a costume party, and this caramel honey whiskey cake!
Patriotic Cake
A beautiful old glory patriotic cake with the USA flag and colors.
Palette Knife Florals Cake
To be honest, I was a little nervous about this order because it was my first time making palette knife florals, but let me tell you!!! 🤣 I’m so glad I took on the challenge!!! 🙌
Rustic Wedding Cake
A rustic fall-themed cake with flowers for a fall wedding.
21st Liquor Birthday Cake
A liquor birthday cake for a 21st! Check the video close up of this stunning cake! For more geode inspiration, click here.
Shrek Birthday Cake
An amazing and artistic Shrek version!
Bee First Birthday Cake
Love this first birthday and smash cake! Bee cakes are incredibly popular.
Dino Smash Cake
This is so creative for a smash cake for a dino first birthday party. (I had to add this Dino egg smash cake for this feature.) For more dino inspiration, check out 15 Dinosaur Cake Ideas Kids Will Love
Pink Lemonade Duo Cakes
I was so happy with how these turned out! It’s not often that a final cake design looks exactly how you envisioned, but these were an exception! 💕 (also added this!)
Thank you, Olivia, for sharing your incredible cakes and your talent!
Make sure you give her a follow on Instagram to stay inspired! 😍
