Today we’d like to introduce you to Lydia Carter.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lydia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up, I always watched my mom draw or paint. She was constantly creating. She put me in a few art classes/camps when I was younger but other than that – I didn’t really take an interest in Art until college. I attended Texas State University and started out pursuing a degree in Education. After a little research (and inspiration from a graphic type design class in high school), I switched majors to Communication Design (graphic design). After graduation, I felt a little “burnt out,” and the creating stopped becoming fun for me. I enjoyed my classes, the process, and design in general, but I didn’t want to make a living doing it.
I took courses through Region XI in Fort Worth and completed my alternative certification I got hired as a middle school art teacher in Boyd, TX – where my husband grew up. Funny thing is, I actually applied to be the Math teacher. I LOVE math (which is kind of funny because it is the opposite of art. The principal saw the amount of art education on my transcript and asked if I would be willing to START the art program at the middle school. Fresh out of the education program and scared to death, I accepted the position. Being in a small district, I was able to create the curriculum and develop the lessons from scratch. I taught for 7 years.
About the same year that I began teaching, 2010, I discovered the wonderful world of baking blogs. I’ve never really been a huge baker, but I enjoyed it. One of the blogs that I was really drawn to was Bakerella. Angie from Bakerella makes THE cutest cake pops. She has tons of tutorials and even a book. Her blog inspired me to attempt them…. and let’s just say – they were far from perfect. I was super proud of them at the time though! My co-workers at school loved them, and they loved them so much that the following Easter (in 2011), I took orders! I stayed up ALL NIGHT on 150 cake pops. I was in over my head. They were cracking, lumpy, and they took forever. That was the night I decided that cake pops were NOT for me.
But through the cake pop and baking blogs, I discovered decorated cookies. The first blog I came across was Bake@350. Bridgett is in Houston (I’m from Houston!) and her blog is bright and cheery. I was instantly drawn to her and her craft. After a bit of research, I decided to give cookies a go! I didn’t just start with any small set or design… I made 150 cookies for my best friends wedding. Why on earth I would think that would be a great place to start is BEYOND me, but hey! I’m still here! Using one of my grandmother’s recipes, I baked and decorated 150 police badge shaped cookies. Next, I made cookies for Halloween. I HAD to try out that spider web design I saw online!
Christmas cookies for the neighbors, baby shower cookies for a friend, football cookies for the super bowl, cookies (bribes) for my students on “Meet the Teacher” night, etc. I was unstoppable! It became an addiction that literally took over my kitchen. After “gifting” cookies to several friends and sharing my (very amateur) photos on social media, I began getting questions about selling my cookies. What? People want to PAY me to make these? I didn’t know where to start, what to charge, how to package, etc. Back at this point (2012-2013), there were very few other “cookiers” (that’s what we call ourselves) that I knew of other than the big bloggers. Everything that I learned was self-taught or learned through a blog.
I “launched” my business in August of 2013 by creating a Facebook page and business just took off. I had inquiries daily and my calendar was filling up. Keep in mind, I was a full-time art teacher at this point, so cookies were still just a “hobby business.” The only “advertising” I do is through social media and word of mouth. I typically took 3-4 orders a week. I was typically booked 4-5 months out at a time, Every day after school I would come home and work on cookies or prep for working on cookies. Holidays are an even busier time in the cookie world. There were times where I would have to take days off from school, hire help, or just not sleep to complete the orders. Most holidays I typically do 1000+ cookies.
In 2015, I launched a cookie tool that my dad helped me create. My dad was looking for a “project.” He is a woodworker and an engineer. At the time, I was obsessed with these ruffle flower cookies where you have to continuously pipe the icing around the cookie. I was annoying to have to rotate it with my fingers because it interrupted and broke the icing. I told him I needed a little cookie sized turntable. He created what we now call The Cookie Swivel. It is a small cookie sized turntable that is designed with a “cookier” in mind. Due to some circumstances in the cookie world, I was forced to launch it before I was fully ready. I took pre-orders for The Cookie Swivel while I was waiting for the components to come in. I built (and still do) them in my dining room myself and sent them out.
I was back ordered for MONTHS. I had never anticipated the response and support I got for my little gadget, but I love and am very thankful for the ever-growing support in the “cookie community.” As if I wasn’t busy enough, in 2016 I expanded my business into the cookie cutter world. I design and print 3-d printed cookie cutters. For most of my cookie career, I had designed cookies for holidays and had my friend from Bobbi’s Cookies & Cutters in Kansas create my cookie cutters. As a trade for me designing for her, she printed and sent them to me for free. It was great! After discussing how popular my cutters were in her shop, my business-minded husband asked me why I wasn’t selling them myself. My answer was simply – I don’t have time! Teaching, Cookies, Swivels, Life – it was a lot to handle!
But, after much discussion, we couldn’t at least try it. I purchased a 3-d printer, and with much guidance and support from Bobbi and her husband, I began printing and selling my designs. I don’t have a HUGE cutter shop, as I don’t have time for it. I simply design cutters for my own use and add them to the shop when I can. In 2017, after teaching, swiveling, printing cutters, and running my cookie business simultaneously, I made the decision to stay home and do cookies full time. Since quitting teaching middle school art, I have picked up teaching cookie classes in my home. I offer beginner, intermediate and advanced classes.
Teaching has always been a passion of mind, so I absolutely love that I can fulfill that need while combining it with my other passion – cookies! I truly love to create and help others create. I love to share the joy of cookies!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Absolutely not. My biggest struggle was juggling it all while working full time. I always got asked, “Aren’t you tired of making cookies?” The answer is always “no.” I was never (and will never be) tired of making cookies, I was just tired of not having time for anything else. My cookie business grew and I took on so many other avenues, I knew it was time to make the decision to leave my full-time job.
Another struggle I fought within the beginning and something I always tell those just starting out – be confident in your work and most of all be confident in your prices.
Cookie decorating is WORK. A lot goes into each little work of art and they are not cheap! I remember being so scared to quote someone for fear of rejection. My prices have raised significantly since then, and I am confident in them. I know the quality of my work, I know my cookies actually taste good, and I know that they ARE worth it. It will be easy to get burnt out if you’re not charging what you’re worth.
Another struggle that I have had to deal with and see others deal with, comparison.
Comparison is the thief of joy. The cookie community is growing and its really easy to get wrapped up in comparing your work to someone else’s. I always say – everyone starts somewhere. It is not fair to compare my work (of almost 7 years) to someone who started 2 months ago. I am not ashamed to share my first cookies or look back on sets where I made “mistakes.” It is all a part of my journey!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with LC Sweets – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
LC Sweets specializes in custom cookies for any occasion. I like to think if you can dream it or draw it – I can put it on a cookie. I’m definitely not afraid of a challenge. Not only do the cookies look good, but they also taste good as well!
As a cookie designer, I take great pride in not only creating beautiful individual cookies but a cohesive set that can be the centerpiece of the party. I create unique designs to fit any theme. Most designs and sets that I create are completely original based on inspiration sent by the client. Originality is important and I don’t like to do the same set twice. I would describe my style as “colorful, bubbly, and fun.”
I am also not afraid to do something that is “difficult” or new to me. I don’t just take the easy way out when executing the designs. I take great pride in every detail of every set.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I look forward to continuing to grow as a business – meaning new clients, new techniques, and new ideas! I also would like to focus on my cutter business a little bit more and create new original designs.
I plan to continue to do classes and would love to travel and teach! No plans for that just yet, but a girl can dream!
Pricing:
- Start at $45/dozen for regular sized (3-3.5″) cookies.
- Start at $18/dozen for mini sized (1-1.5″) cookies;
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lcsweets.com
- Email: lydia@lcsweets.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lc_sweets/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LCSweets13/
Image Credit:
Brandi Allyse Photography
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