Cake Decorator of the Month December
Jacqui Strangman @thislittlebikkie
What is your favourite Breakfast?
Most of the time I make myself a smoothie. Usually it’s berries, banana, spinach and coconut yoghurt - staples we always have in our fridge and freezer. It’s quick, easy and a great way to start the day off fresh and fills you up!
If I’m feeling I need a little extra fuel, an omelette works an absolute treat!
How long have you been Cookie Decorating for?
I started making cookies when I was pregnant with my son and wanted to make some for my baby shower. I officially turned my love for all things cookies into a business when I was on maternity leave in May 2021, just in time for Mother’s Day.
Why did you choose Cookie Decorating?
I’ve always loved being in the kitchen, whether I’m cooking and baking. Being able to build my love for this into a business, working from home and being able to spend more time with my little one, is what drew me into the field!
In times of doubt, what do you do to get back into your creative zone?
If I’m ever feeling doubtful or overwhelmed, I take a step back and I give myself 5 minutes. Whether that’s stepping away to make a coffee, fix a snack or just sit back and listen to that podcast/music or watch Netflix. After those 5 minutes, I always feel so refreshed and my mind is clear to get back into it!
Where did you learn your Cookie Decorating skills?
I’m self-taught! When I started making cookies, reels and instructional style videos weren’t a huge thing so I found there wasn’t a lot of information on “how-to’s” so I taught myself everything I know! First I researched and found a recipe that worked best. After many trials, errors and adjustments, I made one that works for me. I spent a lot of time fiddling around with fondant, moulds and designs, finding my niche and individual style.
What is your typical day like, what does it entail?A typical day at this little bikkie HQ usually starts around 7/7:30. Sundays and Mondays are bake day, Mondays-Wednesdays are spent decorating, Thursdays are photo and package day and Fridays are my order pickups/post office drop-offs. I usually get a couple of hours during the day to get cookie-related tasks done while my toddler naps and then the bulk of tasks get done when he’s gone down for the night at 5:30. Once he’s down, I get dinner ready and then get stuck into my orders for the week. Typically I’ll bake/decorate from about 6:30 and depending on the schedule, will finish up for the night anywhere between 11pm-3am the next day. On super busy weeks, there are many nights that are all-nighters. When you love what you do, it’s so hard to say no!
We know Sweet Sticks is a brand you use, what do you love about it?
Sweet sticks is a brand I know and love and has been since I started my small business. There is so much versatility in the products, there truly is a product that works for everyone!
What is your #1 piece of advice for the newbies in Cookie Decorating?
My biggest piece of advice is that there is room for everyone in this industry. Community over competition always! Reach out to your local cookiers, make those connections and you’ll be so thankful for them! The amount of times that my beautiful local gal @makeorbakeco and I reach out to each other on a daily/weekly basis for either advice, to borrow something or to just have a chat makes my heart so full! I think it’s so important to have a great support system and especially with a very individualised and for most of us, a solo business, you need that social aspect.
Who is your inspiration in the Cookie Decorating world - name three (TAG THEM)
Naming just three inspirations, is truly such a tough challenge in an industry overflowing with so many incredibly talented businesses.
For my three picks, I’m going to go with Tash (@cookiesbytash) , Mimi (littlekookieco) and Zoe (@the.sugar.co). These three girls are some of the most kindhearted, genuine and inspiring souls I’ve come across in this industry. I am always in awe of the reels that these beautiful girls create and the abundant amount of work that goes into them and their bakes, forever filling my creative cup with ideas.