Thing 4: Sell Something that I Make

When I put this item on the list, I assumed it would be a photograph or block print or homemade card. I still have plans to pursue paper crafts and an Etsy shop. But this goal manifested in a way that I never anticipated.

2013 turned out to be the year of the cupcake. I know that cupcakes were trendy like 5 years ago...but I've always been a late bloomer. So it wasn't until this year that I began baking them like fiend. 

And I came to learn one thing about cupcakes...people love them. 

There is really never a wrong time for cupcakes. I've brought them to work on Mondays and Fridays. I've baked them for birthdays and Christmas. I sent them to people who were mourning loved ones and celebrating long-term accomplishments.

This year I turned my love of cupcakes into Bay State Cupcake...an at home, kitchen bakery. My first commission was a 75 cupcakes for a graduation party. Go big or go home!

Cooking with Amy: Cupcake Jars Take 2

After the success of the mason jar cupcake bridal shower favors, I decided they would make a perfect holiday gift for work friends.

I had a jingle jammy dance party to the N'Sync Christmas album while whipping up some red velvet cupcakes. They were reddish but didn't come out as vibrant as I anticipated.

I prepped the lids with snowflakes...

And created some cute "Happy Holidays" tags. After I finished ALL of the tags, I realized they were way too big for the jars. I tried to peel off the stickers but it was a no go.

 I cut the cupcakes in half horizontally then layered with frosting.

And I topped them off with some sparkly snow-like crystal sprinkles.

The plan B for the tags was these smaller white tags. I simply stamped my "Homemade with love" stamp and tied them on with some bakers twine.

They were cute and easy and portable...but best of all people loved them and said they were delicious (which is what really counts when you're talking about cupcakes).