Welcome from Melissa Tarun! I am one of a new breed of home-based 21st century 'Mom-preneurs'! I am interested in everything all at once, and my two greatest strengths are: 1) my ability see both the "big picture" while at the same time focusing on the tiniest, most minute detail in any situation; and 2) the gift of "multi-tasking." Sweet Whimsy by Melissa Tarun is my company, my

"baby," established through trial-and-error over the past 9 years while doing the things I love most!

We never stop learning, but my learning began as a child who loved to make and create "things" and favored creative and language art classes as a student. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Fine Arts, specializing in Art History, in addition to two other degrees. My experiences and training for practically all aspects of my business have all been "on-the-job" and I have enjoyed (practically) every minute of it! I gained my first taste of being a business owner/entrepreneur through my involvement in Direct Sales with companies such as Mary Kay (1995-2002), Pampered Chef (1997-2005), and Creative Memories (2001-present).

Cakes

I am a Wilton Method Trained Cake Decorating & Sugar Art Instructor. In early 1998, I took several cake decorating courses from a friend as a stress reliever and antidote to the tedium of working in higher education. I loved the classes, and was approached in the summer of 1998 about becoming an Instructor. I have taught all levels of cake decorating for Garden Ridge, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and The University of Texas Informal Classes (adult education). I have "graduated" over 600 wonderful students since I began teaching!

Sweet Whimsy began in 1998 when I began to bake and decorate custom 2-D and 3-D party cakes for my friends; my business soon grew to encompass wedding cakes, specialty confections, and catering for private parties. (And I accomplished all this while working my 'day job' at The Unversity of Texas at Austin!)

Keep checking back with me-- Sweet Whimsy is growing all the time!