Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Malloy.
Jenna, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I began my career as a cake decorator in 2010 after graduating from Pratt Institute; an art school in Brooklyn, NY. I began as an intern and eventually worked my way up to a lead decorator position. After working at a second custom cake shop in Massachusetts, I decided to start my own business.
In 2015 I created Paints & Pans to focus on creating custom cakes and artwork. I had been working residentially and in March 2018, purchased a commercial space to expand my business. My shop opened in October 2018 and has been very successful and a great space to meet with customers, clients, and to hold cake decorating classes.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I really only encountered some obstacles when opening my shop. I’ve learned a lot through the process of working on a project and opening up a storefront. Two keys points that my father had expressed throughout the whole process were: “no project is ever cheaper or finishes sooner than you expect” and “if you have a problem, sometimes you are the one that has to fix it.” Seemingly simple and common statements, they took on a whole new meaning in this endeavor. You can encounter a lot of setbacks and frustration on a project, but you just have to remind yourself that it will get done. Now looking back, it seems like a lifetime ago when I first started the remodel, but I’m so happy with the outcome.
Please tell us about Paints & Pans.
Paints & Pans is an “artist’s cakery.” It differs from your traditional bakery in that I approach cake decorating as an artist. I am a fine artist and consider cake as one of my mediums. An area in which think I excel is in the details. My favorite cake orders are of objects- from tigers to hamburgers, whiskey bottles to astronaut helmets, creating objects out of cake is my specialty. The best comment I can receive is someone saying, “Wow, that’s a cake?!” I really enjoy the challenge of trying to replicate something perfectly and having to get creative when it comes to cakes and having components all be edible. Is that sand or just crushed up Nilla Waffers? Is that relish on the hot dog or just sugar that I made and painted green?
I also specialize in watercolor paintings, mainly photorealistic pet portraits. Again, focusing on attention to detail in these paintings. I have completed many commissions without ever meeting the animal, but had only used photographs as a reference. So, to hear how well they were received and that I “captured them
perfectly” is very rewarding. In some instances, these portraits are given as gifts to a family that has recently lost their pet, so I’m really appreciative to be asked to help commemorate their memory.
My idea for this business was to kind of be a family’s artist. For instance, I make a couple’s wedding cake, then I paint a portrait of their new puppy. Then, I’m making them a baby shower cake, followed by a portrait of the first house they bought. I like the idea of celebrating and commemorating different milestones in a fun, creative, and personalized manner.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
For the most part, I’m pretty happy and proud of the progression and growth Paints & Pans has undergone. It happened organically, receiving most of my orders through word of mouth. Having served in local restaurants over the past six years, that has really helped create a client base for me. I had been looking for spaces to move into for a couple of years, but nothing was ever quite right until now. Looking back, I think the only thing I would have done differently, especially after having been established after a year or so, would be how I viewed my business and pricing.
I felt that since I was working residentially, I was not as legitimate and therefore couldn’t charge a certain amount, even though it’s what the product deserved, I think that’s one of the hardest things to evaluate as an artist. What your time and talent are worth. It’s very disheartening when someone is not happy with your pricing and you feel like you have to defend and validate your work. If I could start over, I would not be insecure about asking a price for something I knew it deserved. After all, these items are commodities, no one needs them. But if you would like it, it’s going to cost this much and if you don’t want to spend that money, you don’t have to, you’re just not going to get that product.
Pricing:
- Watercolor portraits start at $100.
Contact Info:
- Address: 20 Landmark Hill Lane
Kittery, ME 03904 - Website: www.paintsandpans.org
- Phone: (207) 703-2704
- Email: paintsandpans@gmail.com
- Instagram: paintsandpans
- Facebook: Paints & Pans
- Twitter: paintsandpans
Image Credit:
The tiger cake is my image of an order I made while employed at Cakes by Erin
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
