The Heart Behind the Bake

Where the Passion Began

I have had a deep love for creating for as long as I can remember. As a kid, if there was a craft book in the house, I was hunting down supplies to make the projects happen. I was also a huge fan of Pappyland—I loved following along with the show, carefully drawing the pictures, and recreating every craft Pappy made. In school, that love for making things only grew, and I took every visual art, ceramics, sculpture, architecture, and design class available to me. That lifelong passion for art and structure gave me a sharp eye for detail and design, which still guides everything I do today, from custom bakes to website design.

My love for baking specifically took root during college when I lived with my aunt for a short time. She transformed the house into a baker’s paradise, filling tables with classic Linzer cookies, traditional Italian pastries, and festive treats. Watching her create magic in the kitchen completely rubbed off on me.

Over 12 years ago, just weeks after I started dating my husband, I baked a cake for his birthday. That single cake sparked a decade-long love affair with baking. What started as a fun hobby and a personal tradition for loved ones quickly evolved into a deep passion for custom cookies, sourdough, and intricate designs. Eventually, friends and family began asking to purchase my cakes and cookies, and Pretty Baked organically grew into the home bakery it is today.

The Art of the Self-Taught Baker

My journey didn’t come from culinary school, but from years of practice, learning, and finding inspiration in creative spaces. Early on, I spent countless hours watching Food Network, The Great British Bake Off, and baking competitions like Christmas Cookie Challenge while following talented cookie artists online. Two of my biggest inspirations were Hayley Cakes and Cookies, who showed me how much fun and humor you can bring into baking, and SweetAmbs, whose detailed, artistic cookie sets showed me that a cookie could truly be a piece of fine art.

While I love all kinds of baking, hand-decorated sugar cookies hold an extra special place in my heart. To me, each cookie is a tiny edible canvas. From baby showers and weddings to custom show themes, sports, and favorite characters, I love bringing a client’s vision to life in a way that is visually stunning and delicious. A perfectionist by nature, I treat every order as if I were baking it for my own family. There is something truly incredible about knowing that my work is sitting on a family’s table during their most joyful moments.

Baked with Purpose

I believe that a business should be a light in its community. Having been on the receiving end of grand generosity in my own life, I know how life-changing a simple act of kindness can be. Because of that, service to others is at the very core of why I do what I do. Whether it is baking for local teachers, volunteering with the PTO, or hosting community fundraisers like raising money for Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, I am honored to use my craft to give back.