March 21, 2008
Made in Chicago: Bake and Destroy
Welcome back to Made in Chicago. Did you miss us last week? Everybody needs a sick day, and we've whipped up something extra tasty today to make up for our absence.
Punk. Rock. Cupcakes. That's Bake and Destroy in a nutshell, the blog, flickr, and Etsy trifecta of Natalie Slater. Natalie, 28, is originally from Joliet, which she describes as, "Chicago's stoner little brother: kind of okay to hang out with for a little while but mostly just boring and smelly."
Natalie's creations range from cupcakes sweetly iced "fuck you" to classic horror movie monster toppers and are present in indie bakeries and homes all over the US. In fact her Bake and Destroy t-shirts (which she's modeling) have been seen on Hannah Aitchison filming next season's LA Ink, chef Michelle Garcia during a Food Network Challenge, and WWE's CM Punk, who must have a little sweetness in him after all.
Natalie took time between finishing up her journalism degree at Columbia College and baking sugar coma–inducing amounts of cupcakes to share her thoughts on Danzig, Viking helmets, and The Golden Girls.
Chicagoist: How do you make your art stand out from everything else out there?
Natalie: Well, I consider my baking blog, Bake & Destroy my "art." The baking and the cupcake decorations I sell on Etsy are sort of accessories to the blog. I found the more I let go and swore and rambled about zombies and boners and stuff the more people liked it. I just write about things that entertain me and I make cake decorations for cakes I want to make. Every time I sell a set of viking cupcake toppers I wish I could go hang out with someone awesome enough to put a viking helmet on their cupcake.
C: Where do you want to go with your art? Where do you see yourself in five years?
N: The baking and blogging pretty much sent me back to school to finish up my journalism degree. I've been writing for some pastry trade magazines and I'd love to keep a hand in that while I figure out what to do with Bake & Destroy. I've had a lot of pushes to turn it into a cafe or into a larger company. For right now I like it as a blog where I write about Motorhead and cake.
C: How did you start making stuff?
N: My mom is like, a master stuff-maker. She's really detail-oriented and meticulous with every crafty venture she takes on. Me? I'm an idiot with almost no attention span. So I cut out tiny gnomes and stick them into cupcakes.
C: Why is the sky blue?
N: I don't know if this is true or not, but someone once told me it was because of Danzig. I guess he looks good in black but his favorite color is actually blue.
C: What does your process look like?
N: Well, right now I'm working on Golden Girls cupcake toppers for my sister's birthday. She loves Betty White and old people. So, I eat ice cream and talk to my husband a lot about needing to find some pictures of the Golden Girls. He doesn't listen to me and just keeps watching Top Chef. Then, about three days later I remember that I was going to do that thing with the old ladies and I spend all night finding pictures of them and messing with them in Photoshop, which I don't really know how to use. Then I print them on cardstock, cut them out, glue them to tooth picks and shoot photos of them for Etsy and my Flickr account and everyone tells me I'm a genius.
C: Tell us a secret...
N: You know those giant pants in Grant Park? I hate those things.
C: What's the Chicago art and baking scene look like?
N: The amount of Chicago cupcake bakeries makes me want to stab my eyes out. There are too many. STOP OPENING CUPCAKE BAKERIES!! But otherwise there are lots of amazing pastry chefs in this city, Chicago doesn't get the credit it deserves in that respect- we have French Pastry School, tons of amazing sweet shops like Lovely, Vanille Patiserie, The Bleeding Heart Bakery... it's really exciting to be a glutton right now in Chicago.
C: Where do you see that culture going?
N: I learned with Bake & Destroy that there are a ton of subversive bakers out there. People love a cookie with a swear word on it or chocolates shaped like handguns. I think the whole DIY ethic is seeping into the kitchen and more and more punk rockers are picking up their oven mitts and going for it.
C: Any advice for beginners wanting to make a go of it?
N: Get a Flickr account- I'd say 80% of my customers found my stuff on Flickr. And be fast--ship stuff out within a few days. When a person knows they're going to get something from you the same week they ordered it they're going to order again.
Want to show off your DIY skillz? Holla: MadeinChicago[at]chicagoist[dot]com
|
Cool interview, Jess! I linked to Bake and Destroy in my cake post - to Natalie's post in which she interviewed Michelle from The Bleeding Heart Bakery. Great to learn more about her (Both Natalie and Michelle!).
http://chicagoist.com/2008/03/10/need_a_three_la.php
Great, she's tired of cupcake bakeries, I'm tired of the "girls with a lot of tattoos who do cute things like knit and bake but add a bunch of skulls to make it seem tough" demographic. It's not "subversive", it's just home ec for posuers.
And enough with the burlesque shit too. For fucks sake, put out already. Once you've seen a Tijuana Donkey Show, Michelle L'Amour with pasties is just boring.
I think that girls with a lot of tattoos who do cute things like knit and bake but add a bunch of skulls to make it seem tough are cute, actually.
Burlesque is boring, although I've never really been all that into gender/body politics.
I am in awe of anyone who starts/runs a business, an effort that takes smarts, guts and stamina, and which often results in long hours and low pay, at least in the beginning.
But I don't quite understand how baking stuff, or blogging about it, is art. Perhaps I just have an old-fashioned view of the word "art."
Anyway, good luck to this business person.
I think chicks with tats that do anything are amazing. Baking is just as much an artform as anything else. I say keep up the excellent craft.
oh, and only posers spell it 'poseurs'.
I agree about the giant pants.
Hi. Thanks for reading my interview, I was psyched to do it. I don't consider anything I do "art" either, to be honest. But the question was "How do you make your art stand out from everything else out there?" I mean, baking is an art and writing is an art, but I can't vouch for my approach to either as being artistic. I don't get art anyway. Those pants in Grant Park are art, and those pants are stupid.
As far as being a poser, I've been baking since I was a little kid. I wasn't aware that there were baking posers, but I will totally be on the look out for them from now on. If having tattoos but preferring cookies to whiskey somehow makes me a poser I guess I'll deal.
Hail and kill! -Natalie
I don't think it was her intent, but she comes off as pretentious in her interview. I suspect that there is a lot more sarcasm going on that we aren't reading?
The whole blog/flickr account as art thing baffles me. . .I mean, I see its a form of expression, but where do you draw the line between art and hobby, since everyone and their mother is generating one. I personally don't think sticking a photo on a toothpick and putting it in the cupcake is art. . but perhaps the cupcake and recipe is the real art there. I checked out her blog and am intrigued by the mac n cheese. . that's ingenious! I think maybe the focus should be more on the flavors, rather than the glitz on the cupcake! But, to each his own, right?
I'm sure she has a roller derby practice to get to...
@plumbum82:
So what do you do that makes you so special and stand out?
Plumbum82, you're kind of grumpy for someone who claims to be half assed Buddhist.
http://www.okcupid.com/profile?u=plumbum82
Maybe you should eat a cupcake and get off my case.
Too bad I don't have a sweet tooth. Like I actually hate sweets.
however, this place is going to do well.
I find it hard to be disgruntled by anything related to baked goods.
Get the lead out and get over it (ha!).
Plumbum makes a roler derby crack and is wearing a Windy City Rollers t-shirt in one of those OK Cupid photos Assuming that is indeed plumbum, that's rich.
I have had the pleasure of eating a Bake n Destroy cupcake and it was the most delicious cupcake I have ever had. I think it rocks that she is doing something unconventional. Don't hate cuz she's cooler than you.
@gwengirl79:
Mmm I am jealous. I have been wanting one since I posted this.
The best cupcakes in the city (that I have tried) are from that little bakery on Roscoe across from Village Tap. No gimmicks or blog or "art", just sweet-ass frosting and moist cake.
I nearly choked to death on a dry-to-the-bone $7 cupcake from Bleeding Heart.
Plus they kicked me out for taking photos.
I sent a letter to the city, suggesting they start filling potholes with their organic, vegan products.
(but their chocolate guns were yummy)
The interview was great, the blog and flickr are enjoyable, too.
BUT... Danzig is the biggest poseur of all time (and if you use the Thrasher magazine Skate and Destroy font, you might as well spell poseur with a "u" like Thrasher always has.
Great, now I am hungry for a damn cupcake!
Natalie
All the best and good luck. That's all I got.
Sincerely,
J
how exactly does she come off as pretentious? she calls herself an idiot with no attention span, admits that what she does is NOT art, and as far as the focus NOT being on the flavors..could YOU make a bubble tea cupcake? or mac and cheese? so suck it!
@Chuck:
What, like I don't have an ex from the derby? My motives are insane.
@bakeandwhatever
So, people of a certain faith are SUPPOSED to act a certain way?
It's ok, dude. It's cupcakes. I don't want to fight in the Internet about cupcakes. You can say what you want, that's the beauty of computers.
Now Danzig, I will totally fight about. Yes, he's chubby and old now and his last several albums have been embarrassing, but if it weren't for The Misfits I may not have survived grade school. And I wish he would publish a book about hair care. My hair should be so shiny.
For the record, that's not a font. The original Skate and Destroy logo was hand painted and so was mine. So I did put an ounce of effort into creating that.
From one pretentious, tattoed baker to another, congrats on the nice article, Natalie!
Any why is everyone so grumpy about cupcakes? They're cupcakes, people!
"The amount of Chicago cupcake bakeries makes me want to stab my eyes out."
Better a cupcake bakery than a damn Starbucks, at least it's fun. And besides, brought the cupcake to the forefront of delicious sweets again. Without them I'd have no desire for viking hat toppers!
Hey, I just miss Spav. And her crazy ass fight picking.
And you bagged on cupcakes, remember? Cupcakes are awesome. Go with cheesecake and I'd get behind that.
Oh pipe down Plum Plum cakes, just because you like lincoln park trixies named Pam, Tame and Muffy, Spav1, don't mean we all like em. That women is Hawt! Woot!
And I bet she reads something besides the Red Stupid Eye, even if it is some sort of indie comic. Now go get me a drink son!
From yet another pretentious, tattooed cupcake baker (who also knits and sews and does "cute" things) - awesome article Natalie!
Fuck you spook! I drink alone.
Seriously, I'm in a cunty mood. Especially for Diablo Cody with an EZ Bake Oven.
Phhh, Diablo Cody's got nothing on me.
Wow, a flame war about cupcakes, now I've seen it all. If someone could throw out "sprinkles nazi" at some point that would really make my day.
We seem to be confusing art with artisanal.
Now heil the Fuhrer of Frosting!
people actually go out and eat cupcakes? also, that's quite a list of celebrities that have worn her t-shirt. very noteworthy
alright, i initially just scanned that article and assumed this is a cupcake bakery. after further inspection, it appears that there is no bakery afterall but a website where you can purchase cupcake themed trinkets. there has got to be something more interesting going on in this city.
@magilla:
Nope. Just an enthusiastic Hot Topic shopper and her passion for delicious baked goods.
Natalie was one of the first people I met when I moved to Chicago about seven years ago, and I assure you, she's no poser, and in a battle of wits, she's sure to annihilate you.
You're clearly grasping at straws to insult her, but I'm confused as to why. Is it somehow hurting you that someone you (clearly) don't know has a successful cupcake blog on the internet? Is it really just getting under your skin and making you itch a lot? What's the problem?
And for what it's worth, heavily tattooed derby girls are very much in the minority. Stop wearing our shirt.
xoxoxo
I'm uber confused as to why people have to be so damn mean. Let the woman bake her amazing cupcakes in peace and quit attacking her because you're not equally amazing. She may just be "another tattooed girl that bakes cupcakes, knits, etc." but she's awesome at it.. so obviously, she's not a poseur.. and yes, people go out and eat cupcakes.. just saying.
I think the point is that she actually DOESN'T bake cupcakes...which means I don't really get any of this.
1) I think it is weird and sort of counter-productive to take something which has been a traditional symbol of female repression (i.e. baking, or home baked goods) and make them more marketable and palatable by imbibing them with more masculinity.
2) Please be aware that you are only successful because of your image. This makes you not so different from Britney Spears, only what she does is probably more original and artistic. It is art versus K-R-A-F-T.
3) Diablo Cody does have something on you: and Academy Award. That is one Oscar to one flickr account.
it's nice that her friends come on here to defend her. i don't have a problem with her or her products one way or the other. if she's able to separate fools from their money by simply writing "fuck you" on a cupcake, good for her. if she's successful, i'd admire her the same way i admire the person who invented the pet rock. it's a good scam. i just did't understand why this was considered interesting and worthy of being published, but it seems there is an entire cupcake-eating subculture out there that's into the type of kitschy pop culture references that became passe a long time ago when gen x grew up. seems odd but to each their own. i think i might start selling bowling gloves with the pictures of "charles in charge" cast members attached to them
I think that some are missing the point. You obviously cannot compare cupcakes to Rembrandt. However, there is an art to marketing and developing a cupcake company in this new fast paced world o' ours. She cleverly used Flckr for free marketing which allowed her to start a business with minimal capital and overhead. Thats pretty creative to me.
Also, tattoos are a lifestyle and if you do not have any, I do not expect you to understand and you can keep all your little judgements to yourself. And these days, you never know who may have a tattoo. It even may be your "old" 60 yr old mom....
I had no idea that cup cakes could generate so much emotion. I do hope it gets nice out soon. People appear to be getting very edgy lately.
And here I thought that "bake & destroy" was the term people used behind my back when I fired up the oven for something other than a pizza....
Wait a second!
We need to all go out and buy her cupcakes! If we don't she'll never stop cutting herself, and if shes not successful, daddy will never get give her the love she so desperately, desperately needs.
If I get enough tattoos, maybe people will pay attention to me too!
@Spav1:
She does bake cupcakes actually, but you can believe whatever you want I suppose.
re: 1) It will never cease to amaze me how trying to change a symbol of repression into one of empowerment is actually repressive. I also don't understand how writing a swear word on a cupcake is "masculine."
2) When her cupcakes are in a store, I'm pretty sure that's just a cupcake, not an "image" of Natalie present, but people still buy and eat them anyway. Doesn't affect the taste, which by the by, Britney just taste nasty.
3) I'm still confused when Diablo Cody became a viable alternative to a Chicago baker. Also, Juno was awful.
@photoshopabuser:
Agreed.
@reallygaysmurf
You're kidding me right? What marginalizing planet do you come from? What do you know about this girl that would ever warrant those kinds of assumptions? Nothing. Just because she has tattoos that doesn't mean she's a cutter who longs for acceptance. And even worse, male acceptance. Give me a break. That might be the most ignorant statement I have ever come across.
Well...it looks like they moderated my last post and it didn't make it.
Let's just say it had to do with me wondering how someone reading an article about cupcakes could be inspired to post about burlesque and donkey shows.
Maybe I flamed the guy too much...though judging from the other comments...I'm not sure that's possible.
@TheAngryWaiter:
Your comment must've not gone through. I haven't moderated any comments in this post so far. Feel free to post it again.
Those Grant Park pants are the shit! Can you give 'em another try for me?
i'm well aware that it's futile to type this, but i must. i've known natalie since the moment she was conceived, and i can assure you her father does indeed, love her very much. we have always accepted, supported and adored her and we always will.
she doesn't bake cupcakes? i beg to differ. i suppose our extended family doesn't look forward to her cupcakes at every family gathering. i suppose i don't have photos of her cupcakes at every holiday for the past several years.
as for knitting and baking setting feminism back, i think someone does not understand the meaning of the word. it's about the freedom to choose. telling a woman she shouldn't bake is as oppressive as telling her she can't be a doctor.
you don't have to agree with, and i'm sure you won't. but you also don't know her. i do.
I like the cupcakes from Hostess. The Orange ones, especially.
This got out of hand.
Wow.
To the uninitiated, around here, its mostly who can top who in terms of snark and spite.
So, Natalie, I apologize in terms of certain things. I was attacking an archtype, not you personally. Sorry to attract the really sick.
And everyone hide the beer, a mom is involved...
hey plumbum, natalie is straight edge, not me. pass the corona.
and thank you for explaining. it's hard to read comments from individuals who've never met your child calling her a cutter and other nasty untruths, even when you know they haven't got a clue.
I officially give up trying to predict what will cause a Chicagoist controversy or not.
+5 for Natalie's mom!