Chicagoist: Made in Chicago: Bake and Destroy

BleedingHeart

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:07:34 -0600

To MC500 guy, Sorry you had such a rotten experience at Bleeding Heart. We would be happy to replace your cupcake. We had been refrigerating them and had a HUGE sign that stated to eat all refigerated items at room temp, but that seemed to not ever be seen, so we have since taken them out of the cooler, stopping the dryness problem. As far as the crack about writing the city, well, sorry that you feel so strongly against us. We do what we love and make what we like. It is not for everyone, nothing is. Also, we cannot aloow anyone to come off the street and take pictures. We have numerous competitiors who we have caught doing this and we simply need to protect what we have work so hard to built. But, I hardly believe you were "kicked out" I've only seen two people get kicked out, a drunk guy (maybe that was you?) and a junkie who nodded off in the bathroom. NOW ABOUT NATALIE! she rocks and I love her dearly. She has inspired me in so many ways and her interest in what we do keeps us on our toes. I wear her gear with pride.

Tankboy

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:34:20 -0600

About Danzig, he actually did a cool cover of "Cat People" recently but yeah, he's been pretty sad for many, many years. Although I challenge anyone to find a weak track on "Walk Among Us." Now I want a cupcake.

Jess D'Amico

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:41:35 -0600

"It's not the right word, but it's the first word that comes to mind."

toddlintown

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:34:17 -0600

"I don't think it was her intent, but she comes off as pretentious in her interview." Pretentious? There's a better word...

oldrobotsneverrust

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:34:51 -0600

e-samples ftw!

Jess D'Amico

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:38:37 -0600

@E: Orange hostess cupcakes? I feel like I should, but I know not what you're talking about.

Jess D'Amico

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:37:50 -0600

So grumpy. If the internet had free taste tests I'm sure people would feel differently.

nedispasauxcopains

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:28:32 -0600

it must be a busy schedule to keep. barfing out all these pop culture references from your vapid suburban mind onto our kitschy urban plates. maybe sometime during a syndicated tv commercial break you could earn yourself and columbia college a crumb of credibility. http://www.abakanowicz.art.pl/about/-about.php

oldrobotsneverrust

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:43:49 -0600

+5 for Natalie's mom!

Jess D'Amico

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:16:13 -0600

I officially give up trying to predict what will cause a Chicagoist controversy or not.

nataliesmom

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:51:01 -0600

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.

plumbum82

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:14:46 -0600

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...

Spav1

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:12:14 -0600

This got out of hand.

E

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 12:20:38 -0600

I like the cupcakes from Hostess. The Orange ones, especially.

nataliesmom

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 10:57:20 -0600

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.

kernglern

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:59:03 -0600

Those Grant Park pants are the shit! Can you give 'em another try for me?

Jess D'Amico

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:10:34 -0600

@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.

TheAngryWaiter

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:31:30 -0600

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.

porcalina

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:26:11 -0600

@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.

Jess D'Amico

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:08:42 -0600

@photoshopabuser: Agreed.

Jess D'Amico

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:08:09 -0600

@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.

reallygaysmurf

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:05:34 -0600

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!

PhotoshopAbuser

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 09:37:26 -0600

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....

Natalia1979

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 08:58:27 -0600

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....

magilla gorilla

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 06:58:14 -0600

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

Spav1

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 06:21:37 -0600

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.

deeXannihilate

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:52:32 -0600

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.

whiskeysoured

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 19:59:27 -0600

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

plumbum82

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:46:16 -0600

@magilla: Nope. Just an enthusiastic Hot Topic shopper and her passion for delicious baked goods.

magilla gorilla

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:06:29 -0600

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 gorilla

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:53:55 -0600

people actually go out and eat cupcakes? also, that's quite a list of celebrities that have worn her t-shirt. very noteworthy

YoknapatawphaTourismBoard

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:34:03 -0600

We seem to be confusing art with artisanal. Now heil the Fuhrer of Frosting!

Prescott Carlson

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:46:47 -0600

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.

bakeanddestroy

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:34:35 -0600

Phhh, Diablo Cody's got nothing on me.

plumbum82

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:26:32 -0600

Fuck you spook! I drink alone. Seriously, I'm in a cunty mood. Especially for Diablo Cody with an EZ Bake Oven.

NZ Cupcake Queen

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:21:57 -0600

From yet another pretentious, tattooed cupcake baker (who also knits and sews and does "cute" things) - awesome article Natalie!

Spook

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:17:41 -0600

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!

plumbum82

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:17:37 -0600

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.

peacebaby

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:06:17 -0600

"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!

mel_v

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:04:58 -0600

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!

bakeanddestroy

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:04:09 -0600

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.

plumbum82

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:56:28 -0600

@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?

Grrrowl

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:47:43 -0600

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!

Chicago J

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:41:22 -0600

Natalie All the best and good luck. That's all I got. Sincerely, J

JoeM500

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:41:05 -0600

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!

Jess D'Amico

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:40:35 -0600

@gwengirl79: Mmm I am jealous. I have been wanting one since I posted this.

Gwengirl79

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:34:07 -0600

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.

Chuck Sudo

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:33:10 -0600

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.

grandma

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:21:10 -0600

I find it hard to be disgruntled by anything related to baked goods. Get the lead out and get over it (ha!).

matty

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:10:49 -0600

Too bad I don't have a sweet tooth. Like I actually hate sweets. however, this place is going to do well.

bakeanddestroy

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:01:24 -0600

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.

Jess D'Amico

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:00:19 -0600

@plumbum82: So what do you do that makes you so special and stand out?

plumbum82

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:54:08 -0600

I'm sure she has a roller derby practice to get to...

lamgray

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:49:37 -0600

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?

bakeanddestroy

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:49:08 -0600

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

GL

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:43:20 -0600

I agree about the giant pants.

artillery606

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:30:35 -0600

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'.

matilda

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:25:07 -0600

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.

Kevin Robinson

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:16:28 -0600

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.

plumbum82

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:07:22 -0600

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.

L. Stolpman

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:45:39 -0600

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