Hello there!  Are you stressed out?  Is the current news report about all the things going on around the world stressing you?  According to a report published by the NY Times in April, 2019, Americans are among the most stressed out people in the world.  I don’t see a report on people outside the U.S., but I’m sure that stress does not stay just in the U.S..  Well, I want to help relieve some of the stress in your life, if only for a few minutes while you read this blog.

So, I’m going to focus on only positive things for today…… I want to start with the ISAC Spring Open House that was held last Saturday with a small but very fun crowd.  After many weeks of rain and overcast clouds, the Open House went off without a hitch.  Each student, cake decorator and friends were greeted with a warm, bright and sunny day and some bright and fun decorations at the door.

ISAC featured two demonstration times each lasting over two hours.  Chef Nicholas did a very fun, interesting and inspiring demonstration.  His demo showcased new products in the Nicholas Lodge line and silicone molds by Katy Sue Designs. 

Everyone who attended received a free cookie cutter, compliments of our friends at Ann Clark Cookie Cutters.  Here is the link to the Ann Clark Website. 

A break in the demonstrations provided time for everyone to enjoy refreshments and some “retail therapy” in the ISAC retail gallery. 

Now, if you were not able to attend the Spring Open House, here is some GREAT NEWS!!  Chef Nicholas has completed a video on the projects that he did AT the open house and put it on his YouTube channel!  WOW!  Now you can pretend that you are sitting in the ISAC classroom and Chef is teaching you all about how to make these fabulous projects while never leaving the comfort of your home.  Go to Chef Nicholas' YouTube Channel for the SPRING OPEN HOUSE VIDEO.

Happy Thursday to everyone!  Are you looking for more ways to improve your sugar skills?  Do you want to learn more about making sugar flowers, working with fondant, buttercream or other types of sugar art techniques?  Well, look no more!  I have a list of wonderful places for you to go that will provide all that and more!

There are a lot of different places available to get this knowledge and there are a lot of people that are so kind and willing to share their knowledge about the Sugar arts.  You can’t turn around and not bump into someone or something that will help you!  Teachers, classes, cake shows, the list goes on and on!!

Before you get too confused about which way to turn, let me tell you about a couple of things that are coming up that you will want to put on your schedule!  And a few of my favorites too!

First of all, ISAC has put out the class schedule on their website for the next several months.  There are so many opportunities to learn and create new things.  Chef Nicholas pulls out all the stops when he teaches his classes.  All of the supplies, materials, and handouts you need for the class are provided for you.  All you need to do is show up and enjoy learning from one of the best and most professional teachers in the industry.  I have taken so many classes from Chef that I have lost count.  But I always seem to learn something new every time!  ISAC is located in Atlanta, Georgia just a quick 30 min ride from the Atlanta airport, if you are from out of town. 

If you go to the CLASSES page on the ISAC website, you can see the list of classes that are being offered. 

• ISAC Spring Open House, Atlanta Georgia, THIS WEEKEND!! March 14, 2020
• ISAC Renshaw Sugarpaste (Fondant) Module - April 6-8, 2020
• ISAC Rose Bridal Spray class, Atlanta, Georgia -  April 9, 2020
• Simi Cakes Isomalt Glassworks Cake & Isomalt Flamingo, ISAC Classroom, Atlanta, Georgia - June 14-15, 2020

And don’t forget the yummy things that Scott will provide for you during lunch and afternoon breaks.  When his cookies come out of the oven, the smell will make you jump out of your seat and grab as many cookies as you can!

My blog this week is going to focus on the “New and Improved” ISAC Studio and some upcoming events that are now on the ISAC calendar.

As many of you heard, ISAC announced late last year that they were making some changes.  They decided to downsize the Retail shopping space and provide their products online for easy access.  The classroom is still there and has only changed a little bit because you know that Chef Nicholas holds some fabulous classes, so that’s not going away!

Now, I know that it “sounded like” they were going out of business, but I’m here to report that is NOT true!!  The team at ISAC is alive and well and there is so much going on!  Chef Nicholas has been traveling to different locations for cake shows and events (see last week’s blog for where he is this week).  And he is still developing and designing some fabulous products with Katy Sue Designs.

Here is a sneak peak at the new space at ISAC.  There is a new gallery area that has everything displayed on new gondolas and casework.  If you go for a visit, the entrance to the classroom and gallery is now through Suite E.  The new store is ready to visit by appointment only.  If you are local to the Atlanta, Georgia area, you can place your order online and then when you check out, select ‘local pickup’ and someone will contact you to arrange the pickup. 

There are some new and fun additions to the NL museum case, including many of his personal tools and products that Chef started off with over 40 years ago!  Some of the items in the case include his original work box that flew on the Concorde 9 times and traveled over 2 million miles around the world!  Chef should have put a Frequent Flyer number on that thing! 

The classroom has been updated with a more intimate feeling, giving a lovely personal space for each student.  The classroom holds a maximum of 12 students for each of the hands-on classes.  This means that once a class is posted online, you will have to sign up for the class pretty quick, because with only 12 seats, the classes are sure to fill up fast!

The lunch area offers a nice relaxing space to enjoy Scott’s delicious lunches and his signature warm out-of-the-oven cookies in the afternoon!! 

If you want to see the New and Improved ISAC, there is a wonderful opportunity coming up at the Spring Open House on Saturday, March 14 in Atlanta, Georgia.  You will have 2 opportunities to attend, one at 9:00am and one at 12:30pm.  Both sessions are the same.  Chef Nicholas will give a 2-hour demonstration on Spring decorating ideas for cookies, cakes and confections, including ideas for St. Patrick’s day, Easter and Mother’s Day.  There will be a refreshment break, plus time for some ‘retail therapy’ afterwards.  Here are some photographs of the projects he will be demonstrating.

You must pre-register for this event, so go to the REGISTRATION link and sign up!  The fee for this event is only $5.00. 

Check out the other upcoming events at ISAC by clicking on the CLASSES LINK.  Hope to see you there!

Stay Sweet and Keep Learning!

Well, it's a wrap folks! ISAC's 2017 Grand Holiday Open House weekend was fantastic! We had two fantastic guests, Tunde Dugantsi and Reva Alexander-Hawk. They, along with Chef Nicholas, offered three exciting and inspiring demonstrations. As has become tradition, this week will be a photo blog dedicated to the weekend's festivities! However, before I share photos from the event, I wanted to remind everyone that the NL Collection by Katy Sue Designs officially launched this week! You can purchase all of Chef Nicholas' new molds from our website, click here. If you were at our Grand Holiday Open House, you got to see these amazing molds in action before anyone else in the world!

With our Grand Holiday Open House just a few weeks away, I know that you are all looking forward to seeing all of the fun tools that Chef Nicholas, Chef Reva, and Chef Tunde will be sharing in their demos. Usually our Open House events turn into a bit of a shopping frenzy. But, never fear! I am here to share an easy tool that will allow you to make a list of all the cake decorating, cookie decorating, or sweets making tools that your heart desires!

I am excited to tell you all about the WISHLIST feature on our website! You can send the list to someone who may need help giving you a gift, or you can search for a friend's wishlist to surprise them with a gift, or use it to save items you'd like to purchase later. The ISAC wishlist is very easy to use, and I am going to show you how! So... who's ready to make some wishes?! 

First of all, you need to go to our website; if you are reading this blog, chances are you are on our website right this very moment! Just in case, it is www.nicholaslodge.com. Click on the shop button, and then once the shop page opens, you will click on Wishlist at the top.

As many of you may now, Chef Nicholas' base of operation, the International Sugar Art Collection, is based just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. It is mid-January, and here in Atlanta today the sun is shining and it is nearly 70 degrees. I don't think you can blame me for having spring on my mind! When I think of spring coming, my mind goes right to ISAC's Spring Open House!

This year our Open House will be held on March 18th, 2017. Chef Nicholas will of course be sharing his own tips and tricks for the season, but we are pleased to announce that Marilyn Bawol (of Unique Cakes) and Michele Sweeney (of Epicurean Delights) will be our guest instructors this year! 

There is less than two weeks to go until our 2016 Grand Holiday Open House!! Following the tradition that we began last year, ISAC will again be hosting two fantastic guest instructors- Wayne Steinkopf and Steven Stellingwerf. Chef Nicholas will also be debuting two brand new products in his demonstrations!

Last year at our Grand Holiday Open House, Chef Nicholas debuted these

gorgeous poinsettia's as part of his then upcoming Craftsy class!

Ok everyone- last week I told you all about the demo and classes being taught by Wayne from Swank Cake Designs at ISAC's Grand Holiday Open House and in Studio B, respectively. I also told you that we had to iron out a few last minute details, and the classes weren't yet live on our website. Well, I have got something to share: the classes are live, on our website, and ready and waiting for you to register! I just couldn't wait until Thursday to share the good news!

I have some FABULOUS news to share with all of you, and I am pretty excited! Wayne Steinkopf of Swank Cake Designs will be our guest instructor at this year's Grand Holiday Open House! Not only will Wayne have an incredible demo for the event, he will also be teaching two classes in Studio B!! You guys... all of Wayne's projects are amazing, and I really think seats are going to sell out faster than you can say, "ISAC!"

March is a busy month for us at ISAC! After wrapping up judging at That Takes the Cake and teaching Summertime Gumpaste Flowers at Over the Top Cake Supplies in Texas, Chef Nicholas is back in Atlanta, and we are all working very hard to get ready for this weekend's Spring Open House event! We are excited to be hosting TWO guest instructors- Kathy Scott and Reva Alexander! Hooray! But that's not all we have on tap this month!

And the winners are...

First things first... I am pleased to announce the winners of the 2nd Annual Snow Globe Competition! The First Place winner in the youth category is Annabelle Columbo. In the adult category the Second Place winner is Lourdes Diaz, and the First Place winner is Christopher Taylor! Congratulations to all the winners and competitors, thank you for taking part in our fun holiday contest!

On Monday, a new Craftsy class dropped called Show Stopping Sugar Flowers. This class is much different from any class Craftsy has released before. Why? Because it includes lessons from more than just one instructor! And guess who is (of course) one of the instructors of Show Stopping Sugar Flowers... yup! Chef Nicholas!

The entire ISAC family is very excited to announce the 2nd Annual ISAC Ultimate Edible SnowGlobe Competition! Last year was our inaugural event, and we were very pleased with all of the beautiful entries that we received. This year we have had many people ask if the competition would be held at our Grand Holiday Open House, and we are pleased to say YES! At our Open House event, November 7-8, 2015, all the SnowGlobes will be on display and guests will be able to vote for their favorites. The theme is Holiday Memories, so try and incorporate some favorite holiday event or tradtiions in your SnowGlobe.

Guess what? Our Grand Holiday Open House is only 6 weeks away!!! Have you signed up for your spot yet? This year we are going to have a brand new format and TWO, yes TWO guest instructors! Sidney Galpern and Joshua John Russell will both be gracing ISAC with their presence for your cake decorating pleasure! That's not all, both Sidney and Josh will be teaching classes after the Open House as well!!

Spring has Sprung!

The entire ISAC team sincerely hopes that everyone who attended our Spring Open House this past Saturday enjoyed themselves! We certainly loved hosting not only all of our dear shoppers, students, and clients, we also immensely enjoyed hosting Susan Carberry as our guest instructor this year!  Much like I did after our Grand Holiday Open House, I thought I would focus on sharing photos instead of writing about the day!

Hello dear friends! Can you believe that January is already over?! Chef Nicholas is busy imparting knowledge to students at the French Pastry School as we speak, lucky ducks! He did want me to share some fun upcoming events with you all though!

Twelve Deals of Christmas

Hello again friends! I do hope you are all enjoying our Twelve Deals of Christmas sale. If you aren't sure what I am talking about, each day for the first 12 days of December we are offering a special deal on some of our favorite products! So far we have had special deals on pump brushes, FondArt, metal flower cutters, and today

ISAC's Grand Holiday Open House

Thank you, thank you, thank you to EVERYONE who attended our Grand Holiday Open House this past weekend! It was, as always, so nice to see our old friends and even nicer to meet so many new ones! We hope that everyone had as much fun as we did!  I was going to write a loooooong blog describing the event, but I thought it might be fun to do a photo-blog. So, scroll down and enjoy! (Make sure you go all the way to the bottom, that's where I share the winners of the ballot drawaing and our First Annual Snow Globe Competition!).

It's Cookie Time!

Have you ever enjoyed a sweet, spicy, and crispy gingerbread cookie? Do you love rolling, cutting, and decorating scores of sugar cookies during the holidays? Have you ever wondered why cookies are such a big part of the winter holiday food tradition? Well my friends, in honor of the International Sugar Art Collection's Grand Holiday Open House this weekend, I thought I would research everyone's favorite holiday treat.

International Sugar Art Collection Field Trip!

Last Thursday, Scott, Gretchen, Molly, and I got to go on a fun little field trip! We took part in the Taste of Home Cooking School event in Atlanta. Taste of Home is a cooking and lifestyle magazine, and they host cooking school recipe demonstrations all over the country. It was a lot of fun and we met some wonderful new people!

We had a great booth in the vendor section. We raffled off a seat in Chef Nicholas' Gumpaste for the Holidays class, told everyone about our First Annual Edible Snow Globe contest, donated two gift baskets for the Taste of Home drawing, and we debuted a brand new product!