We recently connected with Katie Osborne and have shared our conversation below.

Katie, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

The online cookie community is one of the kindest and most supportive I’ve come across. We are constantly learning from each other whether it’s new techniques, marketing tips, and troubleshooting. I’ve taken online courses to improve my lettering design as well as different techniques to manipulate icing as a sculptor would. The pandemic gave rise to a lot of virtual classes that are usually prerecorded so I’m able to fit them in my schedule – often late at night when everyone has gone to bed! I honestly don’t think there’s anything I could have done to speed up my learning process. I was told early on, you know when you know. There’s no magic timer for learning icing consistency, you know by sight. That took a long time! Sure, there have been products along the way that have made things easier but it has always just been time and patience.
The most essential skill has been, above all else, PATIENCE. It took time to perfect my cookie recipe, to understand royal icing, to earn the trust of my customers, to branch out to in person events. There’s no one skill that was more important than another!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I call myself a Cookie Artist. I have a visual arts background that sat unused for 15 years while I raised my family. Baking for me, has always been a source of comfort. I love to research recipes, measure out ingredients, follow and adjust recipes, and seeing the joy or even disappointment on my husband and kid’s faces. Eventually, I’ve been able to learn how to make not only delicious baked goods, but also little pieces of art. I started cookie decorating in December 2019 on a whim. I was instantly hooked. I practiced like mad for about 6 weeks and took that leap of faith on Valentine’s Day 2020 and began to sell themed sets. I was, and continued to be, floored that people were willing to blindly take a chance on me. Sales took off from there and it’s been the most exhilarating ride. I have big plans and knowing I have clients, who have become friends, willing to support me along the way makes it a little less scary!
What I would want my current and future clients to know is just how picky I am. I test recipes over and over again, forcing friends and family to test and give feedback. A lot of thought and time goes into every design. I’ve been known to start over if I don’t like the way things have been going! I like to think that pickiness is what sets me apart.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to someday open a local coffee shop/bakery. I’m partial to a mom and pop coffee shop with locally roasted beans and homemade baked goods. Having worked several years in a large national coffee chain, I’ve seen how much freshness impacts the overall experience. Coffee shops are also a great community resource for meetings, art shows, and local music. I don’t have a timeline for this goal, I just know when I close my eyes that’s where i see myself in the future.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I absolutely love in person events. Whether it’s a local farmers market, craft sale, or popup sale. I enjoy finally placing a face with a name and connecting with long time customers face to face. I have baked for weddings, baby showers, birthdays, and graduations for entire families – it’s been unbelievably rewarding to be a part of their celebrations!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.cookielabcincy.com
• Instagram:@cookie.lab.cincy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cookielabcincy/

Image Credits
Credit: Katie Osborne Cookie Lab Cincy