Tracy Johnson t/a Designer Cakes

02/09/2026

Ive entered again this year- another sugar creation in the Handheld Fables and Fantasy section! So excited to be a part of this epic event in Timaru- please pop on over to the Art in Art In Motion page and vote for me when the voting begins (will be Saturday afternoon onwards I suspect) Art in Motion is something I am really passionate about- it gets my creativity going full speed, its an honor for my sugar work to gain entry to this runway show- its something Ive always wanted to do. As far as I am aware- my handbag cake down the runway was a first in NZ! The Paradox Purse Handbag was raffled on the night of the event- raising a further $1100 for Little Yellow Chair Charity.

25/08/2026

Happy Dog day folks, we are dog lovers at Designer Cakes so we thought we would show you the cream of the crop! So- if youre a dog lover- show us your puppies!!

24/08/2026

Ive been a little MIA lately- visiting and teaching at South City Party Nibbles and Cake and Sugar Art Invercargill. Now these ladies are a bunch of fun to work with- always up for a challenge and great hospitality! This time we had an extra class- Friday night chocolate Demo- and this was incredibly well received! Then it was onto the much loved Scruffy Dog class followed by the Wine in a Box class. Always a pleasure to teach down there- I will be back in September 2027 for sure!

08/08/2026

Another detailed build this week, with the Timaru based fishing trawler- Korua, a twin hulled beast! Again this build was all about those little details. Happy 80th Robert.

01/08/2026

We had another very large and technical build to create- a replica Coolpak Truck. This one only just fitted in my Toyota Rav car for delivery to Christchurch- it was to celebrate 60 years of Coolpak in business. Getting a photo of this monster was difficult in my workshop- it didnt fit my backdrops- so a friend had a play with AI. Now I am not a fan of using AI- I feel it gives an unreal expectation of our work- but I do have to admit- the truck driving on the road does look very cool! (it is good to show the difference tho) 60 years in business is something that should be celebrated- and what better way than a show stopper of a cake! Congrats Coolpak! Please like/comment/share our work- its how we advertise to get more- and thanks!

18/07/2026

Creating that WOW factor is what we do at Designer Cakes- this hat was no exception. Freestanding on a custom made hat stand and elevated for maximum effect- this cake stood out and made a statement! Please share my work- like/comment/share is how we keep getting the opportunity to create more outstanding pieces of edible art. Thanks Folks!

19/06/2026

11/06/2026

** ONLY 3 SPOTS LEFT** INVERCARGILL SCRUFFY DOG CLASS
AUGUST 22 2026 full day class
$140.00 pp
Learning Techniques include- using a dummy inner to sculpt with, fondant skills, texturing, basic beginners airbrushing, creating a keepsake topper
Min numbers 8, max numbers 10

Invercargill Wine in a box class
Full day class August 23 2026

$220.00 pp
Learning techniques include- hand molding life like bottles, getting those straight edges and corners, textures for woodgrain finishes, moulding flowers successfully, stencilling, layering techniques. This is created using cake.
Min numbers 8, max numbers 10


BOOK BOTH CLASSES FOR THE DISCOUNT PRICE OF $340.00 ($20 saving) Contact Tracy via PM to book

02/06/2026

Please Please Please- do not ask us to make or copy cakes from photos generated by AI - We will not do this! Inspiration pics are great BUT we do not do exact copies. We are handcrafted cake makers- not computer robots

31/05/2026

2025 I had the trill of winning the Hand Held Time Travel section of Art in Motion Timaru with my edible handbag- The Paradox Purse. To my knowledge- it is the first time in NZ that a cake has entered a runway show. Art in Motion Timaru is on again this September- and I decided to enter again- this time in the Hand Held Fantasy section. WE CAN NOT WAIT! Tickets are on sale now for this fantastic event and they sell out fast- so get yours asap folks. Come and enjoy the magic! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571515327260 for tickets go to https://events.humanitix.com/art-in-motion-wearable-arts-gala-and-prizegiving