Ashley Makes

09/01/2026

Hi everyone.

I wanted this to be a post about cake dumplings - but instead I think it's important we talk about mental health for a moment.

I am diagnosed with Cyclothymic Disorder, which is kind of like Diet Bipolar - less severe, and the highs and the lows don't last as long, but the disorder itself is still disabling at times. Harder to predict when the highs and lows will come, and those highs and lows will come - no matter what.

When I started baking for the Cake Stand, I was transitioning out of a depression and looking for something productive to keep my mind occupied. The Cake Stand did just that - it was new, successful, and exciting. It opened doors, it gave me opportunities I didn't even know I wanted. I was happy. Things were good.

But as most of us know, we can't control every aspect of our lives, and things can change in an instant. I've had to juggle worsening health conditions for my youngest daughter, unexpectedly uprooting our family's home, accepting the end of my relationship, helping my oldest son navigate through difficult emotions - and at the same time, I still have to perform my routine responsibilities to myself and to my children: to and from school, practices, classes, appointments, stay ahead at two full-time jobs, prepare healthy meals every day, DON'T FORGET TO TAKE YOUR MEDICATION. 🥴

Life gets so overwhelming. It's heavy. And my arms are sore from carrying the general weight of life.

So I'm taking a hiatus - to focus on myself, my family, my life, and my happiness. If you've put in and paid for a custom order, don't worry. It's honored, and I can't wait to make it. But for the foreseeable future - cake is on hold.

Love you guys, take care of yourselves. Don't be afraid to ask for help and don't give up if the person you ask for help from can't give it to you. It doesn't mean you're not deserving of it. ❣️

08/29/2026

Any guesses as to what might be up for grabs soon? 👀 🎂 🥟

08/20/2026

I'm just gonna drop this riiiiiiight here. 👀🤫🎂

08/19/2026

Feels good to be back, baby. 😎 🎂

Brown Butter Toffee, Raspberry Lemonade, and Triple Chocolate cake slices available this week at Bushel and a Peck in Girard!

08/15/2026

I've been getting a lot of questions about where to find cakes and I love you all for it — but I want to make sure everyone is on the same page about what Ashley Makes looks like going forward. ❣️

The Cake Stand as we knew it is gone-zo. Kaput. Bye bye. A ghost of what once was. No more Tuesday morning alarms, no more sold out by noon, no more wondering if there's anything left. That era is closed. 🪦🖤

What's replacing it is actually better — a pre-order pop-up model, where I announce what I'm making, you order in advance, and pick up on the scheduled day. Limited quantities, intentional drops, and a lot more of the good stuff I've been dying to make. This model is slower, more intentional, and a whole lot more me.

The new stand is a work in progress, but she's bold, she's beautiful, and I'm building her with my own two hands (and several F bombs). 🔨😂 And honestly, I'm not even sure what to call it yet — but I'm looking forward to exploring new territory 👀 like cookies, candies, and other delicious genres of treats that will keep you coming back for more! 😘

I do have something really exciting in the works (my daughter had the cutest idea and you guys are going to LOVE it 😍) and I'm hoping to announce it in the next couple of weeks — so stay tuned, turn on notifications, and don't go too far! 🎂

And just to add a touch of ✨spice✨, here's a picture of the original sign I made for The Cake Stand in CHALK MARKER that my bipolar @$$ thought was a good idea for outdoor use 🤦‍♀️ (Spoiler alert: it rained two days later 🤡🥴)

Talk soon! ❣️😘

08/13/2026

IT LIVES!!!!!
🧟‍♀️👻🎂😍

08/11/2026

I told you we weren't done. The ghost of Quincy & Walnut is about to find a new home. 👻🔨🎂

07/28/2026

I hereby condemn this corner to be forever haunted 👻 - future generations will drive past and feel an unexplained yearning for silky smooth buttercream🧁🤤. Alas, it is only the ghost of the sheer volume of cakes that once stood here. 🫡🎂🖤 Rest easy, Quincy & Walnut. It's been real. ✌️❣️🔆

07/27/2026

The countdown is on - literally 13 cakes left in the Cake Stand as we know it. When they're gone, my little setup will go with it.

I'm crying more than I thought I would. This has been such a fun experience, I've met some really cool people and learned a lot about baking in the process. I've learned perfection isn't required for people to love what you do, and that sometimes it's the simplest things in life that bring us so much joy.

I'm so thankful for each and every one of you that has commented, shared, reacted, showed up, bought cake, spread the word AND the love, and any combination thereof. You guys are truly the best.

❣️ Ashley

Free stuff out front, and only 22 cakes left at the Cake Stand 😱

There till they're not!

124 W Quincy, $5 each. See you at the Cake Stand! 😉

07/27/2026

Free stuff out front, and only 22 cakes left at the Cake Stand 😱

There till they're not!

124 W Quincy, $5 each. See you at the Cake Stand! 😉