Craftsy and Wilton Present Renowned Cake Decorating Classes Online for First Time in Storied Brand's History

DENVER, CO and WOODRIDGE, IL--(Marketwired - Oct 1, 2013) - For the first time in Wilton Enterprises' 85-year history, aspiring cake decorators can learn the fun of cake decorating using the classic Wilton Method through new online classes powered by Craftsy®, the preeminent online destination for passionate makers to learn, create, and share. Craftsy and Wilton, the leader in cake decorating inspiration, instruction, and products, tapped expert pastry chef and a season 6 winner of the Food Network Cupcake Wars, Beth Somers, to teach the online classes. Now, in addition to traditional Wilton Method in-person retail store classes, beginners and enthusiasts can enjoy the convenience, access and intimacy of Craftsy that more than two million members have come to love.

"By combining Craftsy's high-quality and cutting-edge educational technology with our proven techniques, tools, and inspiration, we're helping makers around the world develop and expand their baking and cake decorating skills using The Wilton Method," said Eric Erwin, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Wilton. "With its expertise in developing high-quality, interactive online video education, Craftsy is the perfect vehicle to elevate our offerings and bring The Wilton Method to new heights. Now, even more students can learn the longstanding, effective techniques that have served as the educational foundation for so many decorators already."

This first-of-its-kind relationship marks an expansion for Craftsy, whose extensive catalog already offers more than 35 cake decorating classes for intermediate and advanced decorators. Now, cake enthusiasts can try their hand at decorating a cake by going online to learn The Wilton Method, which teaches fundamental techniques to beginner and intermediate cake decorators through live classes around the world. Somers, who also serves as Wilton's test kitchen manager and has baked, decorated, and delivered hundreds of wedding and birthday cakes, will teach the new classes with an emphasis on project-based instruction that inspires creative expression.

"Over the past 85 years, Wilton, an iconic American company, has helped millions of aspiring cake decorators around the world create masterpieces to celebrate with friends and loved ones," said John Levisay, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Craftsy. "We're revolutionizing the educational model by providing dynamic learning options for cake decorating students all over the world. Together, we're writing a new chapter that combines the time-tested power of The Wilton Method with the magic of Craftsy's online experience. The aim of our relationship was to enhance how aspiring cake decorators learn and hone their craft, and I'm truly looking forward to seeing -- and tasting -- the results."

The four new Wilton classes launching today are:

Baking Basics: Learn how to bake a cake from scratch, including proper measuring and mixing techniques. Then, graduate to decorating fundamentals like layering, torting, filling, and icing a cake.

Buttercream Skills: Create classic buttercream decorations like stars, shell borders, lattice, drop strings, basketweave, ribbon roses, and more using a variety of decorating tips and techniques.

Piped Flowers: Make beautiful flowers with royal icing or buttercream, including drop flowers, sweet peas and dimensional flowers on a flower nail like the daffodil, violet, wild rose, daisy, apple blossom, and the ever-popular ribbon rose.

Decorating with Fondant: Demystify working with fondant, and then apply those skills to cover cakes of different shapes and sizes, and create impressive embellishments like bows, borders, and a simple fondant rose.

The Craftsy platform enables its more than two million students to access classes anytime and anywhere, stop and start lessons across desktop and mobile platforms (computer, tablet, or phone), pause and work at their own pace, share projects with fellow students, and ask one-on-one questions with expert, world-class instructors. Students also have lifetime access to all purchased classes.

The Wilton Method class launch gives students plenty of time to develop or refine their skills in time for upcoming festive occasions this holiday season and next spring and summer.

Aspiring cake decorators and the general public can ask Somers their cake questions during a live Twitter chat on Wednesday, October 9 at 2pm ET using the hashtag #caketalk.

Take a look at the trailer below for a preview of what students can expect in Baking Basics. To access the new classes, visit www.craftsy.com/wilton.

About Craftsy
Craftsy is the preeminent online destination for passionate makers to learn, create, and share. With classes in quilting, sewing, knitting, cake decorating, and many more categories, over two million makers are taking their skills to new heights alongside the world's best instructors. Craftsy online classes combine top-quality content, anytime convenience, and the intimacy of an in-person experience. Members of the Craftsy community -- whether neighbors or makers across the world -- inspire and support each other with ideas, tips, and positive feedback along the way. For more information, visit www.craftsy.com.

About Wilton
Wilton Enterprises, founded in 1929, helps consumers in more than 100 countries create, decorate and celebrate, by making the memorable and the beautiful fun and easy. Wilton is the global leader in cake decorating and bakeware products, plus offers sweet treat making, party and wedding products. Headquartered in Woodridge, IL, Wilton creates world class inspiration and creative content, effective instruction and education, and innovative products that ensure the consumer's success. More information can be found at http://www.wilton.com. Wilton believes "We make it easy...you make it amazing!™"

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