My name is Eun and I am the face behind Happy Clementine. I am a former social worker- turned-stay-at-home mama to two very energetic kids, a self-taught hobby baker, and also run the books for our family business. My husband and I were born and raised in Washington State where we still reside and where I operate my “bakery” out of our kitchen.
People often ask me how I got into making cakes. I really attribute it to a desire to explore my creative side! I have always been fascinated by art in all its forms and those who create it. As a child I took art and piano lessons at my mother’s insistence, but it wasn’t until I was exposed to abstract art in elementary school that I experienced the feeling of freedom that came with being able to express myself.
Today, abstract cakes are some of my favorites to create. But the artistic expression is only part of what drew me into making cakes. I also love creating something from scratch, with love, to gift to others. In my 20s I started baking cupcakes for fun and gifting them to family and friends. It was so satisfying and rewarding to create something beautiful from start to finish using whole ingredients, and I felt so much joy seeing others enjoy them. As I became more comfortable with cupcakes, I began to desire to learn how to create cakes. I have always loved cakes and what they represent: the centerpiece of significant gatherings with loved ones meant to celebrate life’s milestones and accomplishments. So I began attempting to make cakes but always failed, and eventually ended up shelving my cake dreams for several years. After my second kiddo was born, though, I couldn’t get the idea of making a smash cake for his first birthday out of my head. So I bought the right tools, researched the right recipe, educated myself on cake-making, and finally succeeded at making a cake! It was a simple smash cake but I was so proud that I had accomplished my goal: creating a beautiful and delicious cake from scratch.
photo cred: Karen Davis Photography
photo cred: Karen Davis Photography
photo cred: Karen Davis Photography
From that point on I was hooked. I watched thousands of videos on YouTube, asked different bloggers and cake artists hundreds of questions, and practiced a lot. I do tend to be a bit of a perfectionist and am always hyper-critical of my efforts, so when a neighbor asked if she could hire me to make a cake for her husband’s birthday I was terrified. Luckily it was a hit and soon others I knew were requesting cakes for their special occasions. I fell in love with the process of cake-making and all that it entails, from selecting the perfect quality ingredients to tailoring the cake to tell a specific story and seeing the expression on people’s faces when they receive their custom cake.
When COVID hit, my business really began to grow. Larger celebrations and gatherings weren’t possible but people still wanted to honor their milestones at home with something special, like a custom cake. Making cakes for people I didn’t know pushed me outside my comfort zone but also gave me the creative outlet I needed to stay sane and connected during the pandemic. I gave my business a name – Happy Clementine – and started posting pictures of my cakes on Instagram. From that point on my business just exploded: with some stubbornness and determination, what was once a dream in my head and a mess in my kitchen has turned into a full-fledged, licensed business of my own.
My Happy Clementine journey is only just beginning, yet it has already been rewarding in so many ways. I continue to learn and push myself with new recipes and decorating techniques, collaborate with other inspiring moms-turned-small business owners, and even mentor some aspiring bakers! In addition to the love I put into each and every cake and the pride I feel at its completion, I have also met the kindest, sweetest people and have even reconnected with old friends. I’ve been able to become a small part of the big moments of so many others’ lives, and am beyond grateful to be a part of their stories. Thanks for reading mine!
With love, Eun
From that point on I was hooked. I watched thousands of videos on YouTube, asked different bloggers and cake artists hundreds of questions, and practiced a lot. I do tend to be a bit of a perfectionist and am always hyper-critical of my efforts, so when a neighbor asked if she could hire me to make a cake for her husband’s birthday I was terrified. Luckily it was a hit and soon others I knew were requesting cakes for their special occasions. I fell in love with the process of cake-making and all that it entails, from selecting the perfect quality ingredients to tailoring the cake to tell a specific story and seeing the expression on people’s faces when they receive their custom cake.
When COVID hit, my business really began to grow. Larger celebrations and gatherings weren’t possible but people still wanted to honor their milestones at home with something special, like a custom cake. Making cakes for people I didn’t know pushed me outside my comfort zone but also gave me the creative outlet I needed to stay sane and connected during the pandemic. I gave my business a name – Happy Clementine – and started posting pictures of my cakes on Instagram. From that point on my business just exploded: with some stubbornness and determination, what was once a dream in my head and a mess in my kitchen has turned into a full-fledged, licensed business of my own.
My Happy Clementine journey is only just beginning, yet it has already been rewarding in so many ways. I continue to learn and push myself with new recipes and decorating techniques, collaborate with other inspiring moms-turned-small business owners, and even mentor some aspiring bakers! In addition to the love I put into each and every cake and the pride I feel at its completion, I have also met the kindest, sweetest people and have even reconnected with old friends. I’ve been able to become a small part of the big moments of so many others’ lives, and am beyond grateful to be a part of their stories. Thanks for reading mine!
With love, Eun
