Our latest Partners in Design event was a huge success, with Nicole and Chris Raysin of Custom Cake Designs joining us on December 6th in our Lansing, MI showroom. This event put everyone in the holiday spirit as Nicole and Chris shared a selection of yummy treats for tasting, showcased samples of their gorgeous gift baskets, and demonstrated for the attendees how to make peppermint bark. Just in time for the holidays!

Partners in Design: Custom Cake Designs with Nicole Raysin 2024
Partners in Design: Custom Cake Designs with Nicole Raysin 2024

Nicole also shared her truly inspiring story with us, telling us all about her business, how she got started, and how she followed her passion for cakes and sweets to expand her business offering. Nicole and Chris established Custom Cake Designs in 2003 and run this successful business from their home in Vernon, MI. Nicole started off by baking a cake for her own daughter’s birthday, when she combined her background in art and love of baking to hand draw a “Zoe” from Sesame Street on a sheet cake.  From there, her business expanded to include custom cakes, gourmet cupcakes, handmade chocolates, and full dessert bars.

Partners in Design: Custom Cake Designs with Nicole Raysin 2024

She has designed almost 400 wedding cakes during her cake making career. One of her cake designs was featured on Gene Simmons’ personal twitter account. Nicole was even hired to create a cake for the Michigan premier of The Simpsons movie by the movie producer. Dessert bars became part of her business offering in 2021, and she really enjoys the creative process in putting together these creations. She now provides custom dessert bars for special events ranging from weddings to showers, graduations, birthday parties, and more.

Partners in Design: Custom Cake Designs with Nicole Raysin 2024

The team at McDaniels is proud to partner with top local businesses every month in our popular Partners in Design event series. We welcome participants to our Lansing, MI showroom to learn about and experience area businesses ranging from photography restoration to gourmet cooking, specialty desserts, wine making and much more. Each event is unique, so every month offers a new opportunity to learn a new skill, find out about another local business, and get inspired by the enthusiasm and insights of local business leaders.

At our December event, Nicole and Chris Raysin created a display of confections that were as beautiful as they were delicious. It included a selection of their small, medium, and large gift baskets, beautifully decorated for the holidays.  They also offered a wide selection of custom treats including peppermint patties, buckeyes, Raffellos, chocolate covered cherries, truffles, peanut butter fudge, and more. Participants were all wowed by the beautiful display and enjoyed sampling treats.

Partners in Design: Custom Cake Designs with Nicole Raysin 2024

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to find out the latest on McDaniels’ products, design inspiration, events, and much more. We are now planning an exciting line up of events for 2023, so check back for updates soon! Our next Partners in Design event in January features Brit Simmons from Where the Wild Things Bloom in Old Town Lansing.

Whether you plan to join us for one of our events or are looking for design expertise and products to update your bath or kitchen design, we look forward to welcoming you to our Lansing, MI showroom soon!

Partners in Design: Custom Cake Designs with Nicole Raysin 2024

Featured Partner Bio for Where the Wild Things Bloom:

This Old Town Lansing business was established by a mother-daughter team. They follow a philosophy of compassion and kindness, apply creative thinking to their work, and enjoy working in their favorite medium, nature. This company employs locally sourced, small farm based, and sustainable materials along with community empowerment. Where the Wild Things Bloom specializes in custom wedding and event floral designs, delivered with the highest level of customer service.