EOC Tech Teams Up with Cookie Decorating Entrepreneur to Offer Creative New Classes

   Ashlee Ethridge, founder and owner of Ashlee’s Custom Creations discovered her talent and passion when her first decorated cookies caught everyone’s attention over 8 years ago. Today, she not only runs a thriving custom cookie small business,  but also shares her skills through cookie-decorating classes at Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center, inspiring others to explore their own creativity.

    Ethridge’s natural knack for all things ‘crafty’ and her love for new challenges quickly snowballed into a business in 2017. 

   “I was a stay-at-home mom and came across cute cookies that I wanted to try and make for a baby shower,” she said. “After the shower, people started asking about them, so I started making orders and began ‘Ashlee’s Custom Creations’ out of my home.” 

   Operating under the ‘Oklahoma Cottage Food Law,’ Ashlee creates unique, personally designed cookies for her clients, doing her best to play a role in celebrating special moments from baby showers to birthdays and everything in between. 

   “What I love most about what I do is being able to be a small part of many special moments,” she said. “I love to make people feel seen and add an original, creative touch to important moments and celebrations in their lives.” 

   After just over a year of decorating cookies for clients and feeling honored by the “inside looks” she received into their special occasions, she decided she wanted to offer others the same experience. In 2018, she began teaching cookie-decorating classes at  her daughter’s dance studio.

   “The dance studio space was the first place I rented out to teach classes and from there, I found I had a love for not only cookie decorating, but also for my clients and their ability to experience the whole process too,” she said. “I was able to form a connection with them as they learned about the small details of decorating. Participants were able to see the work, thought and care that goes into creating custom cookies.” 

   Ethridge spent time teaching classes at different locations like churches, boutiques and even hosted classes at clients’ homes for their family and friends. Eventually she found herself at Mid-Del Technology Center teaching classes as well. 

   Ashlee met Megan Bain – current EOC Tech Business Development and Training Coordinator, at Mid-Del several years ago when she was teaching cookie-decorating classes. When her classes ended at Mid-Del, Bain reached out to Ethridge about the possibility of teaching at EOC Tech. 

   “When I started at EOC and was responsible for short-term, open enrollment classes, I knew her classes would be very popular here, so I reached out to see if she was interested,” Bain said. “Since that time, we have offered these monthly classes that have been so successful and attendance has been full – we are so thankful for Ashlee and her partnership.”

   Ethridge has been teaching evening classes for just over a year at EOC. Her cookie-decorating classes are held once a month, and each month offers new and creative opportunities for participants to enjoy.

   “Holidays are such a fun theme, and nearly every month has a holiday to celebrate,” she said. “I try to plan designs around fun trends throughout the year and am considerate of color pallets – I try to plan themes based on those two things.”

   Ethridge prepares her sugar cookies for the classes, along with everything needed to decorate them. Those who attend don’t have to worry about any prepping or supplies, which allows them to come, mingle, learn different techniques to decorating and most importantly, enjoy a tasty treat and take them home to share. 

   “No experience is necessary for the classes I teach,” Ethridge said. “Particiapnts are free to follow a step-by-step guide if they want, but there’s also room to be creative.”

   Over the past year, Ethridge said she’s enjoyed seeing new faces at her classes, but what is really special are those that have come month after month, bringing friends or family members along with them. 

   “I’m so pleased with the turn out to my classes and how they’re growing – mostly by word of mouth,” she said. “Last year a mom and daughter came to my Christmas class and then to every class after that, for a full year!” 

   When Ethridge took the first step to creating custom cookies 8 years ago, she never thought she’d be teaching others to learn her craft. 

   “I never would’ve imagined where my business would be today,” she said. “It’s morphed into more than I could hope for and I’m always encouraging others to take the next step, do the next thing…the connections you make along the way can be so beneficial.”

    The presence of Ashlee’s Custom Creations at EOC Tech has brought more than beautifully crafted cookies to campus — it has created new connections and welcomed community members who might not otherwise step through the doors. Her classes offer a fun, creative entry point into the school, helping build relationships and highlight the value of local partnerships. 

    If you are interested in learning more about cookie-decorating with Ashlee Custom Creations, you can contact Megan Bain at 405.390.5335 or visit https://eoctech.axstudent.com/#/category/3Y for course information. To take a look at the custom creations Ashlee offers for all occasions, visit her website at https://www.ashleescustomcreations.com/lookbook.