When you think of of an Hermes Birkin bag, cookies aren’t something that generally comes to mind. Yet, at the e-commerce bakery Tasty Morsels, this is one of many fashion-focused cookie designs. [#image: /photos/5582c54f941a95530d04e2bc]|||OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA|||
When you think of of an Hermes Birkin bag, cookies aren’t something that generally comes to mind. At the e-commerce bakery Tasty Morsels, this is just one of many fashion-driven cookie designs available. After an art career as an undergraduate in Indiana, a master’s degree in fine arts from Parsons, and a four-and-a-half-year-long position as a visual designer for Lacoste, Crystal Horton, owner of Tasty Morsels, has blended all of her talents--art, fashion, and baking--into one thriving unique business.
Since the age of fourteen, Horton has been building dreams while simultaneously achieving them. As a teen, her dream was to work in a mall, where she ironically enough ended up at the American Cookie Company. There were also many retail positions including a short-lived run at a grocery store. The deal breaker? Her striped polo uniform, which Horton said resembled resembled a clown costume.
Baking was always something special Horton did with her mother, who constantly encouraged her creativity. Crystal was a self-proclaimed "nerd" as a child, completely enamored with art, fashion, and school.
When she started her company, she barely knew how to create the artistically decorative icing that now graces her all-natural sugar cookies. In true entrepreneurial style, she immersed herself in YouTube videos and attended baking conferences so she could begin to craft her graphic treats. "I have the mentality that I can do anything," Horton said. Notable illustrations include lifelike depictions of Robert Verdi and the editorial staff at top magazines. "I never do the same thing; I am always trying to be innovative," she said.
Other customers include Chloe, DKNY, and Stuart Weitzman, a client she recently acquired. Horton joked that she hopes to be paid in shoes rather than money (wouldn’t we all?).
Although Horton has a small showroom in Brooklyn, all business is conducted online. She dreams of having a physical shop, but knows that she needs to wait. When that time comes, she says, it will definitely be built in Brooklyn, the place she has lived the longest and loves the most.
She plans to open a petite bakeshop this summer. It will sell miniature pastries baked with a twist--unexpected pops of color on mini donuts and bead embellishments are some ideas she is currently working on.
But for now, Horton will continue to craft and sell the corset-wearing, Bulgari watch-bearing cookies of the world for all of us fashionistas to eat in style.
--LAUREN FRANKFORT
