Back in 2018, I discovered my body's negative reaction to refined white sugar and dairy. Obviously, completely doing away with delicious sweet desserts was a very hard concept to grapple with. So in return, The Lord gave me the fascinating idea to start transforming all of my beloved favorite treats into non-dairy and sugar-free versions of them.. HIP HIP HOORAY, right?? Almost.

At this time, not knowing my way around the kitchen (in the baking world), I was starting from scratch - pun acknowledged. I didn't have the know how, nor many baking supplies to begin. In 2019, I started working at a local bakery, which taught me a few fundamentals of baking. Things like how to measure, baking powder vs baking soda, are just a handful of things I took as my starting point - my tool belt. With these tools I could use them to create anything. In 2021 out of nowhere, The Lord Blessed me with an abundance free baking supplies; so MUCH of an abundance, I didn't have enough room in my kitchen to contain.. Like literally, some of it was kept in my patio closet! After sitting with the idea for a few months, I knew it was time for the bakery to begin! After struggling to name it, my husband said call it Art Bakery, and my stomach leapt for joy. I knew then, I was done guessing. Art Bakery launched in a parking lot with a tent and a table full of non-dairy, sugar-free treats.. (For a more in-depth story about the bakery and how The Lord did it, click here: https://voyagehouston.com/interview/inspiring-conversations-with-wytessa-oneal-of-art-bakery/)

So, why is it no longer “Art Bakery” but instead “Art Cottage Bakery”, you may be asking?? Well, here we are 4 ½ years later where The Lord has brought me into a place of “new”. I redesigned the logo, had to change the name and overall aesthetics, along with the menu, and so forth and so on. Amidst everything thing that got changed from old to new, what’s most important is that I needed to work on who I am becoming. Not just for the sake of the bakery, but for me as a person - a Child of God; Jesus the Christ. I’m learning not to shrink, but also not to settle. I’m transitioning from building my audience, to better stewarding what I’ve been given - Christ said “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me”. Therefore, its not my “job” to make people come, but rather to honor Him in all I do because this is a partnership with Him. My focus is shifting towards emphasizing on the character, quality, and presentation of the business itself and the products. I’m back at the drawing board, working on the foundational aspects of a business and bakery. Never in the history of this bakery have I been so sober, paced, and patient (though I want to rush this part along sometimes). I’m beginning to rest in Him through this - and I have Joy.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Art Cottage Bakery - Tess