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About Emily McCracken

Hi there, I'm Emily 👋🏻 I am a former chocolate artist turned full time elementary art educator!

How do you even get started making chocolate art?

Good question! Sometimes I ask myself the same thing. Believe it or not, for me it all began with not fitting in at art school and a hazelnut truffle.

I started my artistic journey at Montserrat College of Art, majoring in Illustration. However, my true passion lay beyond 2D art. During an illustration assignment, I dared to sculpt my project in clay, and to my surprise, my professor encouraged me to embrace this new direction. Suddenly, I was the messy, clay-covered artist in a sea of traditional illustrators, and I loved every moment of it.

The Sweet Breakthrough

After graduation, I faced the daunting task of finding work that utilized my sculpting skills. Armed with a stack of resumes, I wandered Church Street in Burlington, Vermont, feeling disheartened. Just when I needed a boost, a hazelnut truffle from Lake Champlain Chocolates caught my eye. The employee suggested I apply for a part-time job, and soon, I was managing the factory store, surrounded by the sweet scent of chocolate.

Getting Creative

While managing the store was wonderful, I craved more. My boss saw potential in my 3D art skills and encouraged me to explore chocolate sculpting. After attending several chocolate classes, I was hooked! I realized I wanted to become a chocolate sculptress, with dreams of showcasing my work on the Food Network.

Twenty Years of Working with Chocolate

For 11 years, I honed my craft at Lake Champlain Chocolates, seizing every opportunity to learn and teach about chocolate. I created eye-catching displays, participated in local art festivals, and studied competitors on Food Network shows. My passion flourished as I taught classes and shared my love for chocolate with others.

Career Highlights

  • A sculpture featured in the Sweet Tooth: The Art of Dessert exhibit at Shelburne Museum
  • An appearance on Food Network's Outrageous Chocolate special
  • Custom sculptures for renowned figures like Wynton Marsalis and Ben & Jerry
  • Presentations at the Vermont Chocolate Show
Emily with one of her Valentine's Day sculptures Emily with one of her Valentine's Day sculptures Emily with one of her Valentine's Day sculptures

All of this ✨amazing✨ work was made by Emily McCracken between 2007 and 2023. Photos by Scott McCracken who also built this site while on a major sugar rush. 🍫

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