Newbie cake maker - and have a dilemma...

A wedding cake that I'm making will have fondant swags around the tiers...some will drape down from one tier to another, but I need a "connector".

I've seen cakes that have flowers covering where the swags join, but the bride's dress (inspiration for the cake) has this crystally, beaded piece of, well, jewellery is the best way I can describe it, where her dress fabric gathers.

The "connectors" need to be about 3 inches high, and 2 inches wide - widest in the middle, narrowing at the top and bottom.

Can I use clear piping gel with sanding sugar?
Is that strong enough?
Or should I use a really light wire, cover in piping gel, and sanding sugar?

Ugh.
I hope this makes sense!

Thanks for reading!!LOL!

Anyone?

I would do RI, but the thingies on her dress are clear crystals... I'll give the piping gel a try, and let y'all know how the practice works

I'm just worried that it won't cover the fondant swag join spots well...