I posted this in the How do I section - and thought I might get some answers here.......
I have some I have already purchased from GlobalSugarArt.com - and I have read several different threads on the subject with confliciting advice. I want to make jewels out of silicone molds (already have them made) What is the best way to melt the isomalt?? Plain - nothing added, adding some water, adding some corn syrup???? (there are no instructions on the packaging)
Do I melt it on the top of the stove, or in the microwave??
hi, are you saying ... you have a block of isomalt.. already to use for the molds. i do have it that way.. from kathy scott... and her molds.. if . that is the case.. then you melt you some isomalt in a little (i use a little silicone cup that came in her kit.. you can also cut up these silocone that sells at michaels to make a single cup.. melt you some in the microwave.. and pour into your molds. is this what you are asking.. i bought some plastic molds from country kitchen at convention and their great little book on all this too.. so these plastic molds i got from them.. withstands very hot heat. hope i have answered your question...
Hi Loucinda, I've never used Isomalt but I have a quick question for you....where did you buy your jewels mold??
Thank you!
NO - I have the bag of isomalt crystals (CK brand) NOT the block that Kathy Scott sells. I have both molds (the ones from countrykitchensa . com AND the silicone ones I made myself)
I need to know what to do with the crystals.......(add water, don't add water, add corn syrup, add nothing????) and which melting procedure is best - top of stove or in the microwave??
I know to use a silicone container to melt in the microwave if I go that direction.....just not sure if that is the best way to melt the crystals.
I made my own molds from food safe silicone I bought at Michaels in the clay section, and the plastic jewels from the bead section.
Thanks icer for trying to help me out!
Thank you Loucinda... I went to Global Sugar Art and looked under Isomalt and they tell you right there how to use it. I'll put the link here for you to see I hope that helps you.
http://www.globalsugarart.com/?id=21
About the molds...you made your own??!! wow...you know, I've thought on making my own molds too, but haven't been brave enough yet LOL
Rosie - thank you so much. I really feel like a dunce!! (NEVER thought to look at their site!)
Making your own molds was not hard at all. Buy the food safe silicone form Michaels (it is about $20 - but use a coupon and it is lots cheaper) You mix the two compounds together and then put whatever you want a mold of in it! I just bought some of the cheapo plastic jewels (and cleaned them off good with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol) In 20 minutes, you have a mold!
Rosie - thank you so much. I really feel like a dunce!! (NEVER thought to look at their site!)
Making your own molds was not hard at all. Buy the food safe silicone form Michaels (it is about $20 - but use a coupon and it is lots cheaper) You mix the two compounds together and then put whatever you want a mold of in it! I just bought some of the cheapo plastic jewels (and cleaned them off good with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol) In 20 minutes, you have a mold!
HI Loucinda, ahhhh please don't feel that way, you don't know how many questions I ask here...and even though I can look somewhere else I always feel that the experts here have a better answer ...
Thank you so much for the tips in making your own molds, I must try!!
oh and I just remember something...long time ago someone told me that if I wanted to make different color gems/jewelery to just melt (in the microwave) jolly rancher or life saver (hard-candy) of different colors and then fill your molds. However, I've never tried this method myself, but I thought I mentioned it to you...
Good luck with Isomalt!!
I tried the jolly rancher thing, and that did not work out for me. They were all sticky and a mess when they were done.
I am going to attempt the isomalt tomorrow - hopefully I will have some success with it!
Thanks for all the advice in all the questioning I have done for this subject....I just don't want to screw up!
I tried the jolly rancher thing, and that did not work out for me. They were all sticky and a mess when they were done.
I am going to attempt the isomalt tomorrow - hopefully I will have some success with it!
Thanks for all the advice in all the questioning I have done for this subject....I just don't want to screw up!
Hi Loucinda, sorry the jolly rancher didn't work ...we learn something new everyday!
Good luck with the Isomalt and tell us how it worked for you. I don't have a need for jewels, but I'm tempted to try just to practice
OK - I have tried 2 different types of isomalt now, one is the crystals from CK the other is the already made up stuff from Kathy Scott. Both times the jewels look perfect when I first make them - nice and clear, no bubbles. After they set for a day, they are completely cloudy looking, and sticky.
What am I doing wrong? Does anyone know what I can do to make them work properly? (I live in Ohio, not horridly humid)
I have very little experience with sugar/Isomalt, but I do know that humidity will cause clouding. Sugar attracts moisture, and, while Isomalt is far more stable than sugar, it will become sticky and cloudy in humid conditions. I have tried storing Isomalt and sugar in my house (coastal swamp LOL), and it will cloud. I have stored sugar bottles in an air-tight container with Damp-Rid in the box (in a separate container so that it can't touch the sugar), and they keep perfectly. I have read that Isomalt can be melted down without any water whatsoever, and that may help in humid conditions. I tried making jewels several years ago with both sugar and Isomalt, and they all clouded if left out.
I did not use water with my isomalt--but when re-using it I did--it gets wonky after you re-melt endlessly practicing on stuff.
And you can certainly remelt it.
Are you getting it to a good temperature? Using a thermometer?
Using plastic gloves to handle it helps with fingerprints.
OK - I have tried 2 different types of isomalt now, one is the crystals from CK the other is the already made up stuff from Kathy Scott. Both times the jewels look perfect when I first make them - nice and clear, no bubbles. After they set for a day, they are completely cloudy looking, and sticky.
What am I doing wrong? Does anyone know what I can do to make them work properly? (I live in Ohio, not horridly humid)
Hi Loucinda, I'm sorry that happened to you...I can imagine how disspointed.
Is there a way you can write a note to someone in Global Sugar Art?? maybe they can help since they sell Isomalt....??
I've posted on several isomalt threads today and I'm repeating myself--but unless it's wrapped to keep out the moisture in the air, it does degrade fast. Not a lotta shelf life.
Loucinda
When I attended the Cke Show in Va. Geraldine Ransom gave a great class on Isomalt and making jewels. I think she has the instructions on her website www.creativecutters.com. HTH
Elaine
Thank you all for your help. I ended up making the broaches with the cloudy jewels anyways. They still looked nice enough - just not what I had envisioned. (from a distance they look like cameos!) Here is the finished cake I needed them for:
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1467595
Oh wow, what a beautiful cake Loucinda!!!! and the jewels looked awesome. I hope you win 1st place!!
Thanks everyone, the cake got a 3rd place ribbon - not bad for my first time out in competition - my other cake took first! (but I like this cake much better)
Thanks again for the help!
My goodness Loucinda you took 1st and 3rd place in a competition, wow!!! I'm impressed...C O N G R A T U L A T I O N SSSS!!! your cakes are pieces of art!!!
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