I am wanting to make butterflies for my daughter's birthday cake next weekend. I plan on having some on the cake and would like to have a few on wires to look as if they are flying around the cake. I have not ever worked with either fondant or gum paste before. Which would be better to do?

Gumpaste, or 50/50 fondant/gumpaste. If you are trying to suspend them on wires, you will find that they are unlikely to hold up if made from straight fondant. You can also use fondant+gum-tex or fondant+tylose powder.

Thank you!