I can usually figure out how to do something, but I'm stuck on this. The bottom tier. Is it fondant circles all bunched up? Is it buttercream with a tip I'm not aware of? Any help is appreciated :)

Yep, circles of fondant folded up and glued on to the cake.

Lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of circles....VERY time consuming.

Yep. Not usually seen this crowded, but that's it. I would not have made it so dense. You're looking at a lot of time, and cutting the circles would be but a small fraction.