I almost always freehand mine ... and I use photos of something similar for inspiration. You can also get molds... there are molds made for many other purposes that work great, just make sure they are food safe...
I have molds for polymer clay that I have used for faces (I keep some molds just for fondant & don't use them on the clay) and you can try http://www.firstimpressionsmolds.com for some great molds too!
Cindy
I did few figures, animal ones especially. But I think the rules are generally the same. I use gumpaste because it dries nice and stays together compared to fondant where the figurine will fall apart. I do my figurines in pieces let them get a little hard to the point where I can handle them with damaging them and then I use water to glue the pieces together using a brush.
NB: for two pieces to stick together with water, you have to make sure both surfaces have a flat area where they can stick. And when you brush the water give it few seconds until the area absorbs it and gets a little soft.
Also make the legs first, so they dry a little bit because they will be the base and support for the entier structure, you don't want the "sqwoochy" effect. Sorry too long ( I suck at explaining but if any of my explanation is not clear please don't hesitate to ask). Thank you about the wacky cake.
Price,
Your Santa is so cute.
What part of Maryland are you from?
Stephanie,
Thanks. I am about 30 miles north of Baltimore. I really enjoyed making the Santa. I also made a reindeer, but like cuillere said, I didn't let the legs dry and got that "sqwoochy" effect! It was so funny, it looked like a Rhino! I made a 2nd one that turned out better. I used the Santa, reindeer and packages on a cake for Christmas day. My daughter took a picture, but hasn't sent it to me yet. As soon as she does I'll post it. Not sure if I have a picture of the sqwoochy reindeer, but if I do, I'll post that too. I hope to be able to be able to sculpt something cute for Easter. I'm always up for a new challenge!
Price,
Have you heard of the Eastern Shore...I'm about 30 mins. south of Pocomoke?
Nothing around here...we don't even have a mall 
Have to go either to Maryland or VA Beach/Norfolf area to really shop.
My two brothers live in D.C. and Laurel.
stephanie214- i remeber virginia all to well...and even Norfolk and va beach dont have much compared to where im at now....
my husband was stationed in norfolk about 4 years ago....
as for the molding I have just freehanded them ...just give it a try you might just suprise yourself......and if not you can get better with time.....
Hi lastingmoments,
They have changed so much in Norfolk. I'm over there every two weeks taking my son to the doctor @ Lynnhaven.
I visit the Thrift Stores, Goodwill, and Salvation Armies while I'm over there and usually find good bargains on cake items.
I love going to Hampton (except for the tunnel)...find alot of Wilton books there.
I would think that it is almost the same as making those polymer clay figures or sculptures. I would think that you could use the same tools and methods (cept the baking part of course). And I am sure that you could use the same patterns as well.
So one could get their ideas from polymer clay books and all that too. Just think what millifiori would look like on the border of a cake that would be like totally awesome at least i think it would.
Speaking of polymer clay, I just got the clay gun you can make some designs that are hard to do by hand and the great thing is that you can use it for edible applications (mentioned by the company). I always go by the clay section when shopping for cake decorating tools.
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