Hi all. I just made my first pair of gumpaste shoes. They are black and I was hoping to find a way to get them "patent leather" looking. What do you think about painting them over with piping gel? Would it dry with a shiney coating or just dull over? I'll attach a photo of what they look like so far:

Sorry I can't help... but WOW... they are so realistic!! Fantastic job!

Thanks! I made them for my sister-in-law. She loves Jessica Simpson shoes, so I printed her brand name to go on the inner sole.

Sorry, can't help with the patent look but just wanted to add that your shoes looks stunning.

What did you do to get the studded look on the front of the shoe?

Those are teeny tiny rhinstones. I know that's shameful not to use all edible parts, but it just worked out so perfect I couldn't help myself. I figure no one would actually eat the shoes! That'd just be gross!

My kids have a play nail set that has really small rhinstones in it.....think I'm going to have to steal it from them tonight....LOL

Thanks for sharing

In angelas2babies gallery she has a shiny frog and I believe she used piping gel. Your shoes are so life like. Beautiful Job!

I would use a product we get here called 'Confectioners Varnish', to get the high shine you are after.

You use it on leaves to get a shiny finish it dries off, but can still be a little tacky....

yep. try here:

http://www.chefrubber.com/Shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=95&cat=Confectionery+Coatings+%26+Sprays

It looks like I could slip those on they are so realistic, great job on your first shoes!!! Sorry I don't know how to make them shiny!

Try painting them with gel color. check out the tuxedo cake in my pictures, you can see what it looks like...

I also recommend confectioner's glaze - two coats and it dries really shiny and not tacky - the doctor's bag cake in my photos has been painted with it.

Firstly I love your shoes!

Thanks for asking this. I've got to do a shoe cake for the weekend & was thinking of doing patent shoes, as they're so popular at the moment. I did think of using glaze but haven't got time do a practice pair. Now, thanks to you, I know it will work.

Thank you all so much! )

Terrific job on the shoes! WOW-they look so real!

oh those shoes look awesome. I love shoes so much and would love to own a pair that look like those.

May I suggest that you "test" any ideas on a leftover/scrap piece of the gumpaste used to make the shoes.

WOW! Really looks great.

Boy, these look incredibly REAL-excellent job

I would recommened either special cake varnish/glase or steam them with luster dust. They are very realistic.

Niiiice job on the shoes. Especially for your first try. I made a pair of the converse sneakers for a shower cake and put the Jolee rhinestones on them. Real shiny and the couple is keeping the sneakers covered in a "doll dome". Now, as for the shiny look--I'm sure someone has told you to use a steamer, right? Just remember, you cannot put the item in the refrigerator after it has been steamed. It will condensate and become mushy. I had a recommendation of egg whites and thinned shortening brushed on the item. I just made a "Cop's hat" and two straps need to be shiny. I have researched this to death. I am trying the egg white mixture!! Maybe put a bit of vodka in it so it dries faster and harder? I spend enough on my cakes (and really don't get it back) so I hate having to go out and buy one more thing that I probably won't use for a long time..waste of money.