I ordered a palstic bead maker......the kind you put fondant in and then fold it over....well, it is not working!! I use cornstarch and/or powdered sugar to keep the fondant from sticking but it still sticks or the beads just look goofy. How do ya'll make beads? By hand?

I have also seen some foam, rubbery looking beads makers. Do these work? I thought about piping the beads but I keep getting a tip on the bead when I pull away from the cake.

Southaustingirl,
Sugarcraft's website has awesome instructions for making beads and they turn out great using the Wilton tip. Here is the site: http://www.sugarcraft.com/catalog/gumpaste/beads.htm

I just finished course 1 and my instructor told us that you can pat you finger in either powdered sugar or cornstarch lightly and then pat the tip that you sometimes get when pulling away and you can kind of mold the frosting this way but I have learned to only use just a dusting of it on my finder or you can see it. IF you just use a little bit, it seems to absorb into the frosting. Hope this helps.
Karrie

I haven't checked out that sugarcraft link yet, but one way I was shown was to use a round tip. Roll out the fondant or gumpaste or whatever medium you are using and then use, say, tip #6, and punch out a bunch of circles. Finish rolling them into balls. Then you can use any dust you want on it. Let them dry and you have beads. It's time consuming, but if you like to do things yourself....

I just bought a beadmaker from sugarcraft.com and tried it out. It did fairly well. I'll let you know for sure when I do a wedding cake in 2 weeks! I just followed the directions that came with the beadmaker. Wonder if you have a different kind???

I think you might need to use a modeling paste rather than just regular fondant.

Usually when usuing moulds of any kind, fondant will get stuck because it is just too soft.

If you have cellogen or gum trag at home add some of that to your fondant first and then give it a try, the paste shouldn't stick to your hands when you roll it or it will stick to the moulds.

I think a lot of people have mentioned letting the snakes of fondant sit for a few minutes to dry out too before putting them in the beadmaker. Like the idea of adding gum trag though.

OK...thanks for the tips!!

I bought my bead maker from Sugarcraft...it was one of the inexpensive ones...$9.99. I did see some others for $20+.....so maybe I need to use a better bead maker.

I will also try using modeling paste.....is that chocolate and corn syrup?

I make pearls all the time with my bead maker spray it with pam or use a brush with oil not to much. Fondant or mmf works well you don't have to do anything to the fondant. Gets easier as you practice.

I used the bead maker that sounds like the one you are talking about. I rolled the fondant into a rope and stuck it into the bead maker and folded it over. Worked great. I didn't use and sugar or anything else.

I was glad to see this thread. I bought TWO, blue beadmakers @ $22 a piece I have only tried MMF using cornstarch and PS, with NO LUCK AT ALL! It either sticks or tears when I try to remove. Boy was I disappointed! I hide them from DH. If he knew I spent $40 on those and havent used them , and they don't work he'd flip out!
Any suggestion, does anyone have that kind? I'm thinking of selling them on ebay if I can't get some results.
TIA

Don't give up it works great if oiled I have the blue rubber one cost me $38. here in Canada. I use fondant or mmf and never added anything to it.

I used Wilton Fondant for mine. It was just for decoration - no one ate them. It worked fine for me. I had no problems with it sticking. I don't know about MMF - isn't that softer than the Wilton Fondant?