So I have not used luster/pearl dust before. I am doing a wedding cake and I think I am going to make my own pearls to border the bottom each of the four stacked cakes (6,8,10,12). She wants pink pearls and an off white rolled fondant. She wants to have the off white fondant have a pearl look also.

My first question is how much dust do I need for the pearls alone(I will probably make larger pearls 6mm or 8mm). I realize it depends but I have read a little goes a long way. So I want a ball park figure to start from (2g, 8g or more). I have to order it online so I want to order enough so I'm not paying for shipping several times.

Secound question how much dust would I need to cover all 4 tiers of the cake? Also do the "pearl" colors vary that much. For example here on cake central there is a satin white and super pearl, what the difference? On other sights I saw antique white. I don't know if I like the idea of having the whole cake "pearlized" will this detract from the actual pearls, or if I use a different luster would that help?

I am attaching the picture of the cake we are using for main idea source. I have never posted a picture before so I hope I'm not breaking any rules.

Thanks in advance for any help,

Natt

Bumping you up, cause I have no idea how much you would need to get all that done=( Hopefully someone will have an answer for you! Jen

2g should be plenty for just the pearls, if I remember correctly. You should probably get a second opinion, though! I don't know how much you'll need for the cake itself. A little does go a long way, though.

I think the all-over pearl look will look good, especially since that's the look the bride seems to want. I would just use Super Pearl on all of it.

Good luck!

Thanks HollyPJ.

Super Pearl has the most incredible sheen of any I've used. I also love to mix Super Pearl with with other colors to make them shine even more...you can just put a little super pearl and a little of the pink luster or even petal dust and shake them. Those pearls will take you a long time to make. Be prepared. I have tons I have made ahead, but I always look at them and think "do I really want to use them all" and don't because they took DAYS to make! LOL

I'm actually using luster dust for the first time today, too. I am making wedding rings for a cake and using silver luster dust. Do I just brush it onto dry fondant or does it need to be wet? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

It depends how silvery you want them...if you want them to appear shiny and like real silver, then you need to mix it with a bit of alcohol or extract that contains a high volume of alcohol. Then brush on with a small brush and let dry.

I have done LOTS of accents with silver and gold luster dust, if you'd like to check the effect in my gallery. The newest was the crown on my frog cake. VERY shiny finish.

Edited to say I think the gallery is having a problem this morning because my cake is not showing up-sorry...here it is.



I should have done a closeup pic of the crown, but you can see how it shines in the photo. The Marine Corps cakes that DO show up in my gallery have gold accents and the Mardi Gras masks were also painted the same way.

So I have a few more questions.

Does anyone have an opinion on making pearls by hand vs the pearl "molds". I guess it makes a string about 6 inches. Can you curve it around the cake? Does it look just as good or is it worth the time (and saving money by not buying the $30 13mm pearl mold) just to make the pearls.

Also I was wondering if the pearl dust if put all over the cake does it show imperfections a little bit better? Just curious what I may be in for.

Natt

I'm assuming you are coving the cake with fondant. I've found that the luster dust just seems to make the fondant "glow" beautifully and haven't had a problem with the imperfections. It almost makes me NOT see them because of the sheen.

The string of pearl works well with Wilton or stiffer fondant, but I have a horrible time with my regular MMF or Satin Ice-even after brushing the mold with luster dust. It certainly saves time if it's working correctly...I just have personally not had the greatest luck with them yet.

I have the beadmaker & it is awesome. I used a Q Tip & crisco to lightly grease the beadmaker, it works perfectly.

Thank you superstar! I will for sure try it that way!

I'd go for the bigger size, it would be awful to run out before you're done and I guarantee you'll keep on using the dust for other cakes. I'm a complete addict and have tonnes of different colours, I don't think I've actually made a cake which isn't slathered in the stuff.