I posted this in the How do I section - and thought I might get some answers here.......

I have some I have already purchased from GlobalSugarArt.com - and I have read several different threads on the subject with confliciting advice. I want to make jewels out of silicone molds (already have them made) What is the best way to melt the isomalt?? Plain - nothing added, adding some water, adding some corn syrup???? (there are no instructions on the packaging)

Do I melt it on the top of the stove, or in the microwave??

hi, are you saying ... you have a block of isomalt.. already to use for the molds. i do have it that way.. from kathy scott... and her molds.. if . that is the case.. then you melt you some isomalt in a little (i use a little silicone cup that came in her kit.. you can also cut up these silocone that sells at michaels to make a single cup.. melt you some in the microwave.. and pour into your molds. is this what you are asking.. i bought some plastic molds from country kitchen at convention and their great little book on all this too.. so these plastic molds i got from them.. withstands very hot heat. hope i have answered your question...

Hi Loucinda, I've never used Isomalt but I have a quick question for you....where did you buy your jewels mold??

Thank you!

NO - I have the bag of isomalt crystals (CK brand) NOT the block that Kathy Scott sells. I have both molds (the ones from countrykitchensa . com AND the silicone ones I made myself)

I need to know what to do with the crystals.......(add water, don't add water, add corn syrup, add nothing????) and which melting procedure is best - top of stove or in the microwave??
I know to use a silicone container to melt in the microwave if I go that direction.....just not sure if that is the best way to melt the crystals.

I made my own molds from food safe silicone I bought at Michaels in the clay section, and the plastic jewels from the bead section.

Thanks icer for trying to help me out!

Thank you Loucinda... I went to Global Sugar Art and looked under Isomalt and they tell you right there how to use it. I'll put the link here for you to see I hope that helps you.
http://www.globalsugarart.com/?id=21

About the molds...you made your own??!! wow...you know, I've thought on making my own molds too, but haven't been brave enough yet LOL

Rosie - thank you so much. I really feel like a dunce!! (NEVER thought to look at their site!)

Making your own molds was not hard at all. Buy the food safe silicone form Michaels (it is about $20 - but use a coupon and it is lots cheaper) You mix the two compounds together and then put whatever you want a mold of in it! I just bought some of the cheapo plastic jewels (and cleaned them off good with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol) In 20 minutes, you have a mold!

I tried the jolly rancher thing, and that did not work out for me. They were all sticky and a mess when they were done.

I am going to attempt the isomalt tomorrow - hopefully I will have some success with it!

Thanks for all the advice in all the questioning I have done for this subject....I just don't want to screw up!

OK - I have tried 2 different types of isomalt now, one is the crystals from CK the other is the already made up stuff from Kathy Scott. Both times the jewels look perfect when I first make them - nice and clear, no bubbles. After they set for a day, they are completely cloudy looking, and sticky.

What am I doing wrong? Does anyone know what I can do to make them work properly? (I live in Ohio, not horridly humid)

I have very little experience with sugar/Isomalt, but I do know that humidity will cause clouding. Sugar attracts moisture, and, while Isomalt is far more stable than sugar, it will become sticky and cloudy in humid conditions. I have tried storing Isomalt and sugar in my house (coastal swamp LOL), and it will cloud. I have stored sugar bottles in an air-tight container with Damp-Rid in the box (in a separate container so that it can't touch the sugar), and they keep perfectly. I have read that Isomalt can be melted down without any water whatsoever, and that may help in humid conditions. I tried making jewels several years ago with both sugar and Isomalt, and they all clouded if left out.

I did not use water with my isomalt--but when re-using it I did--it gets wonky after you re-melt endlessly practicing on stuff.

And you can certainly remelt it.

Are you getting it to a good temperature? Using a thermometer?

Using plastic gloves to handle it helps with fingerprints.

I've posted on several isomalt threads today and I'm repeating myself--but unless it's wrapped to keep out the moisture in the air, it does degrade fast. Not a lotta shelf life.

Loucinda

When I attended the Cke Show in Va. Geraldine Ransom gave a great class on Isomalt and making jewels. I think she has the instructions on her website www.creativecutters.com. HTH

Elaine

Thank you all for your help. I ended up making the broaches with the cloudy jewels anyways. They still looked nice enough - just not what I had envisioned. (from a distance they look like cameos!) Here is the finished cake I needed them for:

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1467595

Loucinda, the cake look soooooooooo beautiful!

Oh wow, what a beautiful cake Loucinda!!!! and the jewels looked awesome. I hope you win 1st place!!

Beautiful, Cake Buddy.

Thanks everyone, the cake got a 3rd place ribbon - not bad for my first time out in competition - my other cake took first! (but I like this cake much better)

Thanks again for the help!

My goodness Loucinda you took 1st and 3rd place in a competition, wow!!! I'm impressed...C O N G R A T U L A T I O N SSSS!!! your cakes are pieces of art!!!