I saw a thread on this once, but can't find it again. How do make realistic and colorful sea shells for an under the sea themed cake? Is there somewhere I can buy molds or do I need to make my own? What should I use to make them, fondant, gumpaste or something else? And how should I color them? This will be the fist time I've attempted something like this - I'm totally ignorant about it, so any help is appreciated!

Hi, here is a thread....here is another, you can also use fondant in the molds, hth



http://www.ehow.com/how_5548349_make-seashell-cake-decorations.html


http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopic-634043-15-days0-orderasc-.html

First Impressions makes great detailed seashell molds. You can get them through Global Sugar Art or I think Oasis Supply. I poured white chocolate in some smaller ones I put on cupcakes, and used gumpaste for larger starfish toppers. Then I just brushed luster dusts on them.

HTH!

I have some seashells in my pics, I used the first impressions molds then just used petal dusts to shade them, very easy and you cant screw them up!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00198E98Q/?tag=cakecentral-20

Do you think this would work? Is anyone familiar with this pan? I'd like a fan amount of detail and it's hard to see whether it is or not from these pictures.

I dont know how much realistic detail you would get with the pan. The silicone molds have the lines and creases, bumps etc that make the shells look real, I think they are actually made from real shells.

I made a cake and cupcakes with seashells made of white chocolate. IMO, I believe they would taste better than fondant or gumpaste.
easy to color with luster dusts or a pearl finish.
I used both the Impression molds and my own. The molds were so easy to make with lots of detail in them.....I used shells I had. I had to make over 400 chocolate shells!

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1591802

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1694169

I was on scott woolleys site this week. He has a new line of sea shells. hth

I don't know what your deadline is for the cake, but it is really simple to make you own molds. I bought a small bag of asstd. shells at WalMart, taking care to find one with the best selection. With Amazing Mold Putty from Michael's or Hobby Lobby and a little time, you can make quite a choice to have for cakes to come. Paint the inside of the mold with melted cocoa butter to which you've added some luster dust then fill with melted white chocolate, or tempered dark choc. I have found it easier to make my own since the time and cost of shipping are big factors for me. Good luck...

Jan

I don't know what your deadline is for the cake, but it is really simple to make you own molds. I bought a small bag of asstd. shells at WalMart, taking care to find one with the best selection. With Amazing Mold Putty from Michael's or Hobby Lobby and a little time, you can make quite a choice to have for cakes to come. Paint the inside of the mold with melted cocoa butter to which you've added some luster dust then fill with melted white chocolate, or tempered dark choc. I have found it easier to make my own since the time and cost of shipping are big factors for me. Good luck...

Jan

Thanks for the tip milk maid. That sounds cool and fun. Where do you get cocoa butter?

I've also seen shell molds in the clay aisle at Michael's.

I like making them with fondant with a small amount of tylose, once dry I use gell colors mixed with vodka thinned and apply with artist brush, to give a water color effect on them. Then you can come back with a thinner brush and more concentrated color and add the details. I have some real seashell to use as reference for color placement. Light dusting of pearl dust gives them a nice look. Good luck and have fun.

Boy, lots of good tips here... I get cocoa butter at the drugstore. Sometimes it comes in a tube, other times in a bar. I'm sure if you ask, they'll know.