Need A Bit Of Tool Advice..

Decorating By PixieNibble Updated 14 Feb 2014 , 8:38pm by PixieNibble

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PixieNibble Posted 14 Feb 2014 , 2:38pm
post #1 of 11

Hello all, first post here, hope I'm in the right forum!

 

I've very recently got into cake decorating, and I made a pair of birthday cakes for a group party that I was invited to that went down very well!

 

However I'm making another cake to celebrate the first meet up of the year of my lolita group (the fashion, not anything to do with the novel.) I know what I want to do decor wise, but the thing is I don't have one of the tools required to make the flowers.

 

Its a thing called a ball tool, is there any household tool I could use instead? Just in case I can't pick up a decor set when I'm next in town.

 

I live the UK, if that helps.

10 replies
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Crazy-Gray Posted 14 Feb 2014 , 3:56pm
post #2 of 11

AYou can get them really cheaply on Ebay UK - I just got a set of metal ones as I keep breaking the cheap plastic ones lol

Failing that you might be able to use a deep spoon like a soup spoon... I've not tried it but you could give it a go?

Best of luck and welcome to CC!

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sugarflorist Posted 14 Feb 2014 , 4:26pm
post #3 of 11

if you planning to make flowers regularly then it is well worth buying a good tool kit because to cheap sets often have seams that rip you paste as you work. take a look at "the range" and also lake land and hobby craft in the short term you could try a teaspoon. like crazy-gray i prefer the steel ball tools.

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PixieNibble Posted 14 Feb 2014 , 5:09pm
post #4 of 11

I don't bake cakes very regularly, generally once a month if there's a special occasion such as someone's birthday. Used to just bring brownies and other small bites but this year I thought I would try and make more of an effort ^^

 

Crazy-Gray, sugarflorist thank you for your suggestions. :)

 

Is it true you have to make them a day in advance of making the cake? Most of the tutorials suggest you do.

I'm making the cake next Friday, so its all ready to be taken to my group on the Saturday.

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sugarflorist Posted 14 Feb 2014 , 5:17pm
post #5 of 11

Quote:

Originally Posted by PixieNibble 
 

I don't bake cakes very regularly, generally once a month if there's a special occasion such as someone's birthday. Used to just bring brownies and other small bites but this year I thought I would try and make more of an effort ^^

 

Crazy-Gray, sugarflorist thank you for your suggestions. :)

 

Is it true you have to make them a day in advance of making the cake? Most of the tutorials suggest you do.

I'm making the cake next Friday, so its all ready to be taken to my group on the Saturday.

some flowers have to be done in several stages with drying time after each stage. i generally allow at least a week depending on the flower. a rose for example is made around a cone of paste on a wire the cone takes about 4 days to dry. then depending on how many layers of petals you will need 1 day drying between layers if you then also add wired petals it can take a good couple of hours to assemble and colour.

 

trying to short cut the drying processes may result in your flowers looking flat -without movement and lifeless.

 

what flowers are you thinking of doing?

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PixieNibble Posted 14 Feb 2014 , 5:29pm
post #6 of 11

AOh good heavens!

I was thinking of doing a ring of fondant roses around the base of cake to pretty it up somemore (stabbed in the cake via cocktail stick to make it stay in)

But gosh that's a long time drying!

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sugarflorist Posted 14 Feb 2014 , 5:49pm
post #7 of 11

A

Original message sent by PixieNibble

Oh good heavens!

I was thinking of doing a ring of fondant roses around the base of cake to pretty it up somemore (stabbed in the cake via cocktail stick to make it stay in)

But gosh that's a long time drying!

Now that I can help you with off to look for the tutorial

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sugarflorist Posted 14 Feb 2014 , 6:02pm
post #8 of 11

Ahttp://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1R8MsL-5oKA

Take a look at this -no drying stages and great for a beginner

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PixieNibble Posted 14 Feb 2014 , 7:37pm
post #9 of 11

Those roses look a bit teeny to me..?

 

I was mainly looking at this tutorial http://gwenskitchencreations.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/fondant-roses-tutorial.html (if i can get ahold if a flower cutter) or http://sweetindulgencescakes.com/?p=362 if I couldnt. Or is that a bad idea?

 

I do apologise for all the questions!

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sugarflorist Posted 14 Feb 2014 , 8:10pm
post #10 of 11

AThese will need drying time especially for the cone as this will give you a firm base to work on. I suggest the 5 petal cutter rose. The range and hobby craft sell them you can also buy a ball tool as a separate tool in both shops. At a stretch you could make your roses in 5 days using 3/4 layers of petals. For a short cut you can buy polystyrene cones. A 9 inch cake will take about 12 roses.

This is quite an easy method and there are plenty of utube tutorials to compare. It does take a little practice but it should not take long before you are getting pleasing results. That is when the trouble starts because you will be addicted lol enjoy and don't forget to post pictures.

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PixieNibble Posted 14 Feb 2014 , 8:38pm
post #11 of 11

AUnfortunately none of those stores are near to me, but it shouldn't be that hard to find a flower cutter in my area. :)

Ah! Thank you for the number of roses! I'll make a few more, just to be on the safe side.

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