I would so appreciate if anyone can share what tools or items that you use for embossing and texturing fondant. I Know of the rolling pins and impression mats that are made for this but they are very hard to find where I live!

I have heard that you can use some scrapbook embossing tools? Anyone head of that!?

Any tips would be great!!!

I am thinking clean, unused rubber stamps......that might work

deb

The trouble with using items from outside our media is that you never know if they are considered food-safe or not. I know of women who purchase rubber stamps in the craft stores and use them as embossers. I know from research and communication with both Laure'l Silverberg and Holly Dare, from Sweet Stampen, that these items are illegal for use on food products here in the US.

Cake decorating supplies are getting more expensive here, also, as the craft is becoming more and more specialized all the time.

Have you checked in NZ for supply stores? It might be cheaper for you to buy from there and ship over to AU.

Theresa

In my photos is a cake (Bridal Shower cake) that I used a bamboo skewer to do the diamond pattern. It worked great and was very cheap

Lazy_Susan

I USE LACE TABLECLOTHES ON BUTTERCREAM ICING AND FONDANT.
THE THICKER ONES ARE GREAT, HAVE SOME LITTLE ONES ALSO, FONDANT, PUT LACE ON TOP AND ROLL, BUTTERCREAM, I JUST LAY
ACROSS CAKE AND USE MY HAND.
ONEWAY

Have you tried looking on ebay, I've seen quite a few on there. I don't know what the postage costs would be like to you, but it's worth a look (I live in Ireland, and postage from the US to here isn't too bad on lighter items).

HTH

Kelly

I went to a cake show over the weekend and I picked up a few things quite a bit cheaper than at the stores. For example the ribbon cutter at my local store was $20 and I paid $12.99 for it. They were also selling Fondex for $20 for 10lbs or $35 for 20lbs. I just had never used that brand so I didn't buy any, but now I wish I had just to give it a try.
Melissa

You might try this website: www.cuquisdesigns.com

I just discovered it a few days ago, but they have a huge selection of textured rolling pins and sticks and their prices range from $5 on up, depending on the size you want. Anyway, if you ordered a bunch of items at the same time, you're shipping and handling wouldn't be too bad.

Also, I've heard of people using playdough toys and textured placemats and tablecloths for textures. You might look at the hardware store,too, in the molding section. Or, you can use any of the metal texturing tools as long as they don't have lead in them. Just sanitize them well.

Thank you to everyone!
You have all been very helpful!

www.cakedeco.com.au
www.bakerysugarcraft.com.au

Both these are Aussie cake decorating suppliers and they have a resonable amount of stock. Plus if you call Cake Deco they will tell you if they have something that's not on their website, Bakery Sugarcraft is not as helpful.

Kncab, you can use plastic lace for making lace pieces you can get it from Spotlight and its fairly cheap, they also have different types. Bakerysugarcraft is more geared to commercial now than the humble cake decorator. But really there are a lot of things you can use if you look and use your imagination. Whereabouts are you in Australia?

Cupids in Broadmeadow would be a good start for you if you really want a cake decorating shop. For drying flowers on you can use plumbers pipes cut in half you can also use that stuff for rolling pins. Best thing about it is they are pretty much non stick and much cheaper than you can buy at a Cake decorators supplies. 2 dollar shops and Go Low are great for stuff as well.

Bakersugarcraft are more on the commercial side not necessarily geared for big business. What I mean is they have a lot of Wilton stuff and please forgive me, not if you want to be a serious cake decorator and make everything yourself. Wilton cake tins and some of their tools are great but expensive for us to buy them here. I am not bagging Wilton at all. That is how I started cake decorating and I love it till I found tech. I still use the Wilton Way for kids cakes.

fronklowes, what a small world! I went yesterday to cuqi's designs (the physical location in miami)! They have the nicest staff!! I bought pettinice there cheap and the owner (cuqui) is always available for help.

I highly recommend them. Jackie

You can use anything (that will not stick) that your heart desires and is food safe. A unused new zipper for a zipper, a new plastic button for a button, a new dog comb, (don't laugh I use it all the time for stitching marks). I shop the hardware stores! They have the best things........I also try not to get caught up in the latest new decorating tool craze otherwise it can be spendy.

Think outside the box, Home Depot, Menards, Hardware Hanks or in my case (Pet Supply Warehouse.)

thanks tiptop57, very helpful!!!

Yeah, just about anything with a pattern you can use. I went to the WA state cake show and sat in on a bunch of their free classes. It was amazing what ya could do! This gal had a rolling pin with all different sorts of things with a pattern...like some chicken fencing, non-skid mat material, etc. All she did was roll the rolling pin over the patterned item onto the fondant...it really opened up my eyes as to what ya could really use!

Also, to make coral (like for a beach scene cake), she had a small bucket of ice cubes...she poured melted white chocolate into the tub over the ice...it froze really quickly as it ran down between the ice cubes...when she pulled it out a couple minutes later...voila! White chocolate coral in which you can paint with luster dust! It was awesome!!!

Wow!!! that is amazing, some people are sooo clever...i wish we had some cake shows over here besides wedding cake shows.

kncab, look in the phone book for either the Cake Decorators Association or the Cake Decorators Guild and make inquiries with them regarding shows and demonstrations.

Oh my goodness! That coral making method is just about the neatest thing I've ever heard of as far as cakes. I'm truly sitting here just in awe over that. I sure hope I can remember that trip should I ever get a beach, sea shell type cake again. I LOVE IT!

I also would love to go to some of those shows, and now I know I'm gonna look into them. In the meantime, do tell more of those tips!

Yeppers, my coral on my shell/clam cake was made with the ice cube method. (I learned that in candle making.) http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=displayimage&meta=allby&uname=tiptop57&cat=0&pos=6

Wow! Ice cubes to make coral!! I have always wondered how to do that without a mold! How cool!!