I also thought you could use copha but hadn't tried it (instead of shortenning) then someone said god no! So I spent a small fortune buying crisco from an American on-line shop in Melbourne, but haven't tried it as yet.
Welcome to CC Kylie. 
I would be one of those people that would say "NO" to using Copha for buttercream 
. If you see what shortening looks like you will see why. Something like So-lite or Cream cup has the exact same texture as margarine, but it has no flavour and it's completely white. Nothing like Copha.
You can buy shortenings for making buttercreams and for baking (they're both different) here in Australia. After all our bakeries make buttercream and they certainly DONT use Copha.
I have made the crusting buttercreams using So lite and it works just fine. You should be able to get some sort of buttercream base from most cake decorating stores. But it's a lot cheaper if you buy it wholesale from a Bakery supplier, all you need is an ABN and you've got that.
Congrats on being in New Idea. When was that? Is the issue still available.
Absolutely LOVE your website.
cheers
Nati
Hi, I'm fairly new here too & came across this thread. I'm in Randwick Sydney...anyone near me??
I also need some help. I was contacted by a lady in Brisbane today who is desperate to get some prettily decorated gluten free cupcakes for her 4 year old daughter who is a celiac. She saw my cupcakes in New Idea magazine (yayy!! so exciting) & wants to pay for them to be sent to her in refrigerated transport etc. I assume that would cost a bundle so I'd like to help her find someone in Brisbane. She has recipes but says she wants something special for her daughter & has been upset all weekend (I assume as she can't find nice ones). So I especially need recipes for the decorations. Or if someone knows of a cupcake place in Brisbane I can contact??
I also thought you could use copha but hadn't tried it (instead of shortenning) then someone said god no! So I spent a small fortune buying crisco from an American on-line shop in Melbourne, but haven't tried it as yet. I have a recipe so I'll post it if it's any good. I'll also try the one posted here (thanks). I've met a fellow cake decorator on flickr so it would be nice to meet more on here from the Sydney area. Let me know if anyone is close to me.
Thanks,
Kylielam2005
Hi Kylie,
Welcome to CC. I am in kingsford, not far from you. I go to FF gym at randwick village weekly. We should try to meet up for coffee one day 
Sorry can't I don't know anyone in brisband who makes cakes. God luck hope you will find someone.
Hope to catch up with you
violet
ps- oh, tell us about your cup cakes in New Idea. I love to look at the photos!!!!
Is there no way that the mom could buy the gluten free cake mix and make the cupcakes herself and you could send the decorations? We have a coeliac in our church and I just use the gluten free mix. I also buy the crisco shortening and use bundaberg pure icing sugar for BC and use the wilton bc recipe or some other recipes that are similar. I'm closer to Brisbane than you are but no way could I decorate cupcakes that compare to yours.
hope it all works out for you and for her.
Tamra
Thanks for the welcome Nati!I'll ask the baking company I use. Problem is I don't quite trust them as he keeps selling me things that I ask specifically for to do something in particular with, & then I find out it's the wrong thing! i must take some of their products back as it's costing me! I've been caught out before with them & has cost me quite abit. I don't think he does it on purpose (the rep) I just don't think he listens to me! He tells me one thing & then tells me something completely different after I buy it! Anyway, my cupcakes are in this weeks New Idea that came out today. And thanks for the compliments too! My website is VERY basic as we were in a hurry to do it, so when he has more time we'll re-do it all properly (I have more photos on www.lecupcake.blogspot.com).
Violet, we should catch up! There are a few of us around so I'll be in touch!
Tamra i think I'll suggest she makes the cupcakes. I sort of said that to her & she sounded like they didn't work..maybe she meant the decorating part. Thanks for the nice words too! I must go to this site more as it's very helpful & nice to hear from other cake people.
Thanks socake! I was looking at your photos earlier but was interupted so i've only just got back to them. Your cakes are beautiful!!
Kylie, WOW! Just checked out your website, amazing!
Nati, 
what is so-lite and where do you get it from, everyone seems to be talking about it like you get if from the supermarket, but I've never heard of it before.......
Nati,
what is so-lite and where do you get it from, everyone seems to be talking about it like you get if from the supermarket, but I've never heard of it before.......
Nicole
This is So-lite
http://www.eoibakery.com.au/html/creamshortening.html
Do you have a cake decorating supply store nearby? You should be able to get So-lite or some other creaming shortening there. I have seen some type of creaming shortening in all the cake deco supply stores i've been to in Melbourne.
cheers
Nati
WOW kylie! your cupcakes are just beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I must learnhow to do cup cakes one day. the amount of work that goes into each is just amaxing kylie! congratulations! I must check out this week's cup cakes in new idea!
My cousin sent me these links. Thought i'd share with you.
Suyin - univ students at UNSW.
http://cookingismypassion.blogspot.com/2006/07/exchanging-my-work-for.html
http://cookingismypassion.blogspot.com/2006/11/happy-21st-birthday-jia-yi.html
Other devine cup cakes site (from a talented daly caleed Trish in Singapore) my cousin sent. Trish's cup cakes are jut AMAZING!!!!!!! look at the christmas cup cakes, wow!
http://www.cupcake-momma.net/gallery.html
violet
Oh shucks...thanks for the compliments!
I haven't heard of so-lite either. I think we're really limited in Sydney with supplies. I'll check the baking company though to see if they have it.
Thanks for the links violet. I already know who suyin is through flickr - she was on there I think when I first found it. I didn't realise she was in Sydney at first. Also Trish from cupcake momma & I correspond too. She's very nice & has absolutely beautiful cupcakes. There are a few good other cupcake people in singapore - nani (queen of mini-cakes), fairycakes (please don't confuse her with the perfect fairycakes who steals everybodies ideas & claims them as her own), honey-tar....must be popular over there. It's a nice group of cupcake people on flickr. Another amazing one is "debbie does cakes" who does fantastic cupcakes & amazing DOG cakes which look so real! A really amazing site is www.amazingmikes.cakes.com
Hi everyone in Australia! I know I'm not from there so I hope you don't mind me riding your thread.
I've been talking to the hubby recently about how I like to visit the wedding convention/shows there. I'm trying to find more info online but couldn't. Of course nearest to me is Perth but I don't mind flying to Melb or Sydney. Besides it makes a good excuse for me to get away from the kids for a few days 
Anyone know when is the next wedding show? Do they usually have it in the citycenter?
Hi Trish! Fancy seeing you on here!! Actually I got a call today from the Australian Bridal Service & they are having their next expo in February. I'll find out the date for you & let you know. It's at the Entertainment Centre in the city (Sydney). Why were you wanting to go??What were you looking at seeing there? I can find out what stalls they will be having if you like. Their website is www.australianbridalservice.com.au. Good luck & if you do come here make sure you let me know beforehand!
It's the 3rd & 4th of Feb. at the Entertainment Centre.
Hi guys,
I just wanted to let you know that last night I made buttercream using copha and butter, it's similar to mary's recipe couple of different things, I got it out of a Toba Garrett book.
And the verdict for me is that I actually like it. It's actually got quite a light flavour too it, not too sweet like some can be (surprising from the amount of icing sugar that went in!). I used vanilla but the recipe gives the option for using other flavourings as well. I guess it all comes down to personal taste. My family are quite fussy and don't like a lot of the overly sweet icings, so I can't wait for them to try it, I'll let you know their verdict.
Actually everyone I know is going to get to try it, cause the recipe made a s*** load of icing!
I've also posted my class cake, will post the two Christmas cakes I've got coming up after they are done.... this Friday's one will be my first attempt at using filling, crumb coating and attempting to get a smooth buttercream look, wish me luck! I can't wait to try the crumb coating!
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