Forming A Fan

Decorating By lapazlady Updated 16 Mar 2007 , 2:38pm by jmt1714

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lapazlady Posted 14 Mar 2007 , 4:36pm
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How do I form a fan? I want it to stand up on the cake, spanning out over it. This idea is to have a larger fan in back with a smaller one in front, ribbon roses in front to hide the base of the fan and maybe a drape over the edge of the cake. I have the picture in my head but no skills for forming a decent looking fan. Help, please.

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Solecito Posted 14 Mar 2007 , 4:58pm
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How about making it like a paper fan? I'm thinking fondant, right? A rectangular piece folded like a paper fan. Just pinch one edge. To make it stand you can put a smal pice on the bak just like the desktop photo frames.

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lapazlady Posted 14 Mar 2007 , 5:20pm
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Good Idea, I'll try folding a fan out of construction paper, and then using that as a "mould". Wonderful idea, thank you!

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Daisy1 Posted 14 Mar 2007 , 5:22pm
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PM Sugarflowers. She does awesome fans and even has a few cakes similar to what you are planning.

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lapazlady Posted 14 Mar 2007 , 9:57pm
post #5 of 11

Thank you, I'll PM Sugarflowers. I need all the help I can get.

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Pyxxydust Posted 15 Mar 2007 , 2:36am
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Hey! If you check out My Photos, there's a picture of a wedding cake I did with a fan on top. I got a gumpaste cutter from Scott someone. Uh oh - I totally forgot his last name! I think it's in the description or the comments if you look at the picture. I think Scott Wooley - he's based in New York and is very nice and sells his items via the internet if you don't live in New York. you use the cutter to make individual slats and then you tie them all together with a ribbon and wire. Also, Nicholas Lodge sells them too - I think two different sizes.
Let me know if you need any more info! I'm heading off to bed, so I may not get to sign into Cake Central until sometime tomorrow, but I promise I'll answer any questions you might have!
Thanks!

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lapazlady Posted 15 Mar 2007 , 10:47pm
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Pixxydust, I just looked at the photo of the fan. Beautiful. I'll look into buying one of those cutters. It sure does make a lovely topper. Your cakes are wonderful, you have lots of talent and skill. (I think the guy you bought your cutter from is Scott Woolley, isn't that the name? He does fabulous flowers.)

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Pyxxydust Posted 16 Mar 2007 , 1:00pm
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thank you, you're so sweet! You're right - I remember now, it was Scott Clark Woolley or Wooley. I have his book - his cakes are amazing! I've met some people who took classes with him and said he was great. He was so nice in the emails we had back and forth, too. But then someone from CC went in person to his store and said he was a real jerk because she had to cancel the appt she had with him and apparently he never got the message, etc etc, but that was still no excuse for how mean he was after that! But my personal experience was great, he was extremely nice and helpful, answered all my questions, etc. And yes, his flowers are gorgeous. I took a gumpaste flower class with Nicolas Lodge last last year which was FANTASTIC, but after I got Scott's book, it looks like he does the same flowers a lot differently, but it almost looks like he has a quicker way of doing them. I'm not sure - I'd have to take his class to be sure, but they look just as beautiful, in my opinion! I haven't had time to practice gumpaste flowers since then (this was a year ago), so unfortunately I probably forgot everything by now!
Anyway, the fan does turn out really nice. And you get cutters with straight sides or a little "hump" in the middle (like mine) for a different look. I think Nicholas Lodge sells the two different kinds, depending on what you want. The hardest part I found is getting it to stand up, but I think I didn't use the right gage wire or something to make it stiff enough. It was my first time ever using gumpaste on my own and my first time using floral wire, so I was clueless! And I think I didn't use stiff enough wire, because although the fan looked good right when I put it up, in this picture, by the time the reception came, it sort of "collapsed." It was still up, but had a "bend" in the middle. The bride still loved it and didn't even notice, so I was happy about that! The whole cake was surprise for her - she wanted a fan theme and that was all she cared about, so I got to do what I wanted! It was fun. Anyway, thank you for your kind words - you sure put a smile on my face today!

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rustidog Posted 16 Mar 2007 , 1:19pm
post #9 of 11

Pyxxydust
I just went into Nicholas Lodge and Scotts Woolley's website but I could not find the fan cutters.
Can you give me the direct link to the page. Thanks

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lapazlady Posted 16 Mar 2007 , 1:21pm
post #10 of 11

Pixxydust, Your quite welcome. The thanks really goes to you, though. How wonderful you've been able to take classes. Out here in the hinderland, no one gives classes, and boy, could I sure use some. Keep up the wonderful work.

I bought Scott Wooley's book and love the flowers. I'm not so much into flowers, but would certainly like to have the skills to make them.

Keep smiling, and have a great day!

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jmt1714 Posted 16 Mar 2007 , 2:38pm
post #11 of 11

scott clark wooley website: www.cakesbydesign.cc

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