Best Medium To Use For Figures?
Decorating By mixinvixen Updated 15 Apr 2007 , 4:05pm by BrandisBaked
i have seen a scattering of answers to this question, and i know that different people will have used different things to varying degrees of success, but i'd like to see if there is a consensus on one in particular being the best overall for ease of use, durability, etc.
i need to make a large 3d covered wagon, some trees, some daisies, a bride and groom sitting next to a campfire, a dog, and two cats, along with various other small details, like pots and pans, a tiny firemans helmet, clown shoes, etc. . i also want these to be keepsakes that they can keep, so it needs to be non-perishable. gumpaste is what automatically comes to mind.
you may have read my post in the "how do i" section, about a couple with multiple interests and the cake i've volunteered to do for them for the bbq they're having when they come home from their out of state wedding and honeymoon. i know it's a big plan, but i love small details, and really want to try this. i'm going to start these within the next couple of days, so i have plenty of time for practice. (don't need it until the first weekend of may)
t.i.a. for weighing in on this.
for me it comes down to "open time" -- the amount of time you can work w/ something before it starts to become unworkable due to drying, etc.
pure fondant wins hands down -- but because of this takes much longer to dry -- so must plan WAY ahead and it is more open to damage from stray fingers etc during drying.
pure gumpaste is at the other extreme -- work fast and then have a finished product ready to go in just hours.
a mix of gumpaste and fondant is the compromise.
personally, I fiddle to much to use gumpaste.
so I tend to do fondant so I can keep reworking it until I'm satisfied.
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as to "feel" --
well gumpaste feels stiff and fondant more like play-do or poly clay.
again I prefer fondant.
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as in so many things, it comes down to personal preference and ability.
thanks doug for such a quick reply! i tried mmf before to make figures and several days later, they were still somewhat soft to the touch. i'm worried about the thicker things, like the bellies, for examples. this cake is needed by the 5th, if i did all these in the next few days, would they have time to dry? i saw on another post that some said that the wilton fondant dries really quickly, and since my friends will be using these as keepsakes, taste is not a factor...would you recommend that? i could use the hobby lobby coupon and save some money right now. thanks again, i really appreciate all who attempt to clue me in!!!
There's also modeling chocolate. I've been using it a lot lately and really like it. It's probably not great for everything, but you can also mix in some fondant or gumpaste for stability.
The other thing I do a lot is to add a little gum-tex or tylose to my fondant.
Good luck!
Courtney
thanks doug for such a quick reply! i tried mmf before to make figures and several days later, they were still somewhat soft to the touch. i'm worried about the thicker things, like the bellies, for examples. this cake is needed by the 5th, if i did all these in the next few days, would they have time to dry? i saw on another post that some said that the wilton fondant dries really quickly, and since my friends will be using these as keepsakes, taste is not a factor...would you recommend that? i could use the hobby lobby coupon and save some money right now. thanks again, i really appreciate all who attempt to clue me in!!!
if made in next few days should be very well dried by the 5th that's almost 3 weeks.
if don't want to make solid fondant for bellies, or large shapes, consider using styrofoam balls, etc. and wrapping them in fondant. get the shape, faster drying time, lighter weight and the foam will hold any toothpicks, etc. used to attach arms, legs and the like.
and since taste is NOT a factor - then the wilton would work and saves a little time by coming pre-colored.
(not sure about modeling chocolate as that could succumb to heat)
congratulations on the spotlight, also, doug! i love your ideas, your templates, your cakes. well deserved!!
I have a different approach
I do mine in cold ceramic, we know it here as french paste.
it's not edible at all, but the client is more willing to pay for this pieces when you tell them it will keep forever, even increase their value, hence the prize. It take us the same time to do and it's all the same technique, it really looks like sugar.
We sell so many now that I have to hire someone to do them for me cause I have no more time.
It also increases the sales of cakes. We do bride and groom, and communions and quinceaneras, mostly, but we do what ever we are ask to.
The in my photos and the
thanks paola, courtney, and doug for the input! i'm hoping to get started today.
paola, i googled cold ceramic and french paste and wasn't able to come up with anything...is is purchased, or are you able to make it from a recipe?
thanks so much!
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