I am making a "Sand Bucket with shells cake" and I am a little concerned about constructing the tiered cake upside down and then spiking it. I used a 5 inch round then a 6 then 7. I think that right? (Scratch head. You get the picture) Anyway has anyone constructed a cake in this manner? Do you have any good suggestions at securing it. I do have to travel with it. Goodness what was I thinking. 
The cake is exactly the size when layered as a normal beach/sand bucket.
Please help. Please Please Please 
Thanks
Maureen
The difference between 5, 6 and 7" cakes is not that big. The cakes are actually supported by the dowel rods, not the cakes themselves.
If you were doing an upside down cake using 8/12/14, then I'd worry with you. (Although I've seen pics of a cake like this and they DO look pretty cool!). But this one will be, as we say in the trade, "a piece of cake"!
That's exactly what it sounds like. I had no problems when constructing this way-just made sure my cake was cold so it wouldn't fall apart before icing. The article on Topsy Turvy cakes by BKeith talked me through it easily. Even though you are only doing "one layer" of topsy turvy, I agree that just looking at the article makes you realize...HEY, this can be done!!
Good luck.
Is the bucket going to be standing? When making a slanted cake, I always make the same size tiers and carve the entire slant....more trimmings...but I've found, for me, it's less gouging(?) and it's easier to split and fill and layers.
That many layers, I would even dowel and board it halfway up for stability. After it's all trimmed and crumb coated, place on display board and drive sharpened dowel through entire cake and into base board. final coat of icing. Decorate to hide center dowel.
edited to put an "r" in crumb...ugh.
Some people bake their cakes in a flower pot--this might give you the bucket shape. Sanitize, and line with parchment paper--I haven't tried it, just read about it. Do a search here and google.
I'd be hesitant to stack different sized tiers--the larger ones would probably droop over the sides, unless they're on boards, but then you'd have to fill the size difference with BC, which will result in one size.
If you don't use the flower pot, I'd stack/fill same-sized layers then carve the shape (place in the freezer for about 30 minutes first).
I'd use several wooden cooking skewers to secure it; make sure the pointed end goes all the way into the baseboard.
Thank you all for your suggestions. I will read the topsy turvel cake article and just wing it. I did not want to use fondant but I might just do it for more support.
Wish me luck. Thanks again for all your feedback I truly appreciate it.
Warm Regards,
Maureen in NJ
read the article on the baby in the flower pot. I think that's more of the info you need. i did it and it came out fine. My only problem was when I added the top cake, I didn't center it over the dowels well enough and it started to collapse. Quickly fixed and no on ever knew. But anyway, I think that that is the info you need.
http://www.cakecentral.com/article46-Step-By-Step-3D-Cake-Sculpting-Baby-in-a-Flower-Pot.html
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%