For The Gumpaste Flower Experts...
Decorating By flavacakes Updated 13 Jun 2007 , 1:18pm by flavacakes
I'm just starting to get into gumpaste flowers, does anyone have advice on some basic tools to get started with? Like which cutters should I get for some common flowers and leaves? Which leaf or petal veiners would be good to start with?
Any advice is welcome! Thanks!!!
My feeling about the Wilton kit is just the opposite. I think the quality is poor and you don't get the results you will acheive with good equipment. Here is a link to what I consider a basic gumpaste tool kit. All of these items are available through Global Sugar Arts. You will certainly pay more for them than the Wilton tools, but the difference in quality is so worth it. They will last for many, many years. If you can't afford to buy everything at once, buy them a few things at a time. I would suggest the non stick cel board, rolling pin and foam cel pad first. Then add cutters, wire and tape, etc.
http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-54056.html
http://globalsugarart.com/
Well, I was just thinking for a starter kit. Some of those tools can get spendy and if your not really gettin' into it or dont like it, then why spend all the money.
I have it and I like it. A friend and I got together one day and used the book and tools and made a buncha flowers. It was great cuz there was two of us to help each other out.
Maybe they're not the best, but they worked for us. 
Thank you both!
I actually am not too happy with alot of Wilton products. Some things are good but I have noticed that sometimes better quality tools are worth the extra money. I'm looking to purchase some basic tools that I know I'll always use so I am willing to pay extra for those.
Thanks again!
I agree with Shirley the extra money is worth spending. Some of the more expensive equipment you might want to wait on to see if you really like working in this medium.
I find that a small rolling pin is essential, then you need a mat to roll on ( until you are ready to step up to the more expensive cel board)a plastic place matt will do. A thick foam pad to thin petals on ( go to the $store and get a garden knelling pad, make sure its a smooth one should be similar to fun foam only thicker) Do invest in a good ball tool (Wiltons set has a seam that runs through the ball and will tear your paste) A needle tool to vein with, and some quality cutters, I like metal ones, but there are plenty of plastic cutter makers (JEM, FMM, PME all make very nice plastic cutters)
For cutters it depends on what flowers you are going to be making, The flowers that i do most often are roses, rose leaves and ivy.
The reason I always recommend a ridged cel board is because nearly every flower is wired and you need that ridge in the back of the petal to feed the wire and support your petal. Then when dried your wired petals are taped together to form the full flower. The wire gives you the flexiblity to be able to move your petals around and arrange them in a way that looks best. You can roll paste flat and make your own ridge, but it is not as nice looking or as accurate. The cel board is smooth on one side for rolling your paste flat, and ridged on the other side for wired flowers and leaves.
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