I hopw someone can help me. The instructions for the pillow cake shw the use of a "clay gun" for the accents and decorations. However, I have no clue as to where to find it?? I am in SoFla. Can I find it in a store? If not, who on-line sells it? I reeeeealy want one. 
Sandy
we borrow from them and they from us.
the guns use by people to do ceramics and polyclay.
this page shows a very popular gun made for cake work that they are borrowing from us (first item)
http://www.simplydarling.com/clayguns.htm
and this one shows one of theirs we borrow:
http://www.sculpey.com/Products/products_access_claygun.htm
this one and it's cousins can be found in the clay/polyclay tool aisle at better craft stores
the big red one w/ the handle is much easier to use.
for for truly serious work:
http://www.continentalclay.com/detail.php?cat_id=398&sub_categoryID=134&PID=1204
Or if you want one made for sugarcraft, this is the one I use: http://beryls.safeshopper.com/216/7424.htm?961
I own 3 clay guns and MUST recommend this one: http://www.makinsclay.com/US/eng/products/ultimate.htm It is THE BEST! Because it operates on a screw rather than a squeeze trigger, your hand will never get fatigued. Your fondant or gumpaste doesn't have to be soft as soup to work. I used the Sugarcraft gun for years (black with red handle). This Makins clay gun has a larger capacity, is easy to use, easy to clean, comes with replacement gaskets, has additional shapes available. I LOVE IT!!!!
I also own the giant squeeze trigger extruder that Doug provided a link to. Alas, my hand is too small to squeeze the trigger. I'm trying to convince my DH an DS to come up with a way to convert it to a screw drive. Doug....? 
Or if you want one made for sugarcraft, this is the one I use: http://beryls.safeshopper.com/216/7424.htm?961
interesting ---- that's the same as the first one i suggested
I have the one that DianeLM gave a link to and I love it. It works great and doesn't hurt your hands. These are available at Michael's craft stores if you have one near you.
can I ask a question ?
How can you make long rolls with the clay guns and then not have a mark where you have had to refill your gun once you have squeezed out what is in there
they look very hard to me
but I really have searched everywhere here in Australia and no one has them
Suzy
Or if you want one made for sugarcraft, this is the one I use: http://beryls.safeshopper.com/216/7424.htm?961
interesting ---- that's the same as the first one i suggested
Haha! I didn't click on your links!
can I ask a question ?
How can you make long rolls with the clay guns and then not have a mark where you have had to refill your gun once you have squeezed out what is in there
they look very hard to me
but I really have searched everywhere here in Australia and no one has them
Suzy
for making the rope -- one option if using one of the big guns
http://www.earlenescakes.com/productexamples.htm
as for finding a gun (also called an extruder)
all except for that red one esp. made for sugar work are guns used by artists who work in real clay (pottery, ceramics) or in polymer clay.
some sources:
http://camartech.com.au/ress/shop.php3?aisle=modelling-tools
http://shop.clayprincess.com.au/eshop/index.php?cPath=1
http://www.metalclay.com.au/pdfs/Catalogue_2_Makins_.pdf
If you want the red and black one, the cheapest I've found it (nearly half the price of everywhere else is here:
http://www.completecakedec.com.au/Equipment.htm
Don't get the silver one, unless it's the screw one that was in Doug's clayprincess link. Too hard. Might have to have a look at that screw one, although have found the black and red one a hundred times better than the plain silver one, talk about breaking fingers....
I use this one:
http://www.makinsclay.com/US/eng/products/gun_extruder.htm
It was about $6 at Michaels, it works great, it's sturdy, and it can go in the dishwasher. It's what I used to make the cake pictured as my avatar.
A word of caution: steer clear of the inexpensive metal ones designed for clay. They are NOT food safe & you'll end up with flecks of metal or rust in your food! 
Bec
can I ask a question ?
How can you make long rolls with the clay guns and then not have a mark where you have had to refill your gun once you have squeezed out what is in there
they look very hard to me
but I really have searched everywhere here in Australia and no one has them
Suzy
The trick is to cut the ends on a diagonal. There's more surface area to glue together, thus easier to hide the seam. Yes, if you stick your nose up to the cake, you'll see a seam, but from a reasonable distance, no one will notice it.
Sorry here is the pic
The metal one in your pic looks a lot like one I picked up at AC Moore for about $8. It was NOT food safe (very nasty looking, metallic fondant came out of that baby and it quickly went into the garbage).
I'd go with the one Diane recommended or an all-plastic one. Both are available at Michaels (at least our store has them both). The plunger type of plastic one I have (linked above) doesn't bother my hands, but if you have a huge amount of work to do at a time or if you have arthritis, it might cause you problems. JM2C!
Also, the advice about cutting on a diagonal is spot-on!
Good luck!
Bec
I own 3 clay guns and MUST recommend this one: http://www.makinsclay.com/US/eng/products/ultimate.htm It is THE BEST!
I agree. This one beats all the rest. It is available at both Hobby Lobby and at Michaels. I love using mine!
~ Sherri
I also have the green one that DianeLM recommended.
It works great and was not expensive at all. (I even used a 40% off coupon at Michaels). I love it!
I also have the green one that DianeLM recommended.
It works great and was not expensive at all. (I even used a 40% off coupon at Michaels). I love it!
The Michaels by me doesn't carry them, I'll have to check a few more maybe. Hate to waste the 40% coupons.
The Michaels by me doesn't carry them, I'll have to check a few more maybe. Hate to waste the 40% coupons.
Check Hobby Lobby and Joann's also. I have seen them at both places.
If all else fails, get a play doh fun factory until you can find the one you want. It's inexpensive, and good enough to work until you can get better.. 
I will check Joanns and see, We don't have a Hobby Lobby. Thanks for the tip.
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%