I was wondering the best way, or if anyone knows exactly how to put flowers or butterflies on wire. Where they stick up on the cake. I have tried it several times and i dont know if am using strong enough wire or what. Also, the flowers dont stay on the wire either. So any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

What kind of flowers/butterflies? If gumpaste then push the wire in after you've made it and leave it to dry (if you make a small hook at the end it tends to stay in better) when you pick it up it should stay, I did some flowers on a cake (in my pics) and my wire wasn't strong enough and just bent under the weight so I curled them on skewers and it makes them alot stronger
Also to keep them in the cake I read a good tip here to wind the end round an inch or so of bamboo skewer and then insert that into the cake, it worked for me!
HTH's

you do want to get a heavy gauge wire to start with, i always assemble the flowers on the wire, reinforce them on the back with some extra gumpaste and water, and let then dry fully before assembling the petals. if you are using a cutter to make a full flower you would just want to inforce it on the wire while its still wet, then allow it to dry. for the butterflies, i would build the body on the wire and use very very thin gumpaste or even chocolate to make the wings, that way you can attach them after the body and wings are dry. hope this helps.

Ok Thanks a bunch , i will try that.

It really helps to dip the hook end of the wire into some egg white or meringue powder mixed with water before you put the fondant or gumpaste on.

The most important thing when you're making flowers on wire is patience...something I have problems with but it really helps to make the centers and let them dry overnight on the wire before you add the petals. Also, some things need to dry hanging upside down. The easiest way to do that is to get one of those little wire racks that goes in the cupboard and just hook the wires over it.

Also, get a few different gauges of wire so that you have the right strength for whatever you're doing right then...the very thin wire is good for a petal that has a piece of wire inside of it, but that wire won't support anything.

When I put wires into a cake, I wrap the ends of the wire with floral tape and stick them in a drinking straw, then push the straw into the cake.

I've never tried this before, but I just had to add, YOU LADIES ARE AMAZING!!! I'm still new to CC, but my goodness, I've learned so much already.

I dip mine in gumglue (tylose powder and water)

OR

I heat the end of the wire and stick it in the gumpaste or fondant hot... and it adheres itself

I have never dipped my wired in anything, but I will now. I can't tell you the number of times I've had my decorations slide down the wires!

nothing makes me madder (wd? LOL) then a slipping flower GRRR

Keep a candle lit.... when you are ready for your embellishment to go on a wire... let your wire heat up a little and stick the curved end in the piece

let it set for a second and voila

Tell me how ya like doing it.. it's just soooo easy..

especially if you are like me and forget to remake the gumglue GRRR LOL