I joined an online cake decorating contest and the theme is "candies".
When you think of candies, you think of colorful, whimsical and fun cakes. Since I always want to challenge myself, I wanted to give it a little twist and make a fashion cake out of it.
I used Twizzlers Pull and Peel, Red Vines black licorice and Haribo Rasberry "gummi" candies.
Twizzlers are pulled apart to get strings (red part of the cake) and wrapped the cake with it. The Red Vines black licorice is the border on the top edge and the Haribo Rasberry candies are cut in half, painted and used as centers for the flower.
I purposely gave the ribbon a lot of streaks to give it that unique vintage feel. The cake kind of looks gothic as well.
Here is the cake I came up with: http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1450996
If the link doesn't work, it is my last fondant cake in my photos (red, black and white).
Does it look tacky or unique? Does the ball of flowers look like a huge round garbage? I took the picture in an angle so the flowers look bigger.
Let me know what you think.
Rylan,
Very creative use of the candies. I like everything except the silver on the black. I am not feeling that. I think some pearl dust would have given that a better effect.
As far as candies, I would have thought more pinks, purples, yellows, oranges, and greens. Just thing of a big lollipop!
I think you did a great job! 
Do you get a chance to explain what it is all made out of?
Because I don't think that they would know that the decorations are all made out of candies just by looking at it.
You did such a good job. Very sophisticated and fashionable for a candy cake. 
Thanks for the feebacks Patty, Bleuhue and Jen. I think that this cake isn't for everyone. I think you have to have a certain taste to like it and unfortunately I didn't.
Yes, Jen. That was my main concern. I did explain it to them and hopefully they get it.
Rylan,
Don't get me wrong. The cake is wonderful. I think you do amazing work. I am just thinking the silver takes away..at least in the picture. It overpowers the red in my opinion. I do love the topper though and the folds in the fondant.
I just think more childish colors when I think of candy.
Thanks for the feebacks Patty and Bleuhue. I think that this cake isn't for everyone. I think you have to have a certain taste to like it, unfortunaltey I didn't.
Really !!! 
Is that because you *made it* as you went along - or did you have it pictured in your mind to begin with?
I think it looks clean - due to the black and white with just a touch of red.
Sometimes if we work on a cake for some time - just looking looking looking at it, we become our own worst critique.
Soooo, have you had any feedback from the on line comp yet?
Bluehue.
Oh no, I didn't get you wrong Patty =]. I decided to use a different palette of colors rather than something that is expected.
Bluehue, I did have a picture to begin with and unfortunately it wasn'y succefully done. I believe the contest starts tomorrow since today is the last submission.
Don't you all have those moments where you sit down and look at your cake and then started hating it the longer you see it? I'm having that one right now and I just feel so down.
I think it's gorgeous and very unique! I actually like the vintage/gothic look. I hope you win!
Don't you all have those moments where you sit down and look at your cake and then started hating it the longer you see it? I'm having that one right now and I just feel so down.
WALK AWAY FROM THE CAKE - lol
Stop looking at it -
And yes, we all do that - welllll, i do....
Don't feel down - be proud that you designed and created a cake that NO ONE has ever made before -
Go pop the kettle on and go outside and beath in -
We see it through *viewing eyes*
You see it through the makers eyes - so of course we don't see what you do.
ITS GREAT - NOW GO HAVE A CUPPA -
Bluehue.
Since you said honest opinion, I'll give you mine. I LIKE IT! Whe you first described it, I thought TACKY. I just couldn't picture all the licorice parts and all that. BUT I saw it. It was nothing like I pictured. I think it's elegant, yet with a sopisticated edge. the flowers are great. I love how you used the candy with out it looking like candy. The silver looks fine to me. I think that is definetly a preference thing. I can also see it with pearl dust. Walk away from the cake like someone else said earlier.
It's great! Very unique-- unique is good. I do the same thing-- I think many of us do. The longer you work on a cake and the later it gets-- you want to have a meltdown like I did the other night. And then-- thank you God--- it passes. It always seems to come back with a future cake, but it passes for awhile!
Rylan, I love it! My favourite part is the rope licorice. I really like the effect it gives around the edges like that!
I think the flowers on top are phenomenal!!
Awesome job
I'm late answering here,and not so experienced,but I think you did an awesome job! (I'd love to know exactly what you used for the flowers...they're perfect!)
Like someone else said...walk away from it,and go back...it may not be everybody's taste,but nothing ever is...You're too self critical...I think it's stunning ,partly because it's different!
Honestly, i like it, and maybe if i were to change anything ?? maybe i would have left the haribou raspberries red. Otherwise i want to know what your trick was to getting the licorice twists to bend and stay???
Really neat and definitely unique, but I feel like I need one or two of those top flowers farther down on the cake with the blacker color to tie in. Just my 2 cents.
Great job and good luck.
Thanks to all for the feedbacks, I appreciate it. You are all right, I need to stay away from looking at the picture because I never get that satisfaction I always look for. Also, my favorite things about the cake are the ones some of you said you didn't like heheh. I guess my taste is very different. My aim is to do something designer. Something you see in a runway that isn't very wearable anywhere.
Anyways, I decided to deconstruct the cake so I don't have to look at it anymore.
As for the questions some of you asked:
-I cut the black licorice in half and secured it to the cake by using toothpicks.
-The flowers I made by cutting out 4 strips (4x1) of gumpaste and folding it to look like ruffles. I then put them all together and stuck the berry in the center.
-The pleats are made by cutting long strips of fondant and attaching it to the cake (then layer it)
Rylan, first let me say that your cake is great. (not such a fan of the silver on the bows, but I know you were going for a particular look).
That aside, I must ask you... Why on earth do you set yourself up for frustration every time you make a cake.??? If you can never be satisfied with the result and never see the true beauty of your creation, why do it?
Out of all the cakes you have posted/talked about on CC (that you have made) I cannot recall you being happy about any one of them.
Personally, if I did not get enjoyment out of doing this and liking my finished product, I wouldn't be doing it anymore.
I think, I just wish you would lighten up on yourself a little. I give you a lot of credit for trying the things you do. AND... you produce FABULOUS cakes. Let yourself go girl!
Thanks again Ginny and Theresa.
I just recieved a message from my inbox with ths same question asking me, "why do you keep making cakes if you are always unsatisfied?".
Well, my answer is really simple. I'm not going to quit because I love decorating cakes. I am not giving up.
When I start a cake, I hope that it will turn great in the end but unfortunately, it doesn't. The reason for that is-- Everytime I make a cake, I will always try something new/different. When I make my cakes, I don't go for something that has been done repeatedly. I always want to try new techniques on every cake and I always don't get what I have pictured, making me feel unsatisfied.
Does that seem clear?
Rylan -
I can understand wanting to challenge yourself, but by moving on to the next technique just after finishing the last one, you are not allowing yourself adequate time to master the first technique. Hence, the dissatisfaction, in your eyes, because the technique is not up to your expectations.
There's nothing wrong with challenging yourself, I do it all the time, too. But slow down long enough to get a full grasp on what you're trying to accomplish before you move on.
My personal opinion? You over-think yourself and your projects, therefore putting too much pressure on yourself, and seeing mistakes that aren't really there. I have yet to see inadequate work from you.
Theresa
Rylan, first I love your cakes. I agree with you though. It's a love hate relationship. I always end up frustrated, aggravated, I never like my final product, am always dissapointed with myself, I keep thinking I know I could do better..........but I love doing it. I don't feel I would ever improve any at all if I thought every cake I did was perfect or if I was completely satisfied (or even close to it) every time I finished one if I didn't push myself to be better each time I take it upon myself to create another cake.
I actually rally like it, kind of goth, but I totally dig it. The silver is a little bright maybe a little less on the bows and centers of flowers or a pearl shimmer. I bet if my daughter was to see this she would be asking me to make it. Good work, as always.
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