Hi,

Im new here, and wow what a good site, cant wait till i have time to sit down and read throu this site properly.

Afew questions that may appear silly

Were do i buy gumpaste? tesco sainsburys ect dont seem to have it

is gumpaste and flower paste the same thing

and why cant i just use fondant to make my figurines?

Thanks in advance, im sure im going to have a million more questions


Summer09

Hmmm not sure where you are but it is possible to order online if no one in your area carries it. Fondant for me takes way to long to harden and is too "soft" for my figures. Some people will add tylose to fondant to make it better for your figures. I believe gumpaste and flowerpaste are the same thing but I don't want to confuse you so someone else can take that question! HTH! Welcome to CC!

I buy my gumpaste at Michael's craft store. Most of the time they give 40 or 50% off coupons so you can get it for around $4.00 for a pretty good sized bag. I do a 50/50 mix of fondant and gumpaste - fondant alone won't dry hard enough unless you give it days and days to dry.

You'll find this site addicting Welcome!

hello! don't ever feel like any questions that you have are silly, because trust me someone else on this site has either asked the same thing or is wanting to know too!

I'm not sure where you are, but you can order gumpaste online from global sugar art, or Wilton makes some that they sell at Michaels/hobby lobby/joann fabrics if you're in the US.

I don't know about the gumpaste vs. flower paste, hopefully someone else can answer that one.

You can make figures out of fondant, they just don't dry as quickly or as hard as if you just use gumpaste, or mix gumpaste into the fondant, so it just makes it a little more difficult depending on what you're making.

gumpaste can be found at walmart, AC Moore, Michael's, any craft store. I have bought it at multiple places. you can use fondant for your figurines, but gumpaste helps the fondant dry faster and be stronger..

On an American forum, u always need to say where you are from if it's not America

Gumpaste is a specialist item you will need to find a local cake shop or order online. Squires kitchen is usually what u will get in the shops, it's ok, I prefer the gumpaste from a piece of cake Thame (google!)

Gumpaste and flowerpaste are the same thing really.

U can use fondant for simple figures, but gumpaste will give them more strength. Fondant takes longer to dry, so u need more time, or it can start to collapse on it's self.
xx

Thanks for the replies-

Im in the UK.

If i buy gumpaste online- how long is it ok for once the pack is open, and how long is it ok for once used to make a figure so it can still be used?


thanks again- im already addicted to CC

Summer09 ~ WELCOME!!! Good questions.
I believe it's 6 months to 1 year after opened. It goes a long way so even when you don't have
any figures you need to get done now, make other figures, flowers whatever and store them for later!!
Good luck!!

Summer, I can keep gumpaste for a while- I don't make cake often. As long as you store it AIRTIGHT! I keep it in the resealable bag, make sure all the air is out, and then usually in a ziploc tupperware container.

Good luck with your new hobby- it's frustrating and rewarding!!

Welcome Summer09 nice to see another UK person on here (it was obvious from the tried Tesco, Sainsburys lol) Where about in the Uk are you? I am in the Midlands.

You can also buy from Hobbycraft although prob more expensive than specialist cake shops.

The gumpaste/flowerpaste comes in a resealable bag however make sure you tightly reseal and I ususally then put it into another plastic bag.It will last a long time if completely airtight as kimpound said. When you go to use some you mix a little vegetable fat with it to make it pliable. Once it has gone off it will just crumble and you will know.

Gumpaste/flowerpaste is good to use for models but remember although it is an edible medium it is not good to eat a) it would taste horrid and b) it is too hard to bite. I am not sure how long the figures would last as I dont work with flowerpaste much tbh. I usually make figures by mixing sugarpaste (or fondant as most people on here call it) mixed with CMC (available at cake shops or online - sugarshack is a good site), the figures are stable and I have made them 2 weeks before putting on a cake and they are edible and taste fine.

This site is great but a lot of things done in the US are done differently in the UK due to different techniques and temperature and humidity etc. But you will love it here, I have learnt so so much x

Hi Jayne,

im in Enfield, north London, Greatr that someone from the UK is on here too - I noticed alot was US.

If u dint mind me asking what is CMC

people here are so helpfull already, i already dont know what id do without this site and i only joined today

Hey,
Yay another Uker lol. Im in the northwest and there is a good shop in warrington if you are anywhere close. If you want the name send me a message and i'll give you the name. They sell online too. I love the fondant icing they make smells and tastes delicious yum. Welcome, I love this place and have learnt all I know from the wonderful people on here. Have fun mooching about.
Han xx

Stuff made from fondant or gumpaste will last *for ever*. literally - the only problem might be colours fading, but they won't deterioate.

Try looking up the British sugar balloon craft guild (with out the balloon!) they are great, and it's a better place to ask about stuff in the uk.
xx

CMC is a powder that you can add to the sugarpaste to make it set harder. Any cake shop will know what you are talking about x