I am making a gymnastics cake later this week and the little girl wants a balance beam on the cake. I would like to make a gumpaste balance beam with a gymnast doing the splits on it. How do you think I should go about making the balance beam so that it doesn't break under the weight of the gymnast? Thanks for any ideas!

Hi ~ I don't see why it wouldn't hold the figure. After all, gymnasts are pretty thin!!! LOL
Sorry, I couldnt' resist!!! You could make frame work and cover it in fondant or just
make a beam and set it on the cake (no space between beam & cake). Please post a
pic, sounds very interesting!!

lol cakes47 - I was thinking the same thing. A real live gymnast? No probably not hehe.

Maybe construct the beam out of something other than JUST gumpaste - Like crispie treats if you want it edible?

Oh my Goodness...hard not to ask how bigs the gymnast...sorry couldnt resist either.

I would use GP I find it the strongest of all modelling mediums.

Ask this gal! She's very nice and VERY talented. I have worked with her on a collaborative project and she purchased the acrylic tower from me. I know she's on CC, but I don't know her screen name on here, sorry. I'm sure she'll help you though!



[/url]http://www.facebook.com/?sk=media#!/pages/Winston-Salem-NC/Cakes-By-Kim/101063456600989[url][/url]

I just did this for a party yesterday...

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1669662

I was thinking gumpaste too guys. Do you think the gymnast needs to be gumpaste too so its lighter or do you think a mix of fondant/gumpaste would work?

tarascupcakes- I sent Kim a message about that cake. Thanks for the tip!

pbjoachim- that cake is awesome!

I agree- gp for the beam, 50/50 for the figure. If she's doing the splits, her weight will be distributed across the beam, limiting risk of breakage. I would make the beam first (MANY days ahead, so that it is rock-hard) so that you can dry her ON the beam, as it will help ensure that her body parts kind of conform to the beam...otherwise you may have a heckuva time getting her to stick on it, if she's dried first.

Good call ceshell! I hadn't thought about letting her dry on the beam. I had better get to it!

personally, i would wrap the gumpaste around a skewer and then form it to the shape of a balance beam with the cornered edges. i would do the same things for the legs of the beam, not cutting the skewers at all so that they could stick right into the cake...only leaving the legs exposed on top!!!