Looking for some advice. I can take one on one lessons with Flora Aghababyan to learn gumpaste ·  Orchid, Daffodil, Stargazer Lily, Calla Lily, Peonies, and the Poinsettia. It will also cover how to color them. It is an 8 hours class for $800.00.

Do you guys think it would be worth it or should I just invest in a few gumpaste flower DVD's. I heard Edna has a few that are really good.

THANKS!!!

I cannot speak for her class, but whenever you are hands on with a decorator like that you get more than you can from a DVD. you can ask questions, have them review things again and get more tidbits than you would from a dvd. But...with a dvd, you can play it back as many times as you want!

It may depend on how you learn. I have the ability to teach myself just by looking (at a photo, at a dvd) but some people need that one-on-one teaching method.

For $800, I'd try the DVD first and if that didnt' work, THEN I'd consider spending $800 for one-on-one instruction.

But I've really have to think about how many cakes I'd need to sell to justify $800 for one class.

I like DVD's because you can go back and forth and rewatch things over an over a gain. I also do like hand on but I don't think I could justify 800 for 8 hrs

Have to agree with Indydeb - it depends on how you learn. If you are good at looking at a DVD and understanding a concept, then that's the more economical way to go. If you are one of those people who like the interaction with a live instructor, and don't mind spending $800 on one class, there's your choice.

There are many good DVDs out there, and for $800, you will get instructions for more than the few flowers that are being offered in the class.

I've never heard of this person before...And for that price for instruction, wow....I think Kerry Vincent's THREE-day class cost that much...Nicolas Lodge charges between $250 and $300 for TWO-day classes....But $800 for one day----YIKES!

Paul

Personally...I'd go with the DVD's. You can watch them over and over and over ....LOL....besides $800.00 for 8 hours is extremely expensive.

I think its way too much money for a teacher that no one has heard of. I'd go with the DVD's... Ednas are awesome!

Look into DVD's... There are some really good ones out there. Scott Wooley has some good ones. Definetly look into his and Scott Nicolas Lodge's dvd's are excellent and EXTREMELY well priced. Go Lodge first, then try Wooley. I have them both. Both are good, but Lodge's are much better priced and the same information.

I only took the Wilton gumpaste class and even though it was the bare basics, I have been able to teach myself with dvd's like Edna's. I just keep making them until it comes easily.

I don't see how it would be possible to do all those different wired flowers in 8 hours. There are multiple steps to each: preparation, cutting, drying, coloring, and assembling time required. It will be a break neck, drop dead pace in 8 hours! If it was a 2-day class then you would leave clear-minded and confident in your ability to make them again in the future by yourself. Would you be the only student? I've never heard of her either, but that's not to say she isn't good at what she does. I'm assuming you are here in the States. If not, then maybe that's why I haven't heard of her.

I've taken a 2-day class with Nicholas Lodge on two separate occasions, and it was very quick paced. Fortunately, he has a few flowers on dvds for a quick refresher. If you don't do the flowers often, you forget the intricate details.

I also have Scott Wooley's dvds and I love them because no detail is left out. It is up close and personal with each flower and making it look real with the coloring technique he shows. Yes, they are pricey but I feel a good investment.

Flora Aghababyan is the pastry chef for the Wynn Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. I would invest in the DVD's, that's a lot of money to pay just for 8hrs. I'm a visual learner so DVD's are great for me, so it depends on your learning method.

I googled Flora Aghababyan and it appears that she is a cake designer at the Wynn Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. She has entered cake competitions along with Rebecca Sutterby (hope I spelled it right)and other known cake designers. I still think her price is high.

Don't know how I could forget to mention Edna De la Cruz and her flower tutorials on You Tube. They are excellent! She also has a couple dvds as well. Go Edna!

I would have to agree with everyone. To spend that kind of money on one class is totally insane!!! IMHO You can take those Wilton classes to learn that stuff I do believe and that is soooo much cheaper!!!!! Please correct me if I am wrong but when I called about those classes, you have to get certified as a cake decorator before you take the fondant and gum paste class(es). But from what I remember, each category is only like $22.50 and it runs for a month....once a week and is 2 hours long. Hopefully I said that right.

I've taken several inexpensive (by comparison) gumpaste classes and have LOTS of gumpaste DVDs from various sugar artists and I prefer the DVDs. I'm still fairly new to gumpaste and I have trouble keeping up in the classes, but I don't have that problem in other sugar artistry classes. I find the DVDs excellent for my needs in that I can go back and refer as often as I need to which really helps (especially if one is learning lots of different kinds of flowers.)

OMG!!! I wasn't getting any notice that there were so many responses to my post. THANKS EVERYONE!!!! I think I am going to go with Scott Woolley's 1st dvd and see how it goes. I already ordered Edna's dvd for the Poinsttia, can't wait for it to get here. I am a pretty fast learner but I was confused how they expected me to learn all those flowers in only 8 hours. Don't the center usually dry overnight? Thanks Again!!!

Dvds are definately the way forward!

Although i do agree,its never going to be the same as seeing it first hand and actually being taught all the little tips and tricks . . Having a dvd means you can go over and over it, untill you get it right, you can pause while you play, You can repeat if you get stuck, You can keep rewinding till you get it right, You cant do that in a class!