Hello,
My wife loves to make cakes and has always wanted to make some fondon cakes but has never attempted it. She told me she looked at some sort of kits that included pipiing pags and other things used to make fondon cakes and decorate them, but she told me they cost 600 dollars and up. So she was very discouraged when she saw this.

I wanted to get her a kit and figured i would ask to see what is a good kit to get her as a present?

Thanks

I dont know what fondon is. Are you talking about fondant? I've never seen a fondant kit that's worth that much. If she has never taken any cake decorating classes I would start her from the beginning. I started with a wilton course. You can get them at joanns, michaels or hobby lobby. the classes are fun and educational. she will learn how to cover a cake in butter cream, flowers and the last class is covering cakes in fondant. they are cheap and easy. good luck

What a sweet husband! There are beginner kits that don't cost nearly that much- Michael's, Joann's and Hobby Lobby all have coupons that you can download online and print to save more! Fondant is a sugar dough that you roll thin and drape over a cake- this is what they use on all the cake shows on TV so I'm sure that this is what she means. I would say that a beginner's kit and the Wilton yearbook would be a good starting gift (they sell all this stuff at WalMart too). I just looked on Amazon too- the fondant gumpaste starter kit is available for under $40.

Hey CakeHub, congratulations on being SO resourceful! You will score major brownie points (pun intended) for your efforts.

Fondant is very easy to work with, it's like edible play-dough. You can get a Wilton fondant/gumpaste kit at a local craft store (Michaels, Hobby lobby, Jo Ann's) or online. You might check with those stores too to see if they offer Wilton classes. They are inexpensive and your wife would learn a lot. Many years ago, they offered "buy 1 get one" classes so you might even get a class for her friend (or go with her yourself).

What a wonderful thought! I don't know what your budget is, but you might consider ordering some DVDs on fondant for her so she can learn at her own pace. Sharon Zambito has some excellent ones - a very good one on just fondant here
http://www.sugaredproductions.com/_product_85116/flawless_fondant_dvd
Jennifer Dontz also has some great offerings here
http://www.jenniferdontz.com/estore.php?category=dvds
Also, Nicholas Lodge has a huge array of specialty DVDs at International Sugar Arts Collection. Global Sugar Arts carries all of the above in addition to virtually any tool she would need, including great prices on ready-made fondant by lots of different manufacturers. If your budget is larger, a specialty class would be perfect to teach her what tools she needs and how to use them. Don't know where you are, but we'll be glad to try to point you in the right direction if you'll let us know.

Thanks for everyones response. I looked into the classes but the intro to "fondant" {sorry for mispelling, at least i was in the right direction }, but they aren't available untill march. I will buy the kit that is mentioned, but im sure she will be short of some tools items. Are there any other tools that you reccommend that i get her along with the start kit that i will buy on amazon (thanks genevieveyum
)?

If you send an e-mail to the owners of the two websites listed above, they can make great suggestions to you.

They are not only both cake decorators, but also great teachers who give lessons.

Depending on where you are, you may be able to purchase a class or two from them, or one of the other great instructors out there that they can recommend to you.

Theresa

don't forget a nice, long rolling pin! some of us don't like the wilton rolling pins. i suggest the silicon or aluminum ones!

thanks everyone. i just emailed her

[quote="ibmoser"]What a wonderful thought! I don't know what your budget is, but you might consider ordering some DVDs on fondant for her so she can learn at her own pace. Sharon Zambito has some excellent ones - a very good one on just fondant here
http://www.sugaredproductions.com/_product_85116/flawless_fondant_dvd
Jennifer Dontz also has some great offerings here
http://www.jenniferdontz.com/estore.php?category=dvds
Also, Nicholas Lodge has a huge array of specialty DVDs at International Sugar Arts Collection. carries all of the above in addition to virtually any tool she would need, including great prices on ready-made fondant by lots of different manufacturers. If your budget is larger, a specialty class would be perfect to teach her what tools she needs and how to use them. Don't know where you are, but we'll be glad to try to point you in the right direction if you'll let us know.[/quote

I agree, I have all of Sharon's and Jen's Dvd's I am currently waiting on Sharon's newest release which is actually shipping today, can you tell I am excited, if you buy their dvd's you don't need any Wilton Classes, and their dvd's tells you which tools you would need.

which one should i get her first? she really wants to start working with fondant?

The link ibmoser posted takes you to Sharon's Flawless Fondant DVD
http://www.sugaredproductions.com/_product_85116/flawless_fondant_dvd

At the bottom of the page, she shows tools that are used in the DVD, too. Her videos are great!

Is it possible she wanted the Cricut Cake???? It is a machine for cutting fondant in about any shape you want. It came out this year and was about $400. The price has come down. You need to buy cartridges for different fonts, shapes, etc.
That could easily be a $600 kit for fondant.

great...l'll get that dvd. Also, Ellie thats exactly the direction i needed to be pointed in. I will buy some of those items you mention thanks

I would get her the DVD etc before getting the cricut. There's lots of experienced decorators don't like the machine, it helps to have experience with gumpaste and fondant first.
Although if ur budget is that big, I think they run classes on how to use it aswell.
xx

i probably wont. i have other chrimas things to get her...althought a fondant chrimas sounds good!

wow, cakehub, can u give my hubby lessons??? what a great christmas for her! i am sure she is gonna love all you get her!

LOL. I try to put some thought since i know she works and cleans and cooks. If i were half as thought full as she is to me i would be happy....

Here is what i need help in ordering. I found some other items that didnt come in the kit that i purchased. There is an ultimate set made wy wilton but i didnt want to be tied down by one maker or brand since its not always the best. Could yall tell me which brand you recomment for the follwing items:

Cutmat
Gum Paste tool set (mostly for flowers) i think she only need the pin looking items and not the cutout of the flowers
sizing circles
rolling pin
tapered spatula
angled spatula
fondant smoother
serrated quilting wheel
imprint mats
cutting wheels

I dont know if wilton makes the best of these items. if they do then please be kind to tell me or tell me the best or eaiser to use brand.

thanks

Ateco is a very nice brand for tools. Affordable and useful. If you have a restaurant supply store near you, pick up Ateco spatulas from there. They should be inexpensive. A variety of sizes are nice. She might not need the huge ones upfront, though.

micheals has the wilton quitling wheel, but to be honest as far as cutting wheels, i use a pizza cutter, i have several of them and in 3 diff sizes. if u get her rolling pins make sure its extra long, those are the best for fondant. if u have a baking supply near u and take your list. they can prob help u with a lot of those things!

I would highly recommend dropping Jennifer Dontz an email ([email protected]). She is an excellent teacher and she would be happy to help you with the items you may want to purchase. Her fondant DVD is the best! I know when I first started I was at a loss but with Jennifer's help I have learned alot! Sharon's Dvd's are great too! Good Luck!

thanks everyone....does anyone know of a great gum paste tool set?

I also contacted sharon i think and got no help from her

Best gumpaste kit for flowers is the wilton one. It has a book and all the tools to make the flowers. If buying from joanns, michaels or hobby lobby use their cuppons. up to 50% off!

do you mean the 10 piece set that cost 27 dollars is half price with coupons? i was fixing to place a order on amazon but nevermind..where do i get the coupons?

here you go
http://www.mycraftcoupons.com/

I have gotten most of my stuff from michaels or joanns at up to 50% off. I never leave with out my coupons. It can get really expensive.