I have to make a gumpaste tiara for next weekend. I was going to start rolling it out but am afraid that the pieces won't come out uniformly. I've read that some people use a clay extruder. Has anyone tried using this? Is it difficult to push through? And also what brand would you recommend? Any help would be appreciated! Thx!
I use a clay extruder I bought from Michaels. They have a large one and a small one. I recommend getting the big one with a coupon. Fondant is not hard to push through if it is fresh.
I use mine often. Happy caking!
I bought the Walnut Hollow clay extruder at Michael's with 20 different discs in a plastic carry case, which I love. It is very easy to use as it has a handle that you "wind" or "crank"...kind of difficult to explain. But it works great! Because of the plastic case, everything is all contained and no discs get lost. I waited to get a 50% off coupon to use, which made it very inexpensive.
http://tinypic.com/r/2h50905/7
http://tinypic.com/r/34t7288/7
Hope this helps! 
FYI...if you use shortening on your fondant when you put it into the tube, it comes out very easy. 
That's great to hear. I was going to start tonight but I'll just wait and get the extruder at Michael's tomorrow. I don't know if this is a stupid question but would it be any more difficult to push through gumpaste rather than fondant because it is a bit harder?
Roll your gumpaste or fondant into a tube about the same size as the extruder tube and then put a coating of shortening on it and it will slide in easily and come out just as easily.
By the way...no questions are stupid. If you need help, that's why we are all here! 
i recieved the walnut hollow extruder myself for this past christmas. i was using a hand held one that you had to push and found it impossible and extremely time consuming! i love the new one though-and now i find i'm using it all the time!! i second the motion of using shortening inside the barrel of the extruder as well as coat your fondant/gumpaste before you put it in the tube, i also put a little shortening on the disk with the cutout. have fun!!
Thanks for the great tips! Can't wait to try it out!
I am somewhat, maybe a little, puny in the muscles..LOL make the fondant nice and soft with shortening and it comes out like a dream! Doesn't really take that much longer to dry too!
Just wanted to let you know I bought the Walnut Hollow Clay Extruder and it made things so much easier! I love it! I have a photo of the tiara I made with it in my pics.
I have a cool contraption I use for my extruder...Two short pieces of a 2x4 with a hinge. The top piece has a hole in it and the bottom piece has a groove to keep the extruder from slipping. Instead of trying to push with your fingers you can push down on the piece of wood and put your arm muscles into it. 
I've had it forever.
I just made my silver Tiara (in my pics) with Edna's green extruder.LOVE IT!! I use it with mmf fondant with or without tylose- gumpate- and even Edna's egg white gumpaste. Crumbcake - make sure you twist the extruder open completly when you fill. Roll a long log with a little shortening (smooth exterior coating) and then insert. Good luck!!!
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