I want to make a cake that looks as though it has butterflies flying above it. What is the best wire to use (I know that I should put it into a straw or similar where it touches the cake).  Any help would be greatly appreciated

I have a pic of a baby shower with butterflies as you say. I used 22-24 gauge white wire and yes, then put coffee stirrers in cake to hold butterflies. I actually let the client take butterflies on wires and the coffee stirrers and put on cake when she set it up for the shower. It looked really good. didn,t want her to drive with them already in the cake. she was very pleased.hth

Thanks so much - I think I will do as you say and not assemble until the cake reaches its destination.