Hi,

     I want to make a birthday cake with lettering that looks like crystals/minerals... the basic idea is to do rock candy which ive never done before..how shall i go about this? my idea was to take bendable wire and shape it into happy birthday in cursive writing and submerge it in sugar water/colour solution in hopes the crystals will grow on the lettering.  how do i get big crystals, and how little do i soak it for a amaller "druzy" like effect? i want it to look like natural premium emerald cluster, citrine points or a cracked open amethyst geode...as realistic as posible as its for a roundhounder. Thank you for all tips, this is my first post here and i am an amateur on a budget so all tips are welcomed. The cake itself will be spice cake (duncan hines or betty crocker?)w cream cheese buttercream frosting.

Ideally i want the crystals to be in long points, but if that doesnt work, i can smash up hard candies and make a garnish like this on the cake:

http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7141/6737567411_63f0976b9f.jpg

Thank you everyone! I should also add i live near michaels craft store, so if u know of products/brands from that store, i can get things from there. I have till the last week of aug to get it right, i want to practice today.

not a clue how to make 'rock candy crystals', however I have painted both fondant cut outs and dried royal icing decorations with light corn syrup and coated them with Large Course Sugar or sanding sugar.