I have run across some people that make very stylish, adorable and just brilliant roses for cakes. Let's start a list here of those we admire and love to take classes from. I would love to visit more people's websites or Facebook pages, if they also are into sugar paste flowers. Here is the start of my list:

Leslea Matsis

https://www.facebook.com/lesleamatsiscakes/

Tracy James

http://cottonandcrumbs.co.uk/

Edna de la Cruz

http://www.designmeacake.com/

Shawna McGreevy

http://mcgreevycakes.com/

Giovanna Smith

http://www.sugarartstudio.com/

Ron Ben Israel 

http://www.weddingcakes.com/#/home/

Google his name and "classes" and you will see a ton of beautiful pictures his students have posted. He holds classes with MInette Rushing. Most people remember him from the "Sweet Genius" on the Food Network. He is the Master of Everything in cakes, in my humble opinion!

Okay, I know that there are other sugar artists out there, so, please list your favorites and share. You might be introducing someone to a new artist that will really inspire them!

@JWinslow  

Sylvia Weinstock 

Alan Dunn

me

There used to be someone on here called sugarflorist, she did outstanding work, a girl on youtube by the same name (different person)

I love Alan Dunn but his work is competition standard and the hours spent over them would result in very expensive work.

As a great lady once said "Will they notice? Will they care? will they pay?"

You have already listed my absolute, most favorite rose artist, Tracy James ... I love her modern whimsical rose. 

For realistic roses, my fave is Kara Andretta from Kara's Couture Cakes.  She has a beautiful rose tutorial here: 

My pet hate is the "fantasy" flower...anyone else?

Why?

With the dearth of super easy cutter / molded stuff would you make this monstrosity?

It signals " I cant make real flowers /  I'm scared my  attempts are sh%%e /  I have no gumpaste left.

Buy them,  practice,  steal someone else's...just don't make these things and pretend its just a "cool" thing to do?

Admit it...your flowers are really bad lol x

I grew up with Tombi Peck and Alan Dunn to me they will always be the epitomy.... they combined flower artistry and floral arranging with cake design and made the arrangement the star.........I also love the simplicity of Peggy Porchen...simple modern pristine cakes but was disappointed  when in her last book she had a cake with molded chrysanthemums....now do not get me wrong....a beautiful cake ....a detailed mold.....but again as Cakababy 2 quoted  "Will they notice? Will they care? will they pay?"

I hope one day to be known for my flair....a Caribbean woman with a Caribbean style......cakes that comprise all local flowers simply and tastefully done and pristinely finished :)....I'll get there too...wait and see :) 

Yes...who was it who coined that wonderful phrase??

will they notice, will they care, will they PAY.

@ MBalaska.....

"In the words of Ruth Rickey, when determining how far to take a design, think of the customer and ask yourself: 1. Will they notice? 2. If they notice, will they care? 3. If they care, will they pay?"