|
|
Post by brenda on Mar 5, 2006 15:41:42 GMT -2
:-/Hi , I am starting to get together things for flower making and cake decorating. Do I really need foam pads for sugar flowers,flower holder to stand them in to dry or keep damp pads. Hope you know what I mean. Are there anythings I need to buy or can I make do with other self made things. Also crimpers , which would be the most needed one to start with.? and stamens,which colours are most needed for what flowers. I would be very grateful for your comments and help. Brenda  |
|
|
|
Post by rach on Mar 5, 2006 16:09:28 GMT -2
a foam pad is good for drying and holding a flower over while making it in case u drop it..and also for shaping the petals..so I would say yes to that they ar quite cheap..a flower holder..i have one dont tend to use it ..i use a foam block instead and the flower foam formers I prefer to use those ..they do help as they keep the shape of the flower for you while it is drying...Stamens you dont need too many depends what flowers you are making if you are doing roses you dont need them..I only keep lily ones in...dont use em much..
Crimpers I never use although I have a couple..so not the best to ask on that one..maybe I should start to use them...
A smoother is essential and also my sugar shaper and a non stick rolling pin and board....get some 24 gauge wires for your roses thinner ones for smaller flowers and some tape....
The best thing you can get though is the right paste..i use squirs kitchen paste ..fab..Ali has it in her store cheaper than anywhere...so get that...
Hope that helps abit
|
|
|
|
Post by brenda on Mar 5, 2006 17:00:11 GMT -2
Thankyou Rach for the info. When you say foam pad and foam block are they from cake decoration shop or just any foam.? sorry to sound so dippy.!! thanks again.
Brenda
|
|
|
|
Post by Nauseen on Mar 5, 2006 19:36:57 GMT -2
FOAM BLOCK; i THiNK RAchH MEANS THE GREEN FOAM THINGY THING USED BY FLORISTS TO PUT FRESH FLOWERS IN WHEN DOING BOUQUETS. tHEY COME DRY BUT THEN YOU SOAK EM WITH WATER OOOps caps was on sorry not gonna type it all again. the foan pad are fromcake decorating shop, ali does em, you can get them with holes in if you will be doing filler flowers called mexican hats. Hope that helps. ANd no youre not being 'dippy' i asked loads of Qs when I first joined upi here. We are all here to help each other. |
|
|
|
Post by marjycat on Mar 5, 2006 20:08:20 GMT -2
Hi Brenda
Just looking at my table as I have been making flowers this evening. I would say essentials for flower making are: Squires Kitchen flowerpaste (until you learn to make your own), non-stick board, non-stick rolling pin, high density foam pad, polystyrene or oasis block for drying wired flowers, ball tool, toothpicks, 26 and 33 gauge wires and fine nosed pliers, white fat (Trex or Cooken), edible glue, muslin bag containing cornflour, scalpel/craft knife, florists tape, and lots of patience. There are loads of different cutters and books on the subject, but stick with those flowers with which you are familiar and enjoy looking at - particularly if you have them in the garden/local park or have flower books/seed catalogues to refer to. Ali sells Orchard Products series of books which use their own range of cutters, or for expert advice search out books by Mary Ford or Alan Dunn. All these things are available on the internet on one site or another. I make most of my flowers now with cream/ivory flowerpaste and dust and steam them, but that is for another day! The good thing about flowers is that is stored safely in white tissue paper in cardboard boxes they keep forever and can be used on lots of things - even to hide mistakes.
Good luck.
Marjorie
|
|
|
|
Post by brenda on Mar 5, 2006 20:26:30 GMT -2
Thankyou Nauseen I know what you mean ,oasis.
Also thankyou Marjorie, when you say muslin bag and cornflour would you use this and not icing sugar.?
Brenda
|
|
|
|
Post by Nauseen on Mar 5, 2006 20:58:42 GMT -2
Brenda, icing sugar can stick to your flour paste, whereas if using cornflour they don;t show.
|
|
|
|
Post by rach on Mar 6, 2006 5:34:54 GMT -2
Brenda I mean a polsstrene block not oasis from florists..you get em all from your sugarcaraft shop...I find if using a non stick board and rolling pin you dont need icing sugar etc.......
But everyone works differently..its finding wot best works for u
|
|
|
|
Post by marjycat on Mar 6, 2006 7:00:29 GMT -2
Definitely cornflour - don't use icing sugar as it will make the paste tacky. Rub a very fine smear of white fat on the board and your hands and the paste shouldn't stick to anything. I generally just dab the cutters and ball tool against the outside of the muslin bag containing cornflour (which I keep in a polybag) to let them work freely with the paste. Also if you use moulds just dust them with cornflour with a paintbrush before moulding.
Marjorie
|
|
|
|
Post by dkcrooby on Mar 6, 2006 7:10:35 GMT -2
Hi Brenda
I use a polystyrene block which came out from something we bought. I just cut it into shape and if you cut up children's straws and put them upright inside the polystyrene, it makes a good holder for each flower you make. You can tape a piece of cardboard underneath so the wires don't come out the other end.
I use little white/yellow stamens for filler flowers. Once you've made the flowers, you thread the little stamen through the middle. I'll see if i can post a photo.
|
|
|
|
Post by dkcrooby on Mar 6, 2006 7:19:55 GMT -2
the cheap alternative:  small stamens used in filler flowers:  |
|
|
|
Post by brenda on Mar 6, 2006 8:40:29 GMT -2
Oh that is great thankyou all for your help. Love the cheapest ideas! glad I asked about icing suger would have used it. I have a small steel rolling pin my husband has made me.hope that will be alright.
Love the carnations and rose.
|
|
|
|
Post by marjycat on Mar 6, 2006 12:03:27 GMT -2
Also for stamens on the cheap - use heavy white/cream thread and mix either ground rice or semolina with some yellow food colouring and dip the end of the thread in edible glue then into the 'pollen'. If you need a bunch of stamens, wind thread round two fingers several times, remove and twist in the middle and either tie with a bit of thread of jam in the end of a bent over wire. Cut the loops open, hold between your fingers and trim off in a curve, then again dip in the glue and pollen.
Always looking to cut costs.
Marjorie
|
|
|
|
Post by Nauseen on Mar 8, 2006 12:12:01 GMT -2
Hi Marjorie. how are you getting on?
|
|
|
|
Post by marjycat on Mar 8, 2006 19:59:16 GMT -2
Hi Nauseen
Lots of spring flowers under construction at home and lilies, carnations, roses at nightclass. I nearly gave you an order as I have been asked to do a bouquet cake for delivery to London, but the lady is going to fly down herself with it. I was concerned about the flowers getting broken, but she wants to take the chance. Also just got an order for two Easter cakes which means I'll be able to use all these little flowers I've been making as well as some little chicks which I have left over from flower arranging classes last year. I've just put some flower arranging magazines on ebay if anyone's interested - The Flower Arranger and Fusion Flowers. No time for them now I'm addicted to sugarpaste!
Regards
Marjorie
Tried to attach a photo of my worktable here with no success - advice please?
|
|
