My Demo Corner

I am always happy to be invited back to do my sugar flower demo at the ORANGE COUNTY FAIR. It might be a little hectic to get so many flowers ready for display and deciding what to make or show.. Then I wonder what flowers I will demo and what to bring..and the big concern will I forget the most important things like my gumpaste???

The day arrives and it all just seems to work out fine. I did make many flowers for display that I offer classes on, and brought some flowers I just love to make and share.

On the first day of the fair I had set all of the flowers up behind me on long tables  that was provided. They didn't have the glass cabinet just yet.

Day 1 of the Orange County Fair

The next day the cabinet arrived and I set up all the flowers in it which I though looked pretty good..

Display is improving....

But, the following day I was given cake stands and plates which just made the display of the sugar flowers just POP...I was very happy!!!

Final Display of gumpaste flowers...

 More people actually noticed them in the case and stopped by to see what I was doing.

Note to self " buy a few cake stands and plates for displaying"

Thanks to everyone who stops by to just look, asks questions or to see my demo...
 

Love to share the art of sugar flowers

Gumpaste Class Hibiscus and Plumeria

Last week was part 2 of the Plumeria and Hibiscus gumpaste class. I had a great time teaching the ladies who took my class and they were awesome students.

I believe none of the students had any prior experience using gumpaste and found my class either seeing me at the Orange County Fair doing the demo or the school catalog and being curious about it. I am glad to share this fantastic art in sugar and hope they continue on.

We started in week 1 making all the petals for both flowers since they have to dry before adding the petal dust and assembling.  I went over the tools a bit and how to use them and what they do. I then gave a demo on how to make, cut and shape the petals. Then everyone started working as I assisted or explained what they could do to make it different or help fix mishaps.

The interesting thing about teaching for me is I just do certain things to create the petals I don't explain. Not that I don't want to or think it is important, it is just that I do them, not thinking about it. I must have wondered or asked many questions when I started out.

Everyone made their petals using the same few cutters and we had all similar petals but with slight differences. I loved that since flowers are not all alike in real life and are much nicer when not all shaped the same. They all did a bang up job. The most important part is they all had fun!!! So, they told me.

Week 2 and now we get to add the petal dust and assemble them. This for me has always been my favorite part. This is where you get to make the flowers look lifelike and let the artist in you come out. I brought several colors to use, gave a demo on how to add the petal dust and some do's and don'ts from my own experience learning and then everyone began. Even with everyone using the same colors no two were alike. Isn't that great?

After adding the petal dust another brief demo about assembling them and using florist tape. This part just takes practice and will get easier as you do more. But, they all did great and assembled both flowers creating some fantastic Plumeria's and Hibiscus for their first time... I think they all turned out wonderful and again, having fun is what it is all about. I was very excited.

I think I am a true artist at heart. As much as I prepare I always leave something behind. This time it was a missing battery for my camera. I couldn't take any pictures and I am waiting for one of the ladies in class to send me some so I can post them. Mental note for next time is to check I have my camera with the all batteries.

I will post shortly more classes. The Chinese Peony and Stargazer Lily. They seem to be most popular.