Teaching gumpaste flowers

Would you like to learn gumpaste flowers and decorated cookies?

I am getting an interest list of those who would like to learn how to make gumpaste flowers. I am planning to teach here in Huntington Beach, CA if I am able to get enough people who are interested.

Although I don't post the decorated cookies I make I am also planning on teaching that as well. You can see what I do on my website www.shailesedibleart.com.

If you know anyone in the Orange County, CA area please let them know. Meanwhile, I am working on some new sugar flowers and hope to have them posted in the next week or so...

What sugar flower should I make?

That is always the hard decision for me because I want to make so many. I don't like to make just one of a flower and it sometimes takes a few to get them to look just like I want them. Although I have books I look at for many of the flowers, I do like to tweek them a bit. Then, I forget to write down what I did for the next time. I don't write the colors down I use either because I like them to be just a bit different each time. So, now I have been thinking of making the Cherry Blossom, Sweet Peas, or another Orchid. Since Christmas is coming I am wondering if I should make some Christmas flowers. Maybe I can find a shop in the mall who will let me display them. I really won't know what sugar flower I will make until I start, since being artistic I never stick to my plans.. it will be a surprise what I post..

Colette's Catering Extraordinaire

Working with Colette's Catering in Orange County, California

I am very excited about working with Colette's Catering in Orange County, California.  http://www.colettescakegoddess.com/ 

She is now offering my gumpaste flowers to her clients and has dedicated an entire page to show my work.   I can't tell you enough how wonderful it is to know the gumpaste flowers I create are now another option for her clients to consider as part of their cake design. Her cakes are simply fantastic and I love that the gumpaste flowers I create can be part of them.

Please visit the page of my gumpaste flowers when you are looking at her site.

 www.colettescakegoddess.com/portfolio_sugar_flowers/portfolio_sugar.html.

Please also visit her blog  http://meridianclub.blogspot.com/ 

Colette's Catering in Orange County, California.

Succulents are becoming popular

When I made my first succulent arrangement I did so because I liked the look and I thought to myself can a gumpaste succulent really look real?? Well, it took me a few tries to get the look I was going for and to figure out how thick to make each petal so it wouldn't be too heavy when added to a cake. Amazingly, they are very light and I think they look fantastic as an arrangement on a cake.

Succulents and Kumquats

This one I added to the top tier was my first attempt and I was so excited it turned out so nicely I have since made more. Now, I am going to look for different types and colors of succulents and make a variety of them since I really do like how they look on cakes..



I am also very excited about working with Colette's Catering who is now selling my gumpaste flowers. http://www.colettescakegoddess.com/

Damask design with succulent


She liked the succulents and asked for a sample cake for her display showroom with a damask look. This is what I came up with and it all fits together very nicely.







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Bougainvillea and Orchid cake

A cake designed around the sugar flowers



bougainvilleas, plumeria, cymbidium

This cake design came from the stenciling and applique work I have seen on several cakes on other blogs and magazines.  Adding a side design to match the sugar flowers used worked out well since I already had the cutters.

Bougainvillea cake

The top tier I wanted to keep fairly plain being so close to the sugar flowers so adding  a few bougainvillea petals and keeping them uniform made a nice simple design. The bottom tier would be the orchids with a bit more of flowing design and the addition of some color, texture and shape.   After I added the pearl borders I thought it all came together nicely...