Making the Column

• Take a small ball of paste and roll into a tear drop
• Insert a 22g wire into to pointy end
• Mold to wire making a point. Not too big so it is a good size for the petals
• Hallow out with a small rolling pin or similar, keeping the top smooth and round
• Leave to dry

Making the Throat

The throat is a bit trick and is best if you can look at a real flower or one on the internet before making this. You have to work fairly quickly before the past begins to dry, so cut out a couple of pieces in advance.

• Not necessary to cut out shape further but you can
• Soften edges while thinning out rounded shape to elongate a bit. Hallow out lightly to curve a bit
  

• Roll out 2 very thin pieces of paste about 1/2” long to attach
• Attach one to each side with a small drop egg white and press to attach
• Roll the tiny pieces back to curve around and just leave as they end up.
• They are very fragile so do not play with them too much
  

• Roll a tiny ball of paste to fit into the bottom portion as you see in the second picture
• With a sharp tool make a cut down the center and open up slightly.
• Smooth edges with your fingers and point both sides slightly
• Attach with a tiny drop of egg white

Shaping the Throat

• Next you want to curve the entireThroat inward. The sides curve in and the tip curves up
• Hold in your palm and gently curve pieces then lay them in the former to dry
• Reshape if they fall a bit during drying
  

It is hard to explain every detail in a mini turorial, but I believe this can get you started…

Surprise… I decided to post a basic mini tutorial on the Moth Orchid instead of only the finished flower. Being a very popular orchid request and very beautiful I think it is a good choice.

This is a basic mini tutorial since not all steps are shown or explained in detail.

Hope you enjoy it…

• Double sided moth orchid veiner,
• Moth Orchid cutter set,
• Apple trays or similar for drying,
• egg white, crisco, cornstarch,
• 26g wire,
• rolling pins,
• cups and formers (sometimes used)
• (depends if I want the petals very curved or not)

Making the Petals
This board has grooves so when you roll the gumpaste out it creates the ridge to insert the wire??.

• Roll the gumpaste out over the grooves, rolling high enough the cutter fits to cut out shape
• Remove and turn the gumpaste over so veining lines face up to see where to place cutter
• Place the bottom of the cutter down and centered over the vein
• Press down firmly to cut through the gumpaste, remove excess and wrap up
• Do the same for all 5 petals.
• Keep them under plastic to prevent them from drying out while working with them

  

• Lay the petal on a soft pad with the plain side up
• Soften the edges using the rolling pin along the edge of the gumpaste, don’t frill
• Place the petal in the veiner and press firmly. Might need to add some cornstarch it paste is tacky
• Lay the petal in a curved former plain side down. I use apple or avocado trays or similar
• Do the same with the rest of the petals. The wings, legs, and head using the appropriate veiners
• Leave to dry firm overnight

How I made the purple Dahlia from this photo…

What I do when I find a flower I want to make

• Don’t have the real flower then print the best photo or photos you can find.

• Look through your cutters to find one which would work best. You don’t always need to buy a cutter since many cutter sets have several components and with a little manipulation you can create the perfect petals shapes.

• I then do the same with the veiner. Find one which looks like it is a somewhat close match if not perfect one. Not all flowers are veined but if they are it is nice to add that extra touch.

• Next, I gather all my supplies, the cutters and veiners, photos or real plant and just start making petals. I make a few different variations and match them to the photo or plant to see if they look right. Once I am happy with the petals I make them all

Some things to remember if you don’t have instructions and are making them the first time…

• Have the real flower or photo with you for reference

• Write instructions as you make the flower!! I am guilty of not always doing this thinking I won’t make this flower again. You just never know.

• Don’t forget to write the petal dust colors and how you applied it in case you need to make more.

I couldn’t wrap the wires like usual since I couldn’t turn the lei I had to just wrap the tape around and keep the lei still. It was a bit difficult and slow going but I did it all without breaking any flowers.

I took this photo on a straw hat for display.

I am brand new to this site which I assume is to post about cake entries and all related…I am a sugar artist who makes sugar flowers.. It is my passion and there is never enough time in my day to spend making them. I started as a cake and cookie decorator UNTIL I took one class with Nicholas Lodge making a gumpaste rose.. The rest is really history. I am a very detailed person and loved how you can take a ball of paste and make a life like flower with it.. Adding the color is the best part I believe since that is the part that really brings the flower to life.. Of course it is also the shaping of the petals and the tiniest of details to add, but the dusting of the colors is what I think gives it that final push of realism.

I was making them for fun for a very long time and started to sell them. Then I began supplying shops with custom flowers and began teaching. Teaching is what I love the most. I have taught people without any gumpaste experience to those who do have it.. I give very detailed instruction so you too can go home with a fantastic life like flower.. YES, even those without any prior experience. I tell everyone the only thing you really need is patient. Making gumpaste flowers aren’t made quickly, but the end result is definitely worth the wait.

here is a sample of some flowers I recently made