This was a last minute commission for a Baroness (eek!) who was celebrating her 40th birthday at the weekend.

I took inspiration from the venue (British Institute at Carlton House Terrace) and designed the cake tiers around its neo-classical architecture – lots of pillars, high ceilings, high-relief stone friezes of cavorting angels, etc).

The bottom tier is 6" tall and wrapped with an angel frieze (Rosgar impression roller – amazing roller!!!). I then used Marvelous Molds Swirls and Flourishes, pearl molds, clay extruder, border cutters, etc to build up this and the other panels. Topped off with tapered candles wrapped with wired crystals.

The cake was handpainted to age/antique it using Edable Art Dove Grey and Squires White Bridal Satin lustre dust mixed with vodka (a swig for the cake, a swig for me).

We cut ivy using a PME pluge cutter and stuck these onto the pillars to embelish them and also take away the shiny plastic look. Next time I would use plaster pillars, but didn’t have the time to source these.