Having the right tools...The Turn Table!

In order to get a job done well, one must have the proper tools! This was a message taught daily growing up in my household. “You can achieve perfection with ease if you have the right tools, however you will have a difficult time if you are ill prepared” both my mother AND father would say. The older I get, the more I understand the seeds of brilliance they sowed.

A necessary tool for any artistic baker, who is attempting to achieve perfection, is a Turn Table.
3.
a rotating stand used in sculpture, metalwork, and ceramics.

Use this tool every time you are icing or decorating a cake and or cupcakes. It allows you to easily see 360 degrees, while getting to every cake destination. Place it on any sturdy flat surface, then place your cake on the top of the stand… and get to spinning! You may not be a real DJ, but your final product will create a heart song that will give you happy feet.

My turntable of choice is the Wilton White Rotating Cake Stand ~11 Inch Decorating Turntable/Cake Server

Now get to spinning!

All Things Luster Dust

All things Luster Dust!

One of my favorite things about being a girl… is the ability to indulge in the luster.
Luster: definition (dictionary.com)
1.
The state or quality of shining by reflecting light; glitter, sparkle, sheen, or gloss: the luster of satin.
3.
Radiant or luminous brightness; brilliance; radiance.
4.
Radiance of beauty, excellence, merit, distinction, or glory: achievements that add luster to one's name.

Luster dust is an edible pixie powder in a small container. A tiny application can have a major impact on your final work of art. It is the sparkle on the fine details that creates the wow factor we all look to achieve.

You should only apply luster dust to dry Fondant, Gum Paste, Modeling Chocolate, or Marzipan. If you are looking for a glitter, shine, or that special pop, it’s time to pick it up and put it to use. It can be the sheen on the outer petals of your flower, the bronzing affect on cherub’s cheeks, or a luminous gloss added on your entire cake.


So how do you use it? There are two different application methods I utilize.

Items Needed
1. Dry item that will be dusted
2. Food grade paint brush that is the size and shape needed
3. Luster Dust in the color of your choice (C&K or PFeil & Holding)

Luster Dust with no wet or dry additives
You can use many different size and style brushes, based on your desired outcome. Just like for painting or for makeup each brush can create a different look. Stroke the surface of the object, as if you were painting on the dust. Often the luster dust adheres to the surface as if painted on, but every now and then you may have to use application technique #2.

Items Needed
1. Dry item that will be dusted
2. Food grade paint brush that is the size and shape needed
3. Luster Dust in the color of your choice (C&K or PFeil & Holing)
4. Clear Alcohol based flavoring of your choice

Luster Dust with Alcohol based flavoring
In this method we utilize alcohol-based flavoring with the dust to literally paint on the luster dust. Again in your best painters stroke, apply the luster dust. The color under this method is more robust, but the luster is slightly lost in the sauce (literally).

So now you’ve got the decorating basics that can get your pieces poppin!