If your just getting started in creating gumpaste figurines you may have some questions, below are some of the most asked fondant/gumpaste questions that I receive almost daily.....read on for the answers to those questions.

How long in advance can a gumpaste figurine  be made up before an event?

Figurines can be made up ahead of time with out any problems. I always make my figurines up ahead of time so that they can setup properly. I make them up at times several months ahead, and if it is for a particular cake that I have coming up then I have done them the same day I created the cake itself as well. It just depends on your schedule. It is best to make them up at least a week ahead of time so that they can firm up before you do the cake itself.

Can I put a gumpaste figurine or cake topper in the refrigerator?

It is not a good idea to put a figurine that is made with fondant or gumpaste in the refreigerator due to the condensation, it can cause the figurine to fall apart and get very soft. It is best to put gumpaste figurines in a container and store them in a cool, dry place.

Can I use Marshmallow Fondant to make figurines?

You can use marshmallow fondant, however it is a very soft fondant and will sag and may not hold the shape very well so it really is not a great fondant for making figurines but I guess it depends upon what you are making.

How long can I keep a fondant/gumpaste figurine before it starts to decay?

Gumpaste figurines can be kept indefinately as long as they are properly stored, I have figurines that are now a year old. I store them in a plastic container with a lid. Then I keep that container in a cool dry place. If they are exposed to alot of moisture or condensation this can cause them to break down. Because gumpaste and fondant is made mostly of sugar this acts as a preservative and this is what keeps the figurines fron molding or rotting.

Why do my gumpaste figurines have large cracks in them once they have setup and dried?

From my experience gumpaste is made to dry very quickly therefore it is best when rolled out very thin such as when creating gumpaste flowers. What happens is, when you create a figurine with gumpaste it dries from the inside out and rather quickly. This process causes the cracks and problems in your gumpaste. This is the main reason I do not like to use a pre-made commercial gumpaste very much.

What fondant and or gumpaste do you use to create your figurines Donna?

I use Wilton fondant mixed with tylose powder to create my figurines. I always use the white fondant, never the pre-made colored because once fondant has had color added to it the consistency changes and makes it very difficult to sculpt into smooth shapes without cracks  and such.  At times I also use a 50/50 mixture of commercial fondant and gumpaste to create my figurines.

What should I use to glue my figuines together?

Water works very well to glues arms, legs, head, clothing together.  There is an Edible Glue that you can also use to glue your figurine pieces together. It is called gum glue/edible glue and is very simple to make.