I am about to get my license and I would love to be able to offer brides these toppers along with the cake. I was wondering if there was anyone who would be willing to share how they make them. There is a local bead store here who I am sure could tell me how to make them but I think if I offer them that would be competition and I'm not sure they would want to tell me. If anyone could help I would appreciate it soooo much. Thanks.

I have sen those in Bridal Magazines..they are expensive..
they are made of real Crystal, almost look like Diamonds..The ones I saw were mad by : Swarovski...

Either the bead store or Micheals or another craft store probably sells books on jewellery making and bead-crafting... look through those and you'll probably find something...

I suspect that half the battle is using the right gauge of wire and bending/forming it smoothly

Yes the swarovski monograms is what I would like to learn to make. They are just beautiful and I don't think anywhere else in town that does cakes offers them. There is a bead place where you could get them but I think people would like to get the cake and the topper at the same place. Anyone know how to make them?

Thanks MelC. I didn't think of getting a book on jewelry making. That is exactly what I am going to do. Thanks so much.

Godiva made a beautiful one on a cake of hers. Try PM'ing her and asking her. I don't think it's that difficult. I could be way off base! I've been wanting to try this too, such a beautiful touch!
Good luck and congrats on opening your shop!!!

I love those toppers too! And you're right on in thinking to offer them along with your cakes....just one less place to go & one less thing on a bride's list if they can get it from you! I do have one piece of advice, though: You may want to consider coming up with a more affordable version(s) of the ones made with Swarovski crystals. While there's no comparison to them, some people just can't afford what they cost. There's lots of options out there in less expensive crystals and/or beads, glass, etc. I'd really push/advertise the Swarovski ones, but if someone can't afford it you can offer the less expensive option & still make an "extra" sale! Good luck & post pics when you get some made!!

I made one by getting a cut out of the number then going to Michales and getting the jewel beads that are flat on one side then gluing them with clear glue. Oh I also spray painted the wood before I did anything. There is a picture in my bio. It was for a first birthday., They loved it. I know if you get on e-bay you can order the letters flat. Then I would just order crystals from them and gule them on. see how they look and then make changes from there. It will be chaper and a good option for them.

Oh Jenn has a good idea! They make some REALLY nice beads now! Maybe you could even coordinate them with the cake, different colors and such.

There is a place online that I would really recommend. May be cheaper than Michaels. I've noticed Michaels only sells smaller packages of the nice beads and here you can get larger packages. http://www.auntiesbeads.com/Home.aspx And if anyone is going to the 2006 ICES, this place has a store near where it's going to be held.

JennT - I agree with you about offering a cheaper option. I just really want to open up as trendy and different than the other cake place in town. Thanks for the advice.

Mamafrogcakes - Thanks for the info. I will try PMing her.

Smediagirl - Your number is really cute. Thanks for the info.

Hi, we have looked at these before, wishing for a way to make them less expensively. Take a look at www.craftcuts.com, they sell the letters in metal and plastic that you can glue the crystals on.

There is a good source for the crystals on eBay, the woman sells all sizes, colors, even mixed colors, sorry I don't remember her name, but she was pretty reasonable on them. Just search for swarovski crystals. HTH Janice

I almost forgot, some people have been making the letters out of royal icing, sugarpaste, etc., and adding the crystals, that seems to work pretty well too! Janice

Oooh...nice resource idea for the crystals, Janice!

Toddsgirl/Leslie: On those toppers...aren't the crystals usually in a "setting" of some sort? and then the settings are attched to each other in the shape of the initial or attached to a wire or other piece of metal in the shape of the initial? I wish I had one to look at for closer inspection lol If that's the case, then you could buy your crystals, Swarovski or other kind, put them in the settings, then sauder/solder (sp?) each of them together into the letters that you'd need. That would look very professional. Plus it would be a beautiful keepsake...justifying a higher price. (Maybe your DH could even help you out on them & whip 'em out in no time! lol) You could even offer a small stand of some sort or a hanging bracket attached to the back...to further promote the keepsake feature. I'd look to a jewelry/beading supply store for the settings, etc. Oh - and offering different fonts for them to choose from would be a plus, too.

Check out this website. I found it when I was needing a monogrammed cake topper. I never got to use them, but I have held onto the website for future reference. I think theirs are so beautiful and they are much cheaper than others that I have seen.

http://www.craftcuts.com/CAKE-TOPPERS.HTML

You could easily glue your oun crystals or beads on them to dress them up a bit, but I think they are beautiful as is.
Hope this helps!

Brandi

I think the wire is just bent and shaped to the letter and the beads are threaded on there. Then that is just put into the cake.

I guess I need to look into this more b/c I didn't think it would be that difficult or expensive?!

I like the look of the wires rather than glueing the beads on something. Just my 2 cents though Not worth much!

Here is a link to some expensive monogram cake toppers to compare with the other link I gave in another post.

http://www.advantagebridal.com/weandancaje.html

So pretty, but so expensive!

Here's a pretty good close-up showing the details of a simple spray...
http://www.couture-bridal.com/proddetail.asp?prod=C4017

I have to agree that it doesn't look all that difficult to me... then again, that attitude has been known to back me into a corner or two.

I've made 2 of these...One was for my sister and I use Swarski(sp) crystals and one I use rhinestones from Hobby lobby. Both time I just shaped my wire into the letter and then used gem glue to glue them to the wire. The crystals I boutht were not in mounts, they were just flatbacks.

Another good place to check for the crystals, especially if you are going to buy in quantities is Fire Mountain Gems. Their website is www.firemountaingems.com.
Good luck!
Leslie

Wow look at this place!!!

http://www.topperswithglitz.com/

Wilton has a new book out called Tiered Cakes. In the book they offer the monogram letters (metal/mirrored I think) with the spike as cake toppers. I am sure you could add the crystals or to the letters to dress them up. The book did not give a price, but you will have to purchase each letter separately.

Not to get off topic here but how do you like that book?? I saw that it was a new book and wondered about it.

mamafrogcakes

I like the book not only for the cakes but for all the new products that are coming out soon. For example, the mirrored/metal monogram letters, a globe (white round balls) cake stand and some other things I can't remember. I do not have the book here with me. As far as the cake design, they some nice ones, but nothing to knock your socks off.

http://www.sugarcreations.com/gallery1.htm
Here is a site that offers them, and her cakes are so gorgeous!

MommyEdzards - that is an awesome website and I see that have a linc to their sister website and they do their own toppers! Theirs is awesome!

One of my brides made her own by glueing onto wood. It was really great! (copper & black wedding colors)