I cut copy paper boxes and keep the bottoms for 1/4 sheet boards.
I make my own cookie cutters out of aluminum flashing.....I get a 6' roll at Home Depot for like 3 bucks and use less than a foot to make about 5 cookie cutters (because of a 6" width on the flashing).....so basically I'm getting about 30 cookie cutters for 3 dollars.......that saves a ton of money, especially with shipping charges on some cookie cutters. I can go from printing out a design on the net to cutting out cookies in 24hrs. Unless they're really intricate designs I won't bother buying cookie cutters. I have made onesies, bottles, clouds, raindrops,umbrellas, rattles, flowers, circles, squares, you name it......and nobody would ever know the difference.
Oh, I love all of the tips! Keep 'em coming! How do you make your cookie cutters KHalstead?
I need a musical note cutter today and I don't care for the ones I found at my local cake store or cookie cutter shop. Any input as to what I could improvise with outside of carving it myself. I tried that and am not thrilled with the edges on the round part.
I make my own cookie cutters out of aluminum flashing.....I get a 6' roll at Home Depot for like 3 bucks and use less than a foot to make about 5 cookie cutters (because of a 6" width on the flashing).....so basically I'm getting about 30 cookie cutters for 3 dollars.......that saves a ton of money, especially with shipping charges on some cookie cutters. I can go from printing out a design on the net to cutting out cookies in 24hrs. Unless they're really intricate designs I won't bother buying cookie cutters. I have made onesies, bottles, clouds, raindrops,umbrellas, rattles, flowers, circles, squares, you name it......and nobody would ever know the difference.
Do you solder the edges together? What about folding the top of the cookie cutter? I'd love to know how you do it. Thanks!
Since I make a ton of cakes for the Naval hospital, my husband bought a sheet of 1/2 " plywood from Home Depot and had them cut it into appropriate sizes for all my sheets including some squares! The whole sheet cost $26.00! We have prearranged a place to return my cake boards and I just pick them up later that day or the next day. My phone and name are on them as well! It has saved me a ton of money in cardboards or foam core (all though I still use the foam core sometimes). I don't remember the last time I used cake cardboards except to assist in torting my sheet cakes!
Amy
I make my own cookie cutters out of aluminum flashing.....I get a 6' roll at Home Depot for like 3 bucks and use less than a foot to make about 5 cookie cutters (because of a 6" width on the flashing).....so basically I'm getting about 30 cookie cutters for 3 dollars.......that saves a ton of money, especially with shipping charges on some cookie cutters. I can go from printing out a design on the net to cutting out cookies in 24hrs. Unless they're really intricate designs I won't bother buying cookie cutters. I have made onesies, bottles, clouds, raindrops,umbrellas, rattles, flowers, circles, squares, you name it......and nobody would ever know the difference.
Great tip. How do you shape them? Any specific tools needed?
Oh, I love all of the tips! Keep 'em coming! How do you make your cookie cutters KHalstead?
I just use an old pair of scissors and cut the flashing into long strips about 1-2" wide. Then I print out a photo of what I want the cutter shape to be, in the size I want it to be. Then I take a piece of string and lay it on the lines of the shape and add about 2" in order to measure how long the flashing needs to be. Then once I have the length, I just bend it with my fingers, sometimes I use a pencil or dowel and plyers to bend, crease and shape it following the paper pattern. Then when I get to the end I use a non toxic adhesive that's called "cold weld" it's a two part epoxy type stuff you mix the two part...slather some on the two ends you're joining, then put some clips on it and let it cure overnight. I throw them in the dishwasher every time I use them and some I've had for a year or more and haven't had any problems. They also make a double sided type of tape by 3M that you can use, my Home Depot doesn't carry it but most do. There is also something called a rivot gun that allows you to rivet the two ends of the metal together if you choose. Hope that helps you guys. I've had great luck making my own.
Ok....this is super tacky so please don't flame me, but I had a friend who ordered a bunch of shipping bozed from USPS and didn't use them....they came fresh in a case. So she gave them to me but they are way to huge for me to use either. (If I ship big things, I send them parcel not priority).
Anyway, I was going to chuck them and noticed that they are so big that you can literally cut 2 10-12" circles out of each box from the white area and they are coated and everything.....
Yes, I know....they are not food safe but when I am making my kids birthday cakes and stuff ( all 5 are from Dec to April ) I use these as my coated cake boards. I also found that these were rather sturdy and handy for transporting cakes.....
Another good one are those cardboard file boxes they sell in the office supply stores...the lids and the boxes them selves are nice for transporting cakes. (Not actually giving the cake in them - just getting them from point A to point B).
Oh, I love all of the tips! Keep 'em coming! How do you make your cookie cutters KHalstead?
I just use an old pair of scissors and cut the flashing into long strips about 1-2" wide. Then I print out a photo of what I want the cutter shape to be, in the size I want it to be. Then I take a piece of string and lay it on the lines of the shape and add about 2" in order to measure how long the flashing needs to be. Then once I have the length, I just bend it with my fingers, sometimes I use a pencil or dowel and plyers to bend, crease and shape it following the paper pattern. Then when I get to the end I use a non toxic adhesive that's called "cold weld" it's a two part epoxy type stuff you mix the two part...slather some on the two ends you're joining, then put some clips on it and let it cure overnight. I throw them in the dishwasher every time I use them and some I've had for a year or more and haven't had any problems. They also make a double sided type of tape by 3M that you can use, my Home Depot doesn't carry it but most do. There is also something called a rivot gun that allows you to rivet the two ends of the metal together if you choose. Hope that helps you guys. I've had great luck making my own.
For some reason it wouldn't let me edit.....I just wanted to add that the "cold weld" material I use says non-toxic.......I have no idea if there is any potential danger in using it....I myself have had no issues with it.....but if there is some concern I suggest using the 3M brand double sided tape that's meant to adhere metals together. I think it works the same, once you tape it ..it needs to rest in order to "cure" for permanency.
re cookie cutters.... a friend of mine has a business called steel craft...he makes gates and stuff. i called him re the flashing and he says i am to drop of a pic of what i want and he will make them for me.
yipee.
wish I had a friend like that!! 
I have resorted to cleaning and re-using cookie & deli trays/cover from office functions! 
That cookie cutter idea sounds like a good one. Do you fold over the top edge so that it isn't sharp? Also, have you tried using tin snips?
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