Ok all,

Every year I go to an ornament party. The rules are only that the ornament must be hand made. I will need to make 10 ornaments this year. I thought I might combine my hobby into it this year and make tiny "cake" ornaments. Keeping in mind it must be semi quick to make (doesn't have to be super quick) not too expensive, and materials must be able to really last. Can anyone out there give me suggestions as to how to make (materials). I wondered about going about it like people do the dummy cakes, but b/c it is miniature I wasn't sure what I could use for the dummies? (is there something already pre-existing out there?) Then would my best bet be to use gumpaste? ANY and ALL suggestions are welcome! THANKS IN ADVANCE!
steph88
PS If it isn't too much trouble, would you mind Pm'ing me with any thoughts? That way I could find them faster and easier!

My PM's aren't working right now for some reason, so I hope you get this... Maybe you could purchase styrofoam spheres from Michaels or AC Moore (or any craft store nearby), cover them in fondant, with RI, gumpaste, or fondant decor? I would stay away from buttercream, b/c if you need them to last a while, BC will most likely go bad and separate. Just remember to spread a thin layer of shortening on the styrofoam before you cover it - it gives the fondant something to hold on to!
Also, there are many, many great pictures on this site of design ideas and inspiration if you ever run short on ideas.
Good luck!

Just sent you a PM but in case you don't get it I would use joint compund for the icing. It dries hard and can be sanded smooth and painted. It can also be thinned with water.

try these

I'm making these again this year

http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-53775-chocolate.html+ornaments

If you can't cut the styrofoam cleanly enough- maybe pipe disks of meringue and smooth them into the little cake layers. Or if you want non- perishable- try that expanding foam that you get from the hardware store. Once it is dry you can cut it and sand it and it would be light weight for an ornament. Then use the joint compound/ spackle for the icing, and glitter, etc. In fact, you have inspired me to maybe try something like this to use as my package decorations this year (always decorate with ornaments or something reusable). Good luck, and post pics when you are done!