hello, i was wondering if someone can give me some advice about what to use to make about a four inch sitting down teddy bear that will go on top of a cake. i don't know if i should use fondant or gumpaste. have never made one before and would appreciate any advice. thanks in advance.

A 50/50 mix would probably be best.
The fondant will dry slow; the gp will give it strength and help it dry harder.
A 4"er is a b it big. You may need to use a sucker stick to help support it. You could stick it down into some styro so you have an inch or two to stick into the cake when it is finished.

ok!! duh! hehe thnx!!!

I made this bear (see attached picture) out of fondant. She was too heavy though and I would suggest either doweling her in or hollowing out the bottom a little. She wanted to lean back all the time. I would also use 50/50 mix next time so it would dry faster.

Live and learn right? And ask lots of questions here.

Suzanne

thnx so much suzanne, i was wondering about the weight of it and thinking of running a dowel underneath and running it through the cake. the cake will be a two tier cake. i also thought of using styrofoam or rkt to make the body and wrap the mix of fondant and gumpaste around it. what do you think??? i appreciate you two giving me advice. still pretty new at all this and dont know all the tricks of the trade, but i am determined to learn and ask lots of questions, hehe! oh and love the cake you posted, soooo pretty! thnx again!!!

I think the dowel idea is a good idea. I usually put a long sharpened dowel down through a two tiered cake into the cake board on the bottom to keep the top tier from sliding. You could just make it longer and set the bear on top of it firmly holding him in place.

I'm not sure about the styrofoam - it would probably work but I've never tried it.

Good luck to you and thanks for the compliment on my cake,
Suzanne

There is a great video tutorial by aine2 in the article section on how to make a teddy bear.

http://www.cakecentral.com/article176-How-to-make-a-tiny-teddy-bear.html

Thank you all for giving me advice. I truly appreciate it. I am going to try and post the pic of the bear i did. my first time making one, but i think it came out ok.

Very Cute I love your cake and your Bear looks awsome

Molly

Thank you so much Molly2! Means alot coming from another cake decorator!!

The teddy turned out sooo cute!! I've not tried to do any 3d figures yet and don't think I could do that good my 1st time. Great Job!!

Thnk you so much hcouso! so neat to get compliments from others who are way better than myself.

I think the bear and the cake looks great!

thank you pumpkin roses!!

When working on your 3d figures pretend you are a kid playing with play dough.

Both cakes are adorable. I love making little bears from fondant and gum paste. I myself am working on a baby shower cake with a Monkey on it- It is to represent Curious George.

I think it turned out great! What did you end up doing? Doweling it in? Using styrofoam? What worked for you? It really ended up being quite lovely.

Great cake,
Suzanne