I'm new at CakeCentral and rather than searching through the thousands of older posts I decided to make a new one to save time.

I am making my first wedding cake for my sister next week. She wants a 5 tier cake with a branch that goes up the cake (kind of like the cherry blossom cakes). I'm making all the decorations out of chocolate modeling clay/gumpaste blend.

My question is how to do the branch. I made some home-made chocolate modeling clay/gumpaste blend and tested it out today. I made the branch first out of craft wire, then I wrapped the clay around that. It didn't look the smoothest, and it was difficult to put on my model cake. I think the clay was too soft. I'm wondering if I should just use chocolate clay and not blend it with the gumpaste.

I'd like to know how some of ya'll might have done yours. I know for sure I don't want to make the branch out of buttercream or royal icing.