Tutorial: How to make a gemmed monogram topper

I just put together this tutorial since I've had a lot of requests for photos on how I did the rhinestone monograms in my photos. I sell these for $10.00 and they're about 4"-5" high and they cost me around $3.00 to make, and maybe half an hour. I began offering these when I was doing $99 wedding cakes as a cheaper alternative for brides on a budget. They are thin and cheap, but I let the brides know that. These are not those fancy shmancy toppers that cost hundreds of dollars (i'm sure those are better quality than these)...but for those of you that wanted to know, or want to offer a low cost option to your brides, here goes.

This particular one is for a bride and groom who's first names start with E and K.

Ok, I see the directions didn't post with the photos all the way

1. Things you need: metal (I use aluminum), scissors, scotch tape, and your paper template.

2. Paper pattern all cut out, you'll notice 2 tabs at the bottom, this is the part that will go into the cake (if you don't feel it's secure enough with those tabs then you can glue some wooden skewers to the backs of the tabs and insert those into the cake, it looks nicer to have the tabs verses having wooden skewers going all the way up the back of the letter, just in case the back of the cake is viewed)

3. Using scotch tape, tape your pattern down onto the metal sheet making sure all edges are taped securely so it doesn't move when you're cutting it out.

4. Now you have your piece of metal, on to the gemming process.

5. Things you need to put the gems on. Gems of course (I used rhinestones from the craft store 1.99 for 144 pcs. I used 2 different sizes as well), glue that dries clear (in case you're not neat) and one that says it's good for metal and gemstones, mine is also flexible which is nice if the topper gets bent the gems don't pop off), and most importantly but not pictured you need a toothpick!

6. Using your toothpick spread a little glue onto the monogram (I put a blob of glue on my work surface and dip into that), then use the same toothpick to gently pick up the gemstones (make sure you don't have too much glue on the toothpick or it will dull the shine of the gem) and put them in place on the monogram. I used smaller gems for areas that were odd shaped and the larger ones wouldn't fit.

7. Once you're done, let it dry per your glue's instructions and you have yourself a cute little topper in no time!

The E is for the groom (Eric) and the K is for the bride (Karen)...generally I would suggest the bride go first, but this is what they asked for

" An E and K connected and a little fancy, but not too fancy and curly with the font" then the groom sketched quickly an E and K that were one higher than the other like that, so I figured out a way to connect them so they flowed better.


As for the food safe aluminum, there is a thread on here where someone posted a company that sells the food grade aluminum, I just use aluminum flashing from the hardware store (not food grade) and wrap the little tabs in packaging tape before inserting into the cake. I'm sure someone will say that the packaging tape isn't much better, but I've never had anyone get sick.....oh and I use clear contact paper all the time too and nobody has EVEr died...........YET!