Onion Domes For Russian Cathedral??
Decorating By ButtercupMama Updated 6 May 2010 , 9:48pm by ButtercupMama
Hello! I have been stressing about doing this cake since it was ordered, and I'm still not sure how I'm going to do it.
I have to make a replica of Smolny Cathedral in Russia for a wedding.
Link to picture:
http://www.aditours.com/photos/Smolny%20Cathedral%20Outside%20for%202007%20Festival.jpg
This building has five of what I've heard referred to as onion domes. (The back of the building mirrors the front) To be honest, I am not sure how I'll do the rest. The bride just asked me to do my best.
I tried sculpting styrofoam cones into the domes, but no good. Has anyone done anything like this before??
It's going to be 165 servings, so there will be a big sheet cake underneath. I plan to make the main part of the building out of cake, but the towers can be totally fake-ola!
TIA
Ace of Cakes/Charm City Cakes did St. Basil's Cathedral. If I remember correctly they carved the onion-domes from styrofoam and made a mold/pieced gumpaste around so it was hollow when assembled. I don't know if you could find a video of them making it to see how they carved them down.
Ace of Cakes/Charm City Cakes did St. Basil's Cathedral. If I remember correctly they carved the onion-domes from styrofoam and made a mold/pieced gumpaste around so it was hollow when assembled. I don't know if you could find a video of them making it to see how they carved them down.
I was just about to say the same thing. The episode aired this year and is fairly recent, so you may be able to find it online. They did use a power tool to shape the Styrofoam, which may be easier than doing it by hand. If that doesn't work maybe you could try RKT?
ETA:
I randomly stumbled upon this...
http://www.craftsforkids.com/projects/1300/1308/1308_1.htm
(scroll down to the part with the styrofoam ball).
Seems like an easy way to make a mold or you can just cover it with gumpaste/fondant if everything doesn't need to be edible.
Hmm, those ideas aren't too bad! 
I did buy a styro tool, but just made a melty mess. I always tell me customers that I won't do cakes that require power tools. (he he he)
So I don't think I want to go Duff-style on it, but I am going to look for that episode just for any other tidbits I might pick up!
I like the idea of rice krispies... I was actually thinking of doing this for the four towers because I want to keep them really lightweight.
And the kids craft link was a good idea too! I might try both and see what yields the best results.
I also found some tooled wooden pieces I might be able to use; I'm just worried about weight.
I really appreciate the input; having multiple ideas to try incase something doesn't work is comforting!!!
(Boy, will I be glad when this one is over.) 
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