Hi, I'm new to gumpaste. I tried it this weekend and was very frustrated. What are the secrets to using gumpaste? I love working with fondant - so much easier to me. Anyway, my problems with gumpaste 1) it seems sticky, 2) It dries VERY fast, 3) it would not thin out for me using the tools, maybe due to #2. Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated!! I have the tool set and the cutouts and booklet from Wilton. I have also watched rose making on youtube, but the cutters did not come with the same cutter that I saw used on the tutorial. Thanks, Karen

Knead a tiny bit of crisco into your gumpaste to help with stickiness.

The wilton rose cutters suck. Save yourself the frustration and order a real 5 petal rose cutter...either Jem or PME.

What kind of tool were you using to thin the gumpaste? If it's the little wooden sticks that come in the Wilton gumpaste flower kit, when you're ordering the rose cutter, also order a ball tool, either metal or plastic

The smaller flowers in the Wilton set are useful. I've had those cutters for 10 years and get plenty of use out of the small flowers for making filler flowers, so don't feel like it was a total waste of money.

I agree with the post above I went out and got the Wilton set thinking I was all set to go...as it turned out I wasn't. The rose cutters do suck and as a result I hand make mine now lol The small cutters however are great and work for lots of different things. I know Wilton sells a different set of gumpaste tools as well those are also handy to have. They are plastic and come in a whole bunch of colors. I hated gumpaste at first but I have to say that it has become a favorite of mine to work with for its versatility and its durability.

Thanks so much ladies!! I feel better now. I do have the tool set with the ball tool, the plastic one, and I love using those with the fondant. And, yes, I was using the sticks that came with the set -LOL. I definitely will get the rose cutter, but am unable to find it in the local store of course. What is Jem and PME - brand names of the cutter? Maybe Google will answer that question if I try it.

Thanks again for the answers!!
Karen

Okay, I just did Google those and which one do you prefer using because I found them both on the same site. The PME are less expensive, but I've seen the Jem one used on Youtube.

Thanks!

http://www.globalsugarart.com/product.php?id=17033&name=JEM%20100mm%20Easy%20Rose%20Cutter

They make different sizes. I wish I had them all but I have three sizes and that works pretty well. The 110mm size makes really big roses so you don't have to make as many.

I have the Jem ones because that's what I can buy locally, plus they're the ones I saw used in the video I watched.

When you're ordering rose cutters, you might want to order some tylose and make your own gumpaste. I really like Nicholas Lodge's recipe. It's easy to make and has more body than other gumpaste I've tried using (the wilton recipe and satin ice premade).

You are awesome!! Thanks so much!