Platinum Paste, I'm In Love!

Decorating By TexasSugar Updated 7 Nov 2014 , 8:23pm by JWinslow

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TexasSugar Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 8:29pm
post #1 of 62

I took a class with Ruth Rickey this last weekend and we made an assortment of flowers using Platinum paste. It was amazing how you could accidentally knock a flower over and it still be perfect.

Oh my way home going down the Interstate I had a situation where everyone on the interstate had to slam on their brakes. I was completely surprised that no one ran into anyone. Everything in my front seat ended up on the floor board.

Thankfully my box of flowers were behind the driver's seat so their were nothing to fall on them.

When I got home I was scared to even look in the box. When they were boxed up, cocktail sticks were used to wrap the 'stems' but some of the flowers were very close to each other, and there wasn't a lot of padding around everything.

I was completely shocked when I opened the box and not a single flower petal was broken.

Needless to say I made an order for Platinum paste this morning. icon_smile.gif

61 replies
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tiptop57 Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 8:48pm
post #2 of 62

Where would I find it?

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live2create Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 8:49pm
post #3 of 62

Please explain the Platinum Paste and can it be used for figurines also and where can it be purchased.

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TexasSugar Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 8:51pm
post #4 of 62

http://www.avenueschoices.com/acatalog/Pastes_and_Flower_glazes.html

I went ahead and ordered the larger one, since I was told you can freeze it, and it works out cheaper that way.

It was great to work with. We never dusted the placements we were working on, never had to use any crisco, just got some out of the container and away we went.

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Shelley51708 Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 8:54pm
post #5 of 62

is it like gumpaste?

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TexasSugar Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 8:55pm
post #6 of 62

http://www.facebook.com/tracy.suki#!/photo.php?fbid=1899929107362&set=a.1275975348908.2036506.1515707372&type=1&theater

I haven't uploaded any pictures on here yet, since I need to take some good ones with my camera (low batteries), and not my phone. But the above is the link to where I have them posted on facebook. We made 7 flowers total and ivy. I need to finish dusting my Ivy.

I will say, if anyone ever gets to take a class with Ruth, do it! It is so worth it! All of the flowers were white when we made them, and she shows you how to dust them to bring them to life. If you scroll a few pics to the left on the above link you will see my messy dusting area, but what a difference it makes in the finished products!

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tiptop57 Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 8:57pm
post #7 of 62

Thanks TexasSugar - I'll give it a go.

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TexasSugar Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 9:07pm
post #8 of 62

It is like gumpaste, used to make flowers.

I'm not sure about making figures with it. I generally don't use straight gumpaste for that myself.

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playingwithsugar Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 9:09pm
post #9 of 62

I know a few master cake artists who swear by platinum paste. I guess it's time for me to try some, huh?

Theresa icon_smile.gif

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louanne Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 9:11pm
post #10 of 62

is it easy to work with as far as drying out too fast, and did you roll by hand or use a pasta machine??? i am wondering how well it runs through a pasta roller. i am going to have to look into this, my girls are having trouble using the gumpaste and we have tried several premades and making our own, i seem to be able to make do with whatever but i would like to find something that will be easy for them since they will be the primary flower makers before long. BTW your flowers are beautiful!

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TexasSugar Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 9:11pm
post #11 of 62

I'm a convert! That's for sure! I can't wait to get it so I can start playing with it so more.

http://www.sugarcity.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_paste_5.html

This website also carries it, if anyone is on that side of the ocean and wants to try it out. icon_smile.gif

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playingwithsugar Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 9:15pm
post #12 of 62

Now's a good time to buy from over there, too. I follow currency exchange rates, and the USD to GBP rate is the best I've seen since I started buying supplies over there.

Shipping via royal air mail for anything not printed (books, magazines, etc) is really inexpensive, too.

Thanks for the info & link, TexasSugar!

Theresa icon_smile.gif

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sweetflowers Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 9:15pm
post #13 of 62

I've used it, and I do like it. I did notice I could get my flowers much more delicate, but it's so expensive compared to gumpaste...

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TexasSugar Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 9:16pm
post #14 of 62

Like gumpaste, you do have to work quickly with it, because it does dry out pretty fast. We made petals in the morning and were dusting them and putting the flowers together in the afternoon.

I'm not sure about the pasta machine as we rolled it out by hand.

And thank you!

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DH2008 Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 9:33pm
post #15 of 62

Is it edible? icon_razz.gif

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TexasSugar Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 9:38pm
post #16 of 62

Yes it's edible. But because it is used for flowers where you are using wires then I wouldn't suggest anyone actually eat the flowers.

The Sugar City link shows a picture of the container. It tells you what it is made from.

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bobwonderbuns Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 10:06pm
post #17 of 62

You know it's funny, I know Dianne well and I've worked with the platinum paste before and frankly I can't stand the stuff! icon_lol.gif I know I know, to each his own. I prefer gumpaste. But hey, to those who like doing gumpaste flowers, I would suggest getting some platinum paste and doing a few flowers the same way out of that -- it gives you a much longer drying time which lets you play with it longer and according to a friend of mine, the flowers have a more natural bend to them. Personally I disagree, but hey, try it and see. That's what I tell all my students. What works for you might night work for me. icon_biggrin.gif

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TexasSugar Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 10:11pm
post #18 of 62

Oh I agree, not everyone will love it. Ruth also mentioned that her shop uses ChocoPan Gumpaste. One of the girls has trouble using the Platinum paste cause it gets sticky on her.

I do think it is worth trying it out. After using it, and having the experience I did coming home, I'm a believer in it.

I like Wilton's gum paste, have used it many of times with out issues. But it's delicate and fragile. When trying to tape Gerber Daisies together I ended up breaking petals off of them. I know with out a doubt if the same flowers I carried home were made with Wilton's they would have been in pieces.

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dcarylmk Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 11:26pm
post #19 of 62

Jennifer Dontz also sells it on her website!

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shanter Posted 26 Jul 2011 , 11:56pm
post #20 of 62
Quote:
Originally Posted by dcarylmk

Jennifer Dontz also sells it on her website!




Could you provide a link? I tried to find it on her site, but no luck.

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BlakesCakes Posted 27 Jul 2011 , 12:26am
post #21 of 62
Quote:
Originally Posted by shanter

Quote:
Originally Posted by dcarylmk

Jennifer Dontz also sells it on her website!



Could you provide a link? I tried to find it on her site, but no luck.




http://www.jenniferdontz.com/viewproduct.php?itemid=tol016

Platinum paste is wonderful. It works differently than reg. gum paste, though.

You roll it out by hand (so thin that you can see thru it) so that after it's rolled out, you MUST flip it over so it doesn't continue to stick to the board when you use a cutter on it. You don't roll it thick enough to insert a wire in it--it defeats the purpose. You "twiddle" a piece of paste onto a wire and while it's still tacky, you apply your petal/leaf. You don't use water or anything to attach it (water will melt the paste).

Dianne says you probably could run it thru the pasta machine, but then you lose the drier vs. tacky side and it wouldn't work the same way.

As for figures, to me, it's too expensive to use on something bulky. It's really designed for making soft, natural looking items like flowers, quilled shapes, etc.

It does go a long, long way, so in the end run, it's not that expensive for flowers.

These were all made in classes with Dianne Gruenberg using platinum paste:
Image
Image
Image
Image

Rae

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QTCakes1 Posted 27 Jul 2011 , 12:31am
post #22 of 62

Those are pretty. So, let me see if I got this straight, great for flowers, but you gotta work fast and you don't have to do the dusting to roll out like you would use regular gumpaste? Plus, heavy duty which is a plus. I had just run out of tylose, didn't know it, and made the Wilton's gumpaste. Man, do those flowers break SO EASILY just to wire them. I was very frustrated, cause they were hibiscus and I couldn't just whip up more petals. Even my extras broke.

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BlakesCakes Posted 27 Jul 2011 , 12:37am
post #23 of 62

Oh, yes, this stuff is amazingly sturdy, especially given how thin you roll it.

As for working "fast", if it's a normal humidity---25%+--it actually has a long working time. Now, if it's bone dry (like it was in Vegas--5% humidity), you have to work fast, but no faster than you would have to w/ regular gum paste.

The beauty is that you can assemble flowers and still be able to bend petals, etc. No need for "flower formers".

You generally work on very small gauge wires, too--#30 & #33.

No dusts to roll on. You just condition your board once with the barest smear of crisco and you're set.

To set colors, you use thinned confectioner's glaze. You can steam them, but I don't because if the steamer spits, the paste will melt at it's thinnest spots.

Rae

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bobwonderbuns Posted 27 Jul 2011 , 12:39am
post #24 of 62

Yes, that's about it. You don't use cornstarch to dust, you WANT it to stick to the board.

By the way, for anyone having problems wiring gumpaste, put a fluffy white towel folded underneath the flowers while they are being wired -- trust me, IT WORKS!! icon_biggrin.gif

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icer101 Posted 27 Jul 2011 , 12:41am
post #25 of 62

I,ve taken demos at ices convention with Beth Parvu using this medium. She usually demos every year. I think she will be also this year. Its been out for a while now.

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QTCakes1 Posted 27 Jul 2011 , 12:44am
post #26 of 62

I have a cell board, so not too many problems with wiring. I LOVE the fact of no flower formers. Sometimes having the right flower former can really make how a petal looks and if you don't have it. Well, it kind of sucks. And I ment they were breaking like crazy when I was actually wiring the petals togther. I mean the petals would brush together and brake, I had to go real slow and with a real delicate touch. I usually use Nick Lodges' paste, but I really like the thought of shaping the petasl by hand and them keeping the shape. Now let me go see how much it cost...icon_smile.gif

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BlakesCakes Posted 27 Jul 2011 , 12:55am
post #27 of 62
Quote:
Originally Posted by QTCakes1

I have a cell board, so not too many problems with wiring.




You definitely DO NOT roll it thick enough to use the grooves on the CelBoard--that's why you "twiddle" paste onto the wire & apply the cut out petal to that.

Rae

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QTCakes1 Posted 27 Jul 2011 , 12:56am
post #28 of 62

"twiddle"? Twiddle it is. icon_wink.gif

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BlakesCakes Posted 27 Jul 2011 , 1:04am
post #29 of 62

Yep, actually referred to as twiddling when classes are taught.

You take the wire, hold it horizontally, put a small ball of paste (think very tiny pea) onto it, down about as far as the petal is long, and, using your thumb and forefinger, gently twist/pull/coax the paste to the end of the wire. Place the petal in the veiner (if you're using one) sticky side up and apply the twiddle to it and press. Takes a bit of practice to learn the skill.

Very important that both the twiddle & the petal remain fresh (sticky on one side).

Rae

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icer101 Posted 27 Jul 2011 , 1:14am
post #30 of 62

I do all my leaves this way, with any g/p. (twiddle)

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