AHi everyone, Please could you advise me on how to do my zip on a purse/ handbag cake, it's the 2nd cake I'm attempting to fondant , I tried last night rolled a piece of fondant about 2 cms wide put the zip marks in using the roller tools then used the gold paint I brought ,left it to dry over night but this morning when I tried to move it it broke into pieces doh ! So what am I best doing please Should I do it when I fondant the cake ? Then mark it and paint it on the cake?also didn't really like the gold colour looked a bit cheap looking would it look better in silver ? As I'm planning to do the bag in black and white, could I use sugar flair silver lust power and mix it to paint or would brushing it on dry do it,many thanks

I would mark the zipper right on the fondant covered cake and then paint.  That way not only will it not break,it will be inlaid into the bag like a real zipper.

AThank you , thats a great help.how far in advance should I bake the sponge and decorate ? I need it for Friday morning I was thinking of baking it Wednesday and decorating it Thursday but little worried in case I have any problems, how long does home made sponge stay fresh ? Many thanks