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Ballerina Music Box

May20

Ballerina Music Box Sugar Art

The theme of Music automatically brought to mind a beautiful music box I was given as a child. On winding the key, the ballerina figurine turned slowly and came to a stop as the music stopped. This box is a reminder of how we need to continue to turn our own keys in order to keep the dance that is our lives in motion.

I placed her on a sugar creation of a vintage music box to remind me of the beauty of all the valued memories of my childhood. It was a perfect musical ending to receive a Silver, 2nd Place Award in the Intermediate Sugar Art Section for her at the Hostex 2018 – SACDG Competition 2 weeks ago.

Ballerina Music Box Sugar Art

As the Hostex 2018 opened its doors at Gallagher Estate this year, we were treated to an array of delectable treats, new products and everything else related to food and drink catering. The South African Cake Decorators Guild hosted their competition with all entries both cake and sugar art falling into the theme of music. Every entry portrayed a unique meaning within the theme for each decorator and it was interesting to see so many varied interpretations of the theme. Thank you to Hostex and SACDG, the judges and all the sponsors for giving us a platform to show our passion for decorating.

 

Ballerina Music Box Sugar Art

My figurine’s petite body, I modelled using Saracino Modelling Paste, once again just love the paste for modelling figurines. I dressed her in a delicate pink tutu adorned with patterns of Crystal Candy Lace. I was so excited to be the first to use this new Bas Relief Mould from Crystal Candy and the detail of the leaves, lace and hearts created the perfect finish to my vintage music box. Thank you Ray for letting me use this mould and can’t wait for the release of these totally awesome new Bas Relief Moulds!

Ballerina Music Box Sugar ArtBallerina Music Box Sugar ArtBallerina Music Box Sugar Art

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Embracing Nature Competition Figurines

Oct9

Embracing Nature Figurines

The Good Food and Wine Show in Johannesburg has come and gone and it was more than just a wining and dining experience for me.  I have my Embracing Nature Figurines as a daily reminder of the challenge of entering a competition piece for the show and having a fun weekend.  This sugar paste couple was my entry into the Cake Competition hosted by the South African Cake Decorators Guild (SACDG). I was so chuffed that the judges noted that they liked my “two enchanting figurines in a field of daisies”. Constructive criticism was that I needed to roll my paste thinner for my flowers.

Embracing Nature Figurines

The detailed painting Nature’s Embrace by Josephine Wall, was my inspiration for this piece as I could really choose any celebratory piece to enter in the competition. Josephine captures equally the power of nature and its gentleness and grace and her artwork resounded with me as Knysna had just been devastated by ferocious fires. Immediately following the heartbreak that came with images of families and animals left either homeless, or having lost their possessions in the fires, came the beautiful images of a caring and compassionate and generous country that came together to support those who had been affected. My two sugar characters only have eyes for each other in this piece and hopefully I managed to portray the gentleness of Josephine’s embracing trees.

Embracing Nature FigurinesEmbracing Nature Figurines

Josephine Wall's Nature's Embrace

Josephine Wall’s Nature’s Embrace

I hand moulded the faces using Saracino Modelling Paste and then used the Zeelandia for the bark covering, making sure to mark the paste to recreate the bark and then allow it to fold over their backs and waists to show their emerging torsos. Nature’s trail follows them in the ivy and daisies resting on the edible moss floor and gently chasing up the  roots and bark surrounding them.

Embracing Nature FigurinesEmbracing Nature Figurines