From Sweet to Sturdy: The Best Pastes for Every Figurine Project

In my years of sculpting, I’ve always loved the challenge of creating edible figures with marshmallow fondant. Living in a humid climate, I discovered that tweaking my fondant recipe with extra powdered sugar helped prevent melting and kept my creations standing tall, even during the rainiest weather. It also made the fondant easier to mold, giving my figures a smoother finish.

But for ornaments that would last, I turned to cold porcelain. While it’s a bit tricky due to shrinkage, it’s easy to make at home and allowed me to keep my creations and share them with others. My customers loved that their cake toppers could become cherished ornaments, preserving their special moments long after the cake was gone. And no worries about pesky ants either! I’m eager to try other modeling pastes like Saracino, which many sugar artists rave about.

But what are the options out there for crafting your own mini sculptures? There are two main types of pastes: those you can eat, and those that are just for looking! Let’s explore these exciting options so you can choose the perfect material for your next creation.

Edible Pastes:

• Fondant: This sweet, soft paste is like playdough you can eat! You can buy it ready-made, make it yourself with marshmallows and powdered sugar, or even start from scratch with sugar and water. It’s great for covering cakes and making simple shapes, but it takes a while to dry, especially in humid weather.
• Gumpaste: This is fondant’s stronger cousin! It dries much harder, which is perfect for making delicate flowers and detailed figures that need to hold their shape. If it’s humid out, gumpaste will dry a little slower, so be patient!
• Modeling Chocolate: This one smells and tastes like chocolate because it’s made from real chocolate! It’s great for making figures that look like yummy treats, or for adding small details. It can get a little soft in hot or humid weather, so keep it cool.
• Modeling Paste: This is like a mix of fondant and gumpaste – the best of both worlds! It’s easier to work with than gumpaste and dries faster than fondant. You can use it for almost anything: covering cakes, making figures, and adding details. It’s not as fussy about humidity as the others.

Non-Edible Pastes:

• Cold Porcelain: This clay air-dries to a smooth, porcelain-like finish. You can make delicate flowers, figurines, and even tiny dollhouse miniatures! Be careful, though, it dries quickly and might shrink or change color a little bit as it dries.
• Polymer Clay: This one comes in lots of bright colors and is great for making strong, long-lasting figures. You bake it in the oven to make it hard. It doesn’t really care about humidity, so it’s easy to work with anywhere. Just remember, it’s not for eating and some types might contain materials that aren’t good for you.

As with any artistic endeavor, finding the right medium is key. In my opinion, it’s always a good idea to start with a slower-drying paste like fondant or even kids’ modeling clay. This gives you time to practice and get comfortable with sculpting techniques before the paste starts to harden. As you gain confidence and speed, you can gradually move on to faster-drying options. Experimenting with different pastes is also crucial, as humidity levels and weather conditions can significantly affect drying times. By trying out various materials and adapting your techniques, you’ll discover the perfect paste to suit your individual style and environment, ensuring your figurine creations are always a success.