Revival Creations

Cupcake decorating workshop

As you know last week was Glamour in the County's first birthday and not only did I celebrate with Daisy Cupcakes, but I took myself off to learn how to do it for myself. I booked onto another of Revival Steph's wonderful workshops, you may remember my experience of making bread earlier in the year. Taking place in the evening at Thomas Oken Tearooms in Warwick we were greeted by Steph and a table layed out with lots of interesting and fun tools.

Before we got started we enjoyed a glass of Proseco and homemade sandwiches. It gave time to chat with the other participants, of which there were nine. A few had been on Steph's previous workshops and there was one lady who I recognised from the bread making class. Once it was time to start our class we were packed of with tea, coffee or cold drinks, which were topped up throughout by Jo, the owner of the Tearooms.

The workshop was being taken by Becky, from Baked by Becky, who makes the most wonderful novelty cakes and,of course, cupcakes.  We started off by learning about the different paste you need for covering and the decorations. We started by making the decorations from florist paste.  This is a bit like chewing gum in texture and is used as it drys hard. This means you can make your decorations in advance and keep in a cardboard box until you need them. Don't put them in an airtight container or else they will sweat. We used all sorts of moulds and cutters to make our decorations which included butterflys, flowers, buttons and cameos.

The whole process is quite therapeutic and everyone was busy deciding what to make. There were a selection of coloured paste, so you could really go to town on your colour scheme.

We were learning to make fondant topped cupcakes. For this you use sugar paste which has a texture like playdoh. I love the pin cushion effect and I was amazed at how easy this is to create. I particularly wanted to try to make a Tiffany inspired cupcake. Luckily Becky did have sugar paste that was the right colour blue. She also showed us how to make a bow using the florist paste, a cutter and edible glue.

Once we had our decorations and sugar paste rounds, it was time to top the naked cakes. Becky had baked these in the afternoon, as there wouldn't have been time in the workshop. You add a swirl of butter cream to the top. Believe it or not this was my first attempt at using a piping bag. I was pretty pleased with it and will also have a go at buttercream topped cupcakes.

The first one I put together was my Tiffany inspired cupcake. I had to be a bit careful with the bow, as it is delicate where it is glued together. But I'm pretty pleased with it and so was SBA who was the recipient.

I also made a pin cushion effect as well as cameos and a rose. Having never done anything like this before, I was pretty pleased with my first attempt.

Throughout the workshop both Becky and Steph were on hand to offer help and assistance. Everyone throughly enjoyed the session, even putting in a topic request for the next workshop. Having been on two of Revival Steph's workshops, I have found them very enjoyable and extremely well organised. The booking process is very easy and effortless. After booking and a few days before your class you are kept informed by emails. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending you try a workshop, which also include sewing and dressmaking.

LB rating 9/10


Lula Belle x