Yes Virginia, that is duck tape.

[alysten]

fixed
Originally uploaded by alysten

My sugar swan has had some issues. I came home one day, and it's head had come off. Since then it has self decapitated 2 more times. So....

Each time the royal icing has been applied (think spackle) and allowed to harden. This gets roughed up and sanded. A 4 inch wooden dowel gets inserted into the head. Epoxy is used to cement the 2 pieces together, and gum past is used (think cauking) to fill any gaps. Allow to cure/harden.

After the 2nd time (the neck broke in 2 different places), I applied duct tape to the whole neck to offer stability. And so far.... no self decapitation. (woo) This will then be covered in sugar and fondant feathers.

I think I have nailed the cause of decapitation to substandard rice crispies and generic marshmallows. The rest of the bird is rock solid and not going anywhere.

The swan is 95% edible, 3% wooden dowels and 2% duck tape. Ironically... we are using the standard non-period method of mending anything broken in the SCA. It is almost apropos.

Comments

[greenness.livejournal.com]

The real question is: What's the swan's name?

[alysten.livejournal.com]

It doesn't really have one... We've just been calling him swaney.

Maybe that's the problem. He doesn't have a name. Any suggestions?

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

Bubba. It's even period.

[etherial.livejournal.com]

I didn't know they named Swans in period. :)

[ianraven.livejournal.com]

I dunno... in our house., "Bubba" refers to something completely different - usually truck drivers with nothing better to do than act like construction workers towards female drivers. :)

I'm thinkin'...Danton. Or Robespierre. :D

[alysten.livejournal.com]

Does that have documentation? That is almost fantastic. Right now I researching the chains that royal swans wore. I wonder if they had name tags....

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

Searle, W. G. Onomasticon Anglo-Saxonicum, 1897, at p. 119 dates as a given name to 779, among others.
http://books.google.com/books?id=RLkEAAAAIAAJ&q=Bubba#v=snippet&q=Bubba&f=false

[alysten.livejournal.com]

Awesome. With awesome sauce.

[iheronimus.livejournal.com]

I love the phrase: "cause of decapitation - substandard rice crispies and generic marshmallows"

[alysten.livejournal.com]

Do you think I can uses that in my lessons learned portion of the documentation? I wonder if that would cause the Laurels to have a heart attack. Hmmmm.

[iheronimus.livejournal.com]

Some Laurels will get their knickers in a twist. As for myself, I always give extra credit if you can make me laugh...

[alysten.livejournal.com]

Awesome!

[beckishadow.livejournal.com]

The name Crispi is period...

[alysten.livejournal.com]

Bubba Crispi?

[beckishadow.livejournal.com]

All I know is that I've got Crispi Cremes lined up for next year's April Fools LoI. :)

[alysten.livejournal.com]

HAH!!!! I say it again. I love heralds.

[math5.livejournal.com]

Bubba Crispi sounds like a lovely swan name to me

[alysten.livejournal.com]

Bubba Crispi it is then.