Yes Virginia, that is duck tape.

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.

( project pics )

Bubba Crispi

Sugar swan is done. No more hoodies, no more yamaka, no more duck tape. Complete with royal beak markings. I will be adding crown and chain and water later this week.

Project stats:
2 large boxes of substandard rice crisp cereal
2 bags of generic marshmallows
2 stick of butter
10 lbs of fondant
1 lb of gum paste
4 wooden dowels 1/4" diameter
2 yards of duck tape
2 tubes of epoxy

~500 individual feathers
Construction time: 4 weeks