Sugar Sculptures

[chrose]

Originally Posted by chefpeon

What I want to know is how you sugar artists get past the pain. I've taken a couple of sugar pulling classes, and have been fine handling the sugar on day one, but the blisters on my hands are so bad by day 2 that I can't even bear to hold anything warm. This alone, has prevented me from pursuing the art.
Do I just have really wimpy hands, or am I just a wimp in general?

After time you build up calloused skin, but until then what do you do? Even if you do a little at a time the heat can radiate deep into your skin and create damage deep enough that it will take a long time to heal. I can see where you would get discouraged. Here's a little trick that I noticed with Ewald. Bear in mind I haven't watched him in awhile and the last time I saw him he was wearing gloves (which he never used to) But if you were to ever watch him without gloves you would notice that every few moments he was holding his thumb or palms or fingertips to the marble for a few seconds and cooling them off. For Ewald it was was a habit that became so ingrained you never noticed it because it was just part of his movement. This movement will cool the fingers sufficiently enough to continue on without burning yourself. It will also allow you to build up your tolerance and make pulling sugar a more pleasurable experience.

[cakerookie]

Chefpeon you can purchase cotton gloves to go under the latex ones. I do not use them but I have heard of it being done.

[chefpeon]

Originally Posted by cakerookie

Chefpeon you can purchase cotton gloves to go under the latex ones. I do not use them but I have heard of it being done.

I did try using latex gloves, but that's certainly no barrier to the heat. It just keeps your fingerprints off the sugar pieces! But I didn't think about cotton under the latex....that might be just enough of a barrier to get me through Day 2!

[cakerookie]

Oh you can do it chef go back and give it another shot I have seen your work on your website you have the talent to make some impressive sugar pieces.

Rgds Rook

[TapTapper]

Originally Posted by chefpeon

the blisters on my hands are so bad by day 2 that I can't even bear to hold anything warm. Do I just have really wimpy hands, or am I just a wimp in general?

I have never tried sugarwork, but I have read quite a lot on it in my cookbooks, and I always wondered about the heat.

My rotisserie came with a pair of 5-finger heat-proof silicone gloves (for removing the hot meat from the spikes), and the first time I saw them I thought of using them for sugarwork! Looking around the web I've seen mitten-type ones, but maybe you can find a five-fingered set. They have a good touch and are very flexible, and are absolutely heatproof.

Good luck with your work, and I hope to join in soon!

--Pat

[hiimtony]

The only reasons I used latex gloves are because im only 14 years old and those were the only ones I could find in my kitchen.
And it keeps a little of the heat away and the sugar doesnt stick to it.

[seasonal]

This is a project we use with Middle School students.

Step1
Decide what project you'd like to work on.
Draw out your design on a piece of cardboard,

Step2
Assemble your supplies, including sugar cubes,
various food coloring and an eye dropper.
You may need a pencil, scissors, glue and paper towels.

Step3
Figure out approximately how many sugar cubes
you will need to complete your project.
Use this formula: five sugar cubes equal three inches.

Step4
Cover the cardboard with white paper.
Glue the paper to the cardboard and let it set until the glue is dry.

Step5
Draw or trace your desired design on the paper.
Place sugar cubes in the design and glue each cube to the board.

Step6
Use the eye dropper and slowly drip food coloring
onto the cubes, according to your design. Let cubes dry.

Step7
Enjoy your sugar sculpture/art. While the professionals generate masterpieces
by toiling over hot mixes of granulated sugar, glucose, tartaric acid and more,
you've just created a masterpiece using simple sugar cubes and food coloring.

[panini]

take those sugar cubes and about have the rig-a more-o. Melt them down,add some color. 2.00 worth of play dough, and really have some fun.