Creating Custom Wedding Cake Toppers With Polymer Clay

Polymer clay is a great way to make a personalised wedding cake topper. It is soft and pliable, and can be baked in the oven to harden, meaning it can be kept as a memento long after the cake is gone. You can buy polymer clay from craft stores, and you can use a fondant rolling pin and cookie cutters to shape it. It's important to be mindful of the size of your topper, as you don't want it to be too heavy or to take away from the cake itself. You can also use skewers or toothpicks to provide extra support for your structure.

Shaping the body

For the body, you will need a roll that is about 2-2.5 inches long and 1.5 inches thick. The shape of the body is up to you, but I recommend making the middle the thickest part and tapering the neck and behind. You can use a toothpick to make holes in the legs and body, ensuring you don't poke all the way through. Then, push the legs onto the body, spreading them out to ensure the structure is sturdy. This is crucial for adding the neck and head without making your cake topper top-heavy.

Once you are happy with the body, you can start on the neck. This should be a similar thickness to the legs and about the same length as the body. Push a toothpick through three-quarters of the neck and then a quarter of the way into the front of the body, blending the two together. If the neck is falling, try pushing the toothpick further into the body or making the neck smaller and thinner.

For the head, roll some clay into a ball about the size of a quarter. Then, use your finger to make the front of the face smaller by rolling it gently. You can also slightly flatten the bottom of the head so that it sits better on the neck. Add a small piece of toothpick to the head and smooth it into the neck.

Assembling the parts

Once you have made all the individual components of your cake topper, it's time to assemble them.

Start by making the legs. You’ll want to make four rolls that are about 1-1.5 inches in length. Push up the bottom of the roll so that it turns into a hoof or foot shape. For the body, create a roll that is about 2-2.5 inches long and 1.5 inches thick. Mould it into your preferred shape—I like to make the neck end the smallest, with the middle the biggest, and then taper it at the back for the behind.

Next, make holes into the tops of the legs and the bottom of the body, but be careful not to poke all the way through the other side. Use a toothpick for this. Then, push the toothpick into the body and push the legs onto the exposed end of the toothpick. Smooth the edges to blend the body and legs together. Make sure the legs are spread out to ensure the structure is sturdy, which is crucial for adding the neck and head.

Now, create the neck by making a roll about the same length as the body, but the same thickness as the legs. You don’t want to make it too long or too thick, or it will be top-heavy. Push a toothpick through three-quarters of the neck and then one-quarter of the front of the body, and blend. If the neck is falling, try pushing the toothpick further into the body, or make the neck smaller or thinner.

To create the head, roll some clay into a ball about the size of a quarter. Then, use your finger to roll just one side of the ball to make the front of the face smaller. I slightly flattened the bottom of the head so that it would sit better on the neck. Add a small piece of toothpick and smooth it together.

For the ears, I made a small rounded triangle for the tail and blended the edges to the back. The ears were also made from rounded triangles, with an indent in the middle to give the ear depth.

Adding texture and details

Using tools: You can use various tools to add texture to your cake topper. For example, Wilton's fondant decorating kit tools can be used to create lines and texture. In the provided tutorial, the side/point of the tool was used to create lines on the llama cake topper, leaving part of the leg and face smooth. You can also use modelling tools, such as the one with a circle on the end, to create eye sockets or indentations in the clay.

Creating realistic features: Adding texture and details can make the features of your cake topper more realistic. For example, to create the face of the llama, small balls of black and white clay were used for the eyes, and a tiny triangle shape was used for the nose. Water or liquid polymer was used to adhere the nose to the face. A toothpick or modelling tool can be used to create the mouth.

Adding accessories: Accessories can add extra detail and interest to your cake topper. For example, you can create a bow tie by making two small triangles and a small flat ball, or by pinching the middle of a small rectangle and adding a small ball on top. You can also create a hat by making a small ball and flattening each edge, making one side smaller than the other. Don't forget to use liquid polymer to adhere the pieces together.

Using flowers or other decorations: Flowers or other decorative elements can add beauty and intricacy to your cake topper. To make a rose, start by tightly rolling out small leaf shapes that gradually get bigger. Wrap them around each other to form the bud of the flower, and then continue adding more "leaves" to create the desired size. Remember to use liquid polymer to adhere the flower to your cake topper. You can also add small green leaves on either side of the rose.

Adding a base: A base can not only provide stability for your cake topper but also add visual interest. You can create a simple base by cutting out a small circle from cardboard or wood. This will help to distribute the weight of your cake topper and prevent it from sinking into the cake. You can also add details to the base, such as a heart shape with your initials and wedding date.

Remember, when adding texture and details, it's important to work carefully and patiently. Take your time and enjoy the creative process of bringing your polymer clay wedding cake topper to life!

Baking the clay

When you are happy with your creation, it is time to bake your clay. Different brands of polymer clay have different baking instructions, so be sure to check the packet for the manufacturer's guidelines. Polymer clay is usually baked in a standard home oven. Preheat your oven to the temperature specified in the instructions, and place your creation on a baking sheet or tray. If you are worried about the clay coming into direct contact with the tray, you can place a piece of foil on the tray first.

Polymer clay does not need to be baked for a long time, and the baking process is more like curing. The clay will not change shape or melt, but the heat will harden it, so it is important not to overbake it. Check on your creation as it bakes, and remove it from the oven when it is hard to the touch.

Once your clay is baked, allow it to cool. It will now be hard and ready to place on your cake. You can paint it or add any extra decorations, such as glitter, ribbons, or small accessories, but be sure to use non-toxic materials if any part of the topper will come into contact with the cake.

Polymer clay is non-toxic when cured, but if you are concerned about toxicity, you can use a base for your topper. A small wooden block or a cardboard cutout can be used to separate the clay from the cake. You can also use a skewer or toothpick as an armature within the figure, with a few inches sticking out of the bottom, to provide extra stability and ensure the topper does not come into direct contact with the cake.

Attaching a base

When making a polymer clay wedding cake topper, attaching a base is an important step to ensure the topper stays securely in place. Here are some detailed instructions on how to attach a base:

Firstly, decide on the size and shape of your base. A circular or oval base is a popular choice for wedding cake toppers, but you can also get creative and choose a unique shape that fits the theme of your wedding. The base should be large enough to comfortably fit your polymer clay figures without looking crowded.

For the base itself, you have several options. You can use a ready-made wooden base, which is a common choice for polymer clay projects. Craft stores often sell wooden blocks specifically for this purpose. Alternatively, you could use a plastic base, but be cautious as some types of plastic may melt or give off fumes when exposed to heat. If you're feeling creative, you can even make your own base by cutting cardboard into your desired shape and size.

To attach your polymer clay figures to the base, you can use a variety of adhesives. Super glue is a strong and fast-acting adhesive that will securely bond your figures to the base. However, make sure that the glue you choose is suitable for use with polymer clay and that it won't cause any damage or discolouration. Another option is to use liquid polymer clay as an adhesive. This has the advantage of being made from the same material as your figures, so you can be sure it will hold up over time and create a seamless finish.

When attaching your figures to the base, be mindful of their placement. Ensure that the figures are balanced and centred on the base, with their weight distributed evenly. This will help to prevent the topper from toppling over or leaning to one side.

Finally, consider adding a thin layer of clear varnish or sealant to the base. This will not only give it a nice finish but will also help to protect the surface and ensure that no residue or moisture comes into contact with your cake.

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