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How to use a sugar shaper – sugarcraft gun

9th March 2017 by Lindy Smith

A sugar shaper, sugarcraft gun, sugar extruder, clay gun…is a wonderfully clever cake decorating tool known by many different names. It is a tool I wouldn’t be without! It’s part of my essential cake decorating kit. I have had one ever since I started decorating 25 years ago and now I have three. Why? Well I am hoping by the end of this post you will know. But first of all let me explain the tool itself.

What is a sugar shaper?

A sugar shaper, or sugarcraft gun if you prefer, is a really useful gadget that allows you to
make uniform shapes from different types of edible paste. Sugarpaste, modelling paste, pastillage, marzipan, modelling chocolate etc. The tool, fits neatly into the palm of your hand so you can easily squeeze out shaped pieces of sugar. Each pack includes 16 different discs shapes, so lots to play with. PME piping tubes can also be used without the use of an adaptor for even more options.

Sugar shaper aka sugarcraft gun or sugar extruder
This is what a sugar shaper aka sugarcraft gun looks like

Cake inspiration – examples of shapes made with a sugar shaper

I am always using this highly versatile tool so have many, many, many cakes that I could share, however I thought you might to see a few examples from my ‘Mini Cakes Academy‘ book. I hope they inspire you:

sugar shaper aka sugarcraft gun used to create sugar tassels on a graduation mortar board mini cake from Lindy Smith's Mini Cakes Academy book
These sugar tassels on this cute graduation mortar board were made using a sugar shaper
Sugar shaper aka sugarcraft gun used to create sugar cotton on mini cotton reel cakes from Lindy Smith's Mini Cakes Academy book
A sugar shaper created the beautifully smooth ‘cotton’ on these dainty vintage cotton reel cakes
Sugar shaper aka sugarcraft gun used to create sugar balloon strings on mini cakes from Lindy Smith's Mini Cakes Academy book
Delicate sugar balloon strings created again with a sugar shaper

Let me show you how a sugar shaper works

In this video, originally filmed live on facebook, I explain how to use a sugar shaper successful, the paste you need and most importantly, the consistency that the paste must be. I hope you find it informative but if you have any questions after watching please ask in the comments box below.

If you don’t already possess one of these fabulous, extremely useful tools and you’d like to own one one yourself, remember we stock sugar shapers in the Lindy’s Cakes online Shop. I wouldn’t sugarcraft without one!

I hope I have inspired you in one way or another…

Sweet wishes

Lindy

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Filed Under: FAQ, FREE Tutorials, Product Spotlight Tagged With: free tutorial, how to, sugar shaper, sugarcraft gun

About Lindy Smith

Award winning, best-selling author and sugarcraft artist, who loves to design beautiful colourful cakes, inspire, teach and supply you with gorgeous products.

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Comments

  1. Teri says

    23rd August 2017 at 6:00 pm

    Helllooo from sunny Southern California! Love the new site! And just watched the sugar shaper tutorial, lots of good info.

    Thank you again for sharing your love of sugar crafting Lindy!

  2. Lindy Smith says

    23rd August 2017 at 9:39 pm

    Hello Teri
    So good to hear you love the new site, it’s been a real labour of love but so worthwhile. There is still lots to do, including updating some of these blog posts but I’m thrilled finally to be able to share the site and our new branding. I plan to add many more posts like this to inspire you.
    Sweet wishes
    Lindy 😀

  3. Double S says

    28th August 2017 at 11:30 am

    I bought one of these years ago, useless piece of kit. Could never get more than a couple of inches squeezed out at a time before the handle was right next to the barrel.

  4. Lindy Smith says

    28th August 2017 at 12:00 pm

    Hi Crescent Cakes, as will all bits of kit, it’s all about learning the correct technique.
    Can I persuade you to try your tool again? I think my how to video should help. It explains which paste to use, how to make the paste soft enough even for the tiniest of holes. I also show you how to use the pump action to build up the pressure within the gun so that the paste extrudes easily and effortlessly out from the tool. Once you’ve mastered the technique, you’ll be using it for all sorts of things…I use mine all the time 😀

  5. Louise Bassos says

    8th October 2018 at 9:18 am

    What book are your vintage cotton reel in.And do you have a video on how to make them.

  6. Lindy Smith says

    8th October 2018 at 11:06 am

    Hi Louise
    Vintage cotton reels are in my mini cakes academy book: https://lindyscakes.co.uk/shop/Lindy-Smiths-Mini-Cakes-Academy-Book-p70418445 I’m afraid there isn’t a video on how to make them but the book gives you step by step instructions.

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Award winning, best-selling author and sugarcraft artist, who loves to design beautiful colourful cakes, inspire, teach and supply you with her own range of quality cake decorating products. Read More…

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