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Sugar Artistry done in Blown Sugar & Pulled Sugar

© Roberta Hovermale

This form of Sugar Artistry can be compared to the art of glass blowing - both require skilled artisans with patience and honed techniques. It began in France and was at the height of its popularity during the reign of Louis XIV and with his decline in public popularity so also followed this sugar art form. It has been gaining more popularity and exposure. Get a good video, book, or take a class and practice, practice , practice. Practice and Patience will be the key to mastering this art form.

In doing Blown Sugar or Pulled Sugar ,the ingredients are heated to 150°̊C and once the sugar reaches the correct temperature it is poured to make a mold, pulling the material to design intricate decoration such as ribbon or blowing the substance to design larger sculptures or figurines. The sugar once heated cools quickly and once cool becomes very brittle and easily breakable.It is a very hot medium to work with so extreme caution is needed with the handling of it. If done right the results are true works of art.

My recommendation for the beginner is to tale a look at starting out simple - like making bubbles. Martha Stewart has some tips and suggestions on making a unique wedding Cake with Bubbles cascading it at: http://www.marthastewart.com/weddings/ca... With starting out with doing bubbles, you will start to get a feel for what it is like to work with blown or pulled sugar. Then as you get more courageous - take a step forward to Pastry Wiz.com where there are photos and some instructions on how to make elegant and graceful swans and also a fabulous rose. http://www.pastrywiz.com/sugarart/index....

Loking for Books on the Subject of Blown Sugar then head over to http://www.chipsbooks.com/blown.htm Where you can order the book “L'Art du Sucre Souffléé et Couléé ”(Blown Sugar) by renown pastry chef, Joel Bellouet, who is a sugar artist with extraordinary talent. His pieces of sugar art are incomparable - they look like exquisite pieces of blown glass from European artisans. Pastry Wiz has equipment that is available for purchase as well as instructions and videos for sale. http://www.bakingshop.com/sugarcraft/sug...

Wilton Industries does offer classes in this medium at their headquarters in Illinois - check their website www.wilton.com for further information, prices and dates.