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Cakeheads is an online cake-decorating school and community created by cake artist, Shawna McGreevy. For more than 10 years, Cakeheads has helped cake decorators of all skill levels learn professional cake-decorating techniques through detailed, step-by-step video instruction, project tutorials, recipes, and an active online community. The mission of Cakeheads is to make professional cake decorating approachable and achievable for everyone—from beginners learning the fundamentals to experienced decorators looking to expand their skills and creativity. At the heart of Cakeheads is an extensive library of hundreds of cake-decorating tutorials and projects. Members learn how to create beautiful, elaborate cakes while also mastering the individual techniques behind them. The library gives members the ability to learn at their own pace and return to techniques and projects whenever they need them. The tutorials range from fundamental cake-decorating skills to highly specialized and advanced projects, making the library useful to decorators at virtually every level. The tutorials cover a wide range of skills, including preparing and baking cakes, making buttercream and ganache, leveling and filling cakes, achieving sharp edges, covering cakes with fondant, stacking and supporting tiered cakes, creating decorative elements, sculpting, painting, working with edible paper, cookies, macarons, and many other specialty cake-decorating techniques. Cakeheads also provides foundational instruction for decorators who want to build strong skills and understand not only what to do, but how and why each technique works. Community is an important part of the Cakeheads experience. Members have access to a supportive group of fellow cake decorators where they can ask questions, share their work, get advice, troubleshoot challenges, and celebrate their accomplishments. Cakeheads is built around the idea of *Learn, Grow, and Connect*—giving decorators the education, inspiration, and community support they need to continually improve their craft. Cakeheads is founded and taught by Shawna McGreevy, a professional cake artist and educator. Shawna brings years of hands-on cake-decorating experience to her teaching and specializes in breaking complicated techniques down into clear, approachable steps. Her teaching philosophy is centered on helping decorators understand the techniques behind professional cake decorating so they can confidently apply those skills to their own creations. Shawna has been featured in several different magazines such as Cake Masters and American Cake Decorating Magazine and has been a featured artist at the Cake, Bake and Sweets Show, Australia and the Cake Fair in Florida. She’s also taught cake classes around the world, was nominated for the Cake Masters Cake Hero award and has been chosen as one of the top ten cake artists in the United States, 2017 by Cake Masters Magazine. In short, Cakeheads combines professional instruction, an extensive on-demand video library, practical techniques, creative projects, and an encouraging community in one place!

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Aviator Bear Cake

Level - Beginner • 1h 18m

Learn how to create handmade, custom, 2D designs, quickly and easily using petal dusts and edible markers.

Notes: Shawna made a 6" round cake tier, 7" tall and an 8" round cake tier, 4" tall for this project.

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LINKS & SUPPLIES

Related tutorial: Icing with acrylics tutorial (Perfect Smooth Buttercream Finish Using Acrylic Discs, Method 2) (no separate video available)
Related tutorial: Fundamentals course (with tier stacking tutorial): https://cakeheads.vhx.tv/videos/cakeheads-session-one

RECIPES
- SUPER Easy Meringue Buttercream (Vanilla or Chocolate!)
- White Almond Sour Cream Cake (WASC)
- Chocolate Sour Cream Cake

SUPPLIES
- Satin Ice Gumpaste: https://www.amazon.com/Satin-Ice-White-Pounds-Decorative/dp/B000FJPKWO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=6946005572cf110aadc87e1a98b996a8&language=en_US
- Fondant Rolling Pin: https://www.amazon.com/Ateco-7512-Adjustable-Thickness-Non-stick/dp/B00DMX8PNG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=mini+rolling+pin&qid=1566677628&s=kitchen&sr=1-13&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=f3080addc2c5d63c9b3dc929978fa40d&language=en_US
- JEM Tool 4 Dresden & Veining Modelling Tool, Black: https://www.amazon.com/PME-Modeling-Tool-Dresden-Veining/dp/B0052YRIMM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1481733226&sr=8-2&keywords=dresden+tool&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=3bb070a0077c88208b86a3096550fe0a&language=en_US
- Ateco 5357 Plain Edge Round Cutters, 11 Pc Set: https://www.amazon.com/Ateco-5357-Cutters-Graduated-Stainless/dp/B00004S1CI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=ateco+fondant+circle+cutter&qid=1566828182&s=home-garden&sr=1-4&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=6d9afd0dea07f825d2cf02d9869d5979&language=en_US
- Makin's Clay Texture Sheets, 7x5.5, 4-Pack Set B: https://www.amazon.com/MakinS-Texture-Sheets-Pkg-Set-Screen/dp/B004HJA5P0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?&linkId=&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=a03e65de3e3ab115cce3f0700d51008f&language=en_US
- Wilton Easy Glide Fondant Smoother: https://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Easy-Glide-Fondant-Smoother/dp/B0000VMBQU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ac_md=1-0-VW5kZXIgJDU=-ac_d_pm&crid=2EAEN6TETZ45G&keywords=fondant+smoother&pd_rd_i=B0000VMBQU&psc=1&qid=1566930425&s=home-garden&sprefix=fondant+s,garden,156&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=6962cf015cc0196318f23cb898bdedf8&language=en_US
- Petal Dust Palette Set A: https://evilcakegenius.com/petal-dust-palette-set-a.html
- Incredible Paint by Evil Cake Genius: https://evilcakegenius.com/search/?q=incredible+paint
- Martha Stewart Crafter's Clay Silicon Molds, Romantic 1: https://www.amazon.com/Martha-Stewart-Crafters-Pkg-Romantic-1466531MA/dp/B015TB37PE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=martha+stewart+silicone+mold&qid=1570481210&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=79cb89f9eb58bf12e825d120d2849079&language=en_US
- Carlisle 4039800 Sparta Wide Pastry Brush with Nylon Bristles, 3": https://www.amazon.com/Carlisle-4039800-Sparta-Pastry-Bristles/dp/B001BQKJK8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=wide+pastry+brush&qid=1570564591&sr=8-4&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=e514e98e5b74dfc6d8efd9de28823296&language=en_US
- Tipless Pastry Bags, 16 Inch (Set of 100): https://evilcakegenius.com/tipless-pastry-bags-16-inch-set-of-100.html
- Acc U Rate 172 Pcs Clear With Stripe Boba Straws: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004050ED4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=eace349b2fbaca10be5d7cba25b53f26&language=en_US
- Isomalt Pillows Diamond Clear: https://evilcakegenius.com/stencils/stencils-for-cakes/geode-sketching-stamp-products/isomalt-pillows-diamond-clear.html
- NFD Flash Dust, Edible Food Grade Glitter: https://amzn.to/3n5CzGl
- CAI Tylose Powder, 2 Ounce: https://www.amazon.com/Confectionery-Arts-International-Professional-Strength/dp/B0013GMLRA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=2S3SZTBCR6KIH&keywords=tylose+powder&qid=1566828814&s=home-garden&sprefix=tylose,garden,145&sr=1-4&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=a903411464ec783b79d347c25919d446&language=en_US
- ECG Essential Paint Brush Set: https://evilcakegenius.com/ecg-essential-paint-brush-set.html
- Sucker Sticks, 4-1/2 Inch: https://evilcakegenius.com/sucker-sticks-4-inch.html

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Notes:

I used @3.5-4 pounds of candy melts for this entire project
Add 1-2 teaspoons of canola oil to @2 pounds of candy melts

Links:

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Here's a link to the document with the exact size headboard and footboard photo Shawna used for this project... https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FiLM_NudnJ1_lLvuSxWtGXhsrsv36Sonr8MnzTFTDV0/edit?usp=sharing
Here's the link to the document with the exact size monster inspiration photo Shawna use...
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Royal Icing Recipe
An extremely sugary icing that dries very stiff! Used for attaching decorations or as it's own decoration. Often used to decorate cookies.
Ingredients
3 tablespoonsMeringue Powder(32.25 grams)
1 poundConfectioners Sugar(454 grams - sifted, though I usually don't bother)
4 table...