One of my favorite bloggers offered some great advice recently. She suggested that if a task is intimidating, proceed as if you are doing it on behalf of someone else. This advice really applies to my Cookies for Africa endeavor. As I’ve mentioned before, artistry and creativity are not on my list of gifts, but I’m making these cookies to benefit those at high-risk for malaria. So when people request certain orders – like an order for hurricane lamps (!) – I respond “Sure!! No problem!” with multiple exclamation points. Meanwhile, a knot the size of a ballpark pretzel forms in my stomach.
I started by googling, to see some typical hurricane lamps. The donor specified bases of different sizes, shapes, and colors and the typical glass covering on the top. I made three templates that seemed simple enough to cut with a paring knife, cut out the dough, and baked the cookies. I used a #1 tip to detail the bases and mixed red, yellow, and orange for the flame. Finally, I used pearl dust to give the effect of a frosted glass base, brass base, and silver base. As you can see, I’m still learning to work with the dust. It’s meant to be mixed with a small amount a high-proof alcohol and then painted on with a brush. I seem to be mixing it incorrectly (perhaps too much liquid?), because it pits and cracks the icing. Any advice, anyone?
While I never would have dreamed of attempting Hurricane Lamp cookies on my own, the donor seemed very pleased with the results. And thanks to her exceptional generosity, this order combined with one I’ll show you next, earned at least 7 nets.
Oh my goodness, Becky — these are unbelievable!!! When you described them, I still wasn’t sure how to picture hurricane lamp cookies. But these look exactly like hurricane lamps! I love the texturing and different patterns on the lamps, and the flames look so authentic!! You are REALLY going to have to stop saying that “artistry and creativity are not on my list of gifts.” Clearly, that is NOT true!!!!
Becky- I agree with Kate, those are fantastic! You really need to stop saying things like “I have no artistry” etc. That’s just not true, you are incredibly gifted! Every time I see new cookies I tell peter “well now we know where all your dad’s artistic talent went.”
Becky, Kate is correct. You are gifted artistically or at least have a fast way to learn some excellent skills! Awesome!
Thanks… I’m learning that I can’t say this any more, because it definitely sounds like I’m just fishing for compliments, which I’m not! I’ll have to think of a way to articulate what I’m trying to say and then I’ll share it with you all! Thank you for your kind words, compliments, and support!!!
I don’t think you’re fishing for compliments — I just think you’re selling yourself short when it comes to your natural talents and abilities. Your (maybe previously hidden, but not sure I would even agree to this?) creativity and artistry have clearly found their outlet here!!!
I agree with all of the above comments. You are CLEARLY gifted beyond your own recognition! I thought the tedy bears were myfavorite, but I forgto about these. They are SO beautiful! I’m glad they weren’t for me–I don’t think I could bring myself to eat them!
I think I know how you feel, because I often feel that way myself. I guess I am gifted in “crafting” things but not coming up with original ideas. I need to look at pictures and closely follow instructions, probably like how you followed a picture to make these FANTASTIC cookies. Wow. Such detail.
Yeah, I used pictures of real hurricane lamps to get some ideas. Then I just came up with shapes I could cut out easily with a paring knife. For the details I used some silver bangle bracelets my Grandmother gave me years ago as inspiration. Just sort of modified some of those designs to look pretty on here.