PLEASE NOTE THAT MANY OF THE AMACO PUSH MOLDS ARE NOW DISCONTINUED!

AMACO (American Art and Clay Company) "push molds" were originally produced for craft modelling, using a variety of modelling clays, but they are also very suitable for use in cake decorating. Like the CelShapes moulds, they can be used in so many different ways, to produce original designs. At this time there are 18 different moulds available, and many of them are shown below :

Using the moulds for cake decoration :

Some moulds can be used with sugarpaste alone (eg. the Large Flowers, Teddies, Rabbits, Cats, Dogs), but usually a mixture of sugarpaste (rolled fondant) and flower paste (gumpaste), or mexican paste, works well. Dust the mould with cornflour (cornstarch) and remove the excess.

For deep moulds (eg roses) roll the paste to a small point before pushing into the mould so that the paste goes right down into the deep areas. More than one colour of paste can be placed in the mould - eg. yellow centres for the daisy, sheath on the cob of corn or calyx on berries etc.. The main colour is then pressed in afterwards before removing the completed piece from the mould.

Usually, it is easier if excess paste is left at the back, and is formed into a small stem or "handle". This enables easy removal from the mould and the excess can then be cut away with a fine pair of scissors. For thin mouldings (eg leaves), it is better to start with a flat piece of paste that is similar in size to reduce the amount of trimming needed. Extra "life" or more realism can be introduced into a moulded piece by snipping between the petals to give better separation.

See the Large Pansy mould being used in the AMACO Tutorial :

   

For some shapes it is best to roughly form a piece of paste and then snip into two or more parts before pushing in the mould. When making the peas in the vegetable mould, for example, snip the green paste into two parts, or to prepare the calyx for the pansy, snip the green paste into three parts.

The "Cats" and "Dogs" moulds and the Country Houses moulds (which are in a black coloured resin) were the last to be introduced, and exciting cake decorations can be created.

There are six different house fronts to choose from and they are useful for a host of craft projects :

#1 Wedgewood House                    #2 Ridge Row House                   #3 Forest Hill House
#4 Meadowview House                  #5 Mill Farm House                     #6 Innavale Church

Using AMACO House moulds on a Christmas Cake (by Margaret Ford, based on an idea by Nicholas Lodge) :

Of course, there are possibilities for other cakes with houses - eg Cottage & garden etc.

AMACO moulds are great for Cold Porcelain too!

Here are some easy cold porcelain projects :

Brooch and Ear Rings - using a large Pansy mould, brush it lightly with cold cream. Colour some paste a creamy yellow shade and take a size 10 ball and push into the mould. Do not go over the edge of the mould and draw all excess paste to the centre back so that it can be gripped between thumb and forefinger. Remove the paste from the mould and cut away any excess at the back with scissors. Leave for a short while to firm on the front and then attach with super glue to a brooch pin. (NB. A daisy brooch can be made in a similar way.) Paint in chosen colours when dry. Mould earrings in the small pansy mould. For 'clip on' style, attach as for the brooch. For 'pierced style', make a small hole at the top of the pansy whilst it is still soft and insert a fish-hook fitting.

Fridge Magnets - mould a desired shape from a mould - eg Teddy Bear or Rabbit mould - by pressing paste into the mould etc, as described above. It is important to finish off with a back that is fairly flat. Decorative items can be added to the mould to give individuality - the teddy bear has been given a bow tie and the rabbit a tiny flower! When the front has become firm, it is possible to turn over and cut away some of the soft paste. This allows for the magnet to be partially embedded and gives a neater finish. The magnetic strip can be fixed in place with super glue. When drying, it is a good idea to turn the shape over from time to time, to allow even drying and to prevent the piece from curving!

To view the AMACO moulds, click

Moulds (size 3¼"x1¾") :
Roses, Daisies/Sunflower, Tulip/Daffodil, Violets/Ivy, Pansies, Berries/Blossoms, Fruits, Poinsettia/Holly

Moulds (size 3¼"x2¼")
Butterfly/Angel, Teddy Bears, Large Rose, Large Pansy/Violet, Large Daisy/Ivy, Cats, Dogs

Houses Moulds (larger variable sizes, 4"x 3" approx, in black finish)
#1 Wedgewood House, #4 Meadowview House, #5 Mill Farm House