Can This Bunny Be Saved?

[Kerry Beal]

The 3rd time wasn't the charm. My first go at the 24 inch rabbit resulted in a few holes due to weak spots and a couple of cracks.

 

 

So melted down and tried again.

 

 

Second time resulted in a similar result to the smaller bunny - only a few more pieces - so back into the Selmi it went.

 

 

Third go - the fractures aren't circumferential so I can't just remove the head - fill it with something and glue the head back on. 

 

 

 

 

 

Doesn't really follow a nice necklace pattern to pipe some royal icing or thickened chocolate on it.

 

Any ideas?

 

 

Edited March 30, 2019 by Kerry Beal (log)

[RobertM]

Is that a Tomric mold?  Would Brian have an idea?  

[Kerry Beal]

6 minutes ago, RobertM said:

Is that a Tomric mold?  Would Brian have an idea?  

Might be. I'll text him.

[Merry Berry]

Forgive me if you mentioned it already, but what is your end result for this guy?  A display piece?  Customer?  Only reason I ask is I wonder how strong the cracks and fractures are and how far will he be moved or in transit?  I know with chocolate showpieces that have some heft to them in thickness, I can use my hands (they are always hot) to rub out any seams, lines and fissures.  With the thickness shown during the second casting, it looks thick enough to handle that.  Of course, once you do that, it will be dull along those lines.  Would painting a coat a la Peter Rabbit be a way to hide them after they are smoothed out?

[Kerry Beal]

Just now, Merry Berry said:

Forgive me if you mentioned it already, but what is your end result for this guy?  A display piece?  Customer?  Only reason I ask is I wonder how strong the cracks and fractures are and how far will he be moved or in transit?  I know with chocolate showpieces that have some heft to them in thickness, I can use my hands (they are always hot) to rub out any seams, lines and fissures.  With the thickness shown during the second casting, it looks thick enough to handle that.  Of course, once you do that, it will be dull along those lines.  Would painting a coat a la Peter Rabbit be a way to hide them after they are smoothed out?

Women's auxiliary at the hospital to raffle. Probably won't do a lot of moving around once I get him wrapped up. He seems pretty stable when I tried to snap his head off.

 

Painting won't give me shine either though. I'm wondering if I could fashion something in the way of a shawl. But not sure what I'd make it from.

 

Perhaps I could mold it inside the mold itself then attach it to the bunny.

[pastrygirl]

Can you give it a heavy spray with cocoa butter for that flocked/fuzzy effect?  Won't be shiny, but fuzzy is good on bunnies. 

 

Or a nice flowing cape out of modeling chocolate or sugar paste a la a superhero or little red riding hood.

Edited March 30, 2019 by pastrygirl (log)

[Kerry Beal]

Just now, pastrygirl said:

Can you give it a heavy spray with cocoa butter for that flocked/fuzzy effect?  Won't be shiny, but fuzzy is good on bunnies. 

 

Or a nice flowing cape out of modeling chocolate or sugar paste a la a superhero or little red riding hood.

 

Haven't done a lot of work with sugar paste - or even modeling chocolate for that matter - but it would likely make a better cape than painting inside the mold. 

 

Given the size of him I'd have rough time time flocking him in my 'spray booth'  but the thought did cross my mind. 

[Merry Berry]

I was thinking molding chocolate too PG.  The fuzzy effect is a great idea too.  Everyone likes fuzzy bunnies don't they?

 

I feel this bunny can definitely be saved.  😁

[Merry Berry]

I feel modeling chocolate would be your best bet.  It fits the chocolate theme, it isn't so heavy compared to sugarpaste, taste is not off-putting like some fondant, and is very forgiving when it comes to shaping and sculpting.

[JoNorvelleWalker]

Make him or her thicker?

 

[Katie Meadow]

Make him an apron with a grinning dog on it. Or one that says something stupid, like, "Eat the Cook" or "Warren Buffy" or "Crackhead."

[lemniscate]

Looks like one of the bunnies out of Watership Down.

Edited March 30, 2019 by lemniscate (log)

[Kerry Beal]

7 hours ago, JoNorvelleWalker said:

Make him or her thicker?

 

Doesn’t seem to help - it’s a mold issue up to a point. He’s pretty thick - weighs a ton!

[Kerry Beal]

6 hours ago, Katie Meadow said:

Make him an apron with a grinning dog on it. Or one that says something stupid, like, "Eat the Cook" or "Warren Buffy" or "Crackhead."

You overestimate my talents - drawing isn’t one of them 

 

[pastrygirl]

Instead of flocking, you could fling colors all over it and Jackson Pollack the whole thing.  Some drips might have to be more strategic than others.

 

The Ladies' Auxiliary might not be the right audience, but you could make an Easter mummy - spread white chocolate on strips of acetate and wrap around. 

[Kerry Beal]

Trouble with flocking is it requires a frozen bunny. I have not got a freezer big enough to get this fellow frozen and it’s too warm outside now besides that it’s raining.

 

The mummy is a fabulous idea

[pastrygirl]

Or, since you're a doctor, put him in a full body cast 😂

[Tri2Cook]

I can't believe I'm about to say this because I generally tend to be a picky basta… err... fella, with my work but... personally, I'd probably just take a fine paint brush and some well-thinned melted chocolate and paint along the cracks then say "here you go Lady's Auxiliary" and watch them be thrilled. 

[curls]

Have you had prior success with this mould? He is a huge bunny! How much does he weigh?

 

No other suggestions for repairs but if you make him again perhaps you can try painting the mould with a layer of chocolate before you do your final fill and rotate. Hopefully  we'll learn some additional tips at this year's eGullet chocolate workshop that will help you with next year's Easter bunny.

[Kerry Beal]

23 minutes ago, curls said:

Have you had prior success with this mould? He is a huge bunny! How much does he weigh?

 

No other suggestions for repairs but if you make him again perhaps you can try painting the mould with a layer of chocolate before you do your final fill and rotate. Hopefully  we'll learn some additional tips at this year's eGullet chocolate workshop that will help you with next year's Easter bunny.

I can’t recall if I’ve ever successfully molded him - I know he’s broken more times than I care to count! I’d say around 4 kg

Edited March 30, 2019 by Kerry Beal (log)

[Kerry Beal]

1 hour ago, pastrygirl said:

Or, since you're a doctor, put him in a full body cast 😂

Hmmm - wonder how I could get that rough gauze and plaster look with white chocolate?

[blue_dolphin]

Can you affix a little backpack/basket to his back/front and pipe decorative straps to disguise the cracks?

[pastrygirl]

1 hour ago, Kerry Beal said:

Hmmm - wonder how I could get that rough gauze and plaster look with white chocolate?

 

Sone sort of fine plastic mesh, like window screen or needlepoint/crossstitch backing, depending on whether the hardware store or the craft supply store is closer. 

 

or rough it up after with a stiff brush or towel. 

Edited March 30, 2019 by pastrygirl (log)

[Anna N]

 Since you did not take my first suggestion, sent by email, of giving him his head  tucked underneath his arm,  perhaps you could behead him and let him stand on his head.😂  

Edited March 30, 2019 by Anna N (log)

[Tri2Cook]

1 hour ago, Kerry Beal said:

I’d say around 4 kg

That's a huge bunny!