Better Bit of Butter Designer Cookies July 25, 2009

I just found a new designer cookie maker out of Cleveland thanks to some cookiesChristine Mehling, created for an event Amy Atlas of took part in called Sunday Suppers (It was Moroccan themed and Christine’s cookies are in the picture below top left). 

via Amy Atlas' Blog

Christine Mehling, owner and chief designer of Better Bit of Butter started out as a BFA grad turned jewelry designer and later crossed over into the world of designer cookies.  Applying her talent in jewelry design to sugar and butter,  she hand-designs and embellishes each cookie with bold graphics, colour and repetitive images, producing some fabulous looking cookies if I do say so myself.   As her designer cookies began to take off as gifts, and treats at weddings, and showers, she chose the Better Bit of Butter from an old nursery rhyme and was off to the races building her business.

Better Bit of Butter Cookies (photo via Busy Mommy)

photo via daily grommet

photo via better bit of butter website

Candy Aesthetics February 2, 2009

Incorporating candy into an event or centering an entire event around the colourful sugar treat can significantly boost room aesthetics and event vibe.  Not only does candy add allure and an interactive component to a party, it also brings depth to a table by using a variety of shapes, sizes, colours and canisters. 

For those of you who are tempted to try creating a masterpiece of your own at your next event but are not sure where to start, here are a couple photos and resources to put candy table design into perspective.

In terms of equipment you can be as creative or conservative as you would like.  You are the artist and the table, your canvas.  There are many great stores to find candy containers from antique stores, to IKEA, garage sales to the dollar store-  depending on your theme and desired look you can go as cheap or extravagant with your candy storage containers as your budget permits.  Next, something to scoop the candy.  Plastic shovels, bulk barn shovels, tongs… again lots of choices and don’t be afraid to decorate the handle or choose monochromatic pieces to add to the look of your table.

Lastly, the take-away boxes- cellophane, chinese takeout boxes, paper bags, cups, shot glasses, ramakens are just some of the ideas I have used and seen people use in the past.   Store bags in a cute container and think about how to add some fun and tempt guests to treat themselves.

For some information on how to gauge candy quantity, Simply Stated posted the following information here.  Likewise, Hostess with the Mostess blog did a piece on candy birthday tables for kids.  There is no reason why you can’t update some of the pieces to tailor it for more grown up appeal.

And now on to the visuals….

Candy Buffet (from Simply Stated)

Candy Table (from Hostess with the Mostess)

Candy Table (from Favors a la carte)

monochromatic candy examples (from the paper pony)

 

 

Amy Atlas Yellow Candy Table (from Design Editor)