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Step 2Adding the Lighting to the Cake Base
I painted the pedestal base black with acrylic craft paint and when dry, covered the bare top of the MDF board with a double layer of gift wrap. Then I pre-drilled two holes in each flange (one for the witch, one for the cauldron) so that they could be screwed to the board.
Next, I punched out the paper where the holes were for the cauldron base and screwed it into the base board. I measured and used the miter saw to cut the PVC pipe for the cake to about 5 1/2 inches. I fed the end of the light strand (that would light up the green goo on the cauldron) up through the pipe from underneath. My light string had a plug on one end and a receptacle on the other. So, I cut off the receptacle end and taped the wires individually with electrical tape. Of course, ideally, you would want to use a strand that ended with one light and not a receptacle. I just happened to use what I had on hand.
As for the color of the lights, you will have to make some decisions according to your cake design. My candy top was clear but tinted green, I had made this ahead of time to test out the recipe. Originally, I thought I would use green lights for the top, and orange lights for the bottom coals. But it turned out that it looked much better and brighter with the white lights when I did a little test run.
I ended up using about 10 white lights for the top and 8 orange lights for the bottom. This worked out perfectly and gave just enough light for the effects I was looking for. Originally, I was going to use two battery operated strands that I had, but when I did a test run with the candy piece and set the lights underneath it on a plate, the lights weren't strong enough at all.
Because I changed my mind and went with the electrical strand, I then had to go back and drill a hole in the access panel just small enough for the cord to fit through, so that it would sit level on the table. I think it's important to point out that when I designed the box, I was sure to place the access panel on the "back" side of the display.
The last step was to add some protection for the candy coal lights as well as something that would lift the cauldron cake up off the cake board. I ended up using an acrylic food canister container that I had because it happen to fit perfectly over the flange. I had to cut it down to size though, so I put a piece of masking tape all the way around and marked where I wanted to cut. I used a hand saw, cut through all the way around, then lightly sanded the edge. Next, I drilled a 3/4" hole so that the pipe would fit through the center. Now I had something for my cake to sit on that would also protect the lights from touching the cake or candy coals.
Now give your lighting a test run to be sure that everything is working. Also, in the photo I show the light string hanging out, but before the actual cake assembly, I pushed those wires back through the pipe so that when I put the cake on, it would touch the wires and they'd be protected.
Next, I punched out the paper where the holes were for the cauldron base and screwed it into the base board. I measured and used the miter saw to cut the PVC pipe for the cake to about 5 1/2 inches. I fed the end of the light strand (that would light up the green goo on the cauldron) up through the pipe from underneath. My light string had a plug on one end and a receptacle on the other. So, I cut off the receptacle end and taped the wires individually with electrical tape. Of course, ideally, you would want to use a strand that ended with one light and not a receptacle. I just happened to use what I had on hand.
As for the color of the lights, you will have to make some decisions according to your cake design. My candy top was clear but tinted green, I had made this ahead of time to test out the recipe. Originally, I thought I would use green lights for the top, and orange lights for the bottom coals. But it turned out that it looked much better and brighter with the white lights when I did a little test run.
I ended up using about 10 white lights for the top and 8 orange lights for the bottom. This worked out perfectly and gave just enough light for the effects I was looking for. Originally, I was going to use two battery operated strands that I had, but when I did a test run with the candy piece and set the lights underneath it on a plate, the lights weren't strong enough at all.
Because I changed my mind and went with the electrical strand, I then had to go back and drill a hole in the access panel just small enough for the cord to fit through, so that it would sit level on the table. I think it's important to point out that when I designed the box, I was sure to place the access panel on the "back" side of the display.
The last step was to add some protection for the candy coal lights as well as something that would lift the cauldron cake up off the cake board. I ended up using an acrylic food canister container that I had because it happen to fit perfectly over the flange. I had to cut it down to size though, so I put a piece of masking tape all the way around and marked where I wanted to cut. I used a hand saw, cut through all the way around, then lightly sanded the edge. Next, I drilled a 3/4" hole so that the pipe would fit through the center. Now I had something for my cake to sit on that would also protect the lights from touching the cake or candy coals.
Now give your lighting a test run to be sure that everything is working. Also, in the photo I show the light string hanging out, but before the actual cake assembly, I pushed those wires back through the pipe so that when I put the cake on, it would touch the wires and they'd be protected.
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Nov 2, 2009. 8:35 PMimstuffed
says:
very impressive! the lights are the perfect size!!
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Nov 2, 2009. 2:59 PMpattit
says:
Not only an excellent baker, but part electrician, builder also. You are a "Jane of all trades."
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