"Perfect Place Cards" Cookie Decorating Class with Julia M. Usher

Early Bird registration is now open through November 21, 5 pm CT! If you purchase before this time, you'll automatically get 15% off tickets of any type (General Admission or VIP). Once you purchase, be sure to look for Julia's "online event page" link in your Eventbrite confirmation email. (It will be in a note from Julia at the end of that email.) You can also access the online event page by clicking the blue "Access link" link under "Location" on this page. The online event page will contain links to all of the needed class materials, plus the Zoom class access links for each day.

• Date: December 7 and 8, 2024 (class spans two days on Zoom!)
• Roll Call: 9:45 am CT (central time); please be prompt so Julia can check everyone in before class starts!
• Class Times (Each Day): 10:00 am to 4:00 pm CT (5:00 pm for VIPs); 30-minute break included
  Note: If you can't make the live hands-on class on Zoom each day, no worries. Every second will be recorded, and you'll get forever-access to these videos of class.
  

Who said 3-D cookies can’t be practical as well as impressive?! Not Julia! In this two-part, hands-on class, Julia will show how to elevate your winter holiday tables with an unexpected edible that doubles as a festive napkin ring and place card! Over the two class days, you’ll make one or more napkin ring cookies, and gain experience with a host of innovative cookie decorating techniques (~12!) that work beautifully on any cookie project, either 3-D or 2-D! Those techniques include: contoured and embossed cookies, contoured and airbrushed royal icing transfers (for leaves), sculpted royal icing putty (for berries), piped dimensional royal icing (for pine cones), stamped fondant appliqués, sponging, spackling, spraying and airbrush shading, piped beadwork, gilded modeling chocolate ribbons and bows, and 3-D assembly. On Class Day One, cookies will be shaped and baked, and long lead-time items that require icing drying time will be made. On Class Day Two, the elements made on the first day will be further embellished and then assembled into these spectacular, tasty, and functional treats!

Upon class sign-up, you’ll get an extra gift from Julia - a 20% discount code to apply to all of her online tutorials on . This awesome discount starts the moment you register and stays available until February 28, 2025. (Note that these tutorials are not needed for this class; they're simply an added perk from Julia as a thank-you for taking this class.)

And that’s not all! Julia has two awesome in-class giveaways planned ($200 combined value), and, as noted earlier, the course will be recorded so you can access it long after the live event is over. VIP registrants will get an extra hour-long breakout session with Julia at the end of each day where they'll get to explore different napkin ring decorating methods and an alternative place card cookie design. In addition, VIPs will receive a FREE one-hour private video session with Julia to be redeemed after class. In this session, VIPs can get personal cookie coaching on whatever topics they like.

Don’t delay in signing up! Class size is limited so Julia can give everyone her utmost attention!

All levels; the more students, the merrier! Julia will tailor her pace and instruction so that even beginning decorators can follow along. Some experience with royal icing is recommended, however.

• Embossed cookies
• Contoured cookies
• Contoured and airbrushed royal icing transfers (for leaves)
• Piped dimensional royal icing (for pine cones)
• Sculpted royal icing putty (for berries)
• Stamped fondant appliqués (for tag)
• Sponging
• Spackling
• Spraying and airbrush shading
• Piped beadwork
• Modeling chocolate ribbons and bows
• 3-D sandwiched assembly

• Stenciling on contoured cookies (for VIPs ONLY)
• Dipping contoured cookies (for VIPs ONLY)
• Texturing contoured cookies with embossing sheets (for VIPs ONLY)
• "Enamel" inlay (for VIPs ONLY)
  

As soon as payment is confirmed: An email from Julia via Eventbrite with a link to her "online event page", where you’ll find:

• Link to Julia's (29-page!) class handout with advance prep and supply lists, recipe links, class outline, extensive technique tips, and inspiration images (Note: The handout is mostly images and tips for future reference!)
• Exclusive class coupon code for 20% off Julia's online tutorials, including those in her guest series
• Instructions for using Zoom
• Link to fun virtual Zoom backgrounds to use during class!
• Two Zoom links (to access the live online classes on December 7 and 8)

Again, be on the lookout for this email; it will come immediately after you register in your registration confirmation email from Eventbrite. Important: All written materials and photos are copyrighted by Julia M. Usher. Access to and use of them and all other class links are restricted to paid registrants only.

During class:

• Lots of learning (~12 techniques) and excitement!
• Chance to win one of two giveaways (total value $200)

After class:

• Access to class video recordings (typically sent the day after the last class day)
• An official graduation certificate!
• Coupon code for 10% discount on one-hour private video session with Julia (on her Superpeer platform), coupon to be applied prior to February 28, 2025
  

For an additional $35, VIP registrants will get:

• Additional one-hour breakout session at the end of each class focused on four other covering/decorating techniques that can be used on the napkin ring cookie (i.e., stenciling, dipping, texturing with embossing sheets, and "enamel" inlay) with the option to also explore an alternative place card design that Julia will prep in advance. Given time constraints, students will not be able to replicate this particular design in class, but Julia will provide enough instruction to do so after class.
• FREE one-hour private video session with Julia (on her Superpeer platform), coupon to be applied prior to February 28, 2025 ($100 value)
  

Important: Students must supply their own tools and cookies if they want to follow along with Julia. (Of course, if you just want to sit back, relax, and watch Julia decorate, that's fine too!) For the entirety of supplies needed, as well as all cookie quantities and dimensions, icing colors, and airbrush colorings, please carefully review the class handout, downloadable on the "online event page" that you’ll receive after registering for class. (Again, a link to this page will come in your registration confirmation email from Eventbrite.) Most items are ones you will already have (if you’re an established cookie decorator) or can easily find, with the possible exception of:

• Laptop, tablet, or cell phone with strong internet connection, for accessing Zoom
• 1/2x batch of Julia's gingerbread dough (recipe provided, to be made in advance; all 2 to 4 cookies will be shaped and baked together in class)
• Assorted royal icing colors and consistencies (five colors, to be made in advance)
• Semisweet modeling chocolate (recipe provided, to be made in advance)
• Ateco or Wilton #101 piping tip, heavy-duty piping bag, and rose nail
• Airbrush system (for highlighting/shadowing some cookie components with airbrush colorings; though dusts can be substituted, or airbrush colorings can be painted instead of airbrushed)
• Assorted airbrush colorings (about five, including red or maroon, black, brown, moss or avocado green, and orange; see note above)
• White soft-gel food coloring (AmeriColor or equivalent)
• PME edible pearl luster spray (optional; luster dust can be substituted)
• PME edible bronze luster spray (optional; luster dust can be substituted)
• PME edible glaze spray (optional; corn syrup glaze can be substituted)
• White (or taupe) and brown rolled fondant (a few ounces only)
• Small letter rubber stamp (optional; edible marker or food coloring paint can be substituted)
  

If you purchase before the close of Early Bird registration (November 21, 5 pm CT), you'll automatically get 15% off the regular class prices listed below.

• General Admission: $135
• VIP Admission: $170

Again, supplies are not included, but as noted above, all students will receive a sizeable discount on Julia's entire library of online tutorials. Students also have the chance to win one of two in-class giveaways, valued at $200 in total!

Due to limited class capacity and the online nature of this course, no refunds will be given if you can’t attend class. (Remember: Class will be recorded in its entirety, and all registered students will get access to those recordings.) Registration can be transferred, but you must notify Julia first (at least 48 hours prior to class) and provide her with the name and contact information (email and phone) of the person to whom you're transferring. She will then relay all class materials and links to that person. Important: Again, all class materials and links are restricted to paid registrants only. If Julia should need to cancel for some unforeseen reason, refunds will be issued to those who cannot attend the rescheduled class.

Below are various photos of napkin ring/place card cookies using the techniques that will be covered in the general admission portion of class, along with closeups of the pine cone royal icing transfers, which are arguably the focal point of the project. The last photo shows the different napkin ring "treatments" that students will have an opportunity to explore in the VIP session. And, again, in that VIP session (as students' desire and time permit), Julia will also present an alternative (and very different) place card design using the same cookie shaping, texturing, and decorating techniques covered in the general admission session.

Event Venue

Online