"Sights on Spring" Cookie Decorating Class with Julia M. Usher

• Roll Call: 10:45 am Central Time (Please be prompt)
• Class: 11:00 am to 4:30 pm Central Time (5:30 pm for VIPs); 30-minute break included

Class may go longer depending on students' work pace. Julia will remain online at least through 6 pm Central Time (CT) each day to ensure that everyone is happy with their day's work. The course will also be recorded, so, if you miss any part of it, you can always catch it later.

• Two (or more) snowdrop cookies, similar to those pictured above, using Julia's signature contoured royal icing transfer and piecework techniques
• One (or more) flower-filled mixed media stenciled cookies using Julia's layered stencil designs, similar to those in the photos below

This class is suitable for all skill levels, though some experience with royal icing and airbrushing/stenciling is recommended.

Beat the winter doldrums in this flower-filled cookie course with award-winning sugar artist Julia M. Usher! Learn how to add lifelike dimension to any cookie with Julia's innovative contoured transfer and piecework techniques.

This hands-on class spans both Saturday and Sunday, January 15 and 16, and lasts five hours each day for a grand total of ten hours of unforgettable instruction! Julia will guide you step-by-step through the making of two (or more) dimensional snowdrop cookies and one (or more) lavishly detailed and stenciled mixed media cookies.

In the process, you'll gain invaluable experience with ~14 decorating techniques, including deckled (or torn) cookies; modeled cookies; regular and contoured royal icing transfers; dipping; "distressed" wafer paper; rubber-stamping; stenciled and stamped wafer paper cutouts; shading with dusts and airbrush coloring; and dimensional piecework assembly techniques. And, if honing your stenciling and precision-airbrushing skills is also one of your goals, then you're in luck. While your snowdrop icing pieces are drying, you'll get to work on some gorgeous layered stencil designs using some of Julia's favorite flower sets in her Dynamic Duos™ stencil series! These cookies will give you exposure to at least another two or three decorating techniques, including fondant appliqués and modeling chocolate ribbons and bows.

VIPs will also have an extra hour at the end of each day with Julia where she will address topics they have submitted in advance (no later than December 31, please!). As topics require, Julia will prepare mini demos to be shared during this special VIP time.

On Day #1, you’ll start with a review of how to shape the deckled base cookie (or cookies); then you'll model, bake, and ice the flower bulb cookie(s) and pipe all of the flower parts and leaves for the snowdrop cookie project. You'll also airbrush and stencil as many cookies as time allows (and your heart desires) using Julia's stencil sets. That evening after class is over, you’ll finish piping any flower parts, replenish icings as needed, and then gear up for Day #2 when the snowdrop base cookie gets decorated and the snowdrops get assembled on top. Julia will also demo how to make additional embellishments, such as fondant appliqués and modeling chocolate bows, for your stenciled designs.

Upon class sign-up, you’ll get a coupon code for a 15% discount on the major stencil-related class supplies (including airbrush systems and all JULIA-brand cookie stencils and cutters)* on confectioncouturestencils.com, Julia’s stencil partner’s site. This awesome discount starts the moment you register and stays available through January 22. (*Note: Students are responsible for all shipping costs, including VAT or other duties that may apply. Also, Confection Couture Stencils is not shipping to the UK at this time due to recent changes in taxation rules.)

But, that's not all! Julia has some awesome in-class giveaways planned (total value: $300). And, in addition to the extra hour-long breakout session with Julia at the end of each class day, VIP registrants get a FREE one-hour private video session with Julia on a future, mutually convenient date! General admission students get 10% off these same sessions.

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

• Deckled (or torn) cookies
• Modeled cookies
• Regular royal icing transfers
• Contoured royal icing transfers
• Dipping with royal icing
• "Distressed" wafer paper
• Rubber-stamping
• Stenciled and stamped wafer paper cutouts
• Dusting
• Shading with airbrush coloring
• Dimensional piecework assembly
• Stenciling and precision-airbrushing
• Fondant appliqués
• Modeling chocolate ribbons and bows

As soon as payment is confirmed: Eventbrite will automatically send you a registration confirmation email that will contain a note from Julia (at the end) with a link to her "online event page". Please be sure to look for and save this email (check your junk box). There, on that "online event page", you’ll find links to all you need to get ready for class, including:

• List of dough, cookies, and icings you’ll need to prep in advance (just 2 iced deckled cookies and 1 or more large iced cookies for stenciling; plus 5 to 6 royal icing colors)
• List of supplies with coupon code for discounted purchasing from confectioncouturestencils.com (Order any supplies as soon as possible, ideally by end of December, to allow time to receive them before class)
• Class handout with daily outlines, inspiration photos, and extensive technique tips
• Snowdrop petal and leaf templates
• Instructions for using Zoom
• Fun Zoom virtual backgrounds to use during class!
• Zoom links (to access class on each day)

During class:

• Lots of learning (~14 techniques) and fun!
• Chance to win one of three giveaways (each valued at $100 or more)

After class:

• Access to class video recordings
• An official graduation certificate!
• Coupon code for 10% discount on one-hour private video session with Julia (on her Superpeer platform!), to be used prior to March 31, 2022

For an additional $50, VIP registrants will get:

• Additional 1-hour Q&A session with Julia each day (Remember: Get your topics for discussion to Julia no later than December 31, 2021!)
• FREE one-hour private video session with Julia (on her Superpeer platform!), to be used prior to March 31, 2022 ($100 value)

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.

Important: For the entirety of supplies needed, as well as all cookie dimensions, flower/leaf templates, icing colors, and airbrush colorings, please carefully review 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, and it will link to class notes, prep list, supply list, and more, all on Julia's Google drive.) 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
• Oven access, also during class
• 3 or more large iced cookies
• Assorted royal icing colors and consistencies (5 to 6 colors)
• Assorted rubber stamps
• Petal dust
• Wafer paper
• Brown edible marker
• Corn silk
• Airbrush system (available at 15% discount on confectioncouturestencils.com)
• Assorted airbrush colorings
• Stencil set (or two) for Julia's layered stencils designs (available at 15% discount on confectioncouturestencils.com)
• Fondant

Use the coupon code EARLYBIRD to get 15% off regular class prices (below) until December 31 or until early bird seats run out, whichever comes first. IMPORTANT: Enter the coupon code on the Eventbrite page where you select your desired registration type; there is a small blue "enter promo code" link at the top of that page. Do not advance to the payment page until you've applied the coupon code and see the discount reflected in the class price.

• General Admission: $150
• VIP Admission: $200

Again, supplies are not included, though discounts will be available on many stencil-related ones. Students also have the chance to win one of three $100+ in-class giveaways!

Due to limited class capacity and the online nature of this course, no refunds will be given if you can’t attend class. (Remember: Both class days will be recorded, 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: 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.

HUGE thanks to Julia's stencil partner Confection Couture Stencils for the many discounts on airbrushing/stenciling products and for one of the $100 giveaways! The other two giveaways will remain a mystery until class time!

Each student will make two or more dimensional snowdrop cookies, complete with edible "bulb" (photos #1-#3, below), as well as one or more mixed media layered stencil designs using some of Julia's fave floral Dynamic Duos™ stencil sets (similar to photos #4 and beyond).

Event Venue

Online