• Plan ahead when making rose petals: They need to stand for about 24 hours to stiffen slightly before adding the finishing touches that make them look so realistic.
• Use a single brightly colored gumdrop to shape the petals, or knead two colors together—such as red and white to make pink. Add more white to soften the color and create a paler pink, or add a pinch of yellow to highlight a portion of the petal. Experiment with different color combinations to see which you like best. For the prettiest petals, don’t over-blend the colors or be too exact with the shaping.
• Dampen fingertips to prevent sticking when kneading gumdrops together. (A folded paper towel moistened with water works great—it’s like a stamp pad for your fingertips.) It’s easier to work with just three or four gumdrops at a time when blending new colors. After kneading several together, dredge lightly in sugar, and divide the mixture into small gumdrop-size portions for shaping individual petals and flowers.