And so it ends with this little thing.
In hindsight, I have to admit that I am proud of what I made. It was the best that I could do at the time with the skills that I had. Initially I was a bit disappointed with the final result and actually preferred what I had made during the last practical. There were a couple of things that went wrong that day. First off, the color of my poured sugar was not what I had wanted. The picture (taken with my cellphone) doesn’t accurately depict the translucent purple of the piece. I wanted the panel to be darker and deeper so that it would create some nice contrasts. To adjust to the unforeseen purple, I decided to make white and yellow pulled sugar, only I caramelized the yellow and got bronze. All together, the colors were washed out. Second, as I was assembling the piece, the purple panel cracked and broke along the bottom edge of the lower square. Because of the additional pieces and extra posts I made, the panels ended up being thinner than usual, and thus more fragile. I was able to glue and lean it against the yellow panel behind, but it was just not as nice and moreover the cause of a LOT of stress and anxiety. The pulled pieces also could have come together a bit more smoothly. The gaps in between bothered me and the sphere at the bottom of the curve was too big. If the panels had been more elongated and I had been able to glue more whispy lines at the top, I think the piece could have looked more elegant and charming.
However, there were a lot of things that went well. I was able to make more than enough roses, leaves, and spheres. I even had time to redo the big rose because the first one I did came out like a pine cone/cabbage. I also successfully executed the ribbon (stripes on the left), which I had never been able to do before. I had also never done that halo, which I think really helps elevate the whole piece.
There are so many things to pick at and dwell over, but in the end I realized that if I were 100% happy with what I had made, I would have no more room to grow and be better. I did the best that I could and that is what matters.
I must’ve done a couple things right because I graduated fifth in my class! It’s not first, but I had no expectations at all of placing in the top five that it felt just the same. It still hasn’t hit me that the course is over. The past nine months have flown by, and although I have learned so much during that time, I feel like I have only just begun to scratch the surface.
I begin my internship this week! I’ve heard so many awful and disappointing stories from past students, that I’m trying not to set my expectations too high, but I’m still excited.
Julie says
congratulations Jessica! I’m so proud of you. can’t wait to see you in summer!!!!
Vivienne says
yayyy congrats! you’re ALL done…it seems like not too long ago when u started!
i watched a show about pulling/pouring sugar lately…it seems like such hard work…didnt know you need that much strength for that! your final piece is beautiful!
cools – you’re doing intern at LCB? that sounds great! i hope you enjoy it!
Jessica says
Vivienne- Thanks!! Sugar pulling does require a lot of physical strength, but I really enjoyed it! My internship is at a patisserie in Paris. I’ll update soon about how it’s going!
hungry dog says
Congratulations! You have worked so hard and it has really paid off. I think your final project is beautiful I’m excited to follow you as you experience your internship–no matter what happens, it will be a learning experience! By the way, any recommendations for me to check out in Paris? I’m headed there for the first time in a month.
Michelle says
CONGRRRRRRRRRATTTTTTTTTS!!!
Grace says
Congratulations, Jessica! Can’t wait to read about your internship
Twinkle says
Oh wow!! Congrats!! I’ve loved following your blog during the whole course, can’t wait for blog posts about your internship =)
Ellie (Almost Bourdain) says
Congratulation Jessica!!!
Kathy says
Congratulations!
Camille says
Felicitations! I’ve never done a ribbon – I’m really impressed. Can’t wait to hear about your internship! Maybe we should get a coffee one of these days to trade stories.
Jessica says
Camille- Thanks!! We should definitely try to get coffee sometime. I’d love to hear what you think about my internship observations so far!
Sunny says
Congrats, Jessica!!! 🙂
Haein says
Wow! Congrats! Your final piece still looks amazing!
A Little Yumminess says
Absolutely beautiful. Congrats! What a proud momemt. MUst feel so good!
Bex says
WOW. Congratulations Jess!! You did it, and I am really proud of you!!! You’re so amazing! I love the rose creation, it is so intricate and pretty!!
Best wishes on the internship!