I think the creativity that draws us to chocolatiering is helpful in working out ways to do things other that the "official", expensive way. I have not purchased any ganache frames yet, and I will in the future but for now, I found a bun pan extender at a restaurant supply store that works well for a frame (albeit a large one). I keep thinking when I am at home depot, that they must have something that could be used for caramel bars.
Target has some heart shaped silicone ice cube molds for valentines day, I pressed marzipan into those to make heart shaped marzipans. If you search online, you will find several homemade vibrating tables. And then, if you are really crafty, there is a thread somewhere on making a guitar- but you need to weld stuff together. (If you are interested I think it is on the egullet forums...).
In the ecole chocolat curriculum, there was a really interesting article about Jacques Torres and how he opened his chocolate shop. He himself did a lot of the work, building, painting, etc. I think being able to do things this way is what may help a lot of people stay in business during these tough economic times. I know that when I am ready for opening my own shop, my husband son and I will be doing a lot of the work- I am thinking going as far to even build my display cases.
If you keep reading the forums you will find so many creative ways that people have solved problems and made things work for them.
