If you use fondant, you can make a mixture of 3 parts vodka to 2 parts cornsyrup. Mix well and brush on. It will give it a really shiny finish. Hope this helps 
A little bit of glycerine mixed with water gives a great shine to fondant
boonati had a veggie tales cake and the tomato was really shiny fondant. She said she sprayed some cooking spray on her hands and rubbed it on.
In my photos I have a couple of cakes with buttercream ladybugs on them. feel free to ask questions about them if you decide to go that route.
thanks everyone for the hints. I decided to make the ladybugs with royal icing. I make the spots, face and stripe with purple gel color thinned with a little vanilla, it worked great even looks black instead of purple. I think i am going to give them a little gloss with some clear vanilla and see it that gives them an overall shine. This won't break down the royal icing will it.? Thanks again everyone for their input. tina page
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