I was wondering if anyone sprays their gumpaste flowers with anything to give them a shiney look? I made some and they look kinda dry. thank you.

I'm not sure but steaming them I think works.

could you give them a spray with a clear vanilla/almond extract maybe? (i saw them spray fondant with something on the foodnetwork challenge but i think it was just air)-not sure really but hope you get some answers!

Steaming for a few seconds will help set the color especially if you've used any petal dust.

What about clear vanilla extract and luster/pearl dust? Works for me.

Hold them in the steam from a tea kettle for about two seconds and they will dry with that nice sheen that petals naturally have. If you dust them again after they dry from that, they will have that velvet look that some darker roses have.

Steaming works great. Just bring a little water to boil in a shallow pan. Hold your dry rose by the wire upside down over the water. Not close enough to burn yourself, but just close enough that the steam gently covers the rose. Turn the rose from side to side to get all sides. It only takes a few seconds total. Hang it to dry completely. The shine lasts a good while, too. HTH

Just hold them over the steam from a kettle or an open pot for a few seconds. Don't touch them because they are sticky for a bit.

Just hold them over the steam from a kettle or an open pot for a few seconds. Don't touch them because they are sticky for a bit.

Steam 'em!

guess steam (lol sp) is the answer-i'll have to give that a try soon (i have some deep purple that i want to be nice and luster-y)

WOw thanks every one. SO i am going to try steaming um....

And after steaming, don't let them touch the other steamed roses, it streaks the colored dust off and you'll have a clean spot. Ask me how I know. LOL.

i steamed them, they look alittle better, so now do i dust them with pearl dust?

I was thinking you already had dusted them. So steam them again after you dust them.

Just brush the color on with a soft brush. Some people use makeup brushes. But I find they're too soft. Look at a picture of a real flower to see how the coloration varies. Some are darker in the center of the flower. Some are darker in the center of the petal, etc..

I use non-toxic chalks (not the oil based ones) I grate them into dust as I use them on a little tea strainer. You can get a pack of 24 colors for $7 at michaels as opposed to real petal dusts which would cost you a fortune for 24 colors.

if you want a stronger shine, use confectioners glaze, you can dilute it down to change the strength of the shine too.
xx