Is there a trick to make gumpaste items dry with shinier or with a more polished look? Whenever I make anything out of gumpaste, the items always dry with a very dull or matte finish.

They can be steamed when finished. Also, I think there is something called confectioner's glaze you may be able to use too.

I recently started using Luster Dust on my gumpaste flowers. Makes them so much prettier.

I've started steaming my gumpaste flowers. They end up with a nice glossy look. The last time I made roses I brushed them with pearl dust and held them in the steam over boiling water for a very short time. I rotated them constantly while they were over the steam. There is a close up of the roses in my pictures, the lime green wedding cake, if you want to see the effect. I've since purchased a hand held clothing steamer but have only used it on a cake, not flowers yet.