So, I'm totally new to fondant.  I know that if you steam it, it will leave a beautiful shine, but is there any other way to get that shine?  I do not have a steamer.  I made marshmallow fondant so I dont know if that makes a difference.  

Thanks!

Before I got my steamer, I used a small iron that i had with a steam setting and just pressed the steam button over and over to make the iron release the steam and give my cakes that nice shine! Just make sure the keep the iron a good distance away from your cake, you don't want it melting anything. Hope this helps!!
 

AAre you making a purse cake that needs to be shiny like patent leather? Cause honestly, most times shiny fondant is not a desired look. We do what we can to make sure it's not shiny. Applying luster dust for sparkle, sure, in some cases that's great.

I agree AZ...I cannot stand that look!  I cringe when I watch Cake Boss because they do all their cakes that way it seems.

I thought the look was desired, you know because of Cake Boss, I personally think a matte look is better myself, so I will stick with my feelings unless the shiny look is specifically requested or would make it look better, ie, like a leather purse look. 

Thanks to all of you for your advice!

I do have another question, the cake I am making is due for delivery next friday afternoon.  I am icing it in buttercream, but am using fondant for some embellishments. Do I let them sit out uncovered and dry, or do I cover them?  I have NEVER used fondant before, so this is all new to me.  I made a marshmallow fondant.

I cover mine with a cake umbrella or if I have a huge area of decorations to cover, I use a breathable fabric like chiffon or voile.  Hope this helps!

AIs that for the whole cake, or just for some "toppers"? All I have is some toppers

AHow would I keep this stored until it is placed on the cake for delivery in one week?? It is made from marshmallow fondant.

Do I wrap it, cover it, or let it sit out uncovered?? I have other little pieces like this that are going on the cake as well.

[IMG]http://cakecentral.com/content/type/61/id/3069028/width/200/height/400[/IMG]

I just stick them in a ziplock bag

I keep them on a cooling rack lined with wax paper until I use them. Make sure they're completely dry if you decide to put them in a ziplock bag, otherwise, they'll all stick together and be a big lump of mess.

AYou need to cover your fondant pieces to protect them from dust, etc. but unless they are completely dry (which is difficult this time of year with the humidity in most places) you do not want to put them in something airtight. You can leave them on whatever you have them on and just cover them with a clean, lightweight tea towel. If the pieces are really fragile, though, it would be better to store them in a cardboard cake box so they are covered but don't have any weight on them at all.

So the pieces of fondant i created have dried way too much.  And i still have until Friday for the cake delivery!  How can I rehydrate (so to say) these cutout pieces so that they are more flexible.  I need them to have some flex when i put them on the cake.