Does anyone know if sugar (candy) can be preserved?

[scarlet_owl]

My mother-in-law gave me a sugar skull for Dia De Los Muertos to add to my extensive collection. I didn't have a sugar skull, and I would like to add it to my collection, but it seems really fragile. Does anyone know if there is some way I could preserve it so I can display it in my collection? Any help would be appreciated. Edited for spelling error.

[NYC]

1. People often shellac food.

I don't know if sugar will dissolve in contact with shellac. You could test a tiny spot on the bottom. Try shellac or polyurethane.

If it doesn't dissolve, use two coats.

[scarlet_owl]

2. Hmmm. I didn't think of that! Thanks.

I'll try it!

[patdem]

3. Uh....sugar IS a preservative!!! What would make sugar go bad??? besides

a sweet tooth????

[scarlet_owl]

5. What I'm talking about is

I don't want the sugar to react with humidity and dissolve. That would suck. I also want to protect it from crumbling.

[patdem]

8. Yes moisture would be a problem....a glass humidor??? or any humidor?

a cigar humidor is a perfect place, but most are not large nor display worthy. What about a display cabinet with a light...and put the sugar skull on the shelf with the light...the heat from the light would keep the humidity down.

What about painting a heavy glaze of sugar that could harden like a taffy, only clear??? There are many ways I am sure of preserving a delicate sugar memento. I am sure someone here can advise you...or try a google search????

[VelmaD]

4. My concern with shellac

would be that it would melt the sugar. Maybe you should get one of littel glass dome0shaped containers you use to store knickknacks or whatever to keep them out of the elements.

[scarlet_owl]

6. I think I'll try it out on a sugar cube first.

If it doesn't work, I'll just eat it and make one out of clay. After all, the Day of the Dead is all about things not being permanent.

[jokerman93]

7. Try a hobby shop

I think there's a spray polyurethane that can basically coat your skull in a permanant clear plastic sheath.

But you'll have to inhale really hard...

[morningglory]

9. Sugar is a preservative, but moisture is a problem.

Thick shellac may keep it for quite a while if you live inland. People make bread dough christmas decorations and shellac them or use some glaze a crafter would know about.

[Don_G]

10. A Clear Spray Polyurethane Will Work

Krylon makes one that dries fairly quick so you can give it multiple coats in the space of a day to make certain its sealed.

The only thing you have to decide is matte or shiny.