What can be used in place of shellac for this project?

My friend is making ornaments for her tree this year, little Christmas colored cupcakes. They will be made from real cupcake papers, styrofoam, puffy paint, glass beads and “pluffy” (soft molding clay.)

We had originally intended to shellac them so that they would be firm and sturdy enough to last longer than one holiday. Apparently they no longer sell shellac for health reasons, so we are at a loss. She tried polyurethane, but she said it wouldn’t dry properly.

Any thoughts?