I have a problem with the finished tops of the lids of NIP end grain containers such as boxes and canisters. The top of a lid cut off from a roughed blank with the soft pith left in is ugly and hard to correct. I've covered the pith with coffee grounds & glue, beads, marbles, and little sea shells, but they all appear to be hiding something or just don't look right. Turned inlays and finials take a lot of time and often the tail wags the dog. Inlace and cabachons (art talk for pricy inserts) seem inappropriate for blue collar working vessels. For me, it's a matter of picking the less of several evils.
Not that some on-end pith can't be attractive, but what do you all do about ugly cross section pith? Remember that NIP doesn't burn well in a fireplace or taste good on the barbie. :)
Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter