Here's the pictures of the soft maple dish with probably a half-dozen "coats" of shellac on it. Not sure how many, because I sort of set it near the computer and put on shellac over at the table periodically while having a cup of coffee or tea. Could be six, could be ten for all I know.
It will likely get a couple more some time in the future before a quick buff or rub with wax to cut back a bit on the gloss. Have to be very careful power buffing shellac, as it flows at about 160 degrees.
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Shows the dark heartwood far side and what was the waterlogged sapwood in the foreground.
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The view from above after rotating 180 degrees. The cotton pad I use for shellac (LR) is the kind women use for removing cosmetics.
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Outside, to show the basic contour. With the figure, you're hard-pressed to guess it's the same wood on convex versus concave surfaces, though some is the light from the flash. If I were going to use it as an entry, I'd use diffused lighting and a vanishing background. Hope you like it. I thought it was pretty nice looking until I set it on the table and went to fetch the shellac. Susan picked it up while she was clearing the leftover waffle stuff and asked whether she should "pitch it?"
When I said no, that I was going to put on a coat of shellac, she said "oh, I thought it was broken, because of the corners."
Now you know why I never solicit critiques....