Another view of the same scrap piece of cherry. In both pictures, the surfaces have only been minimally sanded, and a single coat of blonde shellac has been brushed on. In the final product, proper sanding will be done, and 3-4 coats of the shellac will be sprayed on, weather permitting.

EDIT: and despite photographic appearances, the wood is not warped on the lower right (nor elsewhere) -- that's just the curly depth of the wood playing tricks with the light

Cheers