Shellac. According to Wikipedia is a resin secreted by the female lac bug on trees in the forests of India and Thailand. It is processed and sold as dry flakes and dissolved in alcohol to make liquid shellac, which is used as a brush-on colorant, food glaze and wood finish. Shellac functions as a tough natural primer, sanding sealant, tannin-blocker, odor-blocker, stain, and high-gloss varnish. With that first paragraph, Wiki tells you everything you need to know about shellac.

Wiki tells you the facts about shellac. It does tell you the differences between shellac buttons (waxed) and shellac flakes (dewaxed), the historical uses, the application procedure, or the long term viability for uses in high humid environments. It does not tell when waxed is preferred over non-waxed and vise versa. For those answers one has to rely on vendors (are these reliable sources?) and websites stating uses (are these reliable sources?). And oh, how the information varies. Yes, to this. No, to that. Mix in ratio 1 not ratio 2. Since we have no experience or expectations, the Planner selected a vendor, samples were orders, and mixing ratio provided was used. Decision made, right wrong or otherwise.

Even with the instructions, the readings, and the videos, there is still so much left unknown. The world doesn’t tell you is what color will work best with what wood. Doesn’t tell you is how many layers will be needed once applied. Doesn’t tell you the layers will vary due to wood type, age, grain. Doesn’t tell you the working time will be very quick even in the best environmental conditions. Doesn’t tell you one must be able to easily work overhead, while walking on ladders, and not afraid to become one with the shellac overspray.

Nope, with all the reading, I found we still don’t much of anything. Like the fact that shellac, even when grinding, is scentless. Or that pouring out buttons makes a beautiful sound. Or that playing with buttons is soothing. Or that the results can be professional level with novice experience. Or that the finish will be subtly shiny and the beauty revealed is both comfortably warm. Or that fact that I am in love.