Thank you all for the nice comments. You really know how to make a girl feel good!
Karl - no it wasn't hard at all. It is 1/2" thick and I would compare it to walnut or maple or any hard wood. Just be sure to use clear packaging tape over the entire design before you cut. I do this all the time when using any hard wood. Your wood doesn't burn at all and the blades last longer. It is something to do with the adhesive in the tape that keeps things running cooler. I used a #2 reverse tooth Olsen blade for the design part and a #5 for the outer and inner circles (the larger blade was more stable and allows me more control on a long cut like that!) The wood is an incredible color and I used mineral oil (no odor) and after it dried, just a couple of light coats of spray shellac. It gives a great finish and really brings out the color beautifully!
Thanks again all! Sheila
