Looks nice Dave. Vcarve seems to be serving you well. Maybe you want to make another sign
which reads "NOW LOOK WHAT WE GOT".
Here is something you can fool with.
Pick up a small tube of say "burnt amber" artist oil paint at a hobby store. You can thin the paste out using lacquer thinner.
apply / rub to any part and shade to suite to your desire. A good product in a spray can for sealing is "DEFT".
Since it's lacquer based, dries very fast, can make it dead flat with built up coats, you can also vary sheen from very high gloss to matt finish, IS REPAIRABLE.
A light coating of shellac can seal grain and allow for drying in the soft or end grain and sands out easly allowing for control of staining.
Just a few tips for they are worth from custom gun stock making.
RICH