Reply by Richard

I like shellac because it dries very fast and is easy to sand and get several coats on in a day and as you found out it gives a very smooth surface that has a good gloss but dosen’t look like plastic like moost of the poly does. I don’t think it would be as good as poly for a surface like a table or something that is going to get a lot heavy use, but for the jewerly boxes and other things like bookshelves and lamps Etc. it is very nice and also is cheaper that most of the poly finishes. I havent done a lot of finishing but I have not had the problems with useing a brush with shellac, but I mostly use the foam brushs if I need to get into a lot corners.