re: Mantel clock with a twist

What did you do for the finish on the cherry? Your logo on the bottom made me think that a neat way to do this would be to lase your logo, cover with good painters tape, lase the black border and remove the now-cut tape outside the logo area, then finish. You'd get the same as you have now with the finished wood outside. I really like the contrast!
I fumed the cherry and used danish oil before spraying some lacquer as a top coat.
You suggestion sounds like something to try. I know that the tape would prevent the cherry from darkening from fuming and the boarder around my logo would probably prevent the oil from bleeding onto the logo. Interesting thought, gives me an idea to try.