I've never used shellac. Does it look similar to varnish when it dries? I'm working on a jewelry armoire with 7 drawers. I (mistakingly) varnished the drawers, so I'm planning to re-coat with shellac to seal in the smell. Is that the right thing to do?

And I'm using red oak, and trying to match some a bedroom set that came from Amish country somewhere in Indiana/Ohio. Does anyone have a feel for what they might have used as a finish? I have the color matched and I'm doing some test pieces but I thought someone here might already know.

Thanks,
Gordy