So here are my first three pieces. Two white oak bowls turned green from wood from a friends firewood pile, and a mahogany baby rattle from dry store-bought wood. All three are finished in walnut oil and bees wax. I made my own homemade paste wax by heating the walnut oil and melting the beeswax into it.
The green bowls my wife encouraged me to finish turn green after watching too many Robohippy videos with me. She loves the warped bowl look. The rattle has popcorn in it to make it rattle and is a gift for a co-worker.
There are mistakes made in all three, but three useable objects off the lathe in the first couple of weeks I feel is a good sign that I'm heading in the right direction. So much more to learn!