Red alder is pretty common on the left coast of North America, and it does turn nicely, looking a lot like cherry when finished. Your base intrigues me. Is it inset or just applied? Might be something to try with warp-and-go pieces, setting it into the chuck recess after whittling a bit oval. Next project I do like that will have an experimental inserted base. With a bit of a cove or groove for a reveal, and to conceal the transition from circular applied to non-circular dried piece, might be all right.