If you're going to try it, you might give Duplicolor's instant chrome finish a shot. It's not real chrome, mind you, and I don't know how well it will work, but it'll certainly be far easier than trying to electroplate a piece of wood.
http://www.duplicolor.com/products/gold-chrome.html
I got some. The shiny cap was really appealing. But that stuff is just silver good paint - it sure ain't chrome.