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Buy a traditional paddle at your Greek Store.

Also at the Greek store, purchase your letters in the large double raised Greek Letters size.

Next, buy medium-to-large sized letters with your name and your big's name.

Small letters: the year

You may want to include a wood crest (the person at the Greek store can apply the decal if it is not already on the wood), a family number, your chapter designation, your animal mascot or flower-- all represented in wood pieces that are available at your Greek Store.

For a cheaper alternative to wood shapes and letters, try Michael's. You may want to give the stuff you buy at Michael's a coat of paint varnish. You can buy this also at Michael's or at Walmart or Home Depot.

You don't have to paint anything if you are artistically challenged, but if you decide to paint, then paint and let the pieces dry before you put them on the paddle!

Arrange the wood pieces on the paddle and decide on a pattern. You might want to take a pencil and tick off where you are going to place your wood pieces. Next, take wood glue (available at any craft store and at your Greek store), apply some to the back of the wood pieces and glue them down. Set the project aside and allow it to dry overnight.

I don't recommend buying the wood letters/shapes with adhesive backing. Depending on how long they have been sitting on the shelf, they tend to fall off the paddle after awhile--- if you do buy these, reinforce it with wood glue or some Elmer's glue.

If you do paint, have a plan and don't go too crazy with colors; and even if you only pick 2-3 colors, don't go nuts painting every other letter a different color. Keep it simple. If you are unsure, get an artsy friend to assist.