I FINALLY finished this paddle today. It is a very special gift for my non-profit mentor. It is a standard 22-incher with all the typical crossing information on it.
The paddle was spray-painted black. I only use the kind that says "enamel" so that it will have a gloss to it. Prior to sticking the letters on, I spray-painted them with an antique gold paint -- not quite enamel, but it worked. Like the letters, the shield was purchased at a Greek store (The one in Columbus, to be exact!). I used a gold paint pen and painted around the edge of the shield so that it would contrast with the black background.
Although I was scared as hell to do so, I free-handed the Brother's name. I felt that it would personalize the paddle, save money (wood letters are cheap, but add up!), and allow me to be more creative. (FYI, Sigma Eta is at SUNY New Paltz and includes West Point).
His line name is "Smooth Criminal" and I thought it would be nice to visually represent that in the font.
No decoupage this time! I actually don't have any pictures with this brother. So instead, I placed my info at the bottom and some Egyptian hieroglyphics at the top...
He and I once had a discussion about paddles. Really, I was picking him for information so I could get all the info without making it too obvious....somehow, it comes out that he used to always request that whenever he is given a paddle, he wants the giver to put on the paddle whatever it is he taught that brother.
So.... I placed the Egyptian symbols that loosely translate to:
I KNOW I CAN.
Literally: Eye of Horus, Understanding, Action.
The End.