I love projects: woodwork, crochet things, photography, and of course, writing things. So, as a normal craft-head, I decided to take on the project of making a shield for my cuZZo, Armando.
Here’s what I started out with:
First, I started out with an image that I found online. Then, I bought a poster board, and sketched the outline of the shield for a stencil.
Blown up for the stencil
I cut the wood next. That might not have been the smartest 2nd step, but I had to take advantage of the weather. Here’s how it turned out:
This is the first cut of the shield, the base.
The pieces inside of the shield — the book, lamps, scale, and keys — were so hard to find! I really got to know my computer by looking for them (and I learned that Google isn’t as useful as it’s cracked up to be sometimes).
Next step: Cut the pieces out with a jigsaw.
SLB pieces and jigsaw
FINALLY! This is where I messed up. I sanded the pieces down, making sure that there weren’t a lot of bad spots from where the plywood chipped during the cut process. I was supposed to glue the pieces down before I started painting but…
Halfway painted then...oops!
So, yeah — I got a little excited, but I figured out how to fix it, and kept pressing along. After a bunch of time, painting, and nit-picking, here’s what came out (almost completely complete):
Nearly complete shield
So what’s left? The letters, date, a nice coat of glaze, and those nit-pickey details, of course. That’ll be done this week (fingers crossed).
Leave comments! I’m thinking of making this a business so I need thoughts on prices, clients, etc.
Edit: November 17th, 2009
This is what the finished (the real finished) product looks like:
Finished Sigma Lambda Beta Shield
What do you think?
OMG cuzzo
well first srry but you spelt my name wrong lol
but omg i love it so far its hott i want it on my wall real bad!!! haah your doing a great job but yea with all the work you did making it hand made so like the labor n then plus the supplies i would charge like 70 or something like that cuz its alot of time n work your putting in to it so thanks
i love it cant wait are you putting or painting the green leaves too?
hey cousin i really like the shield and would buy one if i was into greek life…and yeah 70 sounds good to me depending on the cost of the materials..and hell yeah make it a business. And i tried to go to naidra.com but it kept taking me here so i dunno if this is waht u wanted me to see or if there was more to it. Love you and keep up the good work and by the way im proud of you too.
Hey Naidra!
Like I always say “Better late than NEVER!” I love your finished work–make this a side job–of course!
Your labor alone is well worth the 70 bucks! I love the various stages being shown so that others can appreciate all of your efforts, monies for supplies, time, and labor input. So–with that said 70 bucks and up!
You are the best!
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Bro !! Send me your contact info… I would like to buy a similar shield
carlos.olivares@email.wsu.edu
253-970-5246