This paddle came out beautifully!! The heat reactive leather is so fun, and I love the rich violet color and the striking pinkish purple it transitions into.
Also I made an unorthodox embossing request--I wanted a mountain instead of initials or words. It took a little back and forth to get a PNG that the craftsman could work with, but once we did, boom! All they asked for was a few extra days to work on it and get it just right, and the end result is absolutely perfect. A little mountain exactly the way I pictured it right in the middle of this already attractive paddle. I'm so pleased and so impressed with the great communication and wonderful flexibility to make this the perfect gift i was hoping for.