Dig This :: Authentic Canoe Paddle Necklaces

lil'Badger Paddle Key Chains

We've seen the paddle inspired jewelry out there - and we dig it! But what we dig even more is the inspiration paddle themed jewelry has on us when we are not able to get out on the water. Fiona feels that looking at her lil'paddle key chain during a trip to the big city helps to remind her of a way of life that we cherish. So now we have taken that inspiration to another level with our authentic canoe paddle necklaces (and key chains).

Made from an actual slice from a real wood canoe paddle, our necklaces and keychains are all crafted by hand in the heart of cottage country (Muskoka, Canada). Most are sliced from the shaft area (and into the neck and/or grip of the paddle as well). And... just like a real Badger Paddle, these paddle slices/pendants come as oiled, varnished, or even as our trademark WaterColours finish!

Paddle slices in progress of becoming pendants.

We sand each little slice by hand (or paw).

Crafted by hand, each paddle slice pendant is unique.

Authentic Canoe Paddle Necklaces can be found at AO.

Each necklace cord is tied with a double fisherman's knot (to allow for various sizing) and some also include an extra wood finished bead (we will have glass beads accents by AdR Beads coming soon too!).

COMING SOON: AdR Glass Bead Accents
AdR Glass Beads are hand made in Perth by Amy deRidder
(She is an autism mom too - like Fiona!)

Portageur.ca and Nancy dig their paddle slice keychain!

Visit or contact Algonquin Outfitters to purchase your very own one-of-a-kind (real) paddle necklaces - just delivered yesterday!!! (If you can dig it!) Price: $19.98 CAD (taxes/shipping extra where applicable). Or you can contact us too - we don't mind being badgered...

Algonquin Outfitters Mini Contest

We've heard a rumour that Algonquin Outfitters is having a mini contest but it will ONLY run on Christmas and Boxing Day!

All you have to do is provide a gear review for any of the gear brands that Algonquin Outfitters carries in their store (Badger Paddles included!).

You can see a list of some of those brands here: http://www.algonquinoutfitters.com/pt/pr2.html.

The prize will be a Souvenir Badger Paddle and a moose antler Badger pendant necklace set PLUS a $50.00 GIFT CARD FROM ALGONQUIN OUTFITTERS!!!


For full details visit the AO Facebook page and be sure to visit them on Christmas day or Boxing day morning to enter...

Their Facebook page says to: Think "Gear Review", what's your favorite, what's your best story...


We say: think $50.00 to spend on more gear!!


Sounds like fun, doesn't it?!  And just think of the new gear you can buy with a gift card...

Thanks Algonquin Outfitters!  Guess it really 'tis the season of giving!!!

Good luck if you enter and have a safe and happy holiday everyone!!!

Win a Free Badger Paddles Necklace!!!

Please Note:  This contest is NOW CLOSED.  Winners announced Feb 4, 2010 were Erin F. and Stacey C.  Thanks to all who entered and congratulations to the winners!!!


Enter our Badger Paddles Draw for your chance to win a free Badger Paddles "Paw" Necklace!

*How to Play and Enter:

Just look for the contest image (see image on left) located somewhere on our website to enter.  When you find the contest image - CLICK ON IT - and follow the instructions from there!  Note:  You many enter as many times as you wish to increase your odds of winning!  But you can only enter once per day and you can only win once as well. Don't forget - you must first visit our website and find the "hidden" contest image (as seen on left) to enter!

About the necklaces:

Made from shed deer or moose antler, these hand-carved pendants were made specially for Badger Paddles.  Each pendant is made from actual antler and comes with an adjustable black cord for hanging around the neck.  

MSRP $20.00. (plus shipping) or ONLY $15.00 FOR FANS of Badger Paddles... for those who dig the water on Facebook!!!!

There will only be 2 lucky winners -  so good luck to you and to all our fans!!!  

Not a fan???  Become a fan of Badger Paddles on Facebook and play for your chance to win today!!!

*This offer is an exclusive promotion for Facebook Fans of Badger Paddles only.  You must be a fan of Badger Paddles... for those who dig the water on Facebook, and 18  years of age or older, to qualify for your free merchandise.   Draw to be held on or about February 14, 2010.  Entries must be received no later then January 31, 2010, 12 pm EST to be eligible for the draw.  Chances of winning depend on number of entries received.  Find and click on the "contest image" -somewhere on our website - for more contest details.

For those who dig CREATIVITY!!!

For those who dig the unique.....

Badger Paddles is excited to help introduce The Faces Of Dunsany from the concrete to the abstract.....  whimsical hand-made art for the garden or the indoors.  These pieces are made by Steve Plunkett, a relative - and interesting character - in the lives of us Badgers.... he's part of the "clan".  The godfather of Fiona - Steve, a retired school teacher and accomplished musician - creates these fantastical original pieces and more.  His wife, also an amazing stained glass artist and painter, encourages Steve's artistic pursuits as long as they keep him out of the house. (tee hee hee)  Be sure to check out The Faces of Dunsany.... from the concrete to the abstract.... you will be sure to find something you like!

For those who dig Algonquin..... 
Algonquin Outfitters Photo Contest is back!!!  This time the theme is "Seasons of Algonquin" and the prizes are better then ever with first prize being a Canon Powershot SD780 IS 12.1 mega picel digital camera with accessories and more from Cavalcade Photo Lab, in Huntsville, ON plus a gift card to A.O. and even a 24"x32" poster printed of your winning photo from PosterJack.ca. And that's just first prize!  Other prizes include a Badger Water Colours Gift Set (Badger "paw" pendant necklace and a Water Colours souvenir paddle - see photo on left) and even more...  Check it out and be sure to enter your photo of Algonquin soon!

Holiday History & Gift Giving Ideas for Paddlers

Every holiday season it is a mad rush to find the perfect presents for your friends and family.  Between old traditions and new demands - it is hard to take time to remember what the fuss is all about to begin with - like what are the origins of some of our more favourite traditions and carols?

For instance.... what do leaping lords, french hens, specifically 5 golden rings, and the partridge who truly enjoys his pear tree have to do with Christmas?

We decided to do some digging and here is what we uncovered......

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Somewhere along the lines, the song we know & love so well today, was actually written as a catechism song for young Catholics - a teaching tool with two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.   This song was an important teaching tool to the followers of the Catholic faith at this time because any written word showing belief in Christ would ensure not only their imprisonment but perhaps even death by hanging (or worse).  Thus the song's "gifts" became hidden meanings to the teachings of the Christian faith.


The "true love" refers to God Himself.
The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person.
The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.


The other symbols are thought to have the following meaning:


2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed


As this song has different meanings, so too this time of year holds different meanings for different people.   Yet many of us do celebrate the season similarly by exchanging gifts.  To help ease some of the difficulty of finding that perfect gift for the paddler on your list - check out these great suggestions:

Besides the obvious Badger Paddle as a gift, why not include our limited edition Badger Paddle "paw"necklace as a stocking stuffer??!!!  Made from shed moose antler, each pendant necklace is handcrafted and shows an artist's rendition of the Badger "paw" logo.  Each necklace is one-of-a-kind and includes an adjustable waxed cord for hanging around the neck.  MSRP:  $20.00 + taxes/shipping.  Contact us for more details.

Another great gift idea for the younger paddler on your list (besides a vibrantly tinted Cub Water Colours paddle) is this great new children's book by Shelly Posen titled "The Christmas Canoe".  It is a story of old traditions mixed with the new as Father Christmas and his elves travel through the sky in a voyageur canoe.  Only $12.95 this book is available at http://www.shelleyposen.com/books.html.  Great reading fun for the kids 'n cubs on your list!


Another great reading suggestion, for the adult paddlers on your list, is a subscription to a favourite paddling magazine.  Right now you can give a four-issue gift print subscription to Rapid, Kayak Angler, Adventure Kayak or Canoeroots for only $14.95! That's a savings of over 58% off the cover price!!! This holiday deal expires on December 18th, so ACT NOW and give the best paddling magazines today!  Enter "HOLIDAYDEC18" as your redeem/coupon code to save.  You’ll even receive a Free One-Year Digital Subscription to the same magazine, a $9.95 value.  Click here for more info & to subscribe: https://www.rapidmedia.com/renew.  And don't forget to check out Swift Canoe & Kayak for a great selection of Badger Paddles, including some Badger Water Colours - if it is gear that you are looking for - or visit Algonquin Outfitters, who still have a few Badger's left in stock.

And our last suggestion is for YOU, a reminder, to take the time to really "dig" your HOLIDAZE!!!!

To Badger or not to Badger

Do you know the origin of the term "to badger"?

"Badgering"is also known as pestering, bothering, nagging, or teasing.  But these traits are not from the animal itself, but rather from the early sport of Badger Baiting whereas hunters would send dogs to harass badgers for entertainment and for blood sport.  Similar to dog fighting, badger baiting was forced combat between the badger and a succession of hounds.  Badger baiting, now thankfully illegal, would typically end with the death of the badger and most likely major injury to the dogs.  So it seems the origin of the term descends from human behaviour towards the badger and not the animal's behaviour towards humans.  Thus, this retired sport became a popular term still used widely today.  

But we love when fans "badger" us with questions and comments on our facebook page or by email.  In fact, we love it so much that we decided to award our most engaged and interactive fan of Badger Paddles... for those who dig the water a special token of our appreciation and gratitude for their continual encouragement and support.

And we already have our winner - paws down!  Patty from Southern Ontario has proven to be our most encouraging and supportive fan on Facebook.  Patty always has great feedback for Badger Paddles... for those who dig the water and we want her to know just how much we appreciate her support.

Patty will be receiving her NEW Badger Paw shed antler pendant necklace made specially for Badger Paddles for her contributions made to our fan page on Facebook.  It is our gift to Patty, who we hear loves fishing and spending time at the lake with her family in the Kawartha region.  Thanks Patty!  

Become a fan of Badger Paddles... for those who dig the water on Facebook for your chance to win some great Badger merchandise just like Patty.  Can you dig it?

Free Gift with Badger Paddle Purchase!

NEW!!!

Badger Paddles is really excited to share this great news!

Get a FREE GIFT with a BADGER Canoe PADDLE PURCHASE!

When you buy a Badger Canoe Paddle - you will receive a hand crafted badger paw necklace for FREE! (approximate retail value: $20.00)*

About the necklace: Each pendant is made from actual antler and comes with an adjustable black cord for hanging around the neck. The badger paw pendants have been carved from either moose or deer antler and are hand crafted by an artist from Owensound, Ontario. Each necklace has two colourful beads attached (glass beads for the Adult version and plastic for the Kids 'N Cubs)

View the Badger Paw Pendant Necklaces at this link.

For those who wish to purchase a badger paw necklace at the MSRP of $20.00 ea., please contact Badger Paddles for shipping costs to your location.

Happy Paddling and Holiday Shopping All!

*Supplies are limited, therefore please note this offer will not last for long!