Let me just start off by saying: I love Worcester. I bleed Worcester blood. If you cut me open, I guarantee Kelley Squares and Coney Island chili sauce would come bleeding out, along with Harvey Ball smiley faces and Polar Golden Ginger Ale. All great cities have icons. Worcester, as large as it is, does not have just one. It has a bunch of them, none very recognizable to others.

In my opinion, Worcester’s best icons are the people and the places where they live. If you are true Worcester, you have lived it and loved it and know every single Knick name or hood there is. Every single person who is Worcester knows where they are from. They will tell you their version or neighborhood name. We totally respect, represent and protect our hoods. We tell you if we are from a different hood and give you the hood nod to accept you. Our small “hoods” make up our people and big awesome city.

Give me an hour, and you will have your own customized branded neighborhood item. I am a total advocate for doing it your damn self. Most of this stuff you will have laying around. After multiple experiments, this was the cheapest, easiest way, and I guarantee anyone can do it.

Supplies

Printed neighborhood name on paper

Clear stencil paper or clear print sheets

Fine-tip marker

Craft knife

Plastic cutting board

Acrylic paint

Sponge

Tape

Item you want branded

Tattoo artist

Steps

1. Go on your computer, open a simple Word document, find a font and preferred size, type your word, and print out. If you print on clear paper, you can skip the tracing step.
2. Place clear paper over word and secure with a little tape. Trace letters out with fine tip marker. Remove tape and word. Then, take clear paper and tape to plastic cutting board. I used a plastic board because it gives you more control when cutting with a craft knife. Take your time cutting and edging with the knife. Go slowly and deeply without ripping the paper. If you rip, try to repair the paper with tape or start again.
3. Once a clear sheet is cut, tape it onto whatever item you want your hood name on. Stick the cutting board underneath, so the paint does not bleed through. Once you have everything lined up, use a small amount of acrylic paint on sponge brush and dab on a little at a time. Remove the clear sheet as soon as you are finished. Let dry for a few hours.
4. Take your new amazing branded hood design and run to the closest tattoo artist for an “I love <insert your hood name>” tattoo. Make sure to give me a high-five when we bump into each other in our hoods and compare our sick Woo neighborhood tattoos.

By Jamie Burke