Custom Display Bases

I'm going to point out an article and make an additional suggestion, then ask a question of my own for any who might read this:

First, there's an article in the November '04 Finescale with a great technique for making displays for waterline models. The author used a wooden craft store display base, and used aluminum foil, spray paint and Modge Podge decoupage coating to make the water. Great article.

Second, in his book about building scale aircraft, Paul Boyer sets one of his models on a picture frame. He took the acrylic pane from the frame, painted it with a concrete color, drew slab lines on it with a black marker, and placed it back in the frame. Not as useful for ships, perhaps, but maybe it could be helpful if you're doing a waterline ship.

Lastly, here's my question: What's the best way to label custome bases, especially if you're on a budget? I'm not in any competitions at this point, so all I'm looking for is something that looks good.

Hey, I forgot one. There's an article in the Feb '05 Finescale about superdetailing the old Revell USS Lionfish kit. The author set the finished model on what looks like a craft store/hobby shop display base with balsa wood beams lined up on it so that it looks like she's on the ways at the shipyard waiting to be launched. He drilled something through the hull to keep it stable...I'll take a look and get back to you.