Want to create a LED sign
 

I want to create a small simple sign from LEDs and would appreciate advice on how to do it. I'm prepared to do a bit of soldering, but would leave out microchips from my LED sign for the sake of simplicity.

I also know that it will be better to arrange the LEDs in parallel rather than in series (I'll be able to use lower voltage batteries and if one LED dies the others will remain emitting light).