Damn Twitter...give me Gimp!
At the summer camp conference every year, I am mysteriously drawn to the lanyard displays. I love the simplicity of plastic lace. I adore the variety of colors. (I especially like the sparkly metallic kind.) Some colors are sold in rolls as big as my head.
Toys now have buttons and batteries and noises and control wands and exhaustive assembly instructions and educational value. Barbie has houses and cars and careers and Ken variations. Stuffed animals now have birthdates and softwear and wardrobes. But lanyard is still lanyard. It can entertain and obliterate boredom. It can be transformed from something simple to a creation that is useful and exotic. It can be turned into friendship bracelets and given away as a sign of love and connection.
Weaving with lanyard is also called boondogling or scoubidou. (Little known fact: It was invented in France and became a fad in the 1950's).
Perhaps adults should put down their PDAs and martinis and step away from their keyboards and car keys, and just sit down in the sun for a few hours each week and indulge in a few strands of gimp. Perhaps we would all be more relaxed. And we could give each other colorful gifts when we are grateful.
The woman at the booth said they would be selling lanyard kits at the booth tomorrow for $1. The kits even came with colorful charms and an idiot's guide to knotting. For the price of one Starbucks latte I could have a dozen keychains and a few bracelets. Hmmm...If I don't answer my cell phone next week, perhaps I'm boondoggling. I promise I'll call you back eventually!
it's great to have elton in the background! thanks, HOLD ME CLOSER TINY DANCER!!!!!! i starting a crafty project to make me and the team at work individual lanyards and was looking for information. thanks for the song.
Posted by: stocky | April 14, 2011 at 04:34 PM
Camp and lanyard. Two of my favorite things.
Posted by: Stacy Geisinger | March 29, 2010 at 05:53 PM