A supplier at last year's OIDFA Congress had a pillow that was part of a backpack. It was really neat and compact. I don't remember who the supplier was - I think Finnish or Danish. Does any one else remember?
I hope someone does (and will post the answer here), and I hope the same supplier will make an appearance again at the Prague Congress; the idea definitely sounds "cool" enough to "sell" to a younger crowd.
But whether it's going to make much difference in getting lacemaking to be the current fashion in "on the go" crafts, I'm not so sure... In the long run, bobbin lacemaking just isn't really portable, in more ways than one.
A raw beginner isn't likely to use a travel pillow -- they need larger bobbins to accomodate the thicker threads they start with. An advanced lacemaker is going to use one only as the last resort -- there's not a whole lot of appeal to most lace patterns which can be made with 16prs of bobbins (tops), especially if it's yardage (most travel pillows are geared for that, since there's less need for "paraphernalia" associated with piece laces).
Secondly, if you're "on the go", working your lace "z doskoku" (there just isn't a good translation for this Polish phrase... :( Literally, it means "from a jump"; it describes something that's done by jumping in, spending a few minutes at it, and jumping out again), you're not able to concentrate *properly*, ie anything more complex should not even be contemplated, or you'll be making as much retro-lace as lace... Even given different personalities (I'm slower than most to focus), I expect half an hour of uninterrupted time would be a minimum required by anything half-interesting. Add some time for packing (so the bobbins/threads are safe) and unpacking (so you can work), and needle lace, knitted lace, crochet lace and tatted lace beat BL out for convenience every time.
So, a travel pillow, however nicely "dressed up" to resemble something that fits into the busy lifestyle of a youngster, might still not be the answer. I think Helen (the Aussie in Denver) is closer to the mark when she ties BL to life-cycles; hook 'em when they're young (but before they're *totally* lost to the social life and cell telephone <g>), relax when they slow down in their late teens, be supportive when they pick it up again in their twenties, don't fret when they give it up when the kids are little, rejoice when they come back to it once the kids get to be semi-independent...
BTW, Helen; a kindergartner is *perfect* for the "hook em young" stage.. :)
----- Tamara P Duvall Lexington, Virginia, USA Formerly of Warsaw, Poland
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