Once you get beyond one styrofoam pillow, beginner bobbins and a manual,
lace can get pretty expensive. I cannot speak to needlelace, as I don’t do
it. There are other pillows, decorated bobbins, the gorgeous Midlands
bobbins, and, above all, books. And taking classes, especially in the US,
where it’s always for a weekend, or a week, can get expensive because of
food and lodging expenses. Those who can commute to weekly classes don’t
appreciate their advantages, in my opinion. The ideal way to learn lace.
Some of us have been blessed with generous lacemaking budgets, and some of
us have not. Personally, while I am presently quite comfortable
financially, it was not always so. Raising 3 children while married to a
United Methodist minister does not guarantee the elegancies of life. That
tradition just continues, which means when I go to the yearly Ithaca, New
York, Lace Days, I camp. More money for books, even though it is frequently
below freezing in the morning. I have only been to two IOLI conventions,
and they were within driving distance. When I went to IOLI in Bethesda,
Maryland, I camped. I commuted to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 2004. On
the other hand, I went to the OIDFA meeting in Caen, France, because I speak
French, and I was able to lure DH, who doesn’t appreciate all the beauties
of France, to Normandy afterwards. Camping.
Each one of us is different in her/his preferences. I think a cruise is
actually not a bad option, as room and board can be downright inexpensive.
I took a Royal Carribean cruise in January that cost $75 a night per person,
double occupancy, with a window, for a week long cruise. Very nice. They
certainly have enough meeting rooms, if you bring or they supply lamps. I
also think a school in the summer might be a good option, as again we wouldn’t
have to worry about classes in bedrooms. Food might not be world class,
though. And schools are planned with youngsters without walkers or canes
and with roller blades and bikes in mind. Such a place would also,
unfortunately, need to be near an airport, as train service in the US is
pitiful. And there may be lots of logistical problems with obtaining a
block of cabins on a cruise before the money and participation is definite.
No one is going to come up with the perfect solution, as there is none, but
I do think consideration should be made to keep costs for accommodation as
low as possible to permit more people to think it is within their budget.
IOLI chapters have an understandable preference for their own jurisdiction.
It would be interesting to know what percentage of attendees were commuters
in the various areas. Does that percentage remain constant, or does it rise
for conventions closer to the coast, where population density is greater?
Does the overall attendance rise as one gets closer to the coast? Which
convention had the largest per centage of attendees under the age of 50? I
must admit I am more drawn to lace events that are within driving distance.
If we’re at a school, and it’s cheap, will the cost advantage work to lure
enough ‘youngsters’ to offset those with walking problems who don’t come?
Lyn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA, where the cold spring and sunshine
continue. Frost for the last two mornings.
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