Some Random Link "How to do" blog

You know the old saying, “it’s the thought that counts”. I believe this to be a very true statement. In September of 2005 I received my first lanyard. It came to me in a “care” package that was given to me and my family in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Out of the kindness of their heart, a stranger put together a box of much needed supplies, and toiletries. One of the items was a yellow lanyard. I really had no use for it but, I kept it anyway. I thought it might come in handy eventually. We lived a nomadic life for a few months until we finally found a place to again call home. The children went back to school and I started a new job. We were apprehensive yet eager to get on with our lives. I joined a wonderful company. One of their policies was that we were required to wear an ID at all times. I thought about that lanyard. I finally had a use for it. I would use it to hang my ID’s around my neck. When I removed it from the drawer I put it in, I felt a renewed sense of gratitude for the person who so kindly gave it to us. To another this little yellow lanyard may have been seen as an insignificant thing. For me it symbolized an act of kindness. It reminded me of the good there is in everyone. It was a thought that counted when we needed it. (more…)

You are sure to have seen them before, being sold at amusement parks, on street corners at night festivals, in nightclubs, and even being given away as party favors. They are glowsticks, tubes of eerie, glowing fluorescent light that can be shaped into a variety of objects. As simple tubes, glowsticks can be purchased in a variety of lengths and girths to suit the needs of the purchaser. 

Glowsticks are filled with chemicals kept apart from each other that, when mixed together, emit a low-level colored glow. Glowsticks are non-flammable, and so do not pose the same dangers as roadside flares or other burning torches. They can be stored indefinitely, and once the chemicals are mixed together, will provide light for up to 8 hours. 

There are many uses for glowsticks, some just for fun, and others very practical. Glowsticks can be fashioned into necklaces or bracelets, “glowing” glasses or rings, and even into decals or stickers. From a practical point of view, glowsticks can be used to provide temporary emergency lighting or as a fun alternative to regular lighting in a darkened room. They can also be made into rubber wristbands to identify people for various purposes. This can be especially useful for nightclubs or invitation-only parties in dark places or at night. Hang some string and attach glow sticks to hand down at regular intervals for a temporary, low cost alternative to expensive patio lighting.  (more…)

Most people don’t look down at their arms and see the colors of the rainbow, but if you invest in lanyards, this will soon happen. Just walk into any store in search of craft supplies, hunt down the lanyard aisle, and you will find yourself sitting in the middle of the aisle testing out different color combinations. Lanyard is one of the most inexpensive craft supplies a person can buy but also some of the most durable and diverse. 

When it comes time to buy your lanyard, it can be hard to choose which colors to invest in.
There’s everything from glow in the dark lanyards to lanyards that sparkle with glitter. Thus, before you walk into the store, you need to have some idea of the kind of craft you want to make.

Lastly, look at the rolls of lanyards to see how much of the product comes on each spool. Some spools will have more lanyard than others. Thus, you want to make sure you are not only making the best aesthetic choice but also the best choice for your wallet. After you review the choices, think of your craft, and ensure you’re getting bang for your buck, you are ready to make your next craft. Once you try lanyard, it’ll be one of the first products you look at when entering a craft or department store. If you know you are making a keychain that needs six colors, decide on the basic color scheme beforehand. This will ensure you don’t need mouth-to-mouth once after collapsing from lanyard overload. (more…)