Evidence for the existence of Borrowers *edit x 2*

illustration above left by Marika McCoola

Edit in title refers to send-by date which has been extended into March. Sign-up date remains the same. A second edit was made to reduce number of partners as I realise evidence for the existence may not be easy to come by in multiple... ;)

Swap description: Evidence for the existence of Borrowers

We all know they exist. What other explanation could there be for the repeated disappearance of small, everyday household things such as safety pins, buttons and the like. The picture above shows a miniature weaving on a loom made from a matchbox and warped with sewing cotton, which I discovered in what appeared to be a hastily abandoned state, in a sunny spot near my back door. Who could the mystery weaver be, but a Borrower in need of a new rug?

To participate in this swap you will need to be super-vigilant and look out for any signs of Borrower habitation in or around your home. The aware Borrower-watcher can become attuned to sensing Borrower activity - the fleeting glimpse from the corner of the eye, the sense of movement in a room otherwise full of inanimate objects. Borrowers can become de-sensitised to the potential danger posed by the human bean, and become careless, as a result. Although Borrowers are fleet of foot and skilled at evading last-minute capture, on occasion (due to essential haste), tiny items can be left behind providing evidence of Borrowed use. Examples might include a stub of birthday candle secured on a drawing pin 'holder', a miniature notebook full of minuscule but poorly spelled notes, or even an entire piano constructed of paperclips!

For this swap, you will send your partner a specimen which proves to you that Borrowers exist. Please provide specimen in a sealed packet or envelope (to prevent the possibility of tampering with evidence), along with a tag/note clearly stating:

• date & location of discovery
• description of item plus hypothesis re. use/purpose of item
• any related facts that might be of interest to the cultural anthropologist of Borrower society

This swap was inspired by an exhibition which toured in 2004, hosted by Japanese artist Hazuko Hohki. Read a review of the experience here. Respect must also, of course, be paid to Mary Norton, creator of the series of books which first brought knowledge of Borrower culture to the wider population of human beans.

Swap requirements

• 1 partner = 1 item providing evidence of Borrowers sent & 1 item received
• Each item must be in a sealed packet or envelope, accompanied by a tag/note including the information as stated above
• Items in packets have no value requirement, and may be handmade, store-bought, vintage or re-purposed
• Send on time!

The obvious bit

As well as meeting requirements as outlined on group homepage, participants must have no late swaps on their dashboard, no 3 ratings in the last 3 months, and no 1 ratings in the last 12 months. I will check before assigning partners, so please contact me if you are concerned. I will take extenuating circumstances into account, but the happy swapping of the majority is the most important factor.