Need answer fast!
So, I’m in the process of making a little laptop lapdesk for my girlfriend for Christmas. It’s, basically, a wooden plank with a velco-attached cloth beanbag/cushion underneath. I’m almost done, but I can’t figure out what to fill the cushion with. I think I want it to be more like a beanbag than a pillow so that she can have it sort of form around her legs and be stable.
I tried getting the plastic beanbag filling from the fabric store, but they only sell it in huge bags for $30. I probably need only a few cups, not 6 cubic feet.
I tried looking online and, while the prices are a bit better, they still sell it in large quantities, and the shipping is expensive.
I considered using actual beans (or rice or something). But I really, really don’t want anything that might be food for small crawly things. If, at any point, bugs start crawling out of her lapdesk, all my good relationship karma is forfeit.
I put in an email to the one person on craigslist in the area offering a used beanbag for sale.
Aside from beans, which are no good for you, and sand, which is probably too fine for what you’re making, your best bet would probably be to go to a thrift store and find some sort of bean-baggy thing about the right size, buy it cheap, and use its innards for your project.
Cedar shavings (can get small bags at pet stores)? These would smell nice and REPEL pests.
I saw crushed nut shells as a suggestion while Googling, but have no idea where you would find any (and they’re not a good idea if she’s allergic).
I’ve had a rice-filled sock-thingie for years, that I use for sore back muscles, and have never had a problem with bugs. But, to heat this up you stick it in the microwave for a couple of minutes, so for all I know if could be full of dead little mircowaved weevils.
But for a laptop lapdesk, I think you’ll want something with a bit more heft than styrofoam beads.
I was going to suggest rice also – I also have a homemade “nuke for sore neck muscles” tube that I’ve had for years. I really don’t think you need to worry about weevils. If you ARE worried about weevils, nuke it before you use it to kill any eggs/larva that might be in there, but aren’t. The rice is dried – it’s not exactly appetizing stuff.
If you’re totally paranoid – go to a craft shop and get little beads and use them. They would probably be a lot more expensive than a couple of pounds of dried rice though.
Yes, I was going to suggest the thrift stores. Look for throw pillows and stuffed animals that you can hunt and gut 
Also, Michael’s and JoAnn’s are the kind of stores that always have coupon’s circulating. Its’ their MO. My favorite spot for these things is forums.slickdeals.net. I found one for 50% off a non-sale item at JoAnns, PM if you want the link.
I’m thinking that I do want it to be pretty light. The computer is probably heavy enough to hold it down. It’s mostly so there’s something between her and the hot computer. And she’s petite, so I think it might be uncomfortable to add a few pounds to the weight on her lap.
I will consider rice if I can’t find a dead beanbag.
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat3406
JoAnn has some really good options in their forms and filler sections. None of it is very expensive, I think. I saw this, and it might be close to what you want: http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat3406&PRODID=xprd636226
It’s not that expensive. You could also use a piece of foam, which would keep its form (unlike cotton stuffing), and be very light.
Sorry for the double post, but I looked at the Hobby Lobby website and they have a 40% off coupon for any one item in the store right now. If you have one in your area, that’s a really good deal.