Welcome Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday Shoppers!

I'm not much of a marketer, but if you are making plans to do some shopping next week on Small Business Saturday or Cyber Monday, consider Erin's Dream Lanyards--lanyards, eyeglasses chains, dream wands, earrings, necklaces, boot bling, keychains--all artfully made by volunteers with 100% of all proceeds going to the childhood cancer cause.


Currently, we have the following in stock (with suggested donations):

Dream Lanyard--$20 or 2 for $30

Simple Dream Lanyard--$10
Deluxe Dream Lanyard--$25
Earring Set--$5
Necklace--$20
Dream Wand--$5 or 5 for $20
Keychain--$5
Boot Bling--$15
Beaded Book Mark--$5
Eyeglasses Chain--$15
Snowflake Christmas Ornaments--$15

Thanks Hannah!

I'm so amazed at my young friend Hannah.  Hannah is a high school junior who works part time, keeps  up with her school work, plays in the band, and does the long hours work to be in the flag corp and winter guard.  When she finally gets a free weekend that doesn't involve football game performances or contests, what did she do?  She invited her friends over and lured me up to Dallas for a lanyard workshop.  Thanks Hannah!

Wixon Valley 4-H

I'm very proud to announce a new partnership with the Wixon Valley 4-H.  These fabulous young people--ages 8-18--want to support Erin's Dream Lanyards, not just with a two-hour workshop, but with the whole nine yards:  learning about the mission and the cause, doing their own bead drive, making lanyards, and then selling them for us.

I met with them this evening to take the first step, and you can't believe how enthusiastic and absorbed they were by this project.  November is their bead drive month, then on December 1, we will get together for a mega workshop.  They will have lanyards in time for stocking stuffers and teachers' gifts.

Because-Nico-Is-Back-In-Town Lanyard Workshop

The lanyard party when Nico and fam were in town from Australia was not the largest workshop I have ever done (that would be the National Charity League Bead-aThon two or three years ago).  It wasn't the largest workshop I ever had in my own home (that would be the one on July 4, 2009 where somehow over fifty folks crowded into my modest three bedroom casa).  In fact, it wasn't even the largest workshop I did in the last ten days (since I ran over to MacArthur High in Aldine after school last Monday to help 60+ teens make a difference in the lives of children with neuroblastoma).

That said, Nico and all his friends (combined with his mom and my friends) overran the house weekend before last.  It's not so much that they had overwhelming numbers (although there were a lot of them), but they just took up so much more space than they did as younger kids.

I gave them a camera and ask them to do a little photo journalism of the evening:

They were pretty serious about getting the lanyards done.

And used whatever space they could find.

Rowan and Nico finished early, leaving their hands free.  Can you tell Nico has some keyboard-compatible hands?  And can you believe that Rowan, one of Erin's sixth grade classmates, is graduating this year?  He's on the expedited plan!

Andy always seems happy where ever he is.  He and Erin agreed about almost everything, except politics.

Precious Toni makes the most beautiful, delicate lanyards.  She and Erin have been friends since Day 2 (birthdays two days apart!)

Nico was sure we had shrunk everything in Erin's room since he moved.  It all seemed much smaller now that he is so tall.

Samantha and Erin had so much in common:  soccer, brains, and most notably, confidence.

Jackson was always much bigger than Erin, and the trend shows no sign of slacking off.

Most of the adults were slackers, preferring to eat and chat rather than work.  This includes me. 

It was my birthday, so I took the evening off.  That means I'm still working on finishing some of the lanyards the kids made, plus the tray full I have from the MacArthur workshop and the one at the new College Station High School last Saturday morning.

Teddy wasn't really all that impressed with having a house full of teens.

Not only did Erin and Nico's friends overflow their allotted space (plus the kitchen, plus the lake, plus my bedroom where I keep the Wii), they overflowed the love in my heart.

School is Just Around the Corner

Message to my teacher friends within driving distance: 


Let me know if you would like me to set up a display at your school during in-service days before school starts so you can introduce your colleagues to Erin's Dream Lanyards. People who have to wear ID badges seem to really appreciate having something beautiful to replace those plain nylon shoestring type lanyards! 


And as always, 100% of all donations go to support childhood cancer research!

Walsh University Partnership

Not too many weeks ago (I think it was the same week of Walter's surgery), I received an email out of the blue, from a woman in North Canton, OH.  She wanted to offer Erin's Dream Lanyards as a part social, part service activity for the incoming freshman at Walsh University, during their summer orientation weekends.  

I've got to tell you, this is exactly the kind of email I love to find in my inbox.   It takes a great deal of bravery to read about something on the internet and then decide you want to make a go of it (with 400+ people depending on you to get it right).  That's exactly what my new friend McKenzie did.  We worked together to figure out what she needed to know and how to get the supplies and materials she would need.  They had their first do at it weekend before last, and from the smiles, I think these young folks found the spirit of Erin as they worked.

Two months ago, I wouldn't have been able to place Walsh University in the right state if you had quizzed me.  Today, I'm proud to have a new partner in our fight to raise money for a cure for childhood cancer.  You all know the mantra.  This is not something any of us can do by ourselves!  Thank you Cavaliers!

Mo Ranch Summer Camp!!!!

Thanks go out to Amber Thomas and her fantastic counselors and campers at Mo Ranch this summer.  Erin (and all the Buengers) love Mo Ranch, but Erin was the only one of us to go to the Summer Camp  option.  She celebrated her 11th and final birthday there in 2008.  This year for the third consecutive year, campers there are making Erin's Dream Lanyards with verve and style.  This is an awesome testimony to the "Happiest Place in the World!"  I wish I were there.

Ready for Summer Beading!

This is not a store display.  This is a small section of Erin's room.

Thanks to my uber organized sister Kat (who would be OCD about organizing, but refuses on the grounds that OCD isn't in alphabetical order), the bulk of the seed beads donated by Jennifer Fountain at the end of last year and sitting in a jumble in a cardboard box since then, are now ready to go for the summer lanyarding season!

Do you feel your creative juices flowing?

Erin's Dream Wands

I have been looking for a way to extend our reach and help any pediatric cancer research effort.  Erin's Dream Wands are one possibility.  

We have been playing around with this idea since last fall when we gave the wands a successful try at Max's Ring of Fire Lemon Run in San Diego.  You also may have seen them at the lighting of the childhood cancer Christmas tree sponsored by the American Childhood Cancer Organization in DC in December.  We have also been building towards FOW's Cure Me!  I'm Irish next month in Boston.  My new BFFs at Cure Me (Becky and Jen!!!) collaborated to make this flyer.  I think this captures so much about what we are all trying to do.  Let me know if you want a wand and I'll ship you one (or more) and send your donation to Cure Me! If your group is planning a pediatric cancer research fundraising event and you want to add Dream Wands to the line up to support your efforts, let me get on your schedule!

The Doorbell Rang

The doorbell rang and then, of course, the dog bell rang, which at our house means a little bit of barking, a storm of tail wagging, and quite a bit of excited jostling towards the front door.  We weren't expecting company and for a moment thought that our new next door neighbors needed to borrow an egg or an allen wrench or something else that they hadn't unpacked yet.

I looked out the window and saw a woman I recognized (but couldn't recall the context), a very tall and sturdy man, who was definitely not my new next door neighbor, and a pair of handsome children, who I knew NOT AT ALL.  I opened the door, and the woman turned out to be Lynn Davis who I knew through my Board position at Hospice Brazos Valley.  She asked nicely if they could come in--Nathan had something for me.

Nathan delivered a large and overflowing bag of beads that his birthday guests at his 7th birthday party had collected to donate to Erin's Dream lanyards.  I hear he is looking forward to the next lanyard workshop so he can add his labor and his creative touch to the already huge and selfless gift he has given.  

Nathan, thank you for your vision, thank your guests for their generosity, and thank your parents for setting you down a path that will truly make a difference.

Nathan's face captures the joy I feel every time I think of Erin's Dream Lanyards and all of the wonderful people who make what we do possible.

Invited Back to Seguin

The Matadors of Seguin High HOSA club welcomed us back again this year.  

So, the day after my first Bush Library workshop, I drove three hours to a school in Seguin where some young high school kids stayed after school on a Friday afternoon to make wands.  It got to be 5:30 and I was facing a long, dark ride home, and they just wouldn't let me leave.  "Oh, I have an idea for another one!", "Just eight more and we'll have a hundred!", "Can't you just tell your husband you'll come home tomorrow?", ""Tell me more about Erin and Will!"

These compassionate young people have a heart for helping and an eye for art!  I am glad that they are all on track (with a few more years of education under their belts) to be health care professionals.

Friends of President Bush Are Friends of Ours!

On Thursday, January 26 and again on Friday, February 3, the volunteers at the Bush Library have Make-and-Take Lanyard workshops.  This allows those fantastic volunteers to really spiffy up their look as they conduct tours and do other volunteer services at the Presidential Library.  Thanks you Bev Spencer for suggesting the idea and especially to Sharon Merrill, Library staff, and the many volunteers who participated.

Lanyard Friends can you guess what a stir I caused having to take every thing through security?  After the first couple of trips through, they got used to me (I think they are even going to lower the bollards for me next week, so I can drive right up to the entrance to unload).

Merry Christmas from Washington DC

Thanks to the teens and their teachers at Hammond-Oliver High School for making 200 of these last week. They have huge heart as well as great talent. These Erin's Dream Wand will adorn the tables in centerpieces this Saturday in Washington DC at the dinner after the lighting of the Childhood Cancer Christmas Tree sponsored by ACCO.  It has been a blessing to work with Ruth Hoffman and Amber Masso at ACCO to make this happen.  Partnerships like this are worth their weight in gold.

 

Beads, Beads, and More Beads

Long-time friend and supporter of Erin's Dream Lanyards, Jennifer Fountain, is taking advantage of some new opportunities, but it means she has to close her store to pursue them. All my local bead friends should take advantage of this opportunity to add to their bead stash and also to stop in and thank Jennifer for the many ways she has helped us out over the last couple of years by donating beads, holding bead drives, helping us make connections with her vendors (like the Texas Hot Flashes), and giving us technical tips every time we hit a snag!   Bead Fountain Closing - Saturday is the Last Day

All of the seed beads are out on the floor now, and they're 60% off! And everything is at least 40% off (except Trollbeads - ask me about those when you're here!). Remember, in addition to beads we have tools, findings, supplies, gift boxes, sterling and gold-filled wire, and more!

This Week's Schedule

Thursday, November 17th Friday, November 18th Saturday, November 19th	2:00p - 6:00p  noon - 3:00p  9:00a - 4:00p
Be sure to stop in Saturday for Customer Appreciation Day.  Mai Mai is bringing her famous "Strong Arm" Cookies, and there will be specials throughout the day.

Beach Time--Art and Soul!

You may not realize it, but one of the best times of year to head to the beaches in Galveston is November.  The crowds are gone.  The traffic is placid.  The surf is endless and beautiful, and you don't have to share it with everyone and her sister.

This year, I'm breaking away from November grading for a few days to take in the Texas Art Education Association's annual conference.  Erin's Dream Lanyards was chosen as this year's Art and Soul philanthropic project ,and I'm totally excited to take all of our lanyards and other beaded items to share with some of the most wonderful, talented, and energetic people in the state.  That it happens to be at Moody Gardens in Galveston is just icing on the cake.  That we are helping them celebrate their 50 Year Anniversary is like adding a double scoop of ice cream along side.

Simple Dream Lanyards--Canyon Creek

I usually pitch lanyard workshops to middle school and high school kids.  That was the original working group and it just seems natural.  Last year I started to get more requests to figure out a way for younger children to get involved.

We all know that stringing beads is not rocket science, but artfully stringing beads does take a little forethought and design sense, certainly possible, but not a foregone conclusion in everyone under ten.

After thinking about it a while, I came up with the idea for a Simple Dream Lanyard that even the very young and and inexperienced could make.  We tried it out at the Flaming Arrow YMCA Camp this summer with amazing results, and because we mostly use seed beads, we can price them at a $10 minimum donation.

When I was invited to Canyon Creek Presbyterian in Plano to do a program with their CIA (Children in Action), I loaded up the supplies and headed north.  These lovelies really got after it, and I felt like I had made a roomful of new friends.  The adults of the church did their part on Sunday morning by practically clearing me out of all the lanyards the children made, plus the ones I brought

Here is my precious niece Emma, who adores doing things that let her remember Erin!

Make and Take Back-to-School Lanyard Workshop

Where did the summer go?  Let's get together one more time before the school year takes over our schedules!

Time	Friday, August 19 · 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Location	My House (email for directions: vbuenger@gmail.edu)
More Info	New School Year? New ID Lanyard! We are making lanyards this Friday to benefit the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation. It is art/cause/party, but mostly a chance to get together, have fun, and help others. As always, you can bring your favorite snack to share . . . and, of course, a friend! I'll make you a real good deal on a Make and Take lanyard to start your school year off right!

Chicago Bound

Many of our lanyards--both locals and those just home from camp--are headed to Chicago next month to help with September's Childhood Cancer Awareness Month push by our friends at:

This means a lot of organizing and packing!

It's Too Hot and Dry! Lanyard Workshop and Focus Group

Time	Friday, July 15 · 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Location	My House (email for directions: vbuenger@gmail.edu)
More Info	It's too hot and dry, so. . . drop in, cool off, and quench your thirst, all while hanging out with friends and making lanyards to benefit the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Network. I also need your HELP for yet another new idea for Erin's Dream Lanyards!

Presbyterian Women's Conference(s)

I wish I could explain how humbling it is to have someone approach me out of the blue and ask me to do a lanyard workshop.  Thanks to Chris Laufer and the planning team for the Presbyterian Women's Conference at Mo Ranch, I had the opportunity to meet and teach women from all over the state at this summer's conference.  My fellow club members who have lost precious children to cancer will understand the passion and power of this year's conference:

Hope Beyond Tears:

Mourning and Crying

and Pain Will Be No More

If you have eyes to see it, you’ll find it

everywhere these days. Suffering—whether it’s in

our daily lives or on television—appears with unwavering

regularity. So where does the promise of

Revelation 21:4 fit in here? Join us this summer at the

2011 Mo-Ranch Women’s Conference as we wrestle

with the themes of suffering and hope through

keynote addresses, worship services, and

workshops. And as always at this beautiful

place, there’s plenty of free time in

which to ponder or play.

Imagine how much I appreciated being part of this incredible conference.  These ladies were amazing!  Thank you so much for including me in your plans.

Erin's Dream Necklace!

This beautiful face belongs to my new friend and also one of my most recent partners at Erin's Dream Lanyards.  Okay, so she didn't make an EDL.  She made an EDN. N = necklace.  She and my digital friend Brooke (rivervision.com) collaborated to make this lovely necklace for her eight-year-old cousin's baptism gift. 

Did you know that collaborate is one of my favorite verbs?

She designed the pattern and strung the beads while Brooke did the dull work of holding the wire and the skilled work of crimping.  Oh, and here's something REALLY sweet about the necklace. At the bottom - you'll see she's got a big square bead, then a diamondy like bead - on both sides, a pink one (on both sides), then - a green one - on both sides. She wanted the green beads there so that they would be seen, because of Erin. This little girl doesn't fully get Erin's story, but she knows that Erin did something really wonderful for kids with cancer, and so she wants Erin to be easily seen in the necklace by anyone who sees her cousin wearing it. 

Shall I send you some beads, so you can join the fun and the passion?

Touch-A-Truck/California Dreamin' Lanyard Workshop

Date:

Friday, April 29, 2011

Time:

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Location:

My House (email for directions: vbuenger@gmail.com)

We are making lanyards (finally?  Where did April go?) this Friday to benefit the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation. It is art/cause/party, but mostly a chance to get together, have fun, and help others. We will string beads to make lanyards and build our supply for the special Touch-A-Truck event sponsored by Max's Ring of Fire in beautiful San Diego on the first weekend in June!!!  As always, you can bring your favorite snack to share . . . and, of course, a friend!

African Line

We have a limited line made with beads from Africa.  I bought some of these beads when we went to South Africa last summer for the soccer World Cup.  Imagine my surprise and delight when I noticed that our hotel was right across the street from a small bead shop (in fact, it was the only bead shop I saw the entire time we were in South Africa!).

We also use beads from the Beads for Life project.  "Beads for Life is a no-profit organization providing impoverished Ugandan women the chance to lift their families out of poverty by making beaded jewelry out of recycled paper.  Many of the beaders are HIV+ mothers or war refugees. . . Bead for Life pays the beaders fair trade prices for their work. . . All net proceeds from Bead for Life product are re-invested in programs that fight extreme poverty.

Not only that but they are beautiful, as demonstrated by these African line lanyards (If you request, we can also use these beads to make necklaces, bracelets, keychains, or eyeglasses chains).  We hope you will donate at least $25 for these lanyards that help in so many ways!

Remember every lanyard is handcrafted by a volunteer and no two are alike.

Click on the image to see a larger version of this stunning African line lanyard with wooden animal accents.

Remember every lanyard is handcrafted by a volunteer and no two are alike.

Click on the image to see a larger version of this striking African Line lanyard.

Start-the-Spring-Break-Fun Lanyard Workshop

Date:	Friday, March 11, 2011
Time:	4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location:	My House (email for directions: vbuenger@mays.tamu.edu)

We are making lanyards this Friday to benefit the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation. It is art/cause/party, but mostly a chance to get together, have fun, and help others. We will string beads to make lanyards, We will string beads to make lanyards for a Monday morning shipment of at least 60 lanyards to Buffalo, NY!!!! As always, you can bring your favorite snack to share . . . and, of course, a friend!

Necklaces, Earrings, and Bracelets, Oh My!

While we specialize in lanyards, we realize that not everyone has to wear ID's around their necks.  Even if you don't need a lanyard you can support Erin's Dream Lanyards by dressing up your outfits with beaded jewelry.  We can craft necklaces to match any outfit in any length or style, AND we can pair your necklace with kicky dangling earrings or eye-catching bracelets.  Click on the photos below to see some examples in more detail.  Don't you need new jewelry to complement all of your outfits?  Order your custom-designed jewelry today!  Get your inspiration from some of these examples:

Remember every necklace and earring set is handcrafted by a volunteer and no two are alike.

Click on the image to see a larger version of this elegant necklace with matching earrings.

Remember every necklace is handcrafted by a volunteer and no two are alike.

Click on the image to see a larger version of this necklace, bracelet, and earring set.

Remember every necklace and earring set is handcrafted by a volunteer and no two are alike.

Click on the image to see a larger version of this jade necklace with matching earrings.

Remember every necklace and earring set is handcrafted by a volunteer and no two are alike.

Click on the image to see a larger version of this stunning purple necklace with matching earrings.