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.

Sprucing Up the Place

Erin Dream Lanyards hasn't had a very public face for a few weeks, but loads has been going on behind the scenes.  We are using the winter to build our inventory for several public showings starting next month (check the calendar in the side bar for details).  


We have also started working on making Erin Dream Lanyards a little more user friendly.  You will notice that we have posted several entries in a row, describing various sub-categories of lanyards (you can "share" these on Facebook if you want!)  and at the top of the page is a button to Browse all the lanyard lines.  This is a work in progress!  Please check back regularly.  There are at least a dozen lines waiting for me to take photos of and write descriptions for.  All of this will make it easier to understand what we do around here and to make ordering more than just guess work.  Now the hard part will be making a decision!

Deluxe Line

Our most experienced artisan beaders find and use the most interesting, elegant, and exotic beads to make lanyards for our Deluxe line.  Each one of the lanyards in the Deluxe line is a work of art.  Some use crystals to create sparkle and delight.  Others feature the most beautiful and daring beads and bead designs.  We have lanyards that built around Fair Trade beads made by Ugandan women and handmade beads from South Africa, and others that take advantage of natural minerals and other stones.  We hope you donate at least $25 for one of these lanyards.  Please let us craft a Deluxe lanyard to your special order.

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

Click on the image to see a larger version of this tasteful black Deluxe Lanyard with striking silver 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 pastel Deluxe Lanyard.

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

Click on the image to see a larger version of this colorful Deluxe Lanyard featuring South African accents and turtle seed beads.

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 Deluxe Lanyard with shells accents.

Ready to order? Click here.

Dream Lanyards Line

We have a wide assortment in our Dream Lanyard Line.  All feature nicer glass beads with lovely accents and 6/0 or 8/0 seed beads.  We can help you find almost any color combination or length.  Our Dream Lanyard rest comfortably on the back of the neck, tends towards symmetry and gives you a no fuss/no muss approach to your ID badge wear.  Order several to accessorize all your outfits.

Ready to order? Click here.

Artsy Line

We have some volunteers with a lot of flair and you can tell by the lanyards they create for our Artistic Line.  These lanyard all have elements that go beyond the standard design.  Some feature daring color combinations.  Others defy conventional symmetry.  All feature interesting beads and striking bead design.  With an Artistic Lanyard you can wear your Art.

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

Click on the image to see a larger version of this sparkly Artsy Lanyard.

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

Click on the image to see a larger version of this spring-like Artsy Lanyard with millefiore accents.

Ready to order? Click here.

Whimsical Line

Some of our more creative beaders hate to be constrained by symmetry and the need to count the beads to form a pattern.  We have a collection of lanyards that use beautiful beads partnered with fresh ideas about what goes together.  If you always need for everything to come out even and for all your accessories to match, a Whimsical Lanyard might not be for you.  BUT if you like to mix things up; if you like to make bold statements about the choices you make; if you like to be slightly off-kilter a lanyard from our Whimsical Line might be just what you need.

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

Click on the image to see a larger version of this yellow and black Whimsical Lanyard.

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

Click on the image to see a larger version of this Whimsical Lanyard with orange 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 fun and wacky Whimsical Lanyard with s.

Ready to Order? Click here.

Dressy Line

Sometimes you might like to accessorize a special outfit with your lanyard (especially if you are tired of wearing your ID on a dirty nylon string).  Our Dressy Lanyard line feature bolder colors and more jewelry-like bead and design choices.  

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

Click on the image to see a larger version of this green Dressy Lanyard with gold highlights. 

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

Click on the image to see a larger version of this Dressy Lanyard with kicky purple accent beads. 

Ready to order?  Click here.

Novelty Line

Erin Dream Lanyards features a line of lanyards that uses specialty beads.  These fun Novelty Lanyards let you highlight special interests and celebrate special days.   We have lanyards that feature various breeds of animals and your hobbies and interests. They also include lanyards with beads suitable for holiday wear, including Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Christmas, and patriotic occasions.   If we can find the beads, we can make anything you have a passion for.  Just describe your interest on your order form, and we will do our best to make you happy.

Here are three examples of the many Novelty Lanyards you can choose from.  Your chose is only limited by your imagination.

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

Click on the image to see a larger version of this Novelty Lanyard with red, hot, chili pepper beads. 

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

Click on the image to see a larger version of this Novelty Lanyard with red heart beads (we also have pink hearts). 

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

Click on the image to see a larger version of this Novelty Lanyard with cute flying pink pigs

Ready to order?  Click here. 

Professional Line

Choose a lanyard from our Professional Line if you need a lanyard for office wear that blends in with all of your work clothes.  These lanyards are made in colors and styles that will compliment your work wardrobe.  They feature neutral colors or black with a hint of silver or gold and the bead choices and designs tend towards a more conservative pattern.

Remember every lanyard is handcrafted by a volunteer and no two are alike.
Click on the image to see a larger view of this example of a Professional Line Lanyard. 

Remember every lanyard is handcrafted by a volunteer and no two are alike.
Click on the image to see a larger view of another example of a Professional Line Lanyard. 

Ready to order?  Click here.