I Need Your Help

I have a gifted student who has offered to help me (re)design and build a new web page for our lanyard project. You may have noticed that this one isn't so hot in the sense that things are hard to find and it doesn't use space efficiently. It might get a "fail" on other important dimensions as well.

Please take a minute to answer two questions that will help me begin the redesign process. Either leave a comment or email me at vbuenger@mays.tamu.edu .

1. Why did you visit Erin's Dream Lanyards? (choose as many as apply)

• To make an order
• Curiosity
• To find out how to help
• Followed a link
• Interested in lanyard stories
• To see the workshop schedule
• To download material about lanyards
  
• Other (describe)

2. Was there anything you were hoping would be here, but wasn't?

Of course, if you have any other feedback, I'd love to hear it. Believe me, you couldn't offend me by detailing the ways the website needs fixing (confusing, etc.).

Spring Break Lanyard Workshop

When: Friday, March 19, 3:00 PM

Where: Vickie's House--4138 Cypress Road

Friends of Erin are invited to stop by and make lanyards this afternoon.

Fun for all ages.

Laguna Lanyarders!

My sister-in-law and nieces planned and hosted a lanyard workshop a couple of weeks ago out in southern california. I really wanted to hop a flight to the west coast and join in! Everything they did was top notch: the assembled talent, the bead choices, the display, the food, and of course the beautiful work they did!

Here's what they wrote me about the experience:

Even though this lanyard party happened just after Valentine's, it actually began at Christmas. Shannon Thornburg gave her mom and sister packets of beads as their gifts. She wrapped them in shiny paper and hung them on the tree like icicles!!

Friends and neighbors of the the Thornburg girls gathered on Friday, February 19th to make lanyards. Everyone had a great time, and Shannon's jambalaya was a big hit!!

And, most importantly, lots of beautiful lanyards were made. It is so fun to see how different each creation is and the endless possibilities, each magnificent in it's uniqueness. This is such a wonderful reflection of Erin and her amazing creativity!!

Hopefully this will be just the first of many.

My work for Erin…

Erin's Dream Lanyard fans,

I have a guest blogger today.  Her name is Virginia, and she is one of my dear internet friends.  Virginia is a young woman, full of life and wonder.  She contacted me by email, even though we had never met, nor had she met Erin. . . even though we had never corresponded. . . even though Italian is her first language, and I know no Italian.  Virginia was a young child when she lost her closest playmate and younger cousin to neuroblastoma.  Now as a teenager, she reached out to me across the Atlantic to try to give me comfort in the loss of Erin and to try to figure out a way to get involved with Erin's Dream Lanyards.  

I am trying to figure out an effective way to help her join the fight against neuroblastoma,  even though she can't conveniently get to one of our workshops.  My first thought was to have her put into words, her passion for the project.  When you read what she writes below, perhaps you will be moved to join us in this fight.  There are so many ways you can help!

My work for Erin…

This morning, when I woke up, at first I didn’t realize it was a sunny day, because after many days of raining, I didn’t hope that the sky could shine again…

So I ran out from my home, and I smelt the perfume of the fresh air, I counted all the rays of sunshine who were playing between the trees, and then I raised my head and I saw the sun.. It was simply wonderful… it might sounds common, but it was shining like it never did before, even after so many bad days… I don’t know why, but that thing made me think about Erin, whose amazing life touched my heart and my soul…

Erin, with her simplicity and joy, was like a young sun that, despite all the heavy and dark clouds who could obscure her life, always found the strength to shine, to fly high with her mind and her dreams, to don’t give up, not even when carry on was difficult and painful… She never let her life slide on her, but she brought with her little but strong fingers all her hopes for the future…

She had the skill to bring the light in the life of who loved her and still loves and remember her…

Her incredible pragmatism and cheerfulness was contagious to me, even though I never met her personally, and the smiles she had in all her photos made me smile, too.

This morning, I could hear Erin’s laugh through the wind, her sparkly eyes in the rays of sunshine, her powerful energy in the brightest light I had ever seen…

I can say Erin is still here… she hasn’t gone forever.. I’m sure of this, because I have a little princess in heaven, now, too… and I still talk to my little angel, I keep her beside me every day, I write to her letters full of smiles and tears, I know she is holding my hand right now, she will never leave my side, and I hope I could see her again someday…

 

So, Erin is with us in every step of our way, beside us when we go through troubles and we haven’t any hope or strength to carry on…

She still live in the remembrance of all us and it’s our duty not let her life slip and flow away from our hearts…

So join Erin’s project, and in every little bead you’ll hold in your hand, in every string you’ll tie, you will feel Erin’s life essence, her bright spirit and her soul talking and inspiring you…

And if you’ll go out, tomorrow, if you pay attention to the sound of the wind, I’m sure you could hear someone laughing beside you…

 

Virginia.

P.s. Dear Buenger family, I wrote this essay because I wanted to explain how Erin’s life touched me in my heart… I wish I had had the possibility to know your special girl… I know it might sounds common, but it’s what I truly feel inside.

So have a wonderful day, and let me know if there is something wrong in my work J

Strange (Not Odd) Friday Lanyard Workshop

I just got a message from our friend and supporter, Robby Bennett, who says he needs lanyards for his sold out Magic Show at the Bayou Theatre on Saturday, March 6. He will have a display in the lobby of the theatre before and between shows. That means we need to gather at my house this Friday (even though it is an Even and not an Odd day). Let me know with a comment or an email if you can be there.

Let's get together and do some beautiful and magical work!

We had two big events last weekend. I'm still waiting on photos but wanted to post at least some teaser information now!

NCL Bead-A-Thon:

Workshop Leaders –4 (three on site and one in absentia)

Beaders—75+

Lanyards Completed—225+

On-site donations (Time)—200+ hours

On-site donations (Monetary)--$430

On-site donations (Beads)—plenty

Laughs Shared—too many to count

Laguna Niguel Lanyard Party and Happy Hour

Workshop Leaders: 3--Quin, Shannon, and Loren

Beaders: 17

Lanyards: 16

Menu: Jambalaya

Bottles of Wine: ?

Thanks to all the participants for making a difference!

Big Weekend for Beading

We are emerging, slowly but surely, from our winter, mini-hibernation.

We have two big events on the weekend horizon. First, a shout out to all you southern Californians who have had beading on the mind, but no way to get to Texas. This one is for you (click on the link below for a map and details).

Southern California Lanyard Workshop

Friends of Erin (and Quin, Shannon, and Loren) are invited to stop by Quin's house and make lanyards this Friday afternoon. They'll have wine and cheese and chocolate to encourage your beading. Shannon and Loren will show everyone what to do!!! Shannon also promises to whip up something for dinner!!

February 19, 2010 5:30 PM

Also, Quin would probably appreciate an e-mail (email at qthornburg@gmail.com) if you think you might go.

Thanks to Lara W. we will host a Bead-A-Thon in The Woodlands for SIX HOURS on Saturday.

NCL Lanyard Bead-A-Thon in The Woodlands

The National Charity League will gather for a lanyard-making marathon!

February 20, 2010 8:00 AM

Because of the Bead-A-Thon, I can't host my usual Odd Friday Workshop this week. Let's tentatively postpone until the following Friday (February 26).

NCL Lanyard Workshop in The Woodlands

When: February 28, 1:30 pm

Where: The Woodlands

The National Charity League, Class of 2014 will gather and make lanyards this afternoon.

Lanyard Workshop

When: Friday, February 5, 4:00 PM

Where: Vickie's House--4138 Cypress Road

Friends of Erin are invited to stop by and make lanyards this afternoon.

NCL Lanyard Workshop in The Woodlands

When: Feb. 7, 3:00 pm

Where: The Woodlands

The National Charity League, Class of 2013 will gather and make lanyards this afternoon.

Lanyard Workshop

When: Friday, January 29, 2010. 4:00:00 PM

Where: Vickie's House--4138 Cypress Road

Friends of Erin are invited to stop by and make lanyards this afternoon.

Fill the Basket!

Erin's Dream Lanyards welcomes a new partner, Jennifer Fountain and The Bead Fountain. With Jennifer's generous support we now have a good source for hardware and some of the specialty items we need to make beautiful lanyards, including perfect gold ribbon (for pediatric cancer) charms.


Next Saturday, January 23rd, Jennifer is hosting a bead show AND ANOTHER BEAD DRIVE for Erin's Dream Lanyards. If beading is your thing, stop by her shop at 1804-D Brothers Boulevard in College Station to check out what she is featuring. While you are there, buy an extra string of beads and drop it in the Erin's Dream Lanyards basket. Let's fill the basket!

Why do I bead?

I have never been a particularly crafty person. I don’t quilt, make flower arrangements or scrapbook. Michael’s was a store I drove by on my way to Target. So why do I bead?

Vickie Buenger and I met in Nashville many years ago. We formed an immediate bond since we were both Texas girls (one A&M and one UT). Even when we moved to different cities we continued to visit each other. That is why I was lucky enough to know a red-headed dynamo named Erin.

You know Erin’s story. I watched, hoped and prayed over the years while she fought her disease. I rejoiced and despaired with every up and down.

I joined the beaders after Erin lost her fight with Neuroblastoma. Her picture sits in my office. She has her arm around Scarlet (one of my dogs) and her face beams. That smile rarely left her face. It inspires and motivates me. I want to help fulfill her dream of finding a cure for pediatric cancer – one bead at a time.

Thank you!

Happy holidays and thank you to Erin’s friends! Because of your hard work and support, over $24,000 has been raised for pediatric cancer research. Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year in 2010!

How Do I Order a Lanyard?

As obvious as it seems to me about how someone might become the owner of one of Erin's Dream Lanyards, I have had some signs lately that what's obvious to me is not necessarily obvious to everyone else who might be lusting after a lanyard.

First, except for the Christian Year lanyard, each and every lanyard is unique and one of a kind. Someone who really cares designs a lanyard that they think someone might love. Once it's made, the (metaphorical) mold is broken.

That means you can't look through the photos, pick a lanyard that strikes you, and order that specific one. Instead, here are some alternatives:

Make a Custom Order:

1. Use the order form on the right side of the EDL main page.
2. Fill in your Personal Details, so I know who to ship to and so that I can contact you if I have questions.
3. Under "Product," specify whether you are ordering a lanyard, manyard (a lanyard with its own bottle-opener attachment), eyeglass chain, key chain, or necklace.
4. Under "Remarks," you can customize your order. Choose your preferred color combination, whether you would like a longer or shorter length and give instructions on style (for example, “delicate," “bold," “asymmetrical”, “manly”, etc.).

Still Can't Decide?

As an alternative to the order form, I can send a photo of available inventory through email (Beware that I am not a very skilled photographer!).

If you live near Bryan, you can stop by and see the lanyards in person.

How Do You Pay?

Please send a check made out to the CNCF (Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation) to

Vickie Buenger
4138 Cypress Road
Bryan, TX 77807

or

make your donation securely online on the EDL homepage.

You can wait until you receive your lanyard.

How Much?

All of Erin's Dream Lanyards are available for a tax-deductible donation. I send EVERY DIME I receive to the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation to fund a cure for the disease that killed Erin and so many other children. Volunteers donate their time to make all of the lanyards and many also donate beads. Walter and I pay for all the other expenses we incur.

We encourage donations of at least $20 per lanyard, but will accept a minimum of $15.

We guarantee all of Erin's Dream Lanyards and will repair them if they break.

Can You Lend a Hand?

The student council at A&M Consolidated will have lunchtime lanyard sales this week, featuring the lanyards they made at the last two workshops they held. I need someone who can sit with the lanyards and supervise the sales from 11-1 on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday this week.

Can you leave me a message or email (vbuenger@mays.tamu.edu), if you can lend a hand?

Lanyard Workshop

When: Friday, November 27, 2009 3:00:00 PM

Where: My House--4138 Cypress Road

Description: Friends of Erin are invited to stop by and make lanyards this afternoon.

A Balm in Gilead

Fun for All Ages

Host: Vickie Buenger
Time: 3:00PM Friday, November 27th (note earlier than usual start time!)
Location: My House (email for directions)

But Wait! There's More!

Besides the usual reminder that we will have an Odd Friday workshop on Black Friday for those of you not interested in shopping or college football, I have another guest blogger. This time Janice explains why she is a repeat beader:

"There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole. There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul. Sometimes I feel discouraged, and think my work’s in vain, but then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again. "

I have always loved the words and haunting tune of this old African-American spiritual, but in the last several months this song came to have a much deeper meaning in my life. Our hearts were broken the day Erin left this world and I felt that I would never be whole again. Making lanyards has been the balm that is helping my shattered heart to heal. To be honest, the first few times that I met with others at the Buenger’s home to make lanyard were very difficult. I was choked up on the drive out, shaky while I was there, and a mess for the next few days afterwards. As the months have passed, it became easier and easier, and I find myself out of sorts if I go more than a couple of weeks without attending a lanyard workshop.

The last verse of this hymn tells us that if we cannot preach like Peter or pray like Paul, we can tell the love of Jesus, that he died for all. I can’t do the research that might someday find a cure for this disease, but I CAN make a lanyard that might one day help save the life of a child.

Lanyard Workshop in Katy, TX

When: Sunday, November 22, 2009 3:00:00 PM
Where: Katy, Texas
Description: Friends of Erin and Carlie will gather and make lanyards this afternoon.

Lanyards Fly in Indiana

Meet my friend, Drew. He just passed his two year anniversary from diagnosis for IV Neuroblastoma. He has been cancer free for over a year, and you can tell from his winning smile that he is taking the world by storm!

Drew's mom, Kate, graciously accepted my invitation to guest blog. Thank you Kate for bringing us all encouragement from the heart and from the heartland. I hope it gives you all ideas about how you can get involved!

**************************

Second graders don’t really understand boundaries very well- they love to touch and hug and feel and love maybe a little too much for the comfort of most. But it’s part of what I love about my job. And these little sweeties can’t get enough of my lanyard! The symmetry and shine of the beads, the interesting feel of the patterns, the glimmer of something around my neck. Kids can’t resist. My lanyard gets handled a lot over the course of a typical school day.

I picked up my first one at the CNCF conference this past summer, a fellow cancer-mom admiring another’s beautiful work in memory of her beautiful Erin. I eagerly awaited the first day of school, after two years removed from my job to care for Drew during his treatment. Now with Drew, almost four, in remission since April 2008, and his brother Ben, almost two, who was born during the early stages of Drew’s treatment, I was ready to return.

I clipped my ID onto my lanyard during my two teacher prep days before school started, and the compliments flew! Everyone wanted to know where they could get one! There were many interested in my lanyard, but even more importantly than that, I found myself with a natural, beautiful way to talk about neuroblastoma, talk about what my son and my family had been through, and talk about Erin and so many beautiful children like her who have been lost. Even though most of my co-workers were familiar with my journey, this beautiful jewelry became a new reason and a new way for them to understand who I really was, and what was really important to me now that my life had been turned upside-down.

I set up my first display in the teacher’s lounge, and was delighted at the success. Delighted for CNCF, and delighted for the memory of Erin. Then I realized it was going even further than that. There were twenty new lanyards out there, twenty more people passing the word about neuroblastoma, about Erin’s story, about Drew’s story. And I knew I had to continue bringing these lanyards to my community of teachers and beyond.

Vickie has generously and enthusiastically responded to the “demand” of her product here. She’s even added a special “blue” bead to some of the pieces to honor Drew’s battle with neuroblastoma. It’s so touching to know that his story gets out there too. I love knowing that even though that time in our lives was terrible, it is now being used to do good- to spread awareness, to raise money for research, to talk about amazing kids like Drew and Erin.

The lanyards continue to be in high demand here in Crown Point, Indiana. There have even been several special orders. I’ve got a whole office of women waiting for a display this week. And I know there will be a whole new group of people that not only enjoy beautiful jewelry, but now have an easy way to tell the world about neuroblastoma.

As for me, three new lanyards later and all of mine still take a beating from my second graders (did I mention they’re incredibly sturdy?) I’m proud to wear and spread the word about something strong, beautiful, and unique, just like our kids. Thank you Vickie, and Erin, for bringing Erin’s Dream Lanyards to Indiana!

Lanyard Workshop

Fun for All Ages
Host: Vickie Buenger
Time: 4:00PM Friday, November 13th
Location: My House (email for directions)

Lots of News

I have loads of good news about lanyards and just haven't paused the fifteen minutes I needed to thank everyone for the wonderful work they are doing. This breaks my number one rule, that you can never say thank you often enough.

Since I last updated, we have had three absolutely terrific workshops. Athena F-B and her mom hosted a terrific gathering in Spring, and friends of Alex showed their inner artists by creating some truly beautiful lanyards. Many of these passed quickly into new homes as Athena's natural charm and enthusiasm created a ready market for lanyards at a conference she had at work! Believe me, last week was a big week for lanyard donations!

I also got to spend a couple of hours with Michelle L.'s junior girl scout troop last week. These young women dived into the project with enthusiasm and big ideas and created some of the boldest and most whimsical lanyards I have seen in quite a while. They sat positively rapt while I explained the background of the lanyards and had a lot of questions about Erin and the project. Many of them came up to tell me how "unfair" or "wrong" it was that Erin died, and I had to agree.

Yesterday, a large group from the Student Attitude Committee of the A&M Consolidated Student Council met after school to string lanyards (Extra thanks to Tracy A. and friends of Colby for doing all the advanced planning). Those young folks sure were balm for my flagging attitude (as I had spent the forty-eight hours since my return from Louisville being slapped around by the realities of semester projects, exams, and the general mayhem of semester week eleven). Not only were these Tigers exceptionally prolific and artistic, but they invited us back next week.

I do want to take a minute to talk about Tracy, who has thrown herself into lanyards almost like it was as much fun as hunting and fishing. She has a bold and practiced eye for color and striking bead combinations, and has passed on those skills to Colby and Riley (age 5 and 6) who have much more patience and stick-to-it-iveness than any boys I have met. Tracy is also total energy. In the last two weeks she has worked, kept up with a family with three boys, hunted opening season, held a garage sale with her mom for CNCF, arranged this workshop, and made contact with and had great success introducing lanyards to the staff at St. Joseph's Hospital. I can barely keep her in lanyards and starts, which, if you think about it is a High Class kind of problem to have.

In other lanyard news, Rachel S. has plans for a workshop in her dorm at Texas State University. I can't imagine that college students have the time to bead this time of the semester, but perhaps procrastination is an art. No doubt, everyone will see building beautiful creations as a stress buster instead of a time waster. I am also working with Kathryn R. to schedule a workshop at the University of Minnesota and with Moureen W. to get a regularly scheduled beading activity started at the YMCA in Pennsylvania.

Kate P. up in Indiana continues to spread the word about lanyards in her neck of the woods. Every time I open an email from her, she is extolling the loveliness of the most recent batch I have sent her and asking if I can send more. I always say YES! Brooke R. in Utah is also spreading the word about the Christian Year Lanyard in her congregation. If you are not too crafty or don't want the hassle of organizing a workshop, consider dropping me a line. I don't mind sending out a set of lanyards for interested folks to show around to their ID badge wearing friends. These lanyards are much more desirable when you see them in person than if you just read about them and then try to explain them to someone.

That brings me to the reminder that this Friday (the dreaded Friday the Thirteenth?) is the first Odd Friday we've had in three weeks. I have missed all my friends terribly, and really hope you can fit me into your schedule after school or after work that day. I have a very large number of special orders that I need experienced beaders to help with. We will also have some newcomers from A&M Consolidated Interact, thanks to Sallyann Z.'s initiative.

For Facebook users who have not yet joined Erin's Dream Lanyards Facebook Group: Join Today! We are 29 members away from breaking 500.

Lanyard Workshop in Spring

Lanyard Workshop in Spring (click link for details and a map)

Friends of Erin and Alex will gather and make lanyards to benefit the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation.

When: November 1
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: 10710 Bowden Chase Drive, Spring, Texas

Halloween Lanyards

Let me know if you are interested in a Halloween lanyard featuring either candy corn or pumpkin beads.

Introducing the "Swine Flew" Lanyard

What would you do if pigs could fly?

Capture them and add them to a lanyard, definitely!

Introducing our latest creation, "The Swine Flew" lanyard, featuring the cutest little flying pig bead. Specify whether you want germ-y looking accent beads or not. Doesn't your favorite health care provider or other warrior on the front line of the flu pandemic need one of these?

Introducing the Spirit Line of Lanyards

Show off your school or team colors with the new Spirit Line Lanyard. Background seed beads display your colors with letter beads spelling out your school or team name and affiliation.