Hearts in Hands: A Jewelry-Making Workshop for Cardiac Parents at Lurie Children's

On September 10, Art Helps Heal brought creativity and calm to a new group: parents of children with cardiac conditions at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. For the first time, we hosted a jewelry‑making workshop designed just for them; a space to pause, breathe, and create something beautiful during a very challenging journey.

Honoring Carol Erlbach’s Legacy

Each parent designed a handcrafted necklace with a heart pendant, using exquisite beads donated by the late jewelry designer Carol Erlbach. Her generous gift of materials and of spirit allowed families to choose colors, textures, and shapes that felt personal to their stories. Carol’s legacy of kindness continues to touch lives in every bead that’s selected and every necklace that’s worn.

A Moment to Breathe

Throughout the session, the room grew quieter and more focused as parents arranged beads on their trays, tried new patterns, and helped one another with clasps and wire. For many, it was the first time in a long while that their hands were busy with something other than medical forms, phone calls, and hospital doors. Creating a necklace became a small, meaningful act of control and care at a time when so much feels uncertain.

Art for the Whole Family

Moments like these remind us that healing through art isn’t only for patients; it’s for the families who stand beside them. Parents carry enormous emotional weight, and when they’re offered a chance to slow down and create, they often leave feeling more grounded, supported, and seen.

Gratitude

We’re deeply grateful to Lurie Children’s for welcoming this workshop, to the Child Life team for helping us reach families, and to the volunteers who guided each step of the process. Most of all, we thank the parents who joined us and trusted us with their time and their stories.

Call to Action

If you’d like to help bring more creative healing experiences like this to families in the hospital, please consider making a donation or signing up to volunteer. Together, we can keep turning art into moments of calm, connection, and hope.