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Love, Petunia Jewelry with Meaning BY AMANDA MILLER PHOTO BY OLIVIA LAYNE PHOTOGRAPHY thrive W hen Alexis Ponthieux created Love, Petunia, it wasn’t just about making jewelry—it was about honoring and remembering. The inspiration for the business and the pieces came during a challenging time in her life: when her mother was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). “I started [Love, Petunia] as an activity for us to do together, but with this disease, my mom progressed pretty quickly. She’s kind of at a plateau right now, but I couldn’t keep her still, and she didn’t really like it. So, I said, ‘I’ll do this for you, Mom,’ because she loves jewelry, and I love jewelry and accessorizing. It was just something special that I could do to share our story. I don't like to share any of the hard parts, you know? I like to show pictures of her smiling. [This was] something special for us to do—a way to honor her and who she is because she’s forgetting, and I don’t want anybody else to forget who she was before this disease. She’s such a special person,” she shares. The name Love, Petunia carries a special meaning as well. “Petunia” is a nickname her mom often called her when she was little. In the branding, “Love,” is written in her mother’s handwriting, pulled from an old card the family exchanged. “My mom, dad, and I love handwritten notes and cards,” she explains. This tribute highlights their special bond and the powerful mission behind the business.
CAREGIVING AND CREATIVITY
Louisiana. A lot of pieces feature gold accents, and every piece includes a single purple bead that represents dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Alexis explains, “If somebody buys it and has a connection to the disease, they can look at it and see that they’re not alone. I donate five percent of each bracelet to Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area.” More than a jewelry brand, Love, Petunia is a platform for raising awareness about dementia and creating a community where people don’t feel alone on this journey. For those who are experiencing similar situations, Alexis encourages, “Lean on your people. It’s a very hard thing to go through, but lean on your people that are there for you and that are supporting you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t be afraid to ask somebody to ask for help, because sometimes you don’t even know where to start. Don’t be afraid to look for that and search for that, and don’t feel guilty for needing the help.” To learn more, visit shoplovepetunia.com. BUILDING AWARENESS AND COMMUNITY
As a caregiver, Alexis has experienced the roller coaster of emotions that dementia can bring to families. Through owning the business and jewelry-making, Alexis has found a therapeutic outlet and has been able to connect with those who are walking similar paths. “I’ve connected with so many other peo- ple who share their stories online. I learned that I’m not alone in this. I was 23 when my mom got diagnosed. I was young, an only child, and I’m very close to my parents. Thank God for my friend group, thank God for my husband, but I’ve connected with a lot of people and made friends all over the U.S., and even overseas, through social media. It’s been nice to connect with people around my age and, unfortunately, even younger people who are going through the same journey,” she says. FROM INSPIRATION TO CREATION Every piece is thoughtfully designed and made by Alexis herself. Each piece is made using high-quality elastic and beads, many sourced from right here in
22 SEPTEMBER 2025 | BRPARENTS.COM
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