Ex Voto

How to Cure::Pediatric Brain Cancer::Research & Funding

elizabethadams — Tue, 07 May 2013 03:07:47 +0000

So usually my blog posts are more about fashion, design or a Mother’s Day Gift Guide. That’s how it should be. I’m a jewelry designer and jewelry is all about fun and happiness, right? I’m not only a jewelry designer, I’m a mother. I’m not only a mother, I’m a mother who has lost a child to cancer. Not exactly the mom’s club you want to join. Hold on, stay with me, there is a spot of happiness in this post, I promise!
So you may already know that ExVoto Vintage gives a portion of each sale to pediatric brain cancer research. More specifically, we give to a foundation called The Cure Starts Now. My husband and I became involved with this amazing foundation very soon after it was formed six years ago. We became friends with the directors, Keith and Brooke Desserich while both of our daughters were patients at St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis. Their daughter, Elena, and our daughter, Madeline, had the same diagnosis; DIPG tumor. There is no cure for this monstrous tumor which attacks the brain stem of children and moves at lightening speed (we seriously woke up one morning to find our child could not walk). About 250 children are diagnosed each year, most around the ages of 6-9 years old (although Madeline was only 3 years old when diagnosed and there are teens diagnosed as well.)
This past weekend, my husband and I attended a two-day collaborative seminar which brought together pediatric brain cancer foundations as well as the top pediatric brain cancer researchers for this tumor from as far as London and Australia. I was in the meetings with the foundations and families and my husband in the meetings with the researchers.
Here is the cool thing–two years ago The Cure Starts Now Foundation hosted this same event and researchers came, but they had dismal news to share. Very little was known about the tumor and very little being done about it. Not many researchers wanted to tackle this giant. Who can blame them? Taking on DIPG could look like professional suicide to a researcher who needs to have breakthroughs and publish papers in medical journals just to keep their job and their funding. This tumor claims the life of 100% of the children it touches. After 30 years and over 250 drug trials, nothing has begun to make an impact on DIPG tumors. The drug trials offered the DIPG families are never drugs created for DIPG tumors. These kids are given less than left-overs. They are given crumbs and false hope because so little is known about the tumor. BUT, many researchers agree that if a cure can be found for this tumor, it may very well lead to the cures for ALL cancers! So here is the cool part, this year, the seminar was hosted by a group of foundations who have linked arms to form the DIPG Collaborative and researchers came back (and a few more were with them too!) with some news. Things are happening. Basic research to understand what the heck this tumor is even made of is finally being done. A DIPG registry is now in motion to collect information on DIPG cases internationally to give all researchers. Foundations are joining the DIPG Collaborative and pooling their funding so they can make a bigger impact on research with their dollars. And the most amazing thing is happening–researchers are sharing data! They are beginning to realize that they can move faster toward their common goal by working in collaboration and sharing tissue samples and data. Isn’t it always so much nicer to work as a group?
Dr. Warner from NIH (National Institute of Health) spoke to the foundation and reminded us of this quote:
“Alone we can do little; together we can do much.”–Helen Keller
(Gotta love a researcher who quotes one of my favorite Alabama natives!)
I am totally convinced that THIS is how things get done. THIS is the way we will see this giant fall. THIS is the way no parent ever again has to hear a doctor tell them with quivering hands that there really is no chemotherapy for their child.
But the foundations and the researchers cannot do this alone. It will take individuals like you and me giving to these foundations to help them fund the research. Why? Because the National Institute of Health (NIH, ie the government) has an annual budget which allows for, get this, 3.8% of it’s funding to go to childhood cancer. That is not 3.8% to pediatric brain cancer, that’s 3.8% to ALL childhood cancers. Yet childhood cancer is the leading cause of death in children by disease.
In the room of foundations (I think about seven were represented) we held a “pledge drive” of sorts and within under 10 minutes, over $600,000 was promised in research funding for this year alone from these foundations! GO support these foundations and help make this stuff happen! www.dipg.org
How committed am I to funding this research? Maybe this can explain, most business owners don’t receive a paycheck for the first few years and I was no exception. The Cure Starts Now has received a check from ExVoto Vintage every year since the beginning. They literally received a check from ExVoto before I ever did! ExVoto Vintage has pledged to give at least $10,000 to The Cure Starts Now Foundation for 2013 (hopefully we can give even more.) With the help of our customers and our Couture to Cure collection, I was able to give the foundation a check this weekend for $1,865 from the sales of this special collection alone since it was launched earlier this year! There is much more to come from the Couture to Cure collection.
If you are looking for a worthwhile charity, here you go. If you know someone who has a child diagnosed with DIPG, please lead them to www.dipg.org for information.
Here’s how you too can collaborate:
View and SHARE this video to learn more about DIPG and the importance of private funding to find the cure.
Help spread your awareness and let’s make this video VIRAL!
(note: I don’t share videos often. I was a mass-media student in an arts high school and in my opinion there is nothing worse than a poorly crafted video–so just know this one is a good one. A Mumford & Sons soundtrack so how could it be bad, right?)
Madeline just a few weeks before her diagnosis.

Upcoming Trunk Shows!

elizabethadams — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:51:24 +0000

On the Road Again!

Get ready Huntsville and Nashville! I am headed your way with some gorgeous jewelry!

So thankful for some really gracious hostesses in both cities who have invited me to come and share their love of ExVoto Vintage with their friends.

YA’LL COME TOO!! Bring a friend and head over for some great Mother’s Day shopping, graduation shopping, etc, etc.

Here are all the little details:
Hunstville Trunk Show
Thursday, May 9th
10:00 AM -5:00 PM
101 Calhoun Street

Nashville Trunk Show
Friday, May 10th
10:00Am-6:00PM
306 Saint James Park
Nashville, TN 37215
(in Abbottsford neighborhood)

Here are some of the latest designs to be added to the collection:
Now available online or in our showroom (or at our TRUNK SHOWS!)

Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2013

elizabethadams — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:31:19 +0000

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and, as we know, sometimes our Mother’s Day shopping elves need a little help getting pointed in the right direction.
Therefore, I asked some of my favorite tastemakers and bloggers to give us their personal picks from the ExVoto collection.
I gathered their choices together here in a Mother’s Day Gift Guide.
Come get to know my friends and discover the ExVoto pieces they would like to give and receive this year!
(Click photos for more product information. Shop the Mother’s Day Gift Guide products HERE)

Julie Thigpen

Julie is an interior designer from Southern California and mom to a very cute little fella.
She has a great blog, Belle Maison 23, which I highly recommend you follow for some daily interior inspiration. Julie chose many other pieces as well! Find out her other favorites for Mother’s Day in her blog post about ExVoto Vintage HERE.

Julie’s picks:

The Ellie Bracelet

Julie likes this bracelet because it can dress up any outfit but is still casual enough to wear everyday.

The Eve Necklace

Julie says, “I love the unique style of this gorgeous necklace! A total statement piece that would make a very special gift for the stylish mom.”

The Shield Earrings with Turquoise Tassel

Julie’s tips on wearing these earrings: “The turquoise beads are so lovely. I would wear these out on a date with my husband or with a white T-shirt and skinny jeans – they’re so versatile!”

Whitney Reitz Eller

Whitney is an interior designer from Charleston, SC who specializes in hospitality design. Last year she designed five Charleston area restaurants, all with her classical modern touch which makes every space enjoyable. Whitney is also mom to two boys who give her life lots of extra energy and love.  Learn more about Whitney Reitz Designs HERE.

Whitney’s Picks:

The Emily Turquoise Necklace

Whitney says, “I love gold and turquoise together and you don’t see that often. This necklace would be great with a strapless dress or top.”

33” Graham Necklace with Onyx stones and Ivy Tassel Pendant

This necklace is Whitney’s favorite. She knows this necklace would be equally as appropriate worn with a dress as it would a pair of jeans.

James Farmer

James is a Southern author, gardener, floral and interior designer, cook and garden-to-table lifestyle expert. He is a young, fresh voice for his generation on how to incorporate elegant seasonal garden living into one’s life either on a grand scale or modest budget. Farmer is Editor-At-Large for Southern Living Magazine and has appeared on NBC’s Today and Paula Dean.
Farmer is the author of the Wall Street Journal best selling garden book, A Time To Plant (2011) Sip & Savor (2012), Porch Living (2012) and Wreaths For All Seasons (2012) published by Gibbs-Smith Publishers. All of Farmer’s books are inspired by his life growing up on a farm where farm-to-table was a lifestyle not just a popular notion.  To learn more about James Farmer, visit his website HERE or follow his blog HERE. Read more of what James has to say about his ExVoto picks in his blog post HERE.

James’ Picks for his Mother’s Day gift giving:

The 16” Claire Necklace with Blackforest Medal

The 8” Graham Bracelet with Turquoise Stones

The Golden Owl Earrings

Jessica Watson

Jessica is the writer and editor of the blog, 4PlusAnAngel. Jessica is a cool mom of four children who writes the witty and poignant posts on motherhood. She is able to put into words those thoughts and feelings we all have as moms with refreshing honesty. As she says, “On any given day you will find me taxi-ing a teenager, debating with two 5 year olds and trying to talk my three year old into going with the program for just. one. moment… all the while, looking for the closest Starbucks drive thru in Southeastern Michigan.” Jessica is the co-author of the new book, I Just Want To Pee Alone. (See what I mean by refreshingly honest?) You will especially want to follow her blog if you have a special interest in autism.
Jessica’s Pick:

The 21” Wrapping Leather Bracelet in Natural and Gold

Add your Wish List to our Wish List book! Call our showroom at 334.649.9121 or send us an email at info@exvotovintage.com with your picks and we will keep them on file for your favorite shoppers, should they need a little help.

Memphis Trunk Shows

elizabethadams — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 16:26:29 +0000

If you are in the Memphis area, you will not want to miss the upcoming trunk shows there.
All of the advantages of shopping in our showroom can be found at our trunk shows. Not only can your custom create your necklace or bracelet, you can also shop many of the one-of-a-kind pieces ExVoto has to offer. At the moment, our one-of-a-kind pieces are only offered in showroom and trunk shows while we work out the “kinks” involved in offering them in our online shop (some one-of-a-kinds can be found in our Couture to Cure collection online).
There is a Memphis trunk show coming up this week! Hopefully more to come this spring as well! If you would like to know more, contact our sales rep, Britton Laughlin via email at, britton@exvotovintage.com.

Spring Online Shopping Code!

elizabethadams — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 00:44:06 +0000

Click HERE to Shop online!

Spring Gift Guide

elizabethadams — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:14:15 +0000

Graduation, Easter, confirmation, Mother’s Day…Spring is HERE!

For the Easter Basket, or confirmation, we suggest the Maisy necklace with Primrose cross. (Note: the Primrose cross can be engraved with a monogram.) For more details on this necklace click HERE.
Or the Messenger Necklace. The Messenger necklace shown features genuine turquoise stones, but is also available in gold, freshwater pearls, or sterling silver chain (sterling silver chain available through our showroom only). The Messenger necklace has an opening envelop locket that girls love! Inside the locket is a separate brass letter with the engraved message,”I love you”. We offer custom engraving for the back of the letter as well. To view all Messenger Necklace options click HERE.
Our wrapping leather bracelets are always a popular request on the graduate’s wish list. The wrapping leather bracelet is available in several colors. View them all HERE.
For Mother’s Day we suggest our newest addition, The Ellen locket. The Ellen locket can be engraved with an initial to personalize your gift. The Ellen locket is shown below on a Graham necklace with smoky quartz stones. The Ellen will soon be available online with many of our other necklace styles as well! For more details on this necklace click HERE.

Happy Spring!

Couture To Cure

elizabethadams — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:37:25 +0000

We recently launched a one-of-a-kind collection which is available online and in our showroom called, Couture to Cure.
Couture to Cure is created with exceptional antique elements from my private collection of antique pendants and lockets I have gathered over the past three years. With antique elements combined with semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls, sterling silver chain and gold-filled chain, these pieces are stunning and the best-of-the-best from ExVoto Vintage.
But that’s not the best part! The best part is all proceeds from the Couture to Cure collection go to The Cure Starts Now Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer Research.
This foundation is devoted to raising research funding for pediatric brain cancer. When a donation is received by this foundation, 100% of that donation goes directly to research grants for pediatric brain cancer cures.
Our family came to know the founders of The Cure Starts Now, Brooke and Keith Desserich, while our daughters were being treated for the same inoperable brain tumor at St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN. Both of our daughters passed away that same year and Brooke and Keith, two of the smartest, most talented and energetic professionals I have ever met, committed to finding a cure.
Since they began five years ago, The Cure Starts Now has been able to give over one million in research grants and has been instrumental in bringing together top researchers and physicians from all over the country for the purpose of finding a cure for pediatric brain cancer. Researchers and doctors agree that if we can find a cure for this aggressive and incredibly difficult to treat brain cancer, then we may just have the home-run cure for all cancers!
My husband and I both volunteer with this foundation and we are continually amazed at the advancements in research they have been able to be a part of so far. We both are convinced that, if a cure is to be found, The Cure Starts Now will a part of the process.
To learn more about this foundation, click here.
Click the logo below to view the Couture to Cure collection. A piece from this line would be so nice to give for mother’s day. Give to your mother, and give to pediatric brain cancer research at the same time!

Spring 2013 Inspiration

elizabethadams — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:08:52 +0000

While developing the new pieces for the Spring 2013 season, I dreamed up a story of a girl on a road trip through the Southeast. This is a road trip which resembles glamping. Glamping is a contemporary term referring to “glamorous camping.”
This is not a truly “roughing it” trip. This is a trip with the windows down, but only for the fun of the feeling wind in your hair. Our girl is in no particular hurry and headed to no particular destination. She uses and old-school road map and stops often to smell the roses. When she stops, she pulls her grandmother’s quilt or an antique rug from the trunk for her resting spot by the roadside to enjoy the sunshine.She is a little bit of a bohemian and likes to let her hair down, but often needs to dress up for a special occasion here and there. She will probably have a cousin’s wedding, or two, to attend this spring and therefore pearls are always a handy item to have with you as you travel.
The Apache Relay has a song, American Nomad, which added to my inspiration and this fictional road trip story. I listened to this song this past summer while I walked down one of my favorite walking paths–the boardwalk along the bay in Point Clear, Alabama–and thought of my road trip story and what jewelry we could create around this theme.
Some of shots from the “Road Trip” (click the photos to view larger):