It seems that my hard work is paying off! I have spent the past two years developing a following of sorts for EUTECTIC by going to art markets and craft events throughout the Houston area. Soon, the rest of Houston will discover the line: EUTECTIC handcrafted jewelry has caught the eye of editors at HOUSTON Magazine.

The October 2008 issue of HOUSTON Magazine will feature an article about up-and-coming local jewelry designers, and I will be one of the artists mentioned in the article. I am excited that the entire city of Houston will finally get to see my work...not everyone has time to attend or even knows about the local farmers markets or art events, so exposure in this magazine will show my work to a much larger audience.

To celebrate the publication of the article, anyone who brings me a copy of the October issue of Houston Magazine to an event will receive 25% off any one item (except clearance sale items). Bring me two copies, get 25% off of two items. Three copies, three items, etc. Of course, don't go overboard and bring my 25 copies...that's too much for me to drag home.

I hope to see you this season at one of the markets around town. To see where I'll be this Holiday season, check out the Events Page.

Cheers,
Stevie

Hurricane Ike has been all over the news, so I’m sure that you’ve all seen and heard at least a little bit about the damage caused to Galveston and surrounding areas.

Our home in Sugar Land suffered almost no damage. We lost a small part of our fence and one shingle from our roof. It could have been so much worse, and I think God that He watched over our family during the storm.

I am sad to say that Simply Art Gallery, one of the locations that carries my jewelry, was probably completely destroyed during the storm. The gallery is located in Galveston on the Strand. It had 9 feet of water in it, and I am certain that there is extensive damage to the building and that much of the art was lost.

I have received an email from the one of the owners of the gallery…both owners made it through the storm safe and sound and will go back to salvage what they can of their homes and the Gallery when power and water services are restored to the island.

My heart goes out to all of the people of Galveston, Kemah, and the surrounding areas that felt the full force of Ike’s wrath. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers, and I look forward to visiting a rebuilt Strand and Kemah Boardwalk soon!

With love,
Stevie

Just when you think your world is just fine the way it is, you have to go and shake things up a bit. That’s the way the world works, right? My husband and I recently decided to shake up our lives quite a bit…on July 26, we had our first baby, a little girl named Kaylie Elaine. And they’re right (whoever “they” really are…): having a baby really does change your life.

Between the middle-of-the-night feedings, the constant wondering what “wah” really means, and the baby wearing, I’m sleep deprived, sore, and generally exhausted. But I’ve never felt more joy or creativity. Creating life is a person’s most important work of art, and nurturing that life and seeing it grow does the same for a person’s inner fire. I feel like I have so many new designs swimming around in my head – now if I could just find the time to make them all (see above comments about being exhausted).

I am happy to report that Kaylie truly does enjoy my work (she sleeps right through my hammering and the tumbling machine noise). I hope that one day, she’ll appreciate fashion and art the way I do. But if she wants to play in the dirt and hunt for bugs, I’m okay with that too.

As much as the munchkin will let me, I will continue to create new collections and appear at local Houston Markets and Art events. The holidays are coming up, so please check the Events page to see where I’ll be this season. And know that I may be a bit slower to update the website and online store…but I have a good excuse.

Cheers,
Stevie

EUTECTIC is grabbing the attention of both local residents and some other, larger audiences: the MTV Movie Awards. For the 2008 Awards, Stevie Ballow and other specially selected designers were invited to send in their handmade goods to be included in The Sampler’s Style Lounge Gift Bags. The Sampler contributed 75 gift bags in all, which included handmade jewelry, stationery, bath products, art, buttons, clothing, and other goods made by indie artists across the nation. Each celebrity that received a gift bag took with them a pair of Stevie’s “Light Layered Hoops” sterling silver.

“It’s exciting!” says Stevie. “I was honored to be asked to participate. I’ve worked hard to establish my brand and I love what I do…it’s nice that the work I put in is paying off.” Stevie hopes that by contributing to the gift bags, her jewelry will be put in the hands of people who can help promote her line as well as other local artists from the Houston area. “I want the rest of the country to know that we have some great talent here…you don’t have to live in Austin or Dallas or even New York or LA to find great local designers.”

So what does this mean for the rest of us? While the rest of us non-celebs may not frequent award ceremonies or spend endless amounts of cash on custom made jewelry, every woman on the go like to look good. “I design the pieces in the EUTECTIC line to be universal,” says Stevie. “Most of my jewelry can go straight from a PTA meeting to a cocktail party.” Many of her earrings, even though she uses sterling silver and gold filled metals and genuine stone, are priced under $50. “I want to provide women with a quality, local, handmade product at a price they can afford. What’s the use of bring an artist if your art can’t be experiences by everyone?”

Stevie’s “Light Layered Hoops” are part of the EUTECTIC signature collection and can be purchased online or at many of the locations around Houston that carry the EUTECTIC line. For more information about The Sampler and who else contributed to the MTV Movie Award gift bags, visit The Sampler.

Jeans, jeans, and more jeans. If you’re looking for that perfect pair (you know, the ones that make your rear view look spectacular), Kiss Kiss Boutique in Sugar Land Town Square is the place to shop. The boutique carries an impressive assortment of styles from LA’s top denim houses as well as dresses and tops from smaller lines normally found only in Inner Loop and Galleria shops. And to complement their impeccably chic collection, Kiss Kiss has new items from the EUTECTIC Signature and Circular Logic Collections.

The “Circular Logic” collection centers around modern, brush-finished sterling silver rings chained together to make bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. Perhaps the most stunning piece of the collection is the Ladder Bracelet, a series of nine overlapping rings that form an industrial, but delicate pattern on the wrist. Other items from that collection include the Double Circle and Circle + Chain Earrings. Items from the Signature collection include the Large Hoops, Super Hoops,and the ever-popular Light Layered Hoops in gold filled. Any of these choices would be the perfect addition to that new pair of jeans.

Kiss Kiss Boutique is located in the Towne Square shooping center at 15989 City Walk in Sugar Land, TX.

I just found out on Friday that I'll be demonstrating at the Bayou City Arts Festival. I'll be making jewelry from the new EUTECTIC Spring/Summer 2008 collection as well as demonstrating techniques by making small charm hoops from base metal wire. I'll be making LOTS of hoops, so I'll also be giving them away at the festival.

The artist demonstration are will be set up near the Food Court (site map), so come by, visit, and pick up a free pair or earrings.

I've bee hard at work in the studio for the past few weeks, and now I have some new shapes and colors to add to the EUTECTIC collection. Items will soon be available online here, but until then, check out my Etsy Shop for the newest additions.

Forget the same old tie or coffee cup...why not give art for your Holiday Gifts? For 2007, Spacetaker is taking over the Winter Street Studios Winter Holiday Sale." An Opening Reception will be Friday night from 6pm - 9pm with a bar and lounge; the Sale hours are Saturday, 10am - 5pm and Sunday, 12pm - 5pm. I will be there, along with other local artists and fine crafters.

See you there!

Every new designer needs to be discovered...me included. Thanks to the folks over at the Houston Lifestyles Magazine group for featuring me in the November issue of the Ft. Bend and Katy magazines. Last month, I sat down with Cheryl Alexander for an interview; I had a great time chatting about my brand and the inspirations behind my designs. Cheryl did a great job of translating my babble into an article that people would want to read. Thanks!

If you'd like to see the article, check out page 62-63 in the Ft. Bend issue, page 36-37 of the Katy issue, or click here for a PDF tear sheet from the Katy issue.

I'm plum giddy. I love contemporary and modern art, and I was thrilled to hear that the gift shop at the CAM (the Contemporary Arts Museum for you non-Houstonians) was interested in carrying my line.

If you haven't visited the CAM lately, you really need to get over there. Not only is the museum fantastic, but When I went in to deliver the jewelry, I realized how incredible their giftshop was! I think I might do all my holiday shopping there. They have everything from scarves & jewelry to toys and puzzle games. You can kill a huge amount of time looking through it all.

The Contemporary Arts Museum is located at 5216 Montrose in Houston (Corner of Bissonnet and Montrose). Hours are Tues - Wed, 10am - 5pm; Thurs, 10am - 9pm; Fri - Sat, 10am - 5pm; and Sun, 12pm - 5pm. For information about the Museum, to donate, or to see current exhibitions, visit www.camh.org.

Another gallery onboard! EUTECTIC is now available at Simply Art Gallery in Galveston, TX. With an extensive (and constantly changing) collection of art, photography, sculpture, and jewelry, you're sure to find at least one thing to bring home. And maybe two or three things...

Simply Art is located at 2425 Strand in Galveston (on the corner of 25th and Strand) and is open on Tuesday through Saturday. For information about the gallery and a list of current artists and art events, visit www.simplyartgallery.com or call 409.762.4700.

I think that fashion is an art form. Apparently, so does Lori Lynn Gosnell, owner of Hi Art gallery in San Marcos, TX. EUTECTIC jewelry is soon to be carried in the gallery (I'm shipping out pieces this week!).

Hi Art showcases not only painting and sculpture, but also performance, transmedia, alternative media, functional art, and yes, jewelry by Texas-based artists or those with Texas connections. “I wanted to bring together real art and real people, regardless of their level of experience, in a casual, non-intimidating environment,” says Lori.

Hi Art is located at 111 E. Hopkins (on the square) in San Marcos, TX and is open from 11am – 6pm everyday except Tuesday and Sunday. For information about the gallery, a list of current artists, or to inquire about studio space, email info@hiarttexas or call 512.392.7ART (7278).

Our shopping cart is now live!

(Widespread PR bombing campaign to follow...stay tuned!)

We're in the final stages here...the text pages are up and the programmers have been hard at work getting the finishing touches put on my collections pages. We should be ready for a complete launch in a few weeks, but until then, feel free to browse around or shop at my current retail site:

EUTECTIC on SmashingDarling.com

Cheers.

Check out the stock at online boutique Hella Good. Not only do they now carry EUTECTIC, they also have some fabulous handpicked clothing lines, bath products, and home accessories. Go shopping!

EUTECTIC’s designer Stevie Ballow recently joined WIVLA (Women in the Visual and Literary Arts). WIVLA is unique among local Houston organizations. While many groups focus on one artistic endeavor, WIVLA brings together visual artists from multiple disciplines and writers of all types in a special, vibrant atmosphere. At WIVLA meetings, the members' creative energy and excitement is unmistakable. Those who attend quickly appreciate that WIVLA members encourage and nurture one another, reveling in the accomplishments of all. Members of WIVLA are encouraged to enter contests, participate in shows and attend readings and gallery events. They coordinate group outings to the theater and other cultural events.
For more information on the organization, please visit www.wivla.org.

It’s already HOT in Houston -- and it’s just April! Shop online or stop into your favorite Houston boutique for the EUTECTIC Summer 2007 collection. For a list of retailers, see our RETAIL page.