When an opportunity presents itself to Eva-Marie Edukonis, owner of Blue Eye Creative, she seizes it.

Edukonis, a native and resident of South Buffalo, heard that ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was passing through Buffalo’s west side and wanted to jump in on the action. The show was scheduled to make over the Powell family home, located on Massachusetts Avenue.

She contacted David Homes, builders of the home, and asked what she could do to help.
Blue Eye Creative specializes in graphic design, photography, vinyl signage and decals, commercial printing and unique products, everything to market local businesses.

Edukonis was asked to supply more than 300 T-shirts, which were worn in Subways across Western New York. Some of her vinyl mural designs were used inside the Powell family home and she supplied the vendor and sponsor banners that were in front of where the spectators were allowed, leading to the big reveal.

“This is the highest profile case I have worked on to date,” said Edukonis. “It was the fastest turn around. I used very effort I could to only use local companies. This was an exciting opportunity for Buffalo. The attention alone was great and so many people coming to help and contribute was even better.”

Edukonis though is no stranger to the business. Prior to Blue Eye Creative, Edukonis worked as a marketing manager for several companies in the Buffalo area.

The business is named Blue Eye Creative because the first daughter born into the family has blue eyes. Edukonis’ grandmother, mother, and daughter all have blue eyes.

“I was raised by my mom and grandmother,” said Edukonis. “They were both such strong women. The name was fitting.”

In July of 2008, Edukonis had her second daughter. After seeing the difference of being in her oldest daughter’s life for the first few years of her life, it was decided that she would raise her second daughter the same way, affording her the ability to be involved in their lives 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

She focused on photography at first, but when the economy tanked and people began cutting luxuries out of their lives, Edukonis’ livelihood suffered. She networked with a plethora of local small businesses. Edukonis saw a need for what the other marketing firms offered, but at a lower rate.

Edukonis is a 2009 graduate of the Allstate Minority and Women Emerging Entrepreneurs program at the University at Buffalo. After obtaining her degree she opened for business, currently in the basement of her home.

In the next few months though, she plans on securing a storefront on Seneca Street, in the heart of South Buffalo.

For more information, visit blueeyecreative.com.
e-mail: ngawel@metrowny.com.

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