LOGAN SQUARE — Throwing a party should be fun — not stressful.
That's the philosophy behind Festive Collective, a bright and cheery party goods store opening in the former Busy Beaver, 3279 W. Armitage Ave.
The collective is made up of three independent designers: Angela Wator of Bash Party Goods, Elaine Frei of Luft Balloons and Anne Schaefer and Kate Jensen of Anne & Kate.
Together, the designers will sell an array of their stylish party goods that you can't find in Party City like metallic balloons, mint-colored paper plates and screen-printed stationery.
"We're trying to create a resource in the community with neat designers and thinkers and modern party" goods, Frei said.
It's a dream for Wator, who has wanted to open a storefront since starting Bash Party Goods out of her Logan Square apartment a couple of years ago.
"I throw a lot of parties and they're always kind of over the top and crazy and I spend way too much time on them. But I could never find anything I wanted in stores so I ended up hand-making everything," said Wator, who used to work in visual merchandising for Urban Outfitters.
(Clockwise from top left) Luft Balloons makes balloons in custom colors, Bash Party Goods makes an array of pastel-colored party goods and Anne & Kate makes screen-printed stationery, cards and prints.
Under Bash Party Goods, Wator makes an array of pastel-colored tableware (paper plates, straws, etc.) and decor (pinatas, confetti and garlands) that she describes as "modern and clean." Prices range from $7 for a pack of 10 plates to $118 for a silver "bling" pinata. Until now, her business was strictly wholesale.
Frei makes balloons in a wide range of custom colors ($5.75 for a regular pack of 10 mini balloons) including pearly pink and sea foam green. Like Wator, she was inspired to create her own balloons when she realized traditional party stores didn't sell what she wanted.
"I bought $400 worth of balloons and couldn't find the perfect color palette. All of us designers are obsessed with color. There's got to be the perfect balloon colors. So I figured out how to make them," she said.
Frei is gearing up to launch a line of "balloon garland," which features balloons strung together like garland. She also makes large-scale balloon installations for clients like Hopewell Brewing Company.
Frei's balloon installation at Hopewell Brewing Company. [Provided]
An example of Luft Balloon's "balloon garland."
Schaefer and Jensen are long-distance best friends who make modern stationery, cards ($5.50) and prints ($28) with colorful graphics and slogans like "You Are A Raging Success." Jensen lives in Chicago and Schaefer lives in Philadelphia.
Ahead of a January opening, the ladies are at work transforming the storefront into a party planner's dream by filling it up with colorful merchandise.
To set the mood, they put up a bright pink Christmas tree in the window. Underneath are presents wrapped in shiny and graphic Festive Collective wrapping paper.
"I want to create a space that's inspiring," Wator said.
In addition to selling party goods, the storefront will function as an event venue. There will be regular craft workshops like classes on how to make Wator's pinatas or Frei's large-scale balloon installations. Plus, folks will be able to rent out the store for their own parties.
Through the merchandise, classes and events, the makers hope to bring together creative-minded people who are passionate about — above all else — throwing a great party.
"I'm looking for it, so I know somebody else is," Frei said.
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