DECORATE & CELEBRATE. Heather Gullickson (pictured), the owner and party extraordinaire of Eaufetti has brought her talents to Water Street in Eau Claire. Today, the company helps curate celebrations for clients across the Chippewa Valley with “luxury balloon décor, custom backdrops, marquee letters and full-service event styling.”

If you’ve taken a stroll or driven down Water Street recently, you might have noticed some festive balloon garlands adorning one storefront's windows. Those displays are hints of something new, shimmery and vibrant in downtown Eau Claire – a signal that Eaufetti is ready to party.

We have local entrepreneur Heather Gullickson to thank for this party-planning, balloon-crafting and event-curating shop – once home to The Eclective and, before that, Ver Salon. It all began with Heather's efforts to plan celebrations for her own children; over the years she would assist friends and family with crafting their own memorable events, too.

The gratification was instantaneous, she said. Heather discovered a genuine love for the entire creative process – from choosing color schemes and personalizing little details, to witnessing the pure delight in someone’s face upon stepping into a “fully decorated space that feels like them.”

“I like to find out what their theme is. Most of the time (clients) have a rough idea or a color palette and then we build off of that,” Heather said of her party planning process. “I like to think outside of the box … to see what colors we could pull into (a party) or different art styles, when it comes to graphics.”

Eaufetti offers LED neon marquee letters ($65/letter) that are approximately three feet tall, as seen above. Heather said their customizable lighting effects have made this offering popular for spelling out names or phrases at events.

To craft a fully customized experience and atmosphere, Heather continues to immerse herself in every client’s story – no matter the scale.

Eaufetti balloon stacks, garlands and archways have become the centerpiece for photo-ops and party entrances around the Chippewa Valley. Each one is built on a sturdy base and uses a mix of high-quality latex and foil balloons (with biodegradable and recyclable options for any waste generated).

Playful cow print installations for a “Toy Story” birthday bash and classic blue-and-white arches for a Culver’s celebration are just two examples of Eaufetti's growing portfolio.

That thoughtful customization shines particularly bright during the holidays, Heather added. She, with the help of her husband and family, creates setups for corporate holiday parties and intimate family get-togethers alike.

Heather’s balloon installations – coupled with customizable backdrops and glowing marquee lettering – can turn a home into a winter wonderland overnight.

“We also decorate local businesses' spaces for the season,” Heather said. “Whether that means something festive for Christmas, a fun ceiling installation to ring in the new year, or a display for Halloween.”

 "All the little details, I feel, really do pull a theme together."

heather gullickson

balloon aficionado & owner of eaufetti

A collection of "Five Nights At Freddy's" gear from Eaufetti including its rental backdrops, customizable character props and bar booth.

Now working in a dedicated storefront space since August of this year, Eaufetti welcomes locals to host their events there – one of the area's newest venues. Operating by appointment, Heather envisions this new offering will help eliminate the stress of party prep before guests even walk through the door.

Planning on a budget? Heather knows it can be an all-too-familiar reality for hosts in the Chippewa Valley. Through Eaufetti’s “Grab n Go” services, customers can secure a variety of professional-grade party accents at more accessible price points. This option – starting at $75 – allows clients to bypass delivery or setup charges by picking up Eaufetti supplies or creations straight from the shop and install on their own schedule.

“Just because you might not think you have a large budget, it doesn't necessarily mean we can't help you,” Heather said. “Taking the time and celebrating with the people you care about is what really ends up being the main (focus).”

As demand for Eaufetti's services continues to grow, Heather anticipates expanding her team to bring even more party experiences to fruition. This year alone, Eaufetti has helped bring over 160 personalized celebrations to life throughout the Chippewa Valley – and Heather is just getting started.

Open by appointment or for private events, Eaufetti now calls 403 Water Street in Eau Claire its home. See what party planning or event decorating services are right for you – and work within your budget – online through Eaufetti's inquiry form.