Vendor Spotlight: Rye Von of Art Haus Balloon Company
Written by Alyseah Simone
Rye Von with Art Haus Balloon’s window display
Tell us about yourself and your business or art practice?
This is my most dreaded question haha..tell you about myself..let’s see...I am an Indianapolis Native and I truly love this city so I doubt I’m ever leaving. I’m a mother of two really crazy, really great children. I’m a Ben Davis High School and IUPUI alumnus. I love old school Nickelodeon cartoons- Wild Thornberrys, Rugrats, Hey Arnold, Rocket Power and As Told By Ginger is my top five. I am a black woman in America. Also, I’ll be 30 next month so I’m super excited about that and the next decade of my life with Art Haus Balloon Company.
My art form is balloon art. In 2017 I was looking at Pinterest pictures of beautiful balloon decor and wanted to try. I started making mini columns and decided to see if I could sell them. It worked and from there a hobby was born. In 2019 I decided to make the shift from hobby to enterprise and here we are today. The name of my business comes from my son who we call Art and also the fact that it literally is art. I was never able to paint or draw or really do much of anything artistic but through my work, I’ve found my art form. I’m learning, growing, and evolving daily. I practice every day and when I’m not building something I am looking for inspiration for my next project.
What's been the best part and worst part of owning your own business or art practice?
I’d say the worst part for me has been having time to wear every single hat. It can be overwhelming to have so much to do but not enough hours in the day. And I don’t drink coffee so I’m just tired with no help except honey buns lol. COVID didn’t help either because it caused me to have to shut down and completely reevaluate everything my business offered and how to offer more.
The best part is the freedom to be me and just do what I love to do- create with balloons. I love the reaction people have when I show up with to deliver a Happy Birthday Pop Out PartyGram or balloon gift someone sent them. It’s priceless honestly and makes what I do so worthwhile. Plus being my own boss has its perks. I get to work hours that I set and take as many breaks as I need.
Tell us about your Startup 317 window display. Where did the idea come from, how long did it take you to plan and execute, etc?
So originally I had a completely different idea which I still plan to bring it to the city one day so it will remain a secret. I planned that for months from the moment I knew I had been accepted. But then I was offered the BIG WINDOW (great life accomplishment lol) and I switched to a 7 piece design. Well then ish got real downtown and our windows were moved so I scaled my idea down to 4 different designs. I wanted to show people that even though things are literally insane right now between the pandemic we’re dealing with and what feels like a constant attack on our rights in this country (BLACK LIVES MATTER) that there’s still a reason to celebrate each day. The crazier things get the more we should celebrate because we just never know what’s coming next.
The main design is a 6-foot champagne bottle pouring out over a Father’s Day PopOutPartyPole(POPP), Deluxe Birthday Marquee, and Graduation POPP. Each is an example of things I offer for daily delivery to show people’s loved ones that they are special, loved, and thought about on their special day. I built everything on site and it took about 4 hours.
What do you hope to get out of this experience?
I hope that I show people a different way to view balloon art and balloon gifts. It’s funny because every time I tell someone I am a professional balloon artist they say “like balloon animals” but I actually don’t know how to make a balloon animal. There’s so much more to balloon artistry and I hope by showcasing this I’ve opened at least one person’s eyes. We’re only limited by our imagination so instead of a helium bouquet at the party let me build a 6-foot balloon dinosaur instead.