Friday, October 18, 2013
How to make a simple Quick Link Heart... for the uninitiated Quick Link users!
Working with the new Qualatex Quick Link balloons is for me a whole new world, different design ideas and concepts and the construction methods are again new, but great once you get the hang of it... and most importantly it's SO QUICK!
So before I show you how I made my very first Quick Link Heart, in fact my very first Quick Link anything, I will share with you some of the great tips, hints and terminology that Lisa Swiger CBA (my Quick Link guru) shared with me. Lisa will be teaching a Quick Link Class at WBC along with Alberto Falcone, who you know will use these balloons in a completely new way... I think both classes will be awesome!
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Part 1 Fabulous Balloon Walls - Created with Latex Round Balloons
There are many different ways to create walls with balloons. We can use latex rounds, QuickLinks, non-rounds and foil balloons such as Qualatex Starpoints, and others too! So, we need to determine which type of wall we want to create, or more importantly, which wall best suits our or our customers needs?
- Suction power doesn’t sell vacuum cleaners; seeing the dirt it gathers does.
- Ingredients don’t sell expensive face creams; the confidence they give you does.
- And carbon footprint stats don’t sell electric cars; pride in eco-friendliness does.
Here are a few reasons why you might suggest a balloon wall to a client:
- To create their corporate logo
- To create a theme background
- To create a theme entrance
- To create a photo or stage back-drop
- To enhance a trade show or exhibition stand
I love designing and making balloon walls, and will always propose them to a client whenever possible. I have a client that now always insists that they have a balloon wall photo backdrop at all of their events!
There are a number of different techniques that we can use to make balloon walls using latex round balloons:
- Duplet Square Pack
- Alternate Size Square Garland Pack
- Traditional 4-Balloon Garland Pack
- Organic
Elegant Tropical Balloon Wall and Organic Garland design by Sue Bowler, CBA |
Baby 1st Birthday Balloon Wall Backdrop Design by Sue Bowler |
Zoe Adam-Jones, CBA of Jaz Trading, designed and made this fabulous backdrop using the Duplet Square Pack Balloon technique at the 2019 Qualatex Event in Brazil. |
Alternate Clusters of four balloons in two different sizes |
The garlands when built are laid side by side and interlocked, then joined together |
Chrome Silver & Gold with Black - Alternate Size Square Pack Balloon Wall Design by Sue Bowler |
Ice-Cream Truck Photo Op by Chris Adamo, CBA, of The Balloon Crew, Sydney, Australia |
Ice-Cream Truck by Chris Adamo |
Organic Balloon & Flower Wall by Sue Bowler |
Friday, January 21, 2022
What is Classic Balloon Décor?
When I started my balloon business over 30 years ago it was considered extremely important to learn the skills to create beautiful Classic Balloon Décor. These skills really made your balloon business stand out, and set you apart from your untrained competitors!
Fantastic Circus Clowns Entrance Décor Design by Tope Abulude, CBA |
What is Classic Balloon Décor?
When I think of Classic Balloon décor, I think of precision, where every balloon is sized precisely and each balloon looks identical... think of peas in a pod. Classic balloon décor refers to Columns, Garland Arches, and String of Pearl Arches. It is the foundation of balloon decorating, and can often be found at weddings, fairs, dances, grand openings, and almost anywhere balloons are used to enhance the atmosphere of an event. Just take a look at the fabulous Circus Clown entrance decor above, this is 100% Classic Balloon décor! The legs, body, and arms of each balloon uses the classic Garland technique to create these impressive structures!
To make any style of Classic Balloon décor, you first need to know the basics: duplets and clusters.
Duplet: To make a duplet, inflate and accurately size two latex balloons, and then tie the two balloons closely together, this is known as a duplet. TIP: the tighter a duplet is tied, (leaving no stretch between the two balloons) the better the end result will be when creating clusters.
Photo courtesy of Balloon Market for full step-by-step instructions click HERE |
Photo courtesy of Balloon Market for full step-by-step instructions click HERE |
Garlands
Garlands are the building block of Classic Balloon Décor and can be used to create;
- Columns - Columns can be built on a pole and base plate, or can be self-supporting if tethered to a weight and topped with a helium-filled balloon to keep it upright. Columns are great for entrances, corners of a dance floor, or any space that needs a touch of colour.
Balloon Column by Luc Bertrand, CBA of WaW Balloons in Vichte, Belgium |
- Swags - this style of décor can be draped from a ceiling or pillars down into a room. Balloon swags give decor a sense of motion and energy.
- Arches - When built on a frame, a Garland easily becomes a long-lasting focal point for entrances, buffet tables, or photo backdrops.
Garland Patterns
Garlands are often referred to as Spiral Garlands, however, there are many more patterns that can be created within a Garland to create different effects.
The above Arch pattern displays a 'Fast Spiral' the means that the spiral repeats quickly. You could use four different colours for this spiral pattern |
This Arch pattern displays a 'Slow Spiral' This is when you use two colours sitting side by side so that the repeat is less frequent. |
This Arch pattern is known as the 'Polka Dot'. Using a printed balloon as the dot can be very effective. |
This Arch is known as the 'Small Flower' pattern. |
The number of different patterns that you can create in a Garland is unlimited, you simply need to experiment and play! The easiest way to do this is by using a balloon design tool such as Balloon Pro, which is what I have used to illustrate the Arch design above. This is a fantastic way for you to create design ideas for your customers without having to touch a balloon! https://balloonpro.co
- Experiment with different colour combinations to create different patterns.
- Use all-over printed latex balloons to enhance a theme or to make a bold statement.
- Top columns with giant 3' latex balloons or 36" Microfoil® balloons.
- Add curly 260Q latex balloons to add visual interest and movement within a design.
- Use 5-balloon and 6-balloon clusters to create rounder structures.
- Use the Garland technique to create many different styles of Garland Sculptures, like the Clown Arches shown above or the 'Tropical Cocktail' below! The only limitations is your creativity!
Fancy Cocktail Glass Double stuff latex colours into Diamond Clear latex to create a frosted glass effect! Designer name: Federico Onida, CBA, Balloon Express Shop - Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy |
Christmas Tree by Cam Woody, CBA |
The backdrop balloon wall was create using the Duplet Square Pack Technique. Design by Sue Bowler, CBA |
This Circus Ring Sculpture was mainly created using Classic Balloon Décor techniques. Sculpture by Sue Bowler, CBA |
Balloon Wall created using Alternative Size Balloon Technique Design by Sue Bowler |
So many balloon companies seem to focus solely on organic balloon décor today, but for me personally, I love knowing how to create both, and being able to apply the most appropriate technique to the style of décor or event that I am decorating.
Happy Ballooning!
Sue
Follow me @suebowler
Monday, January 30, 2012
Balloon Walls Part 1
Since posting the Clown balloon wall that I taught at the Balloonland Event, Israel, January 2012, I have had many requests asking how it was made. So here is the first of 2 blogs showing 2 different wall techniques, with a little introduction to balloon walls.
Clown Balloon Wall created by delegates at Balloonland Israel January 2012 |
There are many different ways to create walls with balloons! We can use latex rounds, non-rounds and foil balloons such as Qualatex Starpoints and others too! So, we need to determine which type of wall we want to create or more importantly, which wall best suits our or our customers needs?
So why are we proposing a balloon wall to our clients... a client will never ask you for a wall, it is your job to sell what it can do for them... sell the emotion and not the product!
Balloon wall techniques using latex round balloons:
- To create their corporate logo?
- To create a theme background?
- To create a theme entrance?
- To create a photo or stage back-drop?
- To enhance a trade show or exhibition stand?
There have been a few people during my career as a Balloon Artist who have inspired me to create balloon walls, Ian Herd CBA and Bruce Walden CBA.
- Duplet Square Pack
- Alternate Size Square Garland Pack
- Traditional 4-Balloon Garland Pack
Bruce Walden created this Balloon Wall Mural Paper, and this proved to be very important to me when I first started to design walls, without this, it was extremely difficult to determine which type of wall best suited the design or logo that I wanted to build within the wall. Today, I have created my own 'Mural Paper' on my computer, which saves me a great deal of time when creating a design!
As there are a number of different techniques, I am going to focus on each one separately, today we are going to look at how to create a DUPLET SQUARE PACK WALL.
Flat SurfaceThe Mardi Gras wall above is an example of a wall that has been made using the Duplet Square Pack technique. It features with Step-by-Step instructions in the Master Series DVD available from Qualatex distributors.
Straight Sides
Good definition on straight lines & Diagonal lines
Wall can be made with a double sided pattern or with a plain back.
Not as robust as other wall techniques.
Here is another example this time with a logo built into the BAPIA logo built into the wall.
Regardless of which technique you use there are a few simple rules when making a wall:
- The balloons MUST be inflated with precision, every balloon must be accurately sized!
Wall Construction - How to fix the columns together.
- I will only make garlands/ Columns/ walls using Dacron line and not monofilament. Dacron is strong, yet soft against the balloons, it will not stretch when under tension.
This is such an important part of the wall construction, if done badly the wall can distort and not look good. The following technique was taught to me by Ian Herd, there are many people who use 260Q to fix a wall together, but for me the elastic band and paperclip method is the best technique!
Project
Cross Stitch Pattern |
My version of the Clown Face |
Now I can easily see the balloons required for each of the columns! Looking at the columns above you can see 18 columns, each column has 44 duplets - 88 balloons per column! This whole wall uses 1584 balloons!
Black - 1086
Orange - 114
Blush - 189
Yellow - 22
Lime - 48
Rose - 8
Robin's Egg Blue - 40
Purple Violet - 8
Blue - 8
White - 44
Red - 17
If you count the balloons that you can see, you will only count 792 balloons, this is because every balloon you see has one behind it! To make this wall easier, we used Black balloons as the back balloon.
This picture shows balloons being counted out to make the columns. |
This shows how important it is to 'read' the pattern as you go! |
This shows the columns being linked together with the elastic bands and paper clips |
The Clown wall that we made was not perfect, it was a group exercise with 20 people working on it. When you work on your walls, I recommend that if possible only 1 person packs the balloons on to the Dacron line, everyone has their own tension, varying tensions will effect the overall look of the finished wall...
Example of Technique
I hope that you have found this blog useful? There are many different walls to create walls and other techniques for creating a Duplet Square Pack wall. I always recommend that you use the technique that suits you best.
Start with a simple project to learn and perfect the technique before you embark on a large scale project for a customer.
Good luck!
Sue
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
A Balloon Wall backdrop perfect for Christmas!
You may have already secured your Christmas decor designs with your clients, but maybe you are still looking for inspiration?
Earlier this year I attended JBAN, and taught a Christmas decor class, where I showed a number of different designs including how to create balloons walls featuring a 'Santa Face'.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
A Wonderful Step by Step Snowman Balloon Wall from Luc Bertrand CBA
Luc Bertrand CBA, WaW Balloons, Belgium shares his wonderful Qualatex Quick Link & 5" Balloon Snowman Wall.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow - Elegant decor design ideas with Dazzling Snowflakes!
Dazzling Snowflakes #20263/ #20260 |
I am very excited to be decorating a corporate Christmas party this year and the Snowflake balloons will be a huge part of the decor, I will be using them for the centrepieces and a feature arch! I will share the end result after the event, but I am sure that it will look amazing!
This balloon shape is also perfect for connecting together, allowing us to create stunning air-filled mobiles, which I think are perfect for venues with higher ceilings and good fixing points. Once positioned they will gently move around, and the Holographic elements will sparkle in the light!
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Inside Out and Upside Down... the versatility of a Qualatex Geo Blossom!
'Love Stack' - A great design for Valentines Created by Sue Bowler CBA |
Geo Blossom Flower Assortment |
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Chris Adamo shares his "Top Tips" and Advice on Selling Balloon Walls to Customers
As contribution to my recent series of posts on Balloon Walls, Chris Adamo has very kindly offered his thoughts, tips and advice.
Chris Adamo, CBA Balloons Online Balloonpro.co The Balloon Crew, Sydney, Australia |
"Balloon walls are as diverse as the balloon industry itself! Whether self-supporting, rigged or floating, we as professional balloon decorators have a huge range of products, techniques, tones and textures to choose from.
If you look at it from your customers perspective, I can guarantee that they do not know of this malleable product type, or that we can offer a huge range of styles versus the one's that they have seen before.
It is up to us to suggest the most appropriate wall style based on the variables, and it is our responsibility to establish what those variables are. Customer service is just that: serving your customers. Selling product is not service, take the time to ask questions and understand everything about your customer's event, then you can suggest the right product.
Some questions are:
- Indoors
- Helium is possible
- Rigged is possible
- Outdoors
- Most probably framed
- Longevity will be an issue
- Wind / sunlight / rain?
- Size / Purpose / Budget
- Low budget or large size = hollow quick link wall?
- High budget / premium finish = foils or organic
- Theme / Message
- This is the fun part! If creating a logo or colour theme, we need to think of what construction method will offer the most useful lines or texture to best emulate that design.
- Vertical & horizontal lines = QuickLinks or alternate size pack
- Diagonal lines = duplet square pack
- No lines OR abstract colour = organic
Pro tips:
- Balloon walls can be BOTH beautiful décor AND functional, perhaps your client wants to block a door / view / room partition? Perhaps the wall can help direct the flow of thoroughfare? Solving problems with décor is a win win = your customer can justify a better allocation of budget.
- Don’t forget the golden ratio (1:1.6 or simplified to 2:3), when designing a wall to fit a specific space, your wall will sit with more of a natural disposition using 1/3 white space and 2/3 wall.
Now we have decided on the style of wall (construction method) and size we need to create a design. Designing your wall at this stage gives you the benefit of formulating an accurate quote, and it gives you a sketch or digital render to help converting your sale.
The online design tool at www.balloonpro.co was created to help streamline this very problem. One can create multiple designs in minutes with a colour matched digital render using Qualatex balloon colour swatches, a stock order list and a production break down."
If the online design tool is new to you, and you would like to know a little more, I recommend that you check out the short video below to see many of the different design functions available.
Santa Face Balloon Wall Mural using QuickLink X-Pattern technique |
Christmas Tree Balloon Wall Mural using Duplet Square Pack technique |
I am a regular user of Balloon Design Tools! I love how I can work on my designs on my laptop, create a few different options and then send them over to my clients for approval... without even touching a balloon!