Showing posts with label Alberto Falcone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alberto Falcone. Show all posts

Friday, December 20, 2019

BACI, Balloon Arts Convention Italy brings its Magic to Milan!

Qualatex® sponsored event BACI - Balloon Arts Convention Italy is back! We in the balloon community are all very excited and looking forward to 20-24 March, 2020 in Milan, Italy! 

For those of you who may have heard about BACI, but are not sure what it's all about, I thought that I would share a little of this events magic with you.

Though it's held in Italy, BACI is actually an International ballooning event, with many delegates attending from around the world! This event features classes  taught in both Italian and English.








BACI is probably most famous for its exceptional large sculpture competition in which many of the teams are led by world-renowned industry instructors! The first 13 teams have been announced; however, there are still a few spots available! If this is something you are interested in doing, don't delay registering, as I am sure that the remaining spots will be snapped up very quickly.








With the theme of Fashion & Design, teams are allotted 21 hours total split over two days, to complete their masterpieces.
Team Captains:
CHRIS ADAMO, Australia
ALBERTO NAVA, Italy
ALBERTO FALCONE, Spain
ALESSANDRO PATANè, Italy
SARA ZAMPINI, Italy
YANA SAVITSKAIA, Ukraine
OLGA BARANOVA, Russia
GILLES RINCKEL, France
CARLO VAVENOTTI, Italy
CHIARA FERRARA, Italy
FLORENCE BURET, France
SERGIO VALENTE, Italy 
FRANK JESCHKE, Germany


If you are not quite ready to build your first large sculpture, but would still like the opportunity to work and learn from one of these incredible captains, either contact them directly, or indicate your interest when you register as a delegate for this event. Each team is limited to a maximum of 10 people (including the captain) and places are allocated on a first come first serve basis.


Vadim Shushkanov working on his design in the Balloon Figure competition.

Here are some other excellent competition opportunities that you can register for:



I have added a link to each of these categories so that you can check out the rules and other important information.

Based on personal experience, I always recommend having a go at the competitions at an event especially when you have the opportunity! Competitions provide a new learning curve, and will bring a whole new excitement to the event! Even if you don't win, you will learn a great deal from the experience. My own teaching career was kicked off when I began to actively enter competitions!I


To see past competition entries from this event click HERE, or check out the short video below from BACI 2013! 




BACI's education program offers an exciting and comprehensive choice of classes, appealing to both twisters and decorators. These classes will be taught by some of the industry's best instructors, including Chris Adamo, CBA, from Balloons Online, Sydney, Australia, in his BACI debut and a rare teaching trip to Europe. 








And of course, there will be a welcome reception and a magical Gala Party and Awards Ceremony too! 


It was a fabulous Alice in Wonderland theme at the BACI 2017

Can you take your CBA exam at BACI? Of course and what a great place to take it! The CBA exam will be held on Sunday 22nd March at the NHOW hotel, from 8:30am- 12:30pm! If this is something that you would like to do, please contact Carol Dack at Pioneer Europe, who can give you full details: carold@qualatex.com. All those who pass will receive their certificates at the Gala Party and Awards Ceremony.




How much does it cost?

The event price is €395 + vat 22% (€481.90) if you register by 31 December 2019.
From 1 January 2020 the price is €445 + vat 22% (€542.90)

To confirm your registration,  a full payment is necessary. Accepted payment methods are credit/debit card, PayPal or bank transfer. 

Special promotion: If there is more than one delegate per company, a special price of €350 + vat 22% (€427) will be offered.

The cost includes the class registrations & materials, two lunches, the opening ceremony cocktail, and the themed Gala night dinner.

What are the competitions costs?
Big sculpture €13 (vat included) per person (€10.66 + vat 22%)
Column €13 (vat included) per person (€10.66 + vat 22%)
Centrepiece €13 (vat included) per person (€10.66 + vat 22%)
Delivery bouquet €13 (vat included) per person (€10.66 + vat 22%)

Balloon figure €13 (vat included) per person (€10.66 + vat 22%)

If you would like any further information regarding this event, please check out the FAQ's or visit the website www.bacitaly.com or contact berenice@balloonexpress.it

BACI is a platform intended for those with a passion for balloon art, and for sharing and exchanging energy with balloon artists from around the world. It is an unforgettable experience that will be an excellent resource in improving your style, techniques, and increase your sales! We hope to see you there! 

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue
www.suebowler.com
#suebowler









Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Fun Party Theme Ideas for 2019

Choosing a good theme is probably one of the most difficult steps of party planning - it should be hip, fun and a little bit unique! 

Here are some of the top party ideas for 2019 to help you to plan these matchless parties!


Llama design by Alberto Falcone, CBA, of Balloon Lab.







Loveable Llamas! 


Who doesn’t love llamas, with their dreamy eyes and long eyelashes? A llama birthday party theme can be done in pretty pastels for a child's birthday, or bold and bright colours for a fiesta or Peruvian themed fling. 











Have you checked out the NEW FREE Ready-Made Social Media Posts?




At your request, Qualatex has begun creating simple social media posts using the latest Qualatex bouquets paired with fun headlines within the graphic. These designs make it easy to promote products with minimal effort on your part. Bookmark the Qualatex Social Media Posts Collection so you can refer back to them each time new products are released.


For a direct link to all the posts available - click HERE




I really love this NEW Llama Birthday Party 22" Bubble balloon.









Dinosaurs are back in town! 


Dinosaurs are a "timeless" birthday theme for boys and girls of all ages! 

Designed by Sam Jossie, CBA, Pioneer® Balloon Company, this fun but fearsome creation, entitled "Stomp on Over" design is the perfect centrepiece to any dinosaur-themed birthday celebration.


18" Birthday Colourful Dinosaurs



Fabulous Fiesta Party! 

Sombreros, tacos and nachos -  what’s not to love? A fiesta theme promises bold and vivid  colours, delicious food and festive music. 


Cam Woody, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA, shows us how to celebrate with flair with this vibrant  "Feliz Cumpleaños" design. 


















Check out this "Hug Me?!" cactus design! What a great way to use 6" Quick Link balloons! Designed by Luc Bertrand, CBA, wAw Balloons in Vichte, Belgium.









41" "Sombrero"

Here are some more great NEW Qualatex products that are now available for you to style with this theme.


39" "Potted Cactus"








Turn a balloon up-side-down to get this fun and quirky "We’re Stuck on You!" design by Vadim Shushkanov, CBA, Moscow, Russia








18" "Birthday Cactuses"

11" Cactuses

Did you know that all these images are available to download on Qualatex.com? Inspire your customers today and show them how you can create their dream party with one of these exciting party ideas! Please note that some images are only available to QBN members.


To find out more on how you can become a QBN member and all the benefits - click HERE

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue
www.suebowler.com
#suebowler

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Alberto Falcone, CBA. Is On The Road For The Qualatex World Tour!

I love this display. Alberto created this for an exhibition trade stand for a baby clothing company. The use of his fabulous flowers is pure art and
injects so much colour and vibrancy to the display. 



Who cannot love the fabulous work of the very talented artist, Alberto Falcone, CBA? Alberto's balloon career started 20 years ago after attending an event organised by Balloon Express in Florence, Italy. For the first few years, like so many of us, Alberto's balloon career started out as a hobby. But after many requests for event decor, Alberto felt it was time to take his hobby more seriously!



Alberto loves to work with all Qualatex® balloons, but at this time he favours Quick Link Balloons™. When I asked him why, he told me that he has so much to discover, each time he uses them it is a surprise for him.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Slovenia Event 2013 - Tropical Gala Party Decor

I have just returned home from The Slovenia Event which was held in Therme Catez, Slovenia, I am sure that many of you have seen some great pictures already posted on Facebook!

The Slovenia Event 5th, 6th & 7th October 2013 was organised by Renata and Niko Fric from Magic d.o.o. Slovenia, with support from Nikolett Forray, Balloon World Hungary and an awesome team of staff and helpers!

A fantastic group of delegates from 17 countries attended the 3 days that was filled with great classes, competitions, parties and a 24 hour Jam room!

Luc Bertrand veery best balloon blog
Slovenia Event 2013 Gala Party Decor

I wanted to write a blog that specifically related to the Gala Party, the amazing designs and decor was just truly magical, so inspiring and definitely worth sharing!

So before I post the pictures I would like to congratulate the instructors who work so very hard to create new and exciting designs to share with delegates at events such as this! This was a great opportunity for many of us to work with the new Qualatex Quick LInk balloons and see many different ways to work with it!

Monday, July 30, 2012

Money Money Money... Gift Ideas!

Tim- Perfect Touch Balloons
When I ran my balloon business some years ago, I remember being asked if I could put money inside a balloon or several balloons... I have even been known to put an engagement ring inside a balloon too - twice!

So when I was asked recently if I had any ideas for 'money in balloon gifts',  I thought that it would be great to see what other balloon professionals do when they are asked to put money or gifts inside balloons!

Money Balloon - Soo Wheeler CBA


"We get asked to put money and gifts into balloons. We usually use our stuffing machine and get a jumbo paperclip to hold the money.We have also enclosed gifts such as earrings and necklaces and the good old way of bottle of bubbly and teddies  for new babies.At christmas we also empty a tin of quality street or roses (chocolate candy) into the balloons for xmas stockings!" - Soo Wheeler, Party Buds, UK.


Hee Eun Park


 Hee Eun Park sent me some of his great idea's!
"I made these balloons w/ candy in them.  You could easily put money in them instead of the candy or do both."



Doris Kristin Herzog

Doris Kristin Herzog of Ballonkunst Herzog, Germany, shares a selection of her great money in balloons design ideas! 


Ko Minderhoud CBA
Ko Minderhoud CBA of Balloon en Ko, Netherlands, creates this beautiful 'Money Tree'. Ko told me that he used this same great design when he took his CBA Exam- not real money on that occasion!


Carol Denison

Carol Denison of Balloon Occasions , shared this unique idea. She has placed the money inside the 646Q Diamond Clear balloon (you need to look closely to see the 646Q), so that even when the money has been removed the recipient still has a balloon arrangement!



Alissa from Balloons Delivered Australia shares her 'Money Topiary'

Alissa says "If you look closely at the topiary I made it using a ribbon money chain."

Gemma Rich CBA
Gemma Rich CBA of Perfect Party uses Bubble Balloons which she personalises and creates the ideal money in a balloon gift!

Carlina Thomasson
Another lovely personalised Bubble balloons this time from Carlina Thomasson

Sharon Farrant told me "there is £50 split between these two balloons. Some I put inside the baby balloons leaving just one £5 visible they have to pop them all" - see below.

Sharon Farrant
Shirley Johnstone

Shirley Johnstone has created these beautiful 'Money Butterflies', which she has placed inside an 18" Stuffing balloon.

If you 'Google', 'folding money to make gifts', there are some really great ideas, some of them quite easy the others a little more complicated, but I am sure with practise you could become an expert money folder and why not add a 'new string to your bow' of skills that you can offer!

If you are looking for new 'Stuffing' balloon inspiration, there is a great new DVD by Alberto Falcone CBA called 'Amazing Stuff'. Alberto's idea's are super cool and super sellable too! For more information and distributors visit www.albertofalcone.com

Amazing Stuff - by Alberto Falcone CBA
A huge thank you to all those who very generously sent me their ideas and pictures for this blog!

Happy Ballooning!

Sue
www.suebowler.com

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

What is your 'Top Selling' design versus your most 'Profitable Designs or Decor'?



Last week I asked some of our VERY BEST Industry Instructors to share their top tips and personal experiences on how to get the very best from attending a balloon convention, if you missed this blog you can simply click here - they have all given a great account of how they felt when they attended their first balloon convention and have offered some truly great tips and advice!

I thought that since I had their attention (sneaky me), I would ask them to share some more of their secrets...

Please will you tell us what your Top Selling Design or Decor is?


For long time on the top of the list was the composition, special for wedding, we called “The Magic Touch” that is the 3’ to pop with 6” Hearts inside which fly away. Now we are selling very well a composition called “Elegance Bouquet”.
It’s a bouquet which have like base a detail made using 15” Solid Colour Bubbles. - Alberto Falcone CBA
Elegance Bouquet by Alberto Falcone - This design and many others using this technique is available on Alberto's  new DVD - Bubbles Chain - The Evolution of 15" Bubbles Solid Colors

My top selling decor pieces (I hate to say it) are columns and arches.  I create them in different patterns but of course the spiral is the most popular. I think they are the most popular because it's what people see the most of, unfortunately.  Oh, also I sell alot of 10 balloon bouquets because they are reasonably priced. - Amanda Armstrong CBA

Columns & Arches by Amanda Armstrong CBA


Azusa Ieizumi CBA says that "Balloon Dolls" for gifts is her top selling design!

Azusa Ieizumi working on her Balloon Doll creations




My 'funky' designs - Funky Buddies & Funky Dancing Men! I designed them in  2008 for my Aussie National Tour. David Taylor CBA

'Mad' Dave Taylor with his 'Funky' Men.
Our top seller has to be our balloon dolls.  We make them for all sorts of occasions and usually make 1 or 2 every weekend - LIsa Swiger CBA 


Lisa Swiger's amazing Balloon Dolls




Colin Myles CBA - "Just now our bestselling design is the thistle design".

Colin's 'Thistle Design'.




For Tope Abulude CBA it's 3' Pink Heart Foil balloons
Magenta Heart #99338


My Lootles have been some of my most top selling designs I have created over the years.  These designs can be transformed to create the perfect centerpiece for almost ANY event.   - Robbie Furman CBA


'Lootles' by Robbie Furman
'Wizard of Oz' - Lootles by Robbie Furman



What is your most profitable decor or design?

Every time I consider also the visual impact as value in my compositions. I think almost all the compositions including a 3’ are for me the most profitable items. - Alberto

An Alberto Falcone 3' balloon design.


Arches of course but also Outdoor Balloon Trees (that's what I call them), which consist of a 3' with 2-3 quads with ribbon on pvc.  They are staked into the ground for stability. -Amanda.


Balloon Tree by Amanda Armstrong
Garland Arch by Amanda Armstrong CBA
For Azusa 'Photo Spots' are her most profitable decor!
Azusa in one of her 'Photo Spots'





For Colin, 646Q stand-up figures are his most profitable design!

Colin Myles 646Q Elvis

Tope's best seller "Floor standing arrangement with a 3ft pink foil (personalised) "



Classic balloon decor - to be sure! Arches and columns are the best when it comes to profitability! - Lisa

Garland Arch by Lisa Swiger CBA




Cruise Captain! By Lisa Swiger CBA



"Big Stuff. Squiggly Arches  have been very popular this year, as have 3' balloon decor"! - David

5' Balloon with fabric and lighting!
Squiggly Arch


Robbie says "My most profitable designs are my large scale pieces.  These designs are one of a kind and most of the time use one of the deco-twisting worlds most versatile balloons…the 321q.  This balloon allows me to create large scale designs very quickly with a staff with very little experience".     

Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band! Robbie Furman


For Alex Arroyo CBA & Pepe Posada CBA their top selling & most profitable decor is Toparies & Centerpieces !

Centrepiece design by Alex Arroyo CBA & Pepe Posada CBA

And finally just for fun... what is your favourite Qualatex balloon?


"My favourite balloons is... Qualatex!"I like and use in my job almost all the range of balloons. I don’t have preferences for round or non round: any way are balloons. What is important is the quality of them! Maybe easy to say what I like less... I don’t use very much Geo Donuts and Blossom, for example". - Alberto
Qualatex Catalog 2012

"260Q and 5 " standard tone". - Azusa
Traditional Assortment 260Q #43956


"I have so many!  I really love the polka dots, agates and Bubbles.  I love the new foil designs but being in California I have to be careful of my design work, so I'm trying to incorporate more of the Bubbles into my designs". -Amanda
11" Rainbow SuperAgate Assortment #91544
11" Assorted Big Polka Dots  #77146


"That changes from time to time but at the moment I am partial to the tapers" - Tope
Lime Green Taper 


"The 11’’ round balloon" - Colin
11" Carnival Assortment #20915


"In latex, my favorite color is Wild Berry. I love the brightness! For foils, right now, I am in love with Tapers! They are interesting and versatile".- Lisa
Wild Berry Birthday Shining Star


"5.5' and 8' balloons. Followed  closely by the Tapers and Starpoints... having fun with big stuff this year"! - David

Cloudbuster 4ft, 5.5ft & 8' Chloroprenes


"The New Smile Face Bubble" is Alex & Pepe's favourite balloon!
 22" Bright Smile Face  #35173 Bubble



321Q  un-dipped! #13717
"Well at first I thought this was going to be an easy question, but than I kept changing my mind.  But after much thought, I have to say the new 321q undipped  balloons are my FAVORITE balloon.  I use these balloons to create many of my large designs with.  This Balloon to me is a true DECO-TWISTED balloon.  Both Twisters and Decorators alike should be using this balloon much more in the near future.  I feel it is one of the building blocks of deco-Twisting.  I also, love 6” geo blossoms.  These form the bases for many of my designs.  Then again I also love 260’s…and 350’s.  OKAY I REALLY LOVE ALL OF MY BALLOONS!!!! So I guess my favorite balloon has to be the one I am using at that moment". - Robbie


Wow... thank you! It's really great to find out what some of our great instructors love and a little bit about their business's too! 

So that just leaves me to say a huge thank you to Alberto Falcone, Amanda Armstrong, Lisa Swiger, Tope Abulude, David Taylor, Alex Arroyo & Pepe Posada, Azusa Ieizumi and of course Robbie Furman, I am looking forward to seeing you all at WBC next week! And Colin Myles who will be teaching at OnArt -Spain next week! I appreciate the time you have taken out of your busy schedule to help me with this blog!

Don't forget to check out the WBC class schedule and see what we are all teaching! 

Hope to see you at the World Balloon Convention next week! Please come and say hello and tell me what you think of 'The Very Best Balloon Blog' - only 7 days away!

Sue 

Watch out for my WBC Blogs...