Showing posts with label CBA -Certified Balloon Artist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CBA -Certified Balloon Artist. Show all posts

Thursday, June 4, 2015

QBN Beginners Guide


As with all skills we have to start somewhere. In the balloon world people 'find' balloons through different routes.  Some through an already established business, such as a greetings card or gift stores and others more casually through a hobby.


When I started out, I suppose I would have come under the banner of being a hobbyist. I started my balloon business in 1990, I really did not know anything about balloons or how to run a balloon business or any business for that matter, but I was excited about building a business around balloons and that was enough for me to get started.


I was very much a beginner for the first 4 years of my ballooning career and fortuitously for me I was encouraged to join the Qualatex Balloon Network™. Why so lucky? After 4 years I had come to a bit of a crossroads with my business, I was busy enough decorating weddings and parties but I was not making any money and I was beginning to question myself if this was a viable business to be running?

Joining the QBN really helped me to turn my business around. It was the first time that I had ever even considered the business side of running my balloon business. It was a real eye opener and it gave me the knowledge and confidence to start running my business in a professional and profitable way!


You don't need to spend 4 years like me trying to work out how to make balloons into a fantastic as well as profitable business. Just read below and find out more about the Qualatex Balloon Network!

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Part 4. Beginners Guide to the Elements & Principles of Design - Rhythm

As we continue our journey to having a greater understanding of the elements and principles of design,  the next principle of design that we are going to look at is RHYTHM.

Rhythm is quite simple to understand,  Rhythm means movement, which creates interest within a design, if you think of music it's like the beat, there is always an underlying beat that takes us through a song or piece of music and rhythm in design is the same.

There are four main ways of creating rhythm within a design:

Transition
Repetition
Radiation
Variation

The primary purpose of rhythm is to guide the eye to the focal area but without trapping it there.



Transition:
Transition helps to create greater impact, similar shaped balloons can be graduated in size to add variety and therefore transition within the design, if you think about music again, the transition in music is when it changes from one key to another, so with balloons it can be when we change from one balloon size to another.

So looking at the 'Dolphin Arch' below, the transition in this design is where the balloons are decreasing/graduated in size from the base to the centre.

This design also uses repetition to create rhythm, this has been formed with the use of the 260Q curly spirals in the centre of the design.

The Very Best Balloon Blog


Friday, March 30, 2012

CBA @ the WBC!




Taking your CBA final assessment is a big step for many people. So how about taking it at the World Balloon Convention... that is exactly what 50 delegates from all over the World elected to do!

The day started very early with a hive of activity to prepare the room for the impending assessments. Candidates started to arrive bright and early... loaded up with 'goodies' in preparation to create their own personal centerpiece and expression bouquet designs.

After a short introduction and a briefing as to how the 4 hour assessment process would run from Chelsea Gaspard CBA, Pioneer Balloon Companies, Marketing Communications Director, it was finally time to start...

So what's involved in taking this final assessment?

Each candidate is required to complete the following:


1. One social expression bouquet of your own design.
The CBA room  FULL of balloons! 

2. One bouquet duplicated from a photo (materials provided).


3. One table centerpiece of your own design.

Here are some of the designs that were created on the day, unfortunately I do not know who made them... if you know, please tell me so that I may credit them - sue@suebowler.com


Kristen Mettlen CBA





'Ladybug Illusion' - Donna Hudson CBA



4. One Balloon Flower duplicated from a photo (materials provided). Instructions for the Balloon Flower can be found at “Instruction Sheets” on Qualatex.com or in the “QBN Balloon Deliveries & Bouquets” Kit.

5. A 5', air-filled, 5-balloon cluster Garland, using 11" balloons inflated to 10"-11" (materials provided).

6. A temporary knot and a permanent knot per the QBN curriculum (rope provided). 

7. Answer six questions from the curriculum and either demonstrate a mock balloon delivery sales phone call
or make a mock balloon delivery presentation during an assigned, 15-minute panel interview.

After 4 incredibly quick hours (how is it that time can just fly by) ... time was up and we had a room filled with some truly amazing designs and we started the judging process.


I would like to congratulate everyone listed below who passed their CBA exam on Wednesday 21st March 2012. You will never forget this day, and you should not forget this day, be happy and be proud, and know that all those who have taken their CBA exam in the past totally understand exactly how you felt both before and after those 4 hours! And of course, welcome to the 'CBA' family!



Manal Alzayani CBA, BLOOM - FANTASY, Bahrain

Tammy Bessette CBA, Party Town, Rhode Island, USA

Mary Bragg CBA, BeYond Balloons, Oklahoma, USA

John Brew CBA, We Like To Party!, Australia

Angela Cabrera CBA, Fiesta & Bridal Shop, Massachusetts, USA

Marco Antonio Cardenas Rodriguez CBA, Globos y Figuras, Mexico

Moraima Carrasquillo CBA, Gemelas Precious Balloons, Puerto Rico,USA

Lydia Cartagena CBA, Balloons For You Corporation, Puerto Rico

Nora Cisty CBA, Ideas con Globos, Argentina

Anthony Cook CBA, Anthony's Balloons, Illinois, USA

Tampilipe Corbelin CBA, Tampilipe, Switzerland

Angeles de Mendoza CBA, Globos y Sonrisas, Mexico

Normalinda Garza CBA, The Soiree Concierge,Texas, USA

Rosa Garza CBA, TULIOOS, Mexico

Rosa Gaytan CBA, RIE, Mexico

Tracy Hawes CBA, Balloon Empire & Floral Designs, Manitoba, Canada

Elaine D.Holmes CBA, Elegance in the Air & More, Georgia, USA

Donna Hudson CBA, One Stop Costume & Party Shoppe, Missouri, USA

Glenda Ellington CBA, Lufkin, Texas, USA

Jessica Jackson CBA, Arte Globos Producciones, Venezuela

Mary James CBA, The Balloonery, New York,USA

Silvia Klock CBA, Klock Balloons, Washington, USA

Janice Martin CBA, Party Town, Rhode Island, USA

Christina Martinez-Hatfield CBA, Party On Bounce Off, Texas, USA

Taulbee McJunkin CBA, Arizona's Balloon Artist, Arizona, USA

Kristen Mettlen CBA, Jubilee Event Decor and Balloon Creations, Colorado, USA

Edward Antonio Munoz Sojo CBA, El Genio de los Globos, Caracas, Venezuela

Brandon Nowell CBA, An Occasion Station, Inc. Texas USA

Juan Paniagua CBA, GlobalPak, Costa Rica

Marlys Parra CBA

Amanda Pierce CBA, Custom Baskets & Balloons, Florida, USA

Maria Pinto CBA, Cocoglobo Balloons, British Columbia, Canada

Danielle Popovich CBA, POPO's Parties, USA

Jose Quiles CBA, JL Party Design, Puerto Rico

Luanne Richards CBA, Mickey's Balloons, New York, USA

Scott Richards CBA, Mickeys Balloons, New York, USA

Xiomara Rios CBA, Fashion Balloons , Puerto Rico

Malachi Robinson CBA, Bunch of Balloons, New York, USA

Kathryn Seguin CBA, Balloonatiks, Texas USA

Bernadette Sneyers CBA, Antwerpen, Belgium 

Shanta Speller CBA, Bunch of Balloons, Jackson Heights, New York USA

Annabelle Tan CBA, One-stop No.1 Entertainment,Singapore

Islaine Tanahashi CBA, Joy Company, Japan

Calvin Teo CBA, One-Stop No.1 Entertainment Singapore

Limary Traverzo CBA, JL Party Design, Puerto Rico

Amy Veltman CBA, It's My Party, Indiana, USA

Teresa Ward CBA, Meadowview Gardens, Missouri USA

Linda William CBA, Linda's Balloon Twisting, North Carolina, USA


Does everyone always pass? Sadly no, there are many reason's why someone my not achieve a score of 80% or more on the day. I try and relate this to a driving test, sometimes you can pass on your first attempt and for others it may take another go, and having done it once the second time seems so much easier!

For anyone who is not sure what a CBA is....


What is a Certified Balloon Artist (CBA)?

CBAs are people who work for a Qualatex Balloon Network (QBN) Business Member and have successfully completed the program's online tests, as well as the CBA Practical Examination to demonstrate their knowledge of the QBN curriculum and ability to produce quality balloon work.
Technically, a CBA is a balloon professional who has:
  • Taken and passed (with a score of 80% or above) all of the QBN tests.
  • Taken and passed (with a score of 80% or above) the CBA Practical Exam—a timed, 4-hour, hands-on exam designed to confirm knowledge of the QBN curriculum.
Professionals who earn the CBA designation have chosen to grow their businesses through networking with other balloon professionals, continuing their education, giving and receiving referrals, and taking advantage of the marketing support available to CBAs.
There are currently more than 2,500 Certified Balloon Artist professionals worldwide.

A finally a huge thank you and congratulations to Rebecca Tjarks who coordinated the whole CBA process!

If you would like to learn more about this program, please click here

If you are in the process of preparing to take your CBA final assessment, don't forget to check out one of my earlier blogs:

A few tips for those who are ready to take the CBA Practical Exam... I promise there is nothing to be nervous about!

See you soon!
Sue
www.suebowler.com

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

The Qualatex Event... a few magical memories!

Wow, I cannot believe that the Qualatex Event has been and gone! Months of preparation and logistics are now a mere memory, but as with all balloon conventions, these are memories that will stay with us for a very long time!

Firstly, I would like say a huge thank you to Lia Palka and the Brazilian team for sharing all their amazing photographs with me, I have used a selection of these to create The Qualatex Event Competition and The Qualatex Event dvds which I will add to the end of this blog!

Decor by Luc Bertrand CBA

I am not sure if Heythrop Park, an 18th Century country house now hotel, has ever seen anything quite like it, balloons absolutely everywhere!
The event started with a flurry of activity, competitors from Belgium, Denmark, Romania, Slovenia, Russia, Spain, Italy, Brazil and the UK in full swing building 8 large and 5 medium balloon sculptures and instructors building event decor both inside & outside the hotel!



Decor by Sue Bowler CBA

When I first arrive at an event I love to meet up with all the friends that I have made over the years, it's like the best reunion ever! Then I like to get my bearings... I think after the 4 days I finally found my way around the hotel... "anyone know where the Enstone is"??

Along with the start of the competitions, Qualatex distributor's from across Europe were invited to the annual distributors meeting and dinner and both myself and the lovely Robbie Furman were charged with creating the evenings decor. The theme for this event was 'The Future' and I used this theme to create my 'Out of this World' decor! Robbie created a fantastic Space Rocket that greeted the guests on their arrival!

Friday evening, myself and Carol Dack - CBA Coordinator from Pioneer Europe met up with an extremely nervous group of  delegates who where bravely taking the final part of their CBA assessment on Saturday morning... I am not sure if they slept that night, but we hoped that we had managed to re-assure them a little!!!!
The hotel remained a constant hive of activity with the competitions and instructors preparations continuing throughout the night.

Saturday saw most of the event delegates arrive, in total over 370 delegates from more than 26 countries... the CBA Exam started at 9am prompt and the sculpture competitors had a few more hours to complete their designs! I would like to say a little bit about the CBA Exam. Firstly a huge thank you to Carol Dack who ensured that the day worked like clock-work, with so many candidates (29) we needed 3 teams to complete the 15 minute Panel Interviews. Carol was determined that we would have everyone's results but 5pm that evening so they could relax and enjoy the event! Our dedicated teams continued after the exam, working to mark each and every design created by the candidates. After several hours we were down to the very last few designs and it started to dawn on us that at that point everyone so far had passed, excitement grew within the room as we reached the very last candidate... and YES... they had passed too! 29 new CBA's at The Qualatex Event!

Entrance Decor created by Ian Herd
Mad Hatter Alberto Nava CBA... with his Queen of Hearts!
Saturday evening started with the official opening ceremony in the Heythorp's grand lobby, swiftly followed by the Disney Party beautifully decorated by Colin Myles, Vanessa Lever, Shirley Ray and Alex Arroyo and the many volunteer helpers! Plus I was delighted to see Ian Herd, who wowed us all with his awesome Mickey & Minnie Mouse balloon wall!
It was so great seeing all the amazing costumes, so many people had dressed up!

Both Sunday & Monday were action packed filled with classes delivered by 19 of our industries best instructors. Beautiful designs adorned every nook and cranny of the hotel and it's lecture rooms!
Dee White CBA in action

Now it only seemed like yesterday that we were dancing and having fun at the Disney Party and now it's time to get dressed up for the Final Night Gala.. once again we were absolutely wowed with the stunning decor created by Jodie Norris (White) and Dee White and their amazing team of helpers. The evening was filled with awards (I have posted all the results on the Competition DVD below) and entertainment from the great 'Rafael' and dancing into the wee small hours with music from a great live band, a perfect opportunity for John and I to put our wonderful new  dancing hobby into practice!

The 4 days passed by so very quickly, I wish like always that I had more opportunity to catch-up with everyone and seeing everything that was going on, but looking through 1600 photographs was wonderful... and it appears from the photo's that everyone had a great time and it has been great reading some of the fantastic comments posted on the Qualatex Group and The Qualatex Event Facebook page... keep them coming, we love feedback!

I think that I will allow the photographs to do the talking now, I think that every picture speaks a 1000 words! The first DVD is a complete overview of the Qualatex Event and the second DVD is all the competitions... I hope you enjoy watching these as much as I did making them.




If you missed the Qualatex Event, then do not despair as you can experience all this and more by attending The World Balloon Convention in Dallas, Texas, USA March 21-25 2012

See you there!

Sue


Friday, October 7, 2011

A few tips for those who are ready to take the CBA Practical Exam... I promise there is nothing to be nervous about!

With more and more balloon professionals working towards their CBA accreditation, I thought that it might be a good time to write a blog about how you can prepare for the big day!


Taking the practical exam is the final step in earning your CBA and this can only be accomplished after completing the 3 online tests, "QBN Balloon Basics", "QBN Balloon Deliveries" and "QBN Balloon Decor" and passing!

Now you are eligible to take the CBA Practical Exam and I want to share some tips with you that I hope will help you on the day!
You wont be doing this!
  


Firstly, I do not want you to think of this as an EXAM, the minute we use that word most of us go into complete panic mode and remember our schooldays of sitting hour after hour with a piece of paper in front of us desperately trying to recall all the information that we had learned over the past XX years! I can guarantee no desks, just a work table to work on and no written exam, you will just be asked to answer a few questions, no 'trick' questions, no 'curved balls', just things that you learned when you watched the DVD's!


We are a creative 'bunch' of happy people, working with balloons is our passion therefore I would rather you consider this as a your very best balloon job (which of course they all are) and the opportunity to shine and to confirm that you are the person who completed the online tests and that you understood the curriculum!

Let me start by talking about the practical side of the assessment process... I much prefer the word assessment :)

I would like to say at this point, that taking the CBA practical is not a competition! I believe that many people think that they have to create something that has never been seen before, in terms of idea's and techniques, I can assure you that this is not the case. Designs that score well are those that demonstrate a good knowledge of the principles and elements of design... all the 'stuff' that you just learned in the QBN program and not how you have invented the next great technique... there is plenty of time for that later when you enter competitions!

1. You are required to design and make one SOCIAL EXPRESSION bouquet.
What is meant by Social Expression? As usual I 'Googled' it!  I was pleasantly surprised with the result, it really defines what it means! Here are a few examples...

A friend has just had a baby. What do you say?
·        Congratulations!

Your  friend  is ill. What do you say?
·        I hope you feel better soon.
·        I hope you get better soon.
It’s a friend’s birthday. What do you say?
·        Happy Birthday!
·        Many happy returns!

So this is easy, you need to create a balloon bouquet that expresses a message... and there are many messages that you could choose from,  just simply open your Qualatex catalogue and you have a wealth of beautiful balloons with messages that you can use within your bouquet.

Here's an example using a design that I created:

Firstly, this design is called "Bottle Buddy Bouquet", it gives me the opportunity to make a bouquet that also acts as a gift! The bottle could be the recipients favourite 'tipple', but make sure you are within licencing  laws if the bottle contains alcohol, you could always use a non-alcoholic drink, which could be fun too...
Bottle Buddy designed by Sue Bowler CBA

What 'social expression' does this bouquet convey?
  • 'Happy 50th Birthday' - reflected through use of the Silver & Black Birthday Elegant Sparkles & Swirls and the 50-A-Round 11" Qualatex Balloons
  • Let's Party! - The wonderful 8-Point Star Shape topper -Let's Party Sparkle & Swirls, 28" Microfoil balloon.
  • With love - the 4" Gold Microfoil Heart, held by my Bottle Buddie that could be personalised with the recipients name!
This design says it all, it has a clear message, it's fun and perfect for a delivery!







Remember when you create your design... think California Law!


2. You are required to design and make one TABLE CENTREPIECE of your own design.
Centrepiece designs by Sue Bowler cba


What is a table centrepiece? It is simply an arrangement placed at the centre of a round or rectangular table where no part of the display blocks view lines. These are usually defined with the base element of a centrepiece not exceeding 14"  and a good clear visual gap before the use of any aerial balloons, usually a distance of 24" or more from the table top. Once again your design should demonstrate your understanding of principles and elements of design. Here are a few tips when you are creating your designs:
  • Have a strong focal point in the arrangement and draw the eye through the focal point by repeating balloons and other design material in a clear line or lines.
  • Make sure your design is visually balanced and mechanically sound.
  • Choose one of the colour harmonies for your arrangement and stick to it in all of your materials.
Your centrepiece design can be an air-filled design, using a central pole to give you the required distance between your base and top elements! Or it can be a base design connected with a complimentary helium filled arrangement. Remember when you create your design... think California Law!

3. Make a Duplicate Balloon Bouquet, working from a photograph, both the photo and materials are provided for this. I recommend that you practice 'specialty' skills & techniques such as creating 'Gumballs', Double Bubbles, correctly inflating GEO Donut's and GEO Blossom balloons! A new element to the assessment is that you are required to correctly inflate Qualatex Bubbles and Deco Bubbles, if these balloons are new to you I recommend that you watch the video clip on Qualatex.com  http://www.qualatex.com/qualatexbubbles/ It is important that you have the ability to re-create accurately designs from a photograph, this is especially important for referrals and relay business's.


4. Make a Duplicate 'Balloon Flower', working from a photograph, both the photo and materials are provided for this. Instructions for the Balloon Flower can be found at 'Instruction Sheets' on Qualatex.com or in the QBN Balloon Delivery & Bouquets' Kit. Just make exactly what you see, nothing extra, keep it neat and tidy!


5. Construct a 5' (length) of air-filled, 5-Balloon Cluster Spiral Garland, using 11" balloons, these do not need to be inflated to 11", between 9"-10" is perfectly OK, but you must ensure that all your balloons are the same size... use a template! The spiral pattern must be correct and the column should be constructed well and should not fall apart on a firm shake! You will be provided with the balloons and Dacron line for this.

6. KNOW YOUR KNOTS! You will be asked to demonstrate how to tie a temporary knot and a permanent knot as per the QBN curriculum!
Temporary knot


7. Answer 6.... only 6 questions from the curriculum, and either demonstrate a mock balloon delivery sales phone call or make a mock balloon delivery presentation during your assigned 15 minute panel interview.
OK, I would be lying if I said that this was easy... it's not difficult, but this is where most peoples nerves kick in!
 However, the panel will never allow nerves to stand in your way and they will try and make sure that you are relaxed as possible, if your mind goes blank, then you'll be asked another question or you can re-visit the question later and in most cases you'll be relaxed enough by then to remember.

Balloon Images Magazine Oct/Nov/Dec 2011


  • Make sure you know the principles and elements of design... as additional reading check out the great series of articles in IMAGES  magazines starting with April/May/June 2011 this issue covers Balance & Line, July/Aug/Sept 2011 covers Scale & Texture and Oct/Nov/Dec 2011 covers Colour and Proportion.

  • These articles are invaluable as they will really help you to fully understand the importance of these within your every day work.
Balloon Images Magazine Apr/May/Jun 2011
  • Make sure you understand the business side of your business, once again, in addition to the resources supplied with the QBN program look at the great articles featured in IMAGES magazine such as Protect Your Business Trade Secrets April/May/June 2011.


    With the mock delivery or telephone call... give it your all! Why not, everyone on the panel will have been through the exact same process, remember all the points to making a good delivery or talking a phone call order...  sing Happy Birthday or if you do not feel confident enough to sing, how about reciting a simple Birthday poem like some did in their delivery presentation, which was great! If you are asked to do a mock telephone call you can ask to turn your chair round, this may help you so that your not looking at the person you are suppose to be talking to on the telephone!


    There is a Guide to Taking the Certified Balloon Artists (CBA) Practical Exam, that you can download from Qualatex.com, this is full of other  very valuable information that I have not included in this blog and the actual CBA Practical Exam Score Sheet, so you can see how many points you are scored for each of the sections of the exam... a very helpful tool! 
    Design Basics Book



    Finally, review the DVD's, resources and your completed online tests, remember this process is simply to confirm your knowledge of the QBN curriculum!

    For me, becoming a CBA is not just about remembering what you have learned on the day, it is about using the knowledge and skills that you have learned each and every day within your business. I know that when I passed and became a CBA 16 years ago, it was a little like passing my driving test! I was certaininly not a perfect driver but I had the knowledge to be and from that day on I REALLY learned how to drive well... so once I became a CBA I started to look at my business in a totally new way, the designs that I created and still create today are all based round understanding the principles and elements of design, which colours I use together and how I can make my design look visually pleasing... and most importantly how to run my business... understanding how to price my work, and the list goes on and on! 
    I hope for those of you who are planning to take the final steps towards becoming a CBA that you have found this information useful... Good luck and I look forward to reading your name as a new CBA in Images magazine soon!

    Sue


    If you want to find out when and where the next CBA exam will take place you can visit Qualatex.com or contact your nearest Pioneer Office, there are often opportunities to take your exam at  Qualatex Events such as the one being held in Oxfordshire next month and the World Balloon Convention in Dallas next March!