Lisa Swiger shares her Quick Link top tips and a 'Beeauitiful' Bee Sculpture design with step by step instructions.

Lisa Swiger CBA

Lisa Swiger CBA of Blooming Balloons, North Carolina, USA is one of our Quick Link experts and she has very kindly offered to share some of her top tips with the 'Very Best Balloon Blog'!
Lisa's Quick Link Tips:
* Tie as tightly as possible. This gives better structure to your sculptures. * If using with helium, hi-float works great! I recommend tying off the link tip before hi-floating so that extra hi-float doesn't stay inside the tip, wasting hi-float and weighing down the tie points. * I always trim tips and tails. This gives a cleaner look and when using helium, improves float time. * When doing air-filled, I only inflate to about 9 inches. This makes it easier to do 3D sculptures because the balloons are spongier and can be handled more. * I usually twist the balloon chains around each other, vs. using 5" duplets to lock them together. This is just a personal preference. I like the stability of have the sculpture stand without 5" balloons holding it together. I add the 5" duplets at the end to finish the piece. * When I do use 4 balloon clusters or duplets to hold QL chains together, I always twist them around each other to lock them. I've seem people just place them in without locking and the sculpture comes undone! * When I build with chains, I usually have a 5" connector at each end to start and finish the row, instead of just tying the chain in. * When building something round (like an apple or a hot air balloon) that needs to hold its shape, I'll use 5" on the outside, but 11" for the inside to give extra structure inside and hold it out better.

Lisa's Lovely Quick Link Bee Sculpture

Bee Sculpture created by Lisa Swiger CBA

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... 

How to get 'The Very Best' from a Balloon Convention!

Attending a convention for the very first time can be a daunting experience... what can you expect? Will you recoup your investment? How can you make it the best experience ever?

So with less than 2 weeks to go until the 2012 World Balloon Convention, I invited some of our industries leading instructors to share their Top Tips and suggestions on how to get the very best from a balloon convention... and a little bit more!

How would you describe your experience when you attended your very first balloon convention?

 Robbie Furman - 1st Balloon Convention Twist & Shout - USA 2007

" My first balloon convention was an emotional, exciting roller coaster from the moment I got there till the last goodbye". - Robbie Furman CBA

Azusa Ieizumi - 1st Balloon Convention JBAN - Japan  1999

 "Amazing! I have never seen such a wonderful balloon works before"! - Azusa Ieizumi CBA

Tope Abulude - 1st Balloon Convention European Balloon Symposium Paris - 1995 

"It was mind blowing"!!!!!!!!!!! - Tope Abulude CBA

Colin Myles - 1st Balloon Convention European Balloon Symposium Amsterdam -1994

 "It blew my mind, and realised I had found what I wanted to do with my professional life". - Colin Myles CBA

Lisa Swiger - 1st Balloon Convention  Balloon Camp Las Vegas 2007

 "I came home with so many new, money-making ideas that it was literally a turning point for our business". - Lisa Swiger CBA

Alberto Falcone - 1st Balloon Convention BACI - Italy 1997

"You can choose: Alluring - Appealing - Attractive - Captivating - Charming - Engaging - Fascinating - Glamorous - Insite - Intriguing - Prepossessing - Ravishing - Winning -inspiring... Speaking about the first event, to go there like a child opening his/her Christmas gifts... Full of desire to play and enjoy with it!   " - Alberto Falcone CBA

Amanda Armstrong - 1st Balloon Convention  IBAC 16 Chicago, 2000

" I learned so much and was excited to get back to my business to implement all of the new techniques and designs that I had just seen.  I also made many new friends that I still see today".   - Amanda Armstrong CBA

David Taylor - 1st Balloon Convention BASA- Tasmania, Australia 2003

 "mind blowing and design expanding.Helped me to think more broadly about what is possible with balloons". - David Taylor CBA

Alex Arroyo & Pepe Posada - 1st Balloon Convention Qualatex Event Mexico, 1990

I just got CRAZY at the time I felt in my hand  my first Qualatex Balloon a WHITE 16” wow!! And we saw so many doors to open  for this business! - Alex Arroyo CBA 

 What top tip would you give to someone who has never attended a convention or event so that they maximise their experience?

 "try to work with one of the competitors" - Tope  

"Bring a camera and take lots of pictures of EVERYTHING – from ideas you want to recreate all the way through large sculptures that will inspire you.  At some point, you will forget things because the experience can be so overwhelming.  When you get home, you’ll have hundreds of photos to help you remember"! - Lisa

"take lots of notes and photos in your classes.  As soon as you return to your business build at least one design that you saw everyday for the next two weeks.  Take a pic and try to sell it". - David 

"Go and help as much as you can:  in the sculptures, the events! It’s a great opportunity to learn and of course go to principles and design class"! - Alex

"Attend everything, from helping with the set-up, or competitions, to classes to parties, speak to people, ( you will find everyone very friendly ) do not worry about sleep, you can sleep when you get home". - Colin

"the spirit to learn and to discover every time something new is the right way to attend all seminars, also after tenths". - Alberto

"Always lend a helping hand whenever possible.  Hands on experience is always the best teacher.  Look for and learn new techniques that you can use in your designs.  Take lots of pictures to refer to when you get back to your business. Ask LOTS of questions, don't be afraid, you'll get out of it only what you put into it.  Have fun and make new friends"!
 - Amanda

"Now that I have attended many conventions and have learned so many things from them over the years, I recommend to a new conventioneer, to keep in mind, that when you go to your first convention, you will want to come to more and more.  SO, Since you are going to be coming to many conventions…take it SLOW.  Yes, don’t worry about trying to take EVERY class, don’t worry to try and learn how to create every design.  Take it slow.  Take lots of pictures, learn who the teachers are and what they are teaching, and make notes of it for future conventions if there is something that does not fit into your schedule at the WBC or if the designs may be a little more advanced then you are ready to create.  My biggest recommendation would be to leave the convention with a handful of great ideas and recipes.  Take these home, MASTER them and we will see you at the next convention"! - Robbie

How would you recommend/suggest that a first time attendee put’s their new found knowledge into practice when they return after an event? 

"Organize all of the pictures and notes that you've taken on your computer so that you can make quick reference to them when you're designing your next event.  When you get back, practice the best learned techniques so that they become second nature". - Amanda

"Personally I was inspired from Marvin Hardy: “there are three very important things to do to be a good balloon artist: practice, practice, practice. It’s really important, Just in this way is possible to reach the right sensitivity and the right knowledge about the elements which are  peculiars in this work". - Alberto

"One of the best things I ever did was come home and practice the skills I felt would best impact my business.  I picked a few “MUST DOs” from the convention and when I got home, I immediately started recreating the ideas.  I then had my own photos to add to my portfolio and the practice to confidently sell the idea". - Lisa

"They have to be proactive with whatever they have learnt...practice any new techniques immediately and implement the changes you  think will be beneficial to your business - Tope

 "take lots of notes and photos in your classes.  As soon as you return to your business build at least one design that you saw everyday for the next two weeks.  Take a pic and try to sell it". - David

"Attend everything, from helping with the set-up, or competitions, to classes to parties, speak to people, ( you will find everyone very friendly ) do not worry about sleep, you can sleep when you get home"! - Colin

 "That is just it, you said the word Sue…Practice.  Practice makes perfect.  But what do you do with the design when you are done Practicing it?  That is where MARKETING comes into play.  See if you can find a local library or a business in the area you are friendly with and bring it to them as a gift.  Let the world see your designs and the possibilities of what YOU can create for someone’s special event". - Robbie

"The first thing is ORGANIZE YOURSELF! You are going to find a lot of information in your class notes  and pictures,  organize them!, My best suggestion is start practice reproducing what you saw, what you’ve learned and once you achieve the result you wanted go and sell it! Never practice with your client"! - Alex 

Is there any one thing that you learned or gained from a convention/ event that has given you an instant return on your investment?

"I have never been to a convention that I did not find something that I could incorporate into my business" -  Colin

"I approached clients more confidently because I was now equipped  with the skills necessary to compete with other vendors on the same keel" - Tope

"If you make it, you can price it.  If you take a pic, you can sell it"! - David

"I think the biggest instant return on investment was a class I took on centerpieces.  Before that class, we were only offering basic designs, but after seeing some more advanced designs with foils and creative bases put together, we were able to offer much more sophisticated (and more money-making) designs" - Lisa

"I think every detail I learned and I’m learning and I will learn are important and essential for different motivations and to reach different goals like to be faster or to increase my works book with new ideas, for example". - Alberto

"I  remember taking a class from Bruce Walden. We learned how to create a balloon logo on foam board and I was able to start selling it to corporate clients.  I also remember Crystal Narramore's Wedding Class and the marketing tips we learned for doing bridal shows. Since I had never done one before, it gave me the confidence to try it out.  I booked two weddings on my first show".- Amanda

 "I won the first prize ,so that I appear on TV ,news papar etc.it made my company famous".- Azusa

We always help at the WBC events a lot and we stay until the event is done so we learn all the details and setbacks, son when we have a similar event we can prepare ourselves with everything so we avoid all the setbacks could happen and of course  get a better budget and that can happen at the time you are back! Depending how fast you move to sell the event.  - Alex  

"There are many things that I have learned and gained from conventions over the years, but the one MAIN thing is PROFESSIONALISM.  I have had the opportunity to talk to many people in the industry who I look up to and aspire to be like one day.  I have had a chance to see their portfolio and their marketing material and I have taken these ideas and have incorporated them into my own business.  This has made me a more successful looking person and my clients have noticed it right away".  - Robbie

How quickly would you say that it took you recoup your investment?

"learn and practice and sell, sell,sell!!!" - Azusa

              "2-3 months" - Amanda

"It depend from the kind of invest. I can tell you my experience like retailer. You can have a good result after two years". - Alberto

"I think we sold better centerpieces on the next job we booked, so almost immediately upon returning.  Also, you come home with so much energy and enthusiasm, that customers seem to WANT to order more because they are excited too"! - Lisa

"It’s amazing! Sometimes it’s instantly but we always say depends a lot in the effort you invest with your clients selling the new designs you’ve learned. They won’t sell by themselves inside of your camera" ! - Alex

"In minutes...?  I take the photos, we have a play day at the office with my staff, and we get the new designs on the website.  Once they are there it is only a matter of weeks before they are selling.  They sell because they are "brand new!!" - David

"I would say in the same year...I had a different approach to most things when I returned" - Tope

"Good question!!, and such a long time ago. I would probably estimate it took me three months, and of course I have gained ever since!" - Colin

"After my first convention I came home with such an overwhelming sense of ACTION…I wasted no time in implementing the new found vigor that I got from my convention.  I recouped my investment dollar right away in more than just money, I recouped it in how I ran my business, in how I created my designs, in the techniques I was using.  I was using all the time saving tips and new concepts for ideas in my business right away and my portfolio started to expand as was my knowledge in how to create new desings.  I was INSTANTLY recouping my investments in the FIRST DAY"!

Collectively these great instructors have 145 years 'ballooning' experience between them! They all have successful balloon business's and a wealth of knowledge and experience, it is amazing how many of their answers are similar and with some truly wonderful advice... keep all of it in mind and make the most of your experience... you will love EVERY second of it!

I also asked each of these instructors what their top selling and most profitable designs or decor are and of course which Qualatex balloon is their favourite! I will be featuring these in my blog next week!

Maybe you have been to a balloon convention and would like to share your top tips? Why not post them on the World Balloon Convention Facebook page so that everyone can read and benefit from them!

A huge thank you to Robbie, Lisa, Amanda, Tope, Colin, David, Alberto, Azusa, Pepe and Alex for taking the time to talk to me and helping me with this blog, I appreciate that they are all very busy getting ready for The World Balloon Convention or OnArt Spain!

See you soon at WBC!

Sue

My very special moment from WBC 2010

www.Suebowler.com