Balloon Distortion to Create Fun, Exciting and Fascinating Decor

The technique of distorting balloons to create a differing shape or form has been around for as long as I can remember, so at least 30 years! We often see balloons manipulated to create faces, flowers and many other exciting shapes.

One of the hottest trends right now is distorted flowers: these are often used as an accent detail in  'marquee' style balloon decor as shown below. This beautiful design was made by the extremely talented duo Aleks Hernández, CBA and Nelly Mildred, CBA of Waikiki Incredible in Yucatán, Mexico. If you look closely, you will also see that the ballerina's face shape in the centre of the design was also created using a distortion technique.

In the video below, Avital Shechter, CBA of Nir Balloons, Israel, demonstrates how to make a distorted balloon flower.

I have experimented with distortion many times with varying success. It is definitely a case of practice makes perfect!  A few years ago I demonstrated how to make a toadstool using the distortion technique on BMTV, along with some other cute design ideas! Check out the video below to learn step-by-step!

I know many balloon artists who are, at least in my opinion, masters of distortion. One of my favourites is the extremely talented Steven Mayhew, CBA, Owner/ Balloon Illustrator at The Balloon Workshop and Director of Marketing & E-Commerce at L.A. Balloons.

Steven Mayhew, designer/illustrator and author of the truly amazing ABC Balloon Book. 

Steven at work creating his incredible Walrus sculpture! 

I interviewed Steven for a past Very Best Balloon Blog post - A creative hobby that turned into a wonderful children's book - an interview with Steven Mayhew. One of the questions that I asked Steven was:

You have used a lot of distortion to create fantastic shapes for your animals. Do you use anything to help you when you distort your balloons?

‟Distortion was a very important technique used to create parts of the animals, as I didn't want them to all just look like the balloon animals we all know and love. I kept my tools simple when it came to distorting the balloons - a balloon straw, a basic pump, an Air-Pro inflator, the Nikoloon System by Niko Fric, and whole lot of patience.” 

To read the full interview and to see some more of Steven's incredible animal designs click HERE or go to

https://theverybestballoonblog.blogspot.com/2016/08/a-creative-hobby-that-turned-into.html

Zebra Balloon Sculpture by Steven Mayhew
The Balloon Workshop.

Check out Steven's website; The Balloon Workshop - https://www.theballoonworkshop.com and on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/TheBalloonWkshop

To learn more about Steven and his amazing book, check out this video! 

From a simple toadstool, to the amazing creations that artists such as Steven makes, distortion is definitely a unique and incredible art form! 

To read further posts on distortion and techniques, check out these posts:

Balloon Distortion Techniques Part 1

Balloon Distortion Techniques Part 2

Balloon Distortion Technique Part 3 - How to Make a Face

Once again I would like to thank all the wonderful contributors to the Very Best Balloon Blog! I hope like me you are truly inspired by their creativity and generous contributions and of course, and thank you to you for reading my posts! 

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @suebowler

Are you a Decorator, Twister or Deco-Twister?

When I first started in the world of balloons there was a distinct difference between a balloon decorator and a twister and never did the twain meet! 

However over the years, there has been an increasing overlap between these two worlds in the form of deco-twisting. The term "deco twisting" was first coined in the late 90's by several artists who displayed twisted elements in their balloon decor. However, deco twisting only really started to become popular with balloon artists and customers from around 2010. Ten+ years on, it is more popular than ever, especially when you look at all the detailed Marquee Balloon designs that are extremely popular today where there is always the addition of fabulously twisted details!

 

Elegant Balloon Marquee Design by 

Balloons For Everything in Chicago, IL, US.

Welcome Back to School - Balloon Decòr to Bring Smiles to those Returning to School

Back to School Decòr - Balloons by Paris Party in Paris, Texas, USA.

For many children returning to school, starting nursery or Kindergarten it can be an exciting time, a new era in their school life chapter. But this may not be the case for all. Due to the global pandemic, a significant number of children will have been away from the school environment for many month and there will be those children who will be feeling anxious or even frightened. 

Schools and their dedicated teachers will be working hard to ensure that the children feel confident and comfortable to return, especially with all the new procedures that they will need to follow to ensure everyone's safely. 

Back to School is a major business for many retailers - school uniforms, creative stationary and fancy lunch boxes are part of the merchandise that is important in this time.

As balloon professionals we can offer other ways to bring a little fun and excitement to a child's first day back at school, helping to make it a happy and memorable experience!

Balloons at Home

In most households, there is a mandatory first day of school photo, usually taken outside the house on the doorstep. However, this year, families are looking to make this occasion even more special! Offering 'Back to School' balloon decor and arrangements will certainly bring a smile to any child or teenager's face, and make them feel super special too! 

Amy Broadley of Balloonies Falkirk, in Scotland, has had great success offering beautifully decorated Bubbles to her customers when their children returned to school earlier this month.

Qualatex^® Deco Bubble Balloons™️ are the perfect balloons to create magical and memorable personalised balloons. They are extremely versatile, giving you the ability to add beautiful coloured 5" balloons inside... along with many other things too! Personalising balloons make them especially meaningful to the recipient.

Qualatex Chrome 20" Star Balloons are also perfect for personalising! Available in:

Chrome Silver

Chrome Gold

Chrome Mauve

Chrome Purple

Chrome Blue

Chrome Green

To learn how to apply vinyl easily to a Bubble Balloon, watch Chris Adamo's helpful step-by-step video below.

Welcome Back to School - Balloon Decòr

A simple yet effective dècor option is greeting the children back to school with fabulous 'Welcome Back' balloon decòr. We all know that balloons create a sense of excitement and expectation when attending an event or party, so the same would definitely apply at school too! 

Luc Bertrand, CBA, of WaW Balloons in Vichte, Belgium shares some of his Back to School inspiration using a combination of Qualatex and Northstar Balloons.

Northstar Balloons A-B-C with Emoticon Winking Display by Luc Bertrand
For Northstar Balloons Product Selection, Colours and Codes Click HERE

'Back to School' Pencils and ABC Blocks by Luc Bertrand 

Check out Luc's video. Part 1. Luc demonstrates how to make the mosaic balloon box and how he spray paints the foil letter balloons.

In Part 2. Luc demonstrates how to make pencils with balloons and demonstrates 2 different distortion techniques to make the tips.

In Part 3. Luc explains how to make an ABC yard art design.

"Welcome Back" School decòr by Infante Creations Balloon Decor

Making decòr to match school colours is definitely a great way to make it even more enticing to the schools! 

Balloons by Paris Party in Paris, Texas, created these fun and vibrant Balloon Columns. I'm a little bit in love with the Apple and Inchworm column - perfect for juniors and younger pupils.

Avital & Nir Schechter of Balonir in Israel believe that there is no better way to open the school year than with joyful and colourful balloon designs that will welcome the children when they arrive at the entrance of the school institutions. They have created a fabulous range of decor (see below) that will definitely bring smiles to the children's faces.

'Welcome Back' Balloon Wall by Avital & Nir Schechter

Avital Schechter, CBA & Nir Schechter, CBA, with one of their beautiful school entrance arches.

'Welcome Back' Balloon Wall by Avital and Nir Schechter

Balloon Mosaic™️ & Balloon Mosaic Frames

Balloon Mosaic style of decor is very popular and definitely on-trend. These 'Back to School' frames are simply perfect. Their diversity allows them to be used as part of a display, or maybe used in a Balloon Wall or Balloon Arch design. The fabulous letters shown in the photograph below are 16" Northstar Balloons painted with Colorshot General Purpose Spray Paint, to attain these wonderful vibrant colours.

The Pencil Balloon Mosaic Digital Design Template is available to purchase click HERE for a direct link or visit www.creativeheartstudio.com

Crayon Balloon Mosaic Digital Design Template available from
Creative Heart Studio.com

Giving a child a balloon on the day that they start or return to school is a simple way to get their year off to a happy start. It creates a fresh start for a new academic year! Even more, decorating schools with welcoming balloon decor may become a popular annual event, and one that would definitely be worth preparing for and marketing every year.

And let us not forget the teachers! It will also be a strange and challenging time for them also. So how about showing teachers thanks and appreciation for being dedicated to their job, without doubt they will love being remembered! 

Cam Woody designed this heartfelt 'Thank You' design with added messages and cool little touches all neatly presented in a little wooden crate.

While there are many schools that have already returned to school, there are still those who are still on summer breaks or in lockdown, so hopefully there will still be opportunities!

Happy ballooning everyone! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me on Instagram @suebowler

What It Takes To Be An Instructor At The World Balloon Convention.

I am regularly asked, "What does it take to become an industry instructor?" In my mind, a good instructor is someone who has a skill, design style, or techniques that others are interested in seeing and learning, and secondly, that they have the ability to pass on their skills to others in a professional and competent manner. Having a good understanding of what makes a good instructor is essential. 

Potential instructors are often spotted through their skills as a balloon artist; maybe at a convention where they have entered and won competitions, and others through their everyday work and social media presence.

Being an industry instructor is no easy task. It can be pretty challenging at times, always nerve wrecking, but it can be very rewarding, too!



WBC instructors are approached about a year in advance of the event. They are asked to suggest potential class ideas. Once classes have been agreed, they have the arduous task of designing their 90-minute classes. Deciding on what to teach and show in those precious 90-minutes is vital to the success of the class. WBC delegates come from all over the world. This year, we had representation from 52 countries! Not all delegates speak English as a first language, so it's vital that whatever is taught must be visual enough for all delegates to fully understand. The instructors need to ensure that their classes are well prepared, action-packed with great content, informative, delivered according to the class level and the class description, and fun! And finally, their class notes and materials list, including everything that they need for their classes, are submitted approximately four months before the event!

Avital and Nir Schechter CBA's of Baloney Nir in Katzrin, Israel.

This year, we had several first-time WBC Instructors. I thought it would be great to find out what Avital and Nir Schechter, CBA's of Baloney Nir in Katzrin, Israel, and Jackie Ochitwa, CBA, of With a Twist Balloon Creations in Alberta, Canada, thought about their first World Balloon Convention! 

Avital and Nir Schechter
Was this your first time at WBC or have you been before as an attendee?
"This was our first time at WBC, and surely not our last! What an adventure, and what a great honor to be instructors at our first WBC. We couldn`t have asked for a better stage to make our classes at. Great opportunity, amazing people, and very good energies!" 

Were you apprehensive about teaching at WBC?
"Of course! Since it was our first WBC, we didn`t really know what to expect. So in order to be more confident about our classes, we made a lot of preparations so we could bring a perfect and well-organized class. The minute we saw all the nice and smiling faces of the attendees at the beginning of our classes, we knew that everything would be just fine. And luckily, we were right ☺  

How much time did it take you to prepare for your classes before arriving in San Diego?
"The preparations for our classes at WBC took over a year. It was an interesting process since we`ve tried to use our experience as delegates at conventions in order to bring practical, informative and useful class. It was very important to us to explore the designs of the classes in actual events, so we could answer all the possible answers and bring our experience to the class."

How do you feel that your classes went?
"In one word- amazing! In 5 words- can we do it again?! When we knew that our classes were fully booked few weeks before the convention, we were extremely excited, but also felt a lot of responsibility to prove the attendees that they made the right choice. The classes went so quickly. We enjoyed every minute. We would like to say thank you to all of the amazing staff of WBC that helped us so much behind the scenes. We would also like to say thank you to all of the attendees of our classes for making this experience so special for us. We were very touched by your great feedback and kind words, and we appreciate it so much."  

Selfie Mania - Design by Nir & Avital Schechter

What were your WBC highlights?
"Our WBC highlights were the parties, the competitions, and the classes. The parties - because of the opportunity to hang out with the most kind and talented people in the world. We didn’t want any party to end! The decor, the music, the dancefloor, the energies - you need to experience it in order to understand it. The competitions - because that’s where the top of the top of the balloon art is at. Watching the competitors making their creations was like attending 10 classes at the same time! It was very inspiring and mind-blowing. The classes - luckily, we had the chance to join few of the classes besides teaching ours and they were awesome. We can`t wait to implement what we`ve learned at the classes in our own business (and the notebook is a treasure!). "

What would you say to anyone considering attending WBC in the future?
"You have 2 years to save up money to WBC 2020 - start NOW! We've been in many conventions in the past, but nothing is compared to the experience we had at WBC. That`s the place to meet the superstars of the balloon world, to enjoy outstanding parties, and to attend classes that will pay back your investment by taking your business to the next level. Add to that the mind-blowing competition pieces (and your opportunity to show off your skills by attending the competitions), talented instructors and unique and electric energies - and you've got all the reasons why to attend WBC. We can't wait for the next one!"


Jackie Ochitwa

Jackie with delegate Shivani Chandhok from India

"I was very apprehensive about teaching at WBC. I was pretty new (incredibly new!) to the teaching world when I was asked.  I had just come home from my first big instructing job at FLOAT 2017 when I received an e-mail from Pioneer asking if I would teach at WBC 2018.  I couldn't believe it!  I was even more apprehensive after I saw the incredible line-up of teachers announced.  It was surreal to see my name grouped with Luc Bertrand, Alberto Falcone, and Sue Bowler.  Preparation for classes began almost immediately.  There were many deadlines to meet, and I was incredibly impressed at how well organized the event is.  It's a well-oiled machine from start to finish.  I sent in a number of possible class ideas and we settled on one.  From there, it was filling out forms for product and any additional equipment we would need.

"I was thankfully eased into my classes - the first four classes were taught alongside a number of incredibly talented balloon twisters.  David and Shana Brenion, and Nao Osaka, the Shechters from Israel (who are the cutest couple I have ever met), to name a few.  We made some adorable accessories for the upcoming Beach Party in one class and had a really fun jam session led by the Brenions for the other.  The day did eventually come for my two solo classes.  I was more nervous than I thought I would be.  I had done all the preparation I could have - I made an example piece that I was happy with.  There were so many people behind the scenes that were there to help out - Braden Meyer helped set up my classroom and was a beast in tracking down more (and more) inflators for the class to use.  I decided that we would have a standing, hands-on class, so a couple hours before the first one started we moved all the chairs out of the room and piled in as many tables as we could find.  I was hoping the students would be tired of sitting at this point and embrace standing - and they did!  A good friend Mandana Moshrefzadeh, was an angel and helped me through both my solo classes. I couldn't have done it without her.  The classes were fun, laid back, and the students were so keen to learn. They made it easy for me."

"One of my highlights from WBC 2018 was the instructor's prep room.  It sounds silly as it was not very glamorous and incredibly noisy and filled with panic at times.  It was also filled with silliness and music and a lot of comradery.  Instructors from Italy, Venezuela, Brazil, Japan, Belgium, Israel - so many language barriers, but we were all working towards the same goal.  I had so much support from everybody around me.  They made being a first-time instructor so much easier.  Everybody was so welcoming and there if I needed anything.

Jackie with fellow instructors, Nir and Avital Schechter, CBA's Nao Osaka,
Patty Jacobo, CBA, Nicole Greg, CBA, Shana and David Brenion, and Sean Rogers, CBA.

For anybody attending WBC in the future, I would say appreciate all the work that goes in behind the scenes.  I had no idea what it took to put on such a spectacular event, and I'm sure there is so much I didn't see.  I'm excited to go to my first WBC as an attendee and to see it from the other side.  Although I will miss the prep room."

I am really enjoying this first-time series of blogs from this year's World Balloon Convention. My final part (coming soon) will be from some first-time delegates and what they thought about their WBC experience.

A huge thank you to Avital, Nir, and Jackie for sharing their experience with us all!

Happy Ballooning!

Sue
www.suebowler.com

Oh Baby Baby! Fabulous Ideas for Baby Showers and All Things Baby!

There is nothing quite as exciting as the impending arrival of a new baby for both the parents and families alike. A new baby opens the door of opportunities for balloon businesses, starting with baby showers. These have been popular in the US for a number of years, but are a growing trend in other countries, too. Decor for baby showers can have a theme, especially if the gender of the baby is already known. 

Decor by Sue Bowler, CBA

Baby Shower Moon & Stars

I love the "Baby Moon and Stars", and the "Baby Dots" range. Both are simply perfect for creating beautiful decor for baby showers, newborns, and for first birthday's too! 

Baby Girl Dots
#55388

Last year, I had the honour to decorate a baby shower for Becca Gaines of Pioneer Balloon Company. This was my first baby shower and I wanted the decor to be fun but elegant, too! 

Choosing a range of balloons to work with helped me to select my colour palette and other balloons to complement the decor that I had designed.

Decor by Sue Bowler, CBA

For the decor, I chose to make two main focal designs: a balloon wall and a small table Arch that sat over the "treats" table. The balloon wall set the scene in the room. It made the perfect backdrop, great for photo opportunities, and it really helped to bring together all the other decor. The table Arch framed the treat table perfectly.

The lovely Becca Gaines
Decor by Sue Bowler, CBA

Design by Nir and Avital Schechter

It’s going to be a royal year in the U.K. this year, starting with the impending arrival of a new Royal baby in April! Anything to do with the Royal family creates a fabulous marketing opportunity. I hope that retailers don’t miss out and build this and the other Royal events into their seasonal marketing - I am looking forward to seeing some fabulous window displays! 

Design by Nir and Avital Schechter

Design by
Nir and Avital Schechter

Nir and Avital Schechter, CBA’s, of Baloney Nir in Katzrin, Israel, have the magic touch when it comes to baby designs, and have created some truly fabulous decor that would be perfect for any baby Prince or Princess!  

Design by
Nir and Avital Schechter

Design by Dante Longhi

  

Here are a few more of my favourite baby decor designs. The new Baby Footprints Deco Bubble is such a fabulous balloon. It can be enhanced by adding a message balloon inside or by personalising with vinyl lettering. Dante Longhi, CBA, of Dream Factory Decor in New Jersey, USA, uses a fabulous weave technique to create a stylish column. He re-enforces the "Baby Footprints" by adding cut-out footprints to his design. 

To learn how to create this weave, watch the "How to Make A Sweet Baby Balloon Centrepiece" video clip below.

Design by Tina Giunta

Tina Giunta, CBA, of Shivoo Balloons in Melbourne, Australia, creates this fabulous Welcome Baby arrangement and uses twisted 160Q balloons to spell “BABY” - so simple but so effective. I love it! Below is another of Tina’s adorable creations. I love her use of balloons and textures in this design.

Design by Tina Giunta

Marketing Tips

Plan your Instagram baby campaign. There are some fabulous photographs available on the Qualatex^®  website (including all these featured in this post). QBN members can log in to download hi-resolution photographs, perfect for your website and other marketing opportunities.



Plan your window display. Any time is good for a baby window display. However, April might be a good month to create an eye-catching Royal baby theme display. Statistically, more babies are born in September than any other month of the year (work that one out), so again this is always a good month for a baby display.

Update your website. When was the last time you made changes to or updated your website? Google and other search engines are stimulated by changes and therefore website activity is always good.

And, QBN members, don't forget to download this fantastic poster! 






And check out this trending post - 130 Million Opportunities to Grow Your Business Each Year - packed with some great baby information, gender reveal parties, and some fabulous tips from Nir and Avital Schechter.

Happy Ballooning!

Sue
www.suebowler.com