New Product Announcement - The Mighty Big Little Balloon

If you missed the big announcement yesterday, let me be the first to tell you! As the saying goes "all good things come to those that wait" and oh boy, was this worth the wait!

After the hugely successful launch of both the 11" and 260Q Chrome balloons last year, Qualatex has announced the latest edition to this fabulous range: the 7" Chrome balloon!

7" Chrome Organic Style Arrangement with the 18" "Birthday Pedestal Ombre & Stars"

"Why a 7" balloon" you say? I say, why not?! There is nothing that a 5" balloon can do that a 7" can't. In fact, it can do even more! 

Elegant Tropical Gold Arrangement by Sue Bowler

I had the opportunity to work with this mighty big little balloon － and if you hadn't already guessed, I adore working with it! They inflate to a beautifully round shape when inflated to all sizes － which is perfect for the increasingly popular organic trend! With size options ranging from 3.5" to over 7", you get a beautiful shape every time.

Perfect for air-filled decor, this balloon will work well for centrepieces, arrangements, and those lovely little accent details in larger decor － what's not to love!

I hope that you are as excited with this news as I am! I am looking forward to further exploring their uses with my decor and centrepiece designs!

Happy Ballooning!

Sue
www.suebowler.com
#suebowler

2018 - Let's Take A Quick Look at our Ballooning Year!

2018 started with what can only be described as a revolutionary new latex balloon - Qualatex^® Chrome™ Balloons!

A latex balloon unlike any other with a rich, shiny metallic finish that looks simply stunning! 

Over the past year I have seen some fabulous designs and decor created using Chrome balloons. There are so many to choose from, but here are a few of my favourites!

Natasha Nordin, CBA of the London Balloon Boutique

Natasha Nordin, CBA, of the London Balloon Boutique, London, U.K. used 11" Chrome Gold balloons to create these fabulous balloon covered pillars. I love the precision and metallic ball-bearing effect that this decor creates.

Design by Spark's in Beirut, Lebanon.

I love this "Chrome" design by Sparks, in Beirut, Lebanon. Chrome balloons turn to "glass" when double-stuffed with a Jewel Tone balloon over the top! I re-named this balloon type as a Jewel-Chrome!

Design by Zoe Adam-Jones, Jaz Trading, Queensland, Australia.

Zoe Adam-Jones, CBA, of Jaz Trading in Queensland, Australia recently shared this beautiful organic style Chrome and greenery Christmas tree, which is absolutely stunning! 

On the 24th January we saw the launch of the fabulous new on-line show Q Corner Live! Hosted by the very funny, witty, occasionally a little bit naughty but always sincere, Keith Stirman, CBA, and Dominic Cassidy, CBA. Over the past year, Keith and Dom have presented this interactive "EDU-TAINMENT" show that offers a wide variety of topics including Business and Marketing Tips, New Product Features, Question and Answer Sessions, Industry Interviews and lots more! If you have not already subscribed, click on the link to make sure that you never miss an episode! https://youtube.com/qcornershow and check back on some of their earlier shows too if you missed them the first time round! 

San Diego - World Balloon Convention 2018!

Welcome Decor by Stuart Davies, CBA

From March 14-17, 2018 the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina was filled with nearly 900 ballooning delegates! Attendees travelled from far and wide from 52 different countries to enter competitions, attend many fabulous classes, and participate with building event decor as well as attend the grand events! Words cannot truly describe how fabulous this event is. It's not just a learning experience, it's probably the most energising and exciting ballooning opportunity that you will ever experience! If you don't believe me, just check out this fabulous mini documentary that follows the WBC journey of the Canadian "Twisted Team"!

Final Night Decor by Olga Baranova, CBA, and
Olga Samoilova, CBA.

Design class with Luiz Carlos da Costa Silva, CBA.

The next World Balloon Convention will be held in Orlando, Florida - March 23-25 2021! You have plenty of time to save - try saving a small percentage from each of your 2019 balloon jobs towards the cost, you will be amazed at how quickly your savings will grow! 

Organic balloon decor still remains one of this year's top selling styles of balloon decor!

I had the opportunity to create this fabulous balloon and flower wall a few months ago for a corporate client. They loved it - and so did I! Not only was it organic, it featured beautiful shades of pastel coloured balloons which blended really well with the faux flowers. Pastel shades is another growing trend that I am sure that we will see much more of in 2019! 

Trending Balloons

There have been some wonderful trends this year, some new, and others continue to grow from last year! What is your favourite?

Donut

Toucan

Llama

Mermaid

Flamingo

Unicorn

Balloons and the Environment

This became one of the hottest topics in 2018 and something that all ballooning professionals need to be aware of. We have a number of different bodies fighting our corner and when I say fighting I really mean it! In Europe we have the European Balloon and Party Council (EBPC). And in the U.S. we have The Balloon Council (TBC). Both councils are represented by leading balloon and equipment manufacturers, gas companies and many other party related companies! 

Earlier this year, EBPC launched a new website - www.partysafe.eu - you will find a wealth of information related to guidance and product safety.

Many of you will have heard of PEBA - the Pro Environment Balloon Alliance. PEBA is working tirelessly to represent the balloon industry.

I really don't want to gloss by this topic, and will be writing a full up-date blog post in the new year. If you are unsure what EPBC, PEBA and The Balloon Council are doing to help support the balloon industry, I recommend that you check out each of their websites - I have added links to make it easy for you to find them.

And finally...

Images Magazine and Balloon Magic are going digital!

From the new year, both Images Magazine and Balloon Magic will be available online and will be free!

Here are a few facts!

• The last print issue of Balloon Images is October/November/December 2018.
• The last print issue of Balloon Magic is issue #93, which will be mailed in December 2018.
• Starting in 2019, both publications will be hosted on qualatex.com.
• All content will be free, but there will be exclusive content for QBN members in the Balloon Images issues.
• The issues will feature valuable content for today’s digital age including:  video tutorials, downloadable marketing materials, links to helpful content on other sites, and much more!
• Both publications will be translated to languages currently supported on qualatex.com.
• People living outside of the United States will no longer have to wait weeks or months to receive their issues because it will now be delivered to your email inbox.
• Be sure to join the Qualatex email list  and subscribe to the individual publication lists to receive an email as soon as the issues go live.
• Qualatex will still produce a print publication that will be released annually.  The first, to be called The Very Best of 2018, is planned to be available for purchase  January 2019 for approximately $12 USD +shipping.

This is just a small collection of 2018 moments, I am sure that I have missed many! I am very excited to see what 2019 brings us! 

Happy Ballooning!

Sue
www.suebowler.com
#suebowler

So What's Hot for 2018? — Part 2

There are quite a few exciting new trends in the party world for 2018. Last week we looked at mermaids, the colour Purple Violet and the marble look. In this post, we will feature few more hot trends.

Design by Sue Bowler, CBA

What is there not to love about Magical Unicorns! These gorgeous Microfoil^® balloons are now available in both 14" and 38".

This trend has remained a firm favourite since 2017. If you check out #unicorn on Instagram showing more than 7m posts, you can see that this is a trend that appeals to both children and adults, so we should make sure our decor appeal to both.







I recently created a unicorn theme window display and took the opportunity to design something that had big visual impact. The Fashion SuperAgate^® are such fabulous balloons and work so well with the Unicorn theme. I also added in Chrome 260Q flowers and some gold confetti-filled balloons, both of which added richness and visual texture to the design.  

Display by Sue Bowler.

Here are a few more inspiring ideas working with the Magical Unicorn balloon.

Design by Luc Bertrand.

Luc Bertrand, CBA, of wAw Balloons in Vichte, Belgium created this "Cute and Quirky Unicorn" design using Quick Link Balloons^®.  He also added a cluster of Pink Violet RainbowAgates at the Unicorn's base and for its hands. I love how Luc has used 260Qs to create a rainbow style tail.

Display by Cam Woody.

Cam Woody, CBA, of Pioneer^® Balloon Company designed this beautiful "Unicorn and Magic Wands" balloon bouquet. 4" Stars on cups and sticks make the perfect magic wands and truly add value to this design.

Rainbows are still trending! According to Instagram, it has over 21m posts! It is often linked with the unicorn theme and therefore works perfectly together for party decor.

Rainbow Arch by Sue Bowler - design by Dante Longhi, CBA.

This beautiful rainbow arch was inspired by Dante Longhi. We are currently teaching this design in our "What's Hot Right Now" course around the UK and Europe. It's such a fabulous design to make. The end result is stunning! 

Here are two more rainbow style arches to inspire us and our customers.

Not strictly a rainbow, but the use of colours in this fabulous arch could easily represent a rainbow. This arch was created by Eve Antonello, CBA of Pioneer Balloon Company, Edward Muñoz, CBA, of burton and BURTON in Athens, GA, USA, and Silvia Santos, CBA, of Party Planet in Pompano Beach, FL, USA. This stunning entrance arch was part of the decor created by this fabulous trio for the "100 Years of Celebration" party held at Pioneer's headquarters in Wichita, KS, USA.

"Sunshine Smile Face Rainbow Arch" - I Love this 6-balloon rainbow cluster arch by Cam Woody. 
It truly is a beautiful rainbow with a cloud nestled just off centre. There are full downloadable instructions for QBN Members. Just click HERE!

And finally, Rose Gold - another trend that just keeps on growing! 

Rose Gold became the metallic colour of the year in 2016, and you might have noticed that this colour is still everywhere! Fashion, make-up, accessories, jewellery, of course, and also for party and wedding décor, too! 

Chris Adamo, CBA, of Balloons Online in Sydney, Australia, recently posted this fabulous design on the Qualatex Facebook Group. Chris said, "When Rose gold meets Qualatex chrome silver. A perfect pair in time for Valentine's Day." I also think that this would make a great pairing for weddings, too! 
If you would like tips on how to put a foil balloon inside a Deco Bubble click HERE

Rose Gold and Silver Chrome Balloons design by Chris Adamo.

Derek Wong, CBA, of Twisted Inflations in Ontario, Canada shows us how the Rose Gold 260Q looks perfect as a beautiful rose. 

Rose Gold Rose by Derek Wong.

I have really enjoyed adding Rose Gold to my designs. This colour blends beautifully with shades of Pink and Ivory. If you would like to know how to make this fabulous centrepiece and a range of beautiful wedding decor, make sure that you attend my Fabulous Wedding Decor for the Modern Bride class at WBC next month!

Design by Sue Bowler, CBA.

We have some fabulous additions to the Rose Gold range for 2018! Here is a direct link to all the Rose Gold product range - click HERE. Below are some of the latest additions!

Rose Gold Crescent Moons - 9" and 35"
Rose Gold Starpoints - 20" and 40"
Rose Gold Tapers - 13", 27" and 38"
Rose Gold Numbers from Zero to Number Nine

I am very excited about working with some of this year's newest trends and am very much look forward to seeing some of your fabulous on-trend designs posted on Facebook!


Happy ballooning!


Sue
www.suebowler.com

So What's Hot for 2018?

Mermaid display created by Sue Bowler, CBA.
#mermaids
#mermaidparty
#mermaidstyle

There are quite a few exciting new trends in the party world for 2018. I will feature as many as I can over the next couple of weeks.

Let's start with mermaids! Some say that mermaids are the new unicorn, but unicorns are still trending, too! 

The new Qualatex^® 38" "Enchanting Mermaid" Microfoil^® will definitely be a top-selling balloon! 

Jewel Tone with Chrome Balloons inside.
Balloons by Luc Bertand, CBA.

I recently created a display using some of the fabulous new Chrome Balloons™.  I used Chrome Blue and Chrome Purple. I also double stuffed Chrome Silver inside Jewel Teal, Sapphire Blue, and Quartz Purple to create the fabulously rich colours as displayed in the photograph above. I also added a few Gold confetti-filled Balloons, too, that helped to create the very sparkly base. Here are some fabulous double-stuffed Chrome balloons that Luc Bertrand recently made - the colours and metallic look are simply stunning! 

Here are some of the Qualatex range that I think will work really well for this theme.

A. 38" "Enchanting Mermaid"

B. 18" "Happy Birthday Mermaid"

C. 11" Chrome Blue

D. 11" Chrome Purple

E. 11" Chrome Gold

F. 11" Caribbean Blue

G. 38" "Merry Mermaid"

H. 18" "Birthday Mermaids"

I. 18" Rachel Ellen Age Five 

    Mermaid Polka Dots

Sea-world theme arch created by Sue Bowler and team!

I love to create sea-world theme decor; we have so many fabulous balloons to use within our designs. The addition of the mermaid, confetti-filled Diamond Clear, and Chrome Balloons will be fabulous! 

Another 2018 trend is anything with PANTONE Color of the Year - 

Ultra Violet! 

This ultra cool colour is guaranteed to be used at events this year, especially weddings.

11" Chrome Purple

I think that the new Chrome Purple will be absolutely perfect for this colour theme. These balloons offer a rich texture, reflective surface, and a truly radiant colour. 

Wedding Decor by Sue Bowler

Photo courtesy of Markinternational.info

My third trend for 2018 is marble —marbled decor and marbled wedding cakes, too!

Qualatex^® SuperAgates come in nine fabulous colours in both 11" and 30" balloons! Agates are often used in organic style decor to add visual texture and movement.

Elegant Black & White Decor by Sue Bowler.

I used 30" Black SuperAgates as part of the decor that I created for the Pioneer Balloon Company 100th Anniversary Dinner. They looked so elegant paired with Black & White Polka Dots, White, and Silver confetti-filled 36" balloons, creating a fabulous monochromatic colour scheme decor.

Watch out for my next blog where we will look at even more exciting trends for 2018!

Happy Ballooning!
Sue

www.suebowler.com

Qualatex® @ The International Toy Fair and Spring Fair 2018

It has been a busy few weeks for the Pioneer^® Europe team! Kicking off 2018 exhibiting at two busy trade shows, The International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, Germany, and Spring Fair at the N.E.C. in Birmingham, U.K. 

Display by Sue Bowler, CBA.
Spring Fair, Birmingham.

Both shows are the perfect opportunity to meet and connect with prospective customers and to meet existing customers face-to-face. It is also the perfect way to showcase new and exciting products, and that was certainly high on our list of objectives!

I have been part of the Spring Fair team for quite a few years now and very much enjoy the opportunity to create the window displays each year. I also spend two days on the stand talking to customers and demonstrating new products! The design on the left was one of my displays. I love the new Qualatex 38" "Glitter Gold Wedding Cake." The soft Pink, Rose Gold and Blush colour palette, and gold glitter with greenery textures are perfect for 2018 weddings! 

Display by Luc Bertrand.
International Toy Fair, Nuremberg.

The launch of the new Chrome Balloons™ has been one of the highlights of the year so far, and it was a fabulous opportunity to show these off at both shows! Luc Bertrand, CBA, created a fabulous organic style swag using Chrome 11" with added 260Q detail.

Display by Luc Bertrand.
International Toy Fair, Nuremberg.

Display by Alberto Falcone.
Spring Fair, Birmingham.

Alberto Falcone, CBA, created this fabulous Mickey Mouse balloon wall at Spring Fair. He cleverly coordinated Chrome Blue and Chrome Silver with the Onyx Black Silhouette of the Mouse Head. Did you know that Mickey Mouse is celebrating his 90th Anniversary this year!







Fiona Fisher, CBA, created big impact with these awesome Chrome Balloon Pyramids! Fiona and her team created decor that showed off the full Chrome colour range, and the beauty and elegance of these fabulous new balloons.

Display by Fiona Fisher.
Spring Fair, Birmingham.

Display by Alberto Falcone.
Spring Fair, Birmingham.

This fabulous organic style swag with added distortion designed by Alberto showed the fluidity and smooth elegance of these stunning balloons, giving a liquid metal appearance.



















Here are some more photos from both fairs, showing many of the fabulous new products for 2018 and some of the great displays too!

Organic Tree Display by Louise Hedges, CBA, and Julie Dunham, CBA.
Window Displays by Sue Bowler.

Rose Gold & Chrome Gold Mr & Mrs. Design by Luc Bertrand.
Baby & Unicorn Designs by Sue Bowler.
Rose Gold and Chrome Gold Design with Roses by Luc Bertrand.

And finally, a big shout out to those whose hard work made it happen! Congratulations to everyone involved!

Spring Fair Team

Toy Fair Team

Happy Ballooning!


Sue
www.suebowler.com