Sell a Smile

We all know that trends are always changing and transforming. However, there is one icon that will never go out of fashion - the Smile Face! No matter what the age or the occasion, these balloons have "smile appeal"! 

So why do we all love a smiley face? I am not sure about you, but I love to use a 'smiley face' emoji 🙂 in my text and posts to convey a happy and positive thought. Much can be said about using Smiley Face balloons to create fun and unique designs, like the ones featured below.

These Happy Numbers are an inspired creation by Luc Bertrand, CBA, of WaW Balloons, in Vichte Belgium. Luc first created these for a New Year's window display in 2012, however, they are also perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special milestone occasions. 

Start with weighted 4-balloon clusters, and then tie in the Microfoil® Number Shape for the 'body' and top with an 18" "Smile Face" Microfoil. Then make simple "arms' and "hands" with 260Q and 5" balloons. To create an attachment points, use Stretchy Balloon Tape and a small piece of 260Q.

Gentleman with Flower 

If you would like to learn how to make this "Gentleman with Flower" design by Vadim Shushkanov, CBA, in Moscow, Russia, check out the video below. There are four designs within this 5" Smile Faces Assortment.

Smiley Faces Assortment
5" Yellow #57961

Bright Smile Face Stand-Up

This Bubble Balloon stand-up is sturdy design perfect for delivery or cash-and-carry.

With "Movember" starting in the next few days, we can support this great cause by creating a whole bunch of Smile Face Mustache Men and help to raise funds and awareness for Men's Health issues. To find out more click HERE  or go to https://uk.movember.com/?home

A few years ago a had great fun creating these characters and gave each one a name!

 Big Tom - the Vegetable Farmer (centre)

Harry Moustache - Harry works in the city and is a 'dapper Chappy'! (left)

Monty Moustache - Monty is a flamboyant character, his favourite colour is Wild Berry!

• Remember, you can easily market smile face balloons all year round. They are available in latex, Microfoil and Bubble balloons. 
• Select a specific smile face delivery as the "Smiley Special of the Month" and promote this special through your website, on your social media page, and in your store window.
• Display a variety of inflated smile face creations for impulse purchases. They make great last-minute gifts for a variety of everyday occasions.

Never underestimate the power of a smile or a Smiley Face balloon! 

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @suebowler

Fun, Quick, and Highly Sellable Air-Filled Balloon Characters - Step by Step Video

Today, I want to share with you two, fun, quick, and highly sellable air-filled balloon characters. The great thing about both of these designs is that they can be easily adapted for any occasion. These designs are ideally suited for those who are just starting out and learning new and exciting techniques.

Design 1 - "Funsational Birthday Smiles"

Design 2 - "Mini Smile Face Party Guy"

Just click on the video below to see step-by-step how these fabulous designs are made. 

I hope that you enjoyed learning how to create these adorable, sellable balloon characters! Once you learn the simple steps to making designs like these, you can easily adapt your skills to make many other versions.

Like this awesome "Stache-tastic Father's Day" character! 

Or this adorable "Big Graduation Thumbs Up" by Cam Woody, CBA, Pioneer® Balloon Company. It's so easy to add value to a bouquet of balloons by simply adding a little character to the base.

Finding inspiration is easy with Qualatex^®. Simply visit www.Qualatex.com and head to the Inspiration Page; it's packed with so many wonderful designs, and many of these have downloadable recipes if you are a QBN member.

A huge thank you to Rob, Greg, and Balloon Market TV who very generously sponsored the filming and editing of this video. 

Happy Ballooning!

Sue

www.suebowler.com

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A Smile is Worth a Thousand Words!

Smile Face

A smile may be worth a thousand words, but sometimes, it seems as though its value is so much more. A simple smile creates its own message without words. In many cases, the smile takes on a specific meaning because of the surroundings or situation in which it occurs. A quote from My Well-Being Presented by Humana 









Smile Face is probably one of the happiest and most versatile balloons that were ever made. It's certainly one of my favourites. I have been using it and its variations in my designs for many years!

There are many occasions that it could be used for;

• Feel Better soon 

• Thinking of You

• Let's Celebrate

• Happy Birthday

• To Cheer You

• New Baby

• Christening or Communion 

And I am sure that there are more occasions that you can think of too!

At Qualatex®, we have such a fabulous range of Smile Face balloons to choose from, making it so easy for us to create fun, unique, exciting and of course sellable designs!

A few of the wonderful Smile Face balloons in the Qualatex range!

Here are a few of my 'Smile Face' creations, that can be adapted to suit so many different occasions!

Smile Face for Birthdays!

40 Brilliant Star #24170
U.S. Patent No. 6,782,675

This is such a great design. We have so many great Qualatex Bubble Balloons that we can work with to create the body and the message for our design, including these fantastic Milestone/Age balloons. 

I made a similar design for Valentine's Day using a Qualatex Deco Bubble for the body. Here is an easy to follow video clip that will show you how to use either a Deco Bubble or Bubble balloon to make these truly cute 'Bubble Guys'. Simply coordinate the balloons to suit the occasion that you are making the design for.

Funny Face Flower

Design created by Sue Bowler CBA
Funny Face Flower #18052/ #15384
U.S Patent No. 6,782,675

This design is made in a very similar way to the 'Bubble Guy'. By using bigger clusters at the base and two Deco Bubbles rather than one for the body, we can create a design that has greater impact and is perfect for room decor. 

Smiley Flower!

Design created by Sue Bowler CBA

I love this design! It's simple but so effective! The flower is made from helium filled 16" Smile Face latex balloons, remember to use Hi-Float to extend the floating time! The clusters in the centre (on both sides), are 5" latex balloons sized to 4.5" and 3". The flower is secured to a weighted base using a nylon monofilament line (which you cannot see). I then added 350Q for the stems from the base to the flower, securing the stem to the monofilament line at the midway point. I then added a few 160Q Green and Lime Green balloons to create leaves. This design can be recommended for a high impact delivery or for decor.

Smile Face Arch!

Smile Face Arch Designed by Sue Bowler CBA

What better way to make everyone feel happy and welcome when they arrive at the party! This Smile Face arch is fun, vibrant and extremely welcoming!

For this arch I have used a combination of 16" and 3' Smile Face latex balloons. The 3' balloon in the centre creates the perfect focal point. I added a hat and nose to this balloon for extra detail.

Naughty Smile & A Kiss Guy
Design by Sue Bowler CBA

Who can resist a 'Naughty Smile & A Kiss'? A super design for Valentine's Day! Ready for collection or delivery, this design takes less than 10 minutes to make!

Once again you can easy convert this design to suit any occasion. 

I have included the recipe below along with a job cost form so that you can work out how much you should be selling a design like this for.

If you are unsure how to job cost your work check out my blog - How much should I charge for that... how to price your work!

To Download this instruction sheet visit Sue's Recipes

Design ideas for working with these fabulous balloons are endless. I found this great design by Luc Bertrand CBA. Luc has created a wonderful little character design using Qualatex Taper balloons for the main body and arms.

To download Luc's recipe click here

I love this 'Bouncing Buddy'! This would make a great delivery design and bring a big smile to its recipient!

To download instructions for this great design
click HERE

If you are ever looking for inspiration for your shop window then why not fill it with 'SMILES'! Using Latex, Microfoil® and Bubble Balloons®, you could display a range of different 'Smile Face' characters and wait and see the reaction that you get from your customers. I am sure that you will bring a little extra happiness to their day!

Happy Ballooning!

Sue
www.suebowler.com