Spring Fair 2022 - Check out what we've been up to on the Qualatex Stand! Part 1.

So what is Spring Fair? Probably the best way to describe Spring Fair is that it is a B2B (business to business) trade show for the retail market.This show attracts thousands of customers from around the world looking to buy new and exciting products for their shops, stores and showrooms.

Spring Fair has been an annual event for me for many years. Each year I have had the honour and privilege (and what some might call daunting task) of creating a variety of displays for the Qualatex stand. My remit is to create displays that displays new and existing products in a creative way to promote and inspire customers visiting the stand.

Due to the worldwide pandemic, last year's show was cancelled, as with most events! As you can imagine, myself and the Pioneer Europe Team were extremely happy to be back once again! 

Design by Sue Bowler, CBA

Meet the Pioneer Europe Team and Instructors

Pioneer Europe Team & Instructors

The Window Displays

Designs by Sue Bowler, CBA

This year I was assigned four themes to create designs for, and each theme required two displays. It is the first time that I have made displays for double-decker windows, and so I was a little unsure how it would work. I am happy to report that it was successful!

These are the themes I got to create for:

• Dinosaur
• New Baby
• Adult Milestone Birthday
• Child Birthday

Dinosaur theme

If I am honest, when I was first asked to create a display with the Dino theme, I was a little concerned, as this is not a 'subject' that I usually work with! However, it proved to be one of my favourite window displays ever, and offered me the opportunity to step outside of my usual style! The tree that I made was actually created in inspiration of the extremely talented Alberto Falcone, CBA. Alberto is a true artist and everything that he makes is a work of art! 

Sue Bowler with her Dinosaur window display

Design by Sue Bowler, CBA

The hoop display below had a mobile effect, and gently spun around with slight air movement.

Design by Sue Bowler, CBA

Northstar 46" Stegosaurus
#63854

42" Tyrannosaurus
#88459

The tree was made from aluminium rod and secured to a small weighted base. I used 160Q and 260Q balloons to create the tree, and twisted and twined them together to create this fabulous effect. To ensure that the balloons lasted and looked good for the duration of the show, I treated each balloon with HI-FLOAT. This may sound like a tricky job, but it's actually quite easy when you use the smallest bottle that has the long nozzle that fit perfectly into a 260Q! 

The hoop design was made on PVC electrical conduit that was secured with a push fit connector. Using PVC conduit allowed me to make the hoop the size that I required for the design.

Qualatex Balloon Colours

All the balloons were double-stuffed: this is something that I always do when I create displays for events such as this. This ensures that the balloons last the duration of the event, plus I like to create custom colours to give tonal changes and create new and exciting colours! This colour selection would also be perfect for a Harry Potter themed party.

Qualatex

Mocha Brown

Emerald Green

Spring Green

Sparkling Burgundy

Green

Chrome Gold

Baby Theme

This window gave me the opportunity to display the new Baby Girl Garland and Baby Girl Dark SkinTone balloon. You will see that I have included some of the garland shapes with my design below, if you would like to learn how to do this I have added a link to Cam & Eve's video - Happy Hour with Cam & Eve: Let's play with the NEW Microfoil Garland Balloon.

Design by Sue Bowler, CBA

Design by Sue Bowler, CBA

Design by Sue Bowler, CBA

22" Baby Girl Pink Confetti Dots Bubble
#10035

41" Baby Girl Garland
#17765

38" Baby Girl Dark Skin Tone
#18943

Adult Milestone Display

I love a pink and floral display, so as you can imagine this was a favourite for me. In this display I featured the fabulous new 33" Pink Peony and the 22" Birthday to You Pink Peonies Bubble balloon. I also used one of my favourites, the 18" Birthday Pink & Gold Dots, which is such an elegant balloon. I accented my designs with beautiful silk peonies and greenery. For the smaller window, I created a heart using a heart frame and added balloons in an organic style. The colours that I used are:

Qualatex

Pink

Rose

Wild Berry

Pearl Pink

White

Chrome Gold

Mocha Brown - Inside Rose and Pearl Pink

Design by Sue Bowler, CBA

Design by Sue Bowler, CBA

Design by Sue Bowler, CBA

Design by Sue Bowler, CBA

22" Birthday to you Pink Peonies Bubble
#18649

33" Pink Peony 
#18712

Child Milestone Display

The fourth and final window display was to show the new Birthday Blue Dots (Ages 1-5) and the Birthday Boy Blue Dots balloons. This was such a fun display to make. I created a number 3 frame and made some Monkey Balloon Buddies... all of which would be perfect for a 3 year olds birthday! 

18" Birthday Boy Blue Dots
#18874

18" Age 3 Blue Dots
#23109

Design by Sue Bowler, CBA

Design by Sue Bowler, CBA

The colours that I used in this display are:

Qualatex

Pale Blue

Pearl Light Blue

Robin's Egg Blue

Caribbean Blue

White

Pearl Azure

Chrome Gold

In Part 2, I will show you the "Four Seasons" displays that Alberto Falcone and I made, along with other attractive features from the stand! 

I hope that you enjoyed seeing all these designs, and that it might give you a little inspiration for your own displays and designs! 

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @suebowler

Here are a few Tricks of the Trade as shared by members from the Qualatex Balloon Network Group

I would like to start this post by giving a big 'shout-out' to all our QBN Facebook members! Facebook Groups are an amazing way to bring people together and create a strong community for like-minded people who have the same passion. The great thing about the QBN Group is the way that our members help and support each other, whether it's a design problem or motivational issue, and there are plenty who regularly jump in and freely offer their help!

A few years ago the group collectively created a list of their favourite ballooning tips and personal tricks of the trade. I have selected some of these to share with the Very Best Balloon Blog!

Tricks of the Trade

1. Balloons and Static - friend or foe? 

Static can definitely be a problem when it comes to balloons! I have heard of balloons randomly popping due to high levels of static in a room.

Static does not like moisture or humidity, and therefore water can be used to reduce the amount of static in a room, a humidifier works well, and a fine water mister spray will help when working on site. Dryer sheets can also reduce static on balloons. Some decorators carry Static Guard with them on balloon jobs, as this can eliminate static and help prevent it from building! 

To prevent static on your balloon ribbon, wet your scissors before using them to curl the ribbon. (Dip the tip of your scissors in water).

Static is definitely a friend when making confetti-filled balloons. To make confetti stick to the inside of a balloon you will need to build a little static within the balloon. With air-filled balloons it's easy; simply rub the side of the balloon with your hand, a cloth, or even better, bubble-wrap packaging - this works every time for me! I have also heard that placing balloons inside a plastic bag will help to build the static. When making helium-filled, confetti-filled balloons, you will need to ensure that you add a small amount of air into the balloon, as static cannot build in pure helium! Simply use a hand-pump and add a few pumps of air - not too many as it can make the balloon too heavy and it won't float!

2. When you finish something off with wide ribbon and you use two lengths together, remember to turn one around so they fall nice and do not stick to each other.

3. When the valve of a foil balloon does not easily open, do not damage the valve by sticking in something thick like a straw. Use something thin and flat. You will have the best result with a florist wire folded in two. Hold the valve between two fingers and gently slide in the wire with the folded side. This should go very smoothly without ruining the valve. 

4. In the winter or on cold days, make sure that your latex balloons are not cold (usually indicated if they feel hard to the touch). Warm them up by putting them in a warm place to soften up: a clothes dryer works very well! "I store my balloons in the garage, which gets extremely cold during the winter months. Balloons getting cold is not a problem, nor does it reduce their shelf life. However, before I use them, I throw them into our tumble dryer for around 5-10 mins to soften the latex again."

5. If you want to add a 'raisin' or bead inside a foil or bubble balloon to create a fixing point, do not push the 'raisin' or bead through the balloon's valve. Instead position it at the entrance of the valve and then using a hand pump, gently pump a little air and this will send the 'raisin' or bead inside the foil... without any damage to the valve! You might also consider buying a NikoLoon Tool for working with raisins in every type of balloon - once you get to know it well - it will save you a lot of time fumbling inside a foil for instance. You find it at Nikoloon.com. 

6. Remember not to top-up or refill foils in cold weather. If you fill your foil balloons in a warm room and then transport the balloons to a customer in a cold vehicle, you may be concerned that they have gone down during transportation and be tempted to top them up!   However, when you deliver the balloon, the helium will expand once they are taken into a warm room, and there is a high probability that they will pop!

7. To cut feather boas with less mess, part the feathers where you intend to cut and spray with Aqua Net hair spray, then seal the ends with a dot of hot glue. Another great tip is to use a section of a feather boa in a Deco Bubble for the feather-filled effect instead of filling with individual feathers. The result is the same, but it takes a faction of the time! 

8. Use Clik-Clik magnets in your vehicle to organise your materials such as pre-cut ribbons, or to hang bagged designs to keep them from moving around the van.

9.  "When I go on a job site visit (prior to the event of course), I make certain to take all of my measurements, find out where all of the plugs are, and find the best place to unload and set up.  I also take my Click-Click magnets to see if they will stick to the ceiling. If the ceiling is high, I can have trouble seeing the ring on the magnet and sometimes it takes a while to get the magnet down, so I make sure to tie a long piece of Dacron arch line onto the magnet ring."

10. "If you get a cut in a foil balloon, use the Stretchy Balloon tape to seal it up. This tape is an absolute must for any balloon professional and is available from most balloon wholesalers and suppliers."

"If you are creating a design where you want to stick foil balloons together, you have to try Click- Click's AMAZING Stretchy Balloon Tape! It may appear expensive, but you use only the smallest amount and it's so so strong!"

11. "When I go on a site visit, I bring my cell phone and try to take pics from every angle. Then, when I find that when I need to know a detail I didn't think about, I can refer to my phone (for ex. if they want to change a location of something, or I need to see rigging points, etc.). I also bring a notebook and my laser ruler (one of my favorite toys!). I measure everything with that!"

12. Save your old/broken foils to use later, you can cover your balloon weights with them, and it looks nicer than latex sandbags.

Here are 11 ways to re-use old/broken foil balloons.

•  Re-inflate them.
•  Use as gift-wrapping - Birthday balloons are a clever way to wrap a birthday gift for your loved one!
• Replace tissue paper in gift boxes or bags - similar to gift wrapping, foil balloons make perfect tissue paper for gifts.
• Scrapbooking - A gifted balloon is a wonderful memento of a special occasion like the birth of a baby. What better way to remember that than including pieces of it in a scrapbook?
• Fuse them together - With the use of an iron, you can fuse foil balloons to create a blanket to keep in your car for emergencies or as a festive tablecloth. 
• Use as packing material when mailing boxes — Re-use foil balloons by inflating them and using them to pad shipping boxes instead of using packing peanuts or other wasteful materials.
• Donate them to a local school for art projects - Each year, grade schools around the world create fun craft projects for Earth Day (April 22). What fun they would have coming up with creative uses for colourful foil balloons!
• Make Tinsel - The bright, reflective nature of foil balloons make them perfect for adorning a Christmas tree. Cut a foil balloon in thin strips to create homemade tinsel.
• Turn them into flowers - Cut the balloons into squares and use them to make “tissue paper” flowers for a shiny bouquet memento of the day. 
• Make Pom-Poms - Much like the tissue paper flowers, reuse foil balloons by making pom-poms.
• Use them for rainy day craft ideas with kids - Repurpose foil balloons by using them in place of tissue paper in these fun craft ideas.

13. "When transporting helium-filled balloon arrangements, we use empty paper tubes to wrap the long ribbons around, we then use the Premium Balloon Accessories Clips Weights. We clip them to keep the ribbons short to ensure that they don't tangled up with the other balloons during transport. As we deliver them into the venue, we simply unclip and they are tangle free."

 

Premium Balloon Accessories 16g Clip Weights.
Each weight holds down one Microfoil balloon up to 26".

www.conwinonline.com

14. Conwin grip tabs become amazingly strong when you heat the glue part. I use a hair dryer and then stick them on to the balloon I am working with!

Hopefully you found these tips to be as helpful and genius as I did! If you have any that you would like to add we would love to hear them and I will add them to the QBN Groups list!

If you are a QBN Member or CBA and have not yet requested to join the group, come along and join us today. We truly are a friendly bunch! 

(To qualify as a QBN member you must have completed the QBN Balloon Basics Kit and passed the online test with a score of 80% or higher, you will then be sent your exclusive QBN membership number).

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Qualatex/

If you would like to learn more about how to become a QBN member click HERE

If you have any "Tricks of the Trade" that you would like to share, feel free to email them to me at suebowlercba@gmail.com with a header "Tricks of the Trade" and I will try to use them in a future blog post! 

Happy Ballooning!

Sue

www.suebowler.com

What is Classic Balloon Décor?

When I started my balloon business over 30 years ago it was considered extremely important to learn the skills to create beautiful Classic Balloon Décor. These skills really made your balloon business stand out, and set you apart from your untrained competitors!

Fantastic Circus Clowns Entrance Décor Design by Tope Abulude, CBA

What is Classic Balloon Décor?

When I think of Classic Balloon décor, I think of precision, where every balloon is sized precisely and each balloon looks identical... think of peas in a pod. Classic balloon décor refers to Columns, Garland Arches, and String of Pearl Arches. It is the foundation of balloon decorating, and can often be found at weddings, fairs, dances, grand openings, and almost anywhere balloons are used to enhance the atmosphere of an event. Just take a look at the fabulous Circus Clown entrance decor above, this is 100% Classic Balloon décor! The legs, body, and arms of each balloon uses the classic Garland technique to create these impressive structures! 

To make any style of Classic Balloon décor, you first need to know the basics: duplets and clusters.

Duplet: To make a duplet, inflate and accurately size two latex balloons, and then tie the two balloons closely together, this is known as a duplet. TIP: the tighter a duplet is tied, (leaving no stretch between the two balloons) the better the end result will be when creating clusters.

Photo courtesy of Balloon Market
for full step-by-step instructions click HERE

Clusters: A cluster is when we take two or more duplets and twist them together at the centre to form a cluster. Two duplets twisted together makes a 4-balloon cluster. We can also make 5-balloon and 6-balloons clusters, simply by adding additional duplets or in the case of the 5-balloon cluster, an additional single balloon to two duplets.

Photo courtesy of Balloon Market
for full step-by-step instructions click HERE

Puff Ball or Balloon Topiary: A Puff Ball is made using a total of twelve balloons. This is formed by twisting six duplets together, making sure that each duplet is twisted through the centre core of the ball.

Garlands

Garlands are the building block of Classic Balloon Décor and can be used to create;

• Columns - Columns can be built on a pole and base plate, or can be self-supporting if tethered to a weight and topped with a helium-filled balloon to keep it upright. Columns are great for entrances, corners of a dance floor, or any space that needs a touch of colour.

Balloon Column by Luc Bertrand, CBA of WaW Balloons in Vichte, Belgium

• Swags - this style of décor can be draped from a ceiling or pillars down into a room. Balloon swags give decor a sense of motion and energy.

This amazing décor was designed by Tope Abulude, CBA of Balloon Inspirations Design Studio in Brentwood, England.
The balloon Swags formed the canopy of a Circus Tent.
 The décor was created by a team of balloon professionals at the World Balloon Convention.

• Arches - When built on a frame, a Garland easily becomes a long-lasting focal point for entrances, buffet tables, or photo backdrops. 

Garland Patterns

Garlands are often referred to as Spiral Garlands, however, there are many more patterns that can be created within a Garland to create different effects.

The above Arch pattern displays a 'Fast Spiral' the means
that the spiral repeats quickly. You could use four 
different colours for this spiral pattern

This Arch pattern displays a 'Slow Spiral'
This is when you use two colours sitting side by side so
that the repeat is less frequent.

This Arch pattern is known as the 'Polka Dot'. Using 
a printed balloon as the dot can be very effective.

This Arch is known as the 'Small Flower' pattern.

The number of different patterns that you can create in a Garland is unlimited, you simply need to experiment and play! The easiest way to do this is by using a balloon design tool such as Balloon Pro, which is what I have used to illustrate the Arch design above. This is a fantastic way for you to create design ideas for your customers without having to touch a balloon! https://balloonpro.co

TIPS:

• Experiment with different colour combinations to create different patterns.
• Use all-over printed latex balloons to enhance a theme or to make a bold statement.
• Top columns with giant 3' latex balloons or 36" Microfoil® balloons.
• Add curly 260Q latex balloons to add visual interest and movement within a design.
• Use 5-balloon and 6-balloon clusters to create rounder structures.
• Use the Garland technique to create many different styles of Garland Sculptures, like the Clown Arches shown above or the 'Tropical Cocktail' below! The only limitations is your creativity! 

Fancy Cocktail Glass
Double stuff latex colours into Diamond Clear latex to create a frosted glass effect!
Designer name: Federico Onida, CBA, Balloon Express Shop - Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy

Tools of the Trade: The AeröPole System® was designed to help decorators easily create different styles of air-filled balloon Arches. To find out more visit www.areopolesystem.com

Here are a few more examples of designs created using Classic décor.

Christmas Tree by Cam Woody, CBA

The backdrop balloon wall was create using the Duplet Square Pack 
Technique.
Design by Sue Bowler, CBA

This Circus Ring Sculpture was mainly created using Classic Balloon Décor techniques.
Sculpture by Sue Bowler, CBA

Balloon Wall created using Alternative Size Balloon Technique
Design by Sue Bowler

So many balloon companies seem to focus solely on organic balloon décor today, but for me personally, I love knowing how to create both, and being able to apply the most appropriate technique to the style of décor or event that I am decorating. 

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @suebowler

Different Ways that Balloons Contribute to Society

As balloon professionals, we are all pretty obviously passionate about balloons. We love the way they can completely transform a room or venue, and how they can instantly bring a smile and joy to those who receive them! But, there are more uses of the humble balloon that we may not have considered. 

Balloons and Education 

Schools often use balloons to demonstrate scientific experiments, or as part of interactive craft projects!

As we know, balloons are associated with all things fun, which is why children really enjoy balloon experiments, whether they are building a balloon-powered boat or powering a light bulb with static electricity. Did you ever do the experiment where you push a needle through a balloon without popping it or use a balloon to make the body of a piggy bank in a craft class?

Balloons Offer Compassion

Some situations in life can render words inadequate or uncomfortable. At such times, balloons serve as tangible expressions of encouragement. Even in our absence, they offer enduring cheer, comfort, and companionship to those we love.

#adoptagrandparent - Send a Smile!

Balloons really can be very uplifting and bring smiles to so many! During the restrictions of the COVID pandemic, many balloon artists signed up to be part of a national movement known as Adopt-A-Grandparent. This campaign was intended to bring smiles to residents of care homes that had not had visitors for many months. This project was funded through sponsorship, and it proved to be very successful! 

Photograph credit: Karen Ford, CBA of BalloonWorks
in Pennsylvania, US. 

 

Balloons Delight All Ages

From newborn babies to someone celebrating their 100th birthday, balloons definitely delight all ages! 

We often think that balloons are just for children. However, people both young and old naturally find them appealing. We never outgrow the pure innocence and unfettered joy we feel with balloons.

Consumer fact - Balloons are for the young & old! Consumers consider balloons indispensable, with 91% of over 7,000 surveyed consumers indicating that they enjoy playing with balloons & nearly 80% agreeing that balloons bring pleasure to people of all ages.

Balloons Deliver Joy

Balloons have the extraordinary power to bring joy and enchantment anytime and anywhere. Because of this, you can count on them to make people laugh and smile. In the famous words of Winnie the Pooh, “Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon.”

Balloons Create Jobs and Careers

Though many consider balloons to be a niche industry, the balloon industry actually employs tens of thousands of people in the USA and around the world.

The balloon industry actually consists of many individual industries, starting with the rubber tree farmers who grow, manage and tap the latex from the rubber trees. Most of these trees are grown on plantations owned by small-scale farmers. These plantations are a definite benefit to our ecosystem; it is estimated that over 16 million trees that feed the global balloon industry sequester over 363 kilograms of carbon from the atmosphere each year.

Balloons are manufactured around the world: Qualatex itself has plants in Mexico, Canada, and the US.

Balloons are sold through many different outlets, most of which are small and medium size enterprises:

• Entertainers, magicians and clowns
• Balloon artists
• Party shops
• Card shops
• Florists
• Wedding & events planners
• Small family businesses
• Cafes & restaurants

A huge thank you to the European Balloon & Party Council (EBPC), Party Safe, and Balloon Facts for their help with resource information and facts. This post is based on an original post from Balloon Facts with some updates and additions.

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @suebowler