💀👻🎃 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝓸𝓻 𝓣𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓽... 𝓗𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓸𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝓲𝓼 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓰! 🎃👻💀

You might think that I am a little early with the Halloween vibes, but being prepared for the next big occasion or holiday is paramount to a business's success!

Many of the usual traditions of Halloween were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic! With restrictions being lifted in many countries, for some of us, it will be business as usual for lots of us. There is no better time to start marketing than now!

The one thing that we can all do, with or without restrictions is to promote different options for customers wishing to decorate their homes. 

Balloon Wreaths - great for both indoor and outdoor decor

A wreath always says "WELCOME" no matter the occasion. In modern times, Christmas and holiday wreaths represent the festivity of the holidays; a welcoming sign to adorn a doorway in the spirit of the season.

Here are a few examples of creative balloon wreaths.

Just Hangin' With the Gang!

A design that’s both cute and creepy!

Designer name: Eve Antonello, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA

Boo-Y!

This Halloween wreath is versatile and adorable!

Designer name: Cam Woody, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA

Baubles, Balloons and Spiders
Designer name: Sue Bowler, CBA, Balloon Art by Sue Bowler, 
Henley On Thames, Oxon, England

Fabulous Halloween Door Decor that are not wreaths

Of course, there are many other creative alternatives to decorating a door other than wreaths. These door sign displays are a spook-tacular spectacle!

A Little Bit of "Boo!"

Welcome your guests with this charmingly spooky door display.

Designer name: Cam Woody, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA

Happy Halloweenie!

"Who let the dogs out?!"

Designer name: Eve Antonello, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA

Go Big or Gourd Home

Smiling Jacks welcome your Halloween guests with this door display.

Let's Get noticed!

Here are some fun Halloween marketing ideas.

• Dress up your store. You don't have to sell costumes to deck out your store for Halloween. If you don't have a shop or store, your website and social media pages are your 'store window'
• Update your website to get in the spirit. Don't forget to "dress up" your social media presence, too!
• Halloween-ize your products and the text in your posts!
• Offer specials or deals - try offering early bird deals!

How about changing your Facebook banner? Changing your banner to reflect the next season or holiday is a great way to get noticed! Qualatex has some really fun banners, some like this one are animated, great for catching attention! Here is a direct link to the banners - https://pioneerballooncompany.widencollective.com/c/b6ulvwws

Social Media Ready-Prepared Posts! 

Finding inspiration to create fun and effective social media posts is sometimes challenging! If you are in need of a kick-start, Qualatex has some excellent pre-prepared posts that are ready to go, or you can edit them to add in your own message and company details. I recommend using CANVA to create your own edits; it's free and super easy to use! Click HERE to see all the available posts - free to use, just simply download!

As we know, all social media posts require a good hashtag or two to make them even more effective! 

TOP 10 HALLOWEEN HASHTAGS

Best halloween hashtags popular on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr:

#halloween - 63%

#spooky - 5%

#horror - 5%

#october - 4%

#art - 3%

#halloweencostume - 3%

#halloweenmakeup - 3%

#pumpkin - 3%

#spookyseason - 3%

#happyhalloween - 3%

So, this is just the start of the Halloween season, so we have weeks to prepare ourselves and make it our best Halloween yet! 

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @suebowler

Welcome Back to School! Fabulous Balloon Design Ideas by Keren Fridman, CBA of Balloons, Israel.

Whether they are just starting out or making a returning to nursery, school or college can be exciting for many children but it can equally be a little daunting for others. Welcoming children on the first day of school with bright and fun balloon decor can really help to reduce any apprehension or anxiety!

As we all know, 'Back to School' campaigns are huge for many retailers, where students and parents purchase school supplies and apparel for the upcoming school year.

As balloon professionals, we too 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!

'Colouring Pencils' Balloon Arch by Keren Fridman.

Keren Fridman of Balloons in Haifa, Israel, certainly has an eye for creating spectacularly colourful school themed decor, and she is thankfully happy to share her ideas to inspire others!

Keren Fridman

 

Decorative Balloon Arch by Keren Fridman of Balloons.

Rainbow Arch by Keren Fridman

How cool are these 350Q balloon pencils! 

Organic Rainbow Balloon Arch with 'Coloured Pencils'

Organic Balloon Arch with 'Books and Coloured Pencil' accent details! 

These 'Coloured Pencils' are simply fabulous - simple but so effective! 

Last year I wrote a post entitled Welcome Back to School - Balloon Decòr to Bring Smiles to those Returning to School. Feel free to peruse this post once more, which is also packed with fabulous ideas and decor that's perfect for your back to school campaigns! Check it out for more inspiration! 

A huge thank you to Keren for sharing her beautiful designs! 

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @suebowler

Helium (Balloon Gas) and Helium Safety.

Balloon Gas

We often talk about using helium to inflate balloons that we want to float. However, in the UK. (I am unsure about other countries) we mostly use a product known as Balloon Gas. Balloon Gas is a re-cycled product that derives from helium that has been re-captured after being used for other purposes and is no longer suitable to be used in medical or science applications. This re-cycled helium would be wasted if not re-used in balloons.

It is often speculated that helium is wasted when used for balloons.

​The simple answer is no – it is not a waste. As cylinders of pure helium are filled, the escaped gas mixes with air and is captured and compressed into cylinders as balloon gas. Some manufacturers capture this helium when filling MRI scanners.

​Manufacturers have stated that this wasted helium is considered a ‘recycled product’ as it would have been lost to the environment had it not been captured and re-purposed. If the balloon market demand declined, manufacturers would have to re-evaluate other markets and consider the possibilities of re-liquefying it. Re-liquefying is currently considered uneconomical from the locations of where the filling application take place.

Let’s not forget that the balloon market is only one application and makes up less than 10% of the worldwide helium market, there are several other applications that also use helium.

Helium Facts

Helium is an inert gas, and is the second lightest element next to hydrogen. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless. INERT means it will not react to any other elements, therefore it is impossible to cause a fire or to burn. However, it is very important to know that helium is an asphyxiant, and therefore inhaling helium can cause serious harm that could result in fatality, so it is definitely not safe to inhale helium!

Is there a safer alternative to helium? This is a definite no! 

Helium Safety Tips

• To avoid muscle strain and injury, use correct lifting techniques. Larger cylinders should not be lifted manually due to their weight. Cylinder trolleys should always be used.
• NEVER drag a cylinder along the ground. 
• When transporting a cylinder by car or van, make sure that the vehicle is well ventilated and that the cylinder is very well secured.
• Ensure that cylinders are stored in well-ventilated areas, away from direct heat.
• When inflating a balloon, always point the balloon and inflator away from you, and close the cylinder valve after use. Some professional balloon artists will wear protective eyewear when inflating balloons. Always offer staff protective eyewear when inflating balloons.
• Always secure a cylinder to a secure support in an upright position when in use, as cylinders can cause serious injury if they fall over or roll on to you.
• Do not attempt to catch a falling cylinder; move out of the way.
• Keep cylinders away from children at all times.
• The valve on high-pressure balloon gas cylinders should never be opened unless the appropriate filling kit is attached.
• Always use the correct inflation equipment designed especially for inflating balloon and the cylinder type that you are working with and NEVER repair, alter or change equipment as this can result in serious accidents, remember you are working with gas under very high pressure.
• Slowly open the cylinder valve by turning it in an anti-clockwise direction.  Listen for any obvious leaks. If there is a leak, turn off the valve, release any excess gas in the filling kit and check you have fitted the filling kit correctly.
• Remove the filling kit if moving the cylinder any distance or ceasing use.  Before removing the filling kit, turn off the cylinder valve and release the pressure in the kit.

How long does helium last inside a latex balloon?

Balloons look fantastic when they are filled with helium, majestically floating in the air,  but it does require some thought when using them for events. Since latex is porous, helium begins to seep out from the surface of the balloon the moment the balloon is filled. How long the helium lasts inside the balloon depends on the size of the balloon. An 11" latex balloon will typically float for up to 18 hours, but will only look good for around 12 hours. It is recommended to inflate latex balloons with helium as close to the time of the event as possible to ensure that they look their best throughout the event.

To make latex balloons float for longer they can be treated with HI-FLOAT. ULTRA HI-FLOAT is a patented liquid solution that dries inside latex helium-filled balloons to form a coating that helps hold in the helium. A single squirt inside the balloon keeps it floating longer – up to 25 times longer! The chart below will give you the average floating time for different size latex balloons. Please be aware that not all latex balloons are of the same quality, and therefore I always recommend that you use Qualatex balloons.

Will latex balloons still float if you mix helium and air together?

Yes! It is possible to mix air with helium to save on your helium costs. However, you need to be aware that adding air into the helium will make the balloons heavier and reduce the floating time and liftability of the balloons (this means that a balloon cannot lift the same weight as a balloon that is filled with helium only.) Personally, I would only recommend using this technique if you are working with balloons 16" and larger, and also if you only require them for a shorter length of time. You cannot use a 60/40 mix of helium and air with foil balloons.

Conwin makes a range of 60/40 inflators. For more information visit https://www.conwinonline.com/shop/60-40-helium-air-inflator/

I hope that this information has helped you. It is always good to know a little bit more so that you are always informed and have responses available to give to customers who may have their concerns regarding the use of helium in balloons.

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @Suebowler

🎀 𝐵𝒶𝓁𝓁💍❁𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒲𝑒𝒹𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈 🎀

After a year of postponed and downsized weddings, the wedding industry is seeing a surge of couples looking to plan 2021, 2022, and 2023 weddings. As a result, experts say the demand for venues, vendors, and goods such as flowers and attire has never been higher.

My newly married daughter - Holly and her husband Andy

 Photo credit: Eve Dunlop 

For some countries, the wedding season is well and truly underway! The UK wedding market is gradually adjusting to the new normal. COVID safety is now a guidance rather than a law. Dancing is finally acceptable, and there is currently no limit to the number of guests that are allowed to attend.

Pre-COVID, weddings would typically take place over the weekend, however, with a greater demand on vendors and venues, weekday weddings are becoming more popular. This change allows couples to still have their dream weddings without having to schedule as far out. This is also a huge benefit to the wedding professionals who been negatively affected by the pandemic.

2021 Wedding Trends

THE DECOR

One of the clear wedding trends for 2021 is the inclusion of luscious greenery. Tables dressed with cascades of foliage or ceremony arches displaying masses of leaves and greenery are the go to for sophisticated wedding adornment.

Balloon Decor by Shannon Kilford, Born to Party, Sydney, Australia

Balloon Decor by Shannon Kilford, Born to Party, Sydney, Australia

Balloon Decor by Shannon Kilford, Born to Party, Sydney, Australia

Topiary Column Design by Sue Bowler, CBA 

More Outdoor Weddings

Stylists and wedding planners are also reporting an uptick in bookings for outdoor weddings. This has probably occurred as a consequence of the strict event guidelines and social distancing requirements for indoor spaces. With tents and marquees,  home-based garden weddings are a favourite for a romantic, airy ambience without the headache of adhering to indoor guidelines.

Say Goodbye to Some Traditions

Couples are choosing to opt-out of many classic wedding traditions, including speeches-giving, cake cutting (or even having a wedding cake), wedding parties, and even formally structured ceremonies. The cutting of these traditions started out of necessity because of the limitations due to COVID, but it is predicted that some couples will shed the pressure of these demands altogether, focusing instead on crafting an experience that is truly a reflection of who they are.

From everything that I have read on post-pandemic weddings, it would appear that there has been some significant changes from the traditional style wedding, although I am sure that some couples will still favour this style. I suppose what this would imply would be to expect the unexpected and be prepared to react to the new requests and demands that brides make.

Wedding Business Boosters

For more great information, Qualatex has a series of Wedding Business Boosters that cover a variety of different wedding based topics. Click on the images below for a direct link to each of the posts.

And finally, Qualatex has prepared a fabulous wedding flyer that you can use as a style guide for prospective brides. This is available to download HERE - or visit https://us.qualatex.com/en-us/news/?tag=1

I hope that you have found this post to be helpful and informative! 

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @suebowler

Exploring Organic Balloon Décor Styles

Organic Balloon Craze: Not Just a Passing Trend

Some thought that the organic balloon craze was just a fad, destined to fade away. However, the trend has remained strong since its emergence around 2015. It's difficult to say who started it, as rumors circulate that it was someone outside of the balloon industry. For veteran balloon professionals, it was a hot topic, with some doubting the appeal and longevity of the style. After years of creating precise designs, the organic balloon trend challenged the status quo.

Mastering the "Organic Style" in Design

It can be difficult to fully understand the "organic style" in design, and if I'm being honest, there are some organic decor designs that I love and others that I don't care for at all. Would I consider myself an expert in organic design? Definitely not. However, I do enjoy the process of creating an organic design and find it to be a rewarding experience.

Decor by Zoe Adam-Jones, CBA of Jaz Trading, in Queensland, Australia.

I believe that many balloon artist learn to develop their own organic style, as there is no exact method. They have a formula that they like to work with to ensure they get the desired look time and time again. And for those without a formula, many struggle to get a good result, as creating good organic decor is not as simple as it seems! 

So what is Organic Décor?

Organic decor It is best described as balloons that are styled to attempt to mimic the beauty in nature. when a piece has organically or randomly sized balloons placed throughout, it adds an elegance within the design that comes together and helps set the mood of an event space.

However, organic décor is not achieved by simply using a range of different sizes of balloons. It is a combination of intentionally sized sized balloons that have been arranged to create a natural flow whilst also ensuring that the principles and elements of design have been applied to ensure that the design maintains rhythm, balance and harmony.

Why is Organic Decor so popular?

It’s very much like fashion, and it remains a top trend.

It has been popularised by social media, and you see many celebrities and influencers with organic decor on their Instagram accounts.

Structured Organic Decor

For those who are new to the world of organic décor, structured organics can be a good first step. It can also be a great starting point when making structures for organic balloon walls, ceiling clouds, topiary, puffed hearts and other designs.

Structured organics is when we use a classic décor style structure and add more balloons to the design to create an organic look to it. 

Organic Topiary Centrepiece 
by Tina Giunta, CBA of Shivoo Balloons, Melbourne, Australia

If you would like to learn how to create a Balloon Cloud using a structured base, check out this great video tutorial by Chris Adamo, CBA of Balloons Online, The Balloon Crew & Balloonpro.co in Sydney, Australia.

Organic Freestyle Decor

If you take a look on Pinterest or Instagram, you will see many different styles when it comes to organic decor. Organic décor, can be either straightforward, using limited variations of balloons and balloon sizes, or much more complicated with elaborate styled frames and many balloons inflated to varying sizes!

Here is a selection of organic balloon décor design by Chris Adamo. Chris in my opinion is one of the best freestyle organic balloon artists! He makes organic decor look effortless, and he always seems to get the natural flow of the balloons correct... with no awkwardly placed, over-inflated 3' balloons! 

If like me, you struggle to create organic style decor, I recommend that you watch Chris Adamo's "Organic Essentials for Today" video, available to purchase from Qualatex Online Training on Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/qualatex. 

Don't forget, Qualatex has some helpful social media resources, some of which display organic designs! These are free to download and use for your marketing. Visit www.Qualatex.com, go to INSPIRATION and then click on Marketing Materials.

And finally! There is a great article about the Organic Décor trend in the TRENDS section on the Qualatex website! Just click HERE for a direct link or visit https://us.qualatex.com/en-us/inspiration/trends-themes/organic-balloon-decor/

Happy (Organic) Ballooning! 

Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @suebowler