If you have never tried it, let me show you how!
Halloween Bat Column by Sue Bowler, CBA. |
If you have never tried it, let me show you how!
Halloween Bat Column by Sue Bowler, CBA. |
If I had to name one latex balloon that exudes the 'WOW' factor every time, it would definitely be Qualatex SuperAgate balloons! These triple dipped balloons are available in both 11" and 3' sizes and are the perfect accent balloon for all different themes and occasions.
I love working with these incredibly trendy balloons! Each balloon has its own unique pattern from the dipping process, creating wonderful rippling swirls that delivers a high value and eye catching design!
Pink Violet Rainbow Super Agate 11" 91543 3' 63758 |
SuperAgates also look fabulous when used inside double-stuffed balloons. Check out this beautiful Autumn inspired decor using Sparkling Burgundy with Black & White SuperAgate inside and Chrome Rose Gold by Cam Woody, CBA of Pioneer Balloon Co.
The Fashion SuperAgates compliment the Unicorn and Butterfly themes perfect, with swirls of pink, lilac and light blue on a white based balloon. You only need a few SuperAgate balloons to enhance a design, making it more cost effective when using this type of balloon.
Fashion SuperAgate 11" 39923 3' 55378 |
Green Rainbow SuperAgate #91539 #63757 |
The SuperAgate balloon is definitely not the cheapest balloon on the market, due to the long dipping process that each balloon has to go through to create these uniquely stylish balloons! My advice is to use them sparingly to increase their impact without adding too much extra cost to the design!
HAPPY BALLOONING!
Sue
Follow me @suebowler
Running a balloon company or being a balloon artist may not seem risky at first. However, in case things don't go as planned, remember that it's your livelihood or business that will be affected. Rest assured, much of it boils down to common sense. Taking care of health and safety is just one aspect of effectively managing a business.
In the UK, the law applies to all businesses, large or small. If you’re self-employed or an employer then you are responsible for the health and safety of your business. The law is in place to make sure you have a safe working environment and cut down the risk of you, your staff (if you have any) or your customers getting ill or injured.
You must consider and manage any risks both where you work or that may come in connection with what you do.
This is a straightforward process known as ‘risk assessment.' It involves thinking about what you do in your business that could harm people – you, your staff (if you have them) or your customers – and what you’re going to do to try to prevent it from happening.
Let's look at a few examples of potential hazards in the work place or when working onsite;
How do you relay important and relevant information to your customers?
Care Cards & Balloon Care Guide
Giving your customers information on preventative and risk reduction measures, along with how to care for their balloons can truly help, especially if something goes wrong!
I often see posts on Facebook where someone asks for advice on how to deal with a customer who has complained about a bad balloon experience. These situations can often be avoided if we the clients are supplied with a "Care Card" or a "Balloon Fact Sheet" at the time of purchase or when we are installing balloons for a client.
There are many things that we can include on our "Care Cards" or a "Enjoy your Balloons" fact sheet. I would recommend that you choose those that are most relevant to the types of balloons, and or decor that you are supplying.
Here are some more great tips that you can share with your customers and on your website.
1. Balloons and Temperature: Don't leave balloons in a hot car - helium expands in the heat and this could cause your balloons to pop! We recommend that you use air conditioning in your vehicle when transporting balloons on a hot day. If balloons get rained on and start to droop, don't worry – they'll float again when dry. When helium-filled balloons are taken into the cold, they will temporarily deflate and will re-inflate again when warm.
2. RISK Balloons - Child and Pet Precautions: Balloons are not a toy. Uninflated or burst balloons can present a choking hazard and should never be left with children under the age of eight without supervision. Store balloons away from pets to ensure that they cannot get themselves tangled with balloon ribbons or accidentally ingest popped balloons or their decorative contents such as confetti, feathers, or other materials. If a balloon pops, clear away any broken balloons and decorative contents (if applicable) immediately.
3. Balloons and the Environment: At the end of a balloon's life, cut the end of the balloon with scissors to remove any air or balloon gas, then dispose of it in the bin. NEVER release balloons into the environment. ALL released balloons become litter. They can get caught up in trees or power lines. Remember - Don't Let Go, & Pin It and Bin It 😊
4. RISK Balloons and Allergies: Most balloons are made of natural rubber latex and may cause allergies. Please look out for symptoms in case of allergies and seek immediate help.
5. RISK Inhalation of helium: Inhaling helium can be dangerous and it is not recommended. It can deprive your body of oxygen and can result in a fatality.
6. Balloons and Ceilings: Lights, paint textures, irregular surfaces and even static can all pop balloons. If you are planning on placing your balloons on a ceiling, ensure that you test it first.
7. Latex balloons and Oxidization: Clear balloons become cloudy quickly when exposed to heat and sunshine. Coloured balloons will take on a velvety, matte appearance.
8. Balloons can Pop: While we use the highest quality balloons and take every precaution necessary with your balloons to ensure they last through your event, once the balloons leave our door or we have left the venue, they are out of our control.
You can certainly go into more detail if you plan to publish this information on your website. You could cover more information regarding balloons, different weather conditions, the environment and how to dispose of balloon weights - especially if they are filled with water or sand!
It is becoming standard practice for a venue to ask event vendors to provide risk assessments along with proof of their business liability insurance prior to working in a venue. Without either of these they will not permit you to work.
Writing a risk assessment involves identifying potential hazards, what the risk is and measures that you take to prevent or reduce any potential risk.
Here is an example of a simple Risk Assessment Chart with an example.
This is a Risk Matrix which gives you a guide to RISK Values.
To learn how to write a risk assessment check out my post Risk Assessments & Method Statements - https://theverybestballoonblog.blogspot.com/search?q=risk+assessment
It is very important that we don't bury our heads in the sand when it comes to potential risks and that we learn to manage and control those risks in a professional manner. Many balloon businesses also offer prop hire and accessories that bring their own risks! It is essential that a balloon business carries a comprehensive Public Liability insurance and if a company employs staff they are required to carry Employee Liability insurance too! In the UK, I recommend www.BAPIAonline.com, who are an Independent Trade Organisation for the Balloon & Party industry!
Happy Ballooning!
Sue
Follow me @suebowler
Halloween is one of the most exciting and fun days of the year filled with sensational costumes, candy & sweets, decorations, parties and trick-or-treating! It is also one of the biggest sales events for the balloon and party industry.
When it comes to planning your seasonal campaigns, early preparation and good marketing is definitely the key to success!
Eat, drink, and be SCARY! Happy Halloween, friends! Capture and styling: @frostedfujicakes Photo Credit: @Northstarballoons The decor and designs that we make do not need to be scary, or in the traditional colour scheme of orange and black! Here are a few fun ideas below! |
Photo Credit: Northstar Balloons |
Halloween, but make it cute! That’s exactly what @yuri_munoz_cba did with this boo-tiful decor. |
Pastel colours may seem as though they are rarely used in Halloween, but they give a cheerful tone that will jazz up your Halloween decorations and parties. Use bright and maybe even unexpected colours such as pink, green, red, blue or any colour to give a pastel accent to make your party decorations more festive, fun and stylish.
Check out these great decoration and party ideas that you could use to compliment your decor in a window display. How cool are these painted pumpkins and delicious looking cookies?
Photo Credit: Housetodecor.com |
Photo Credit: Housetodecor.com |
Halloween Glam Bats & Ghosts
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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 |
Qualatex® Bubble Balloons are a balloon made from stretchable plastic, making it unusual and eye-catching. Unlike a Microfoil® balloon, it is inflated until all the creases at the seams disappear, giving it the look of a beach ball, and making it attractive from every angle.
This stunning Bubble Balloon design was created by Zoe Adam-Jones, CBA of Jaz Trading, Gold Coast, Australia. To make this design Zoe has use the beautiful 24" Wedding Floral Deco Bubble #18628 |
Bright Smile Face Stand-Up This Bubble Balloon stand-up is sturdy design perfect for delivery or cash-and-carry. |
24" "Baby Blue Bear" U.S. Patent No. 6,758,715 |
11" Agate inside Bubble Balloon |
260Q and 7" Chrome Balloons inside a Bubble Balloon that has been personalised. |
Gold Glitter Flakes inside a Bubble Balloon |
As we are all likely aware, helium prices are rising and availability is becoming more limited. This means it is time to start thinking about creating more air-filled designs and decor! That does not mean that we should not be using helium, but if you are, you should think of different ways to keep your helium costs down!
Let's start with keeping helium costs down. There is a great post by Balloon Biz Academy, written by Sonia Payne where she gives 10 Great Cost Busting Tips for Helium use in your Business
Here are a few reasons why you might suggest a balloon wall to a client:
- Corporate logo
- Themed background
- Themed entrance
- Photo or stage back-drop
- To enhance a trade show or exhibition stand
Balloon Wall and Decor by Zoe Adam-Jones, CBA of Jazz Trading, Queensland, Australia. This wall was used as the stage back-drop at the Qualatex Event in Brazil, 2019. |
This Balloon Wall welcomed guests into the Moscow Balloon Festival in 2019 Designed and made by Olga Baranova, CBA and Olga Samoilova, CBA. |
To learn how to make this complete design visit - even the 3' balloon is air-filled! https://vimeo.com/ondemand/bspsettingthescene1and2 |
Jungle Theme Arch by M & M Balloon Co. in Seattle, USA |
This Football or Soccer theme arch was designed by Cam Woody of Pioneer Balloon Company. |
This Disney Theme Arch was designed and created by Keith Stirman and Dominic Cassidy of All Things Fun in Durham, UK. |
This fun Jungle theme arch design was the work of Keith Stirman and Dominic Cassidy of All Things Fun in Durham, UK. |