Balloon Twister

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. I would say the best advice would be to look at pictures of the balloonists work and see if that is what you would be looking for at your special event. Look at the creativity and skill level they have mastered.
I've seen balloonists make what I call Charnobled jungle creatures, which I describe as a quick and easy rendition to a balloon animal. Some people don't mind those creations, but I prefer to wow my audience with something a little more detailed.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. What makes me stand out from others???? Well, first of all I'm such a kid at heart I'm able to relate to the kids and keep them entertained with jokes and balloon twisting. I get the kids to get involved in helping make their balloon creation. I belive that gives them a feeling of pride, just knowing that they helped. I'm also able to handle multiple children at one time giving parents what sometimes would be considered a greatly needed break!

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. What I love the most about my job would be the entertaining aspect of it!!! I've always been into comedy and art, so with balloon twisting I'm able to acheive both amazement and laughter.
There is a magic that sparkles in a persons eye when a balloon creation turns into the form of something recognizable. It's because of that magic I'm driven to excel, and master the art of balloon twisting.
The best part of this line of work would have to be all of the people I've had the opportunity of meeting with all of the events and Birthday Parties I've performed at!!! Not to mention the joy of others honking and waving when they see me on the road driving.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. What got you into balloon twisting and have you ever taken any classes to learn how to do it?

Well, to be quite honest I had never thought I would be twisting balloons and entertaining at private party's, store openings, company picnics, family reunions, minor league baseball games, Museums, baby showers, charity events, farmers markets, school carnivals, and local restaurants.
I was once a vinyl window and patio slider installer making a pretty decent living. It wasn't until the company I worked for, who had been in business for 26 years fell victim to the economic recession and closed it's doors. With unemployment running out I landed a job at a pizza place. Not something I ever thought I would be doing, but happy to have at least some sort of income.
Within a couple of months I was asked to manage family night. I started entertaining the kids with a coloring contest and magic tricks. I only knew so many magic tricks and it wasn't long before the regular kids had already seen them all.
One day while I was shopping I came across a balloon kit with 25 balloons, a pump, and instruction booklet. I told my roommate about it and asked if he thought that would be something the kids would enjoy.
A couple days later I returned home from work to find that he had gotten me that balloon kit. I sat down and was immediately hooked, creating all the animals in the book and using all the balloons.
As far as schooling, I'm self taught through library books, videos, and mostly being creative by playing with balloons.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. I will never forget how I was convienced I should draw facial features on the balloon creations. I was twisting balloons at a local restraunt when this young girl had requested that I make her a butterfly. When I finished making it for her, she asked me to draw eyes on it. I told her that when it came to drawing I was NOT an artist like I am with balloon sculpting. (you can ruin a balloon creation with a pen). She looked up at me and said,"Well, how's my butterfly going to see,,,," My heart just melted! I ended up borrowing a sharpie from the restraunt and got over the fear of messing up a kids balloon by drawing on them. It was because of her that, from that day on, I drew the facial characteristics on all the balloon creations that needed them.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. This type of profession takes a lot of time and dedication to master. It is one profession that can never be fulfilled by any one being because of the infinite number of things that can be created with balloons. It is a lifetime of learning and experimenting with the shaping and twisting of balloons. I'm always inventing or improving a balloon creation in order to succeed in being one of the best balloon artists around.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. I would suggest that you start off using a low quality party store balloon to practice with. With low quality balloons that pop easily, you will learn how to be gentle with the balloons and how much you can twist them.
You should also be prepared to deal with kids on a one to one level by becoming a kid yourself! Patience, patience, and more patience is a must especially when working with kids! And the last thing would have to be is...have FUN...that's what balloon twisting is all about!