Menu

Show posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.

Show posts Menu

Messages - suebowler

#1
Hi Graham... just to confirm, Robbie Furman's UK Tour is being organised by BAPIA - www.bapiaonline.com
Once we have dates and locations confirmed we will make sure that it's posted on Balloon Chat!
#2
Today is my last day! It has been an interesting journey, thinking about my likes and dislikes, favourite memories etc! Here are the answers to the last few questions!


26. What inspires or is your thought process in coming up with a new design
Now that's a great question, and one that I am often asked! Sometimes it is as simple as looking at the design on a balloon. The very first competition that I won, was by taking the image on a foil balloon and re-creating a 3-D version of it! Today, when I am creating a design I will still use the main focal point as my source of inspiration, that could relate to shape, colour, pattern or theme, once you know which way you want to go the rest falls into place really easily.

27. Who would you like to work with dead or alive?
I am not sure? I have had the honour of working with some of the best in our industry, sadly a few of them have since left us... I need to think about this a little longer :)


28. What makes you laugh?
Many things! There are many funny people in our industry... last year I spent 4 days working with Dom Cassidy & Keith Stirman and laughed so much during the week it hurt so much!
Our adorable puppy 'Mylo' makes me smile constantly and is always up to naughtiness!
Oh yes, and the emails I get occasionally where I am asked to design someone's decor for them, cost it... oh and can you give me all the instructions on how to make it too!

Thank you and I hope you have enjoyed my interview :)
#3
21. What are your balloon goals for the future?
To remain doing what I am doing now for as long as possible and to continue to grow my skills... one day I WILL make a balloon dress, or have the skills to make one!
I would also like to make at least one more DVD, my first one launched late last year and has been very well received, I am being asked when the next one will be available!

22. If you could start all over again, would you change anything?
No... there is nothing that I would change, every step has been a positive part of who I am and what I do today.

23. How would you like the future of balloon modelling to develop?

I see it develop every time I look at Facebook or attend a convention, a new amazing twist or technique, I am sure that there will always be something new created?

24. Who's the most famous person you have made a balloon creation for?
Up until last week I had never made anything for anyone famous, but last week at Spring Fair I was asked to make a 'gift' for Rachel Ellen, the designer of one of Qualatex's new foil balloon ranges, she loved it!

25. How do you keep the enthusiasm going & what still excites you about our great world of latex?
I just love the balloon industry, sure there have been a few and I mean very few days when I could have walked away, but we all have those, but I would say 99% of the time I love what I do. It is very easy to stay enthusiastic when your passion is your work!
#4
17. What has been your proudest achievement in our wonderful world of twisted latex?
I am not sure this is the right answer, but my proudest achievement was being awarded the 'Golden Light' award at the World Balloon Convention 2010, in honour of my dear friend the late Linda Bruce.

18. What advice would you give to someone starting out, or wanting to increase their business?
Learn your trade well and be the very best that you can. Attend courses and conventions and never think that you know everything, because believe me you won't!

19. What road in latex do you see yourself taking in the future.
I love what I do today, I have a few roles! I am a Social Media Columnist for Qualatex, that means that I write 'The Very Best Balloon Blog', which I love writing and is very popular, plus I run the Qualatex  Group and the QBN Group on Facebook! I continue to teach in Europe and around the World, my next trip is a tour in Australia at the beginning of March and then to Puerto Rico... it's a tough life but someone has to do it!! (Joke... it's much harder than people think... really!)

20. What is your personal goal when you set off to work? Is it money or to entertain etc? My goal is to inspire and share my knowledge to help budding balloon artists to build a better business and make their business more profitable. If I can give them a little bit of my endless enthusiasm for this crazy industry, that would be great too!
#5
Hi Colin... hmmm, a favourite design?? I think that my characters are my favourites. When I start making them there becomes a point when they 'come alive', and they make me smile... it's like seeing an old friend appear in front of my eye's... they never seem like balloons, especially once they are fully made with a face! I suppose that's why I still love balloons every day, never a chore always a pleasure and they always make me smile ;)
#6
Hi Ian, I actually have a template for the heart on the DVD, it will cost you no more than 2 lengths of aluminium rod... so maybe £10-£15, I will happily send you a copy :) I personally would cost it into the design... for the base you can use the famous 'Not' lamp from Ikea, which will be another £5 ish. Let me know if you would like the template, it's very easy to make...  Sue x
#7
What are you saying Mr Lee...   ;)
#8
Happy Valentines Day everyone! I hope that you are having a busy day! This must be my "Ballooning" Anniversary as I started my balloon business 2 weeks before Valentines Day... so I am now entering my 23rd year of working with balloons... oh my!!

Here are some more answers to questions that you have asked :)


13. What is your favourite /ideal gig to do?
I enjoy teaching at conventions when you have a little bit of extra time to catch-up with friends. I loved the Millennium Jam and the informality and fun atmosphere, I hope it comes back one day!

14. What irritates you most?

People who cut and paste pictures from Facebook and claim them to be their own work rather than crediting the original artist :(
People who fall asleep whilst your teaching! Sounds terrible really, but at balloon convention people have the habit of not going to bed or getting very little sleep, so when they come to a class and the room gets all snuggly and warm they fall asleep! I think it worse the first time it happens but they usually apologise afterwards! - I suppose they could be bored!!
People who talk on their phones when your teaching... people who pull your work apart to work out how was made rather than ask you... this list could go on and on, but I should stop now :)

15. How do you book yourself?
People can contact me through my website http://www.suebowler.com - now that I have fixed the link! Thanks Graham for pointing that out to me!!

16. What's the biggest thing you've ever made?
The biggest thing that I have designed and made is the 'Tiffany Lamp' sculpture I made at BACI 2012, It was a complete labour of love as sculptures have always been my nemesis, I have had a love hate relationship with them! It took many months of planning and there was a lot of maths involved to ensure that the scale and proportion was correct, which is certainly not my strong point, but on the whole, I was very happy with the outcome! However, the biggest project that I have been involved with is building a replica of the Titanic with Fiona & Rodney Fisher, but all I had to do was add approx. 7000 balloons to the frame, Fiona and Rodney did all the hard work designing the sculpture and making the frame! I consider Rodney Fisher to be one of the best 'framers' in the industry!
#9
9.What is the most asked for model? I have changed this to what is the most requested balloon design?
I have not 'sold' a balloon design for a very long time as I have either been working for Conwin or as a Freelance Instructor, but when I teach I am regularly asked to show how to make my tabletop Bride & Groom! I think that it is still probably one of the most popular designs that I have taught over the years, I see featured on people's websites all over the world!

10. What do you tend to do more of if stuck in the 'balloon production line' model?

11. Who is your market aimed at?
I mainly teach decorators, although I have noticed that more Twisters are learning how to decorate too, which I think is great! I really love teaching wedding decor but not the 'usual' wedding decor taught. In the Wedding Series courses, I have included many twisted elements into my designs and I have created a very elegant wedding portfolio for the delegates, which they take away with them after the class, it includes some great photographs as it's good quality pictures that everyone needs. I also make sure that everyone can re-create all the designs to a high standard too! If you want to know more about this course you can visit //http://www.thequalatexevent.com/section/6/1/uk_qualatex_balloon_training_weddings

12. What kind of work do you do mostly - parties? Corporate? Etc
Last year I was approached by a corporate client to create a 'Balloon Cloud', and as I mentioned earlier I have not 'sold' balloons for a long time, but it was an amazing challenge and I really enjoyed the whole process from conception to completion!
Here is a link to the Very Best Balloon Blog, where I wrote about the 'Balloon Cloud Installation'! //http://theverybestballoonblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/balloon-cloud-installation-from.html
#10
Hi Danny

Thank you for your questions...

1) Which do you prefer foils, latex or bubbles (and why)?
Each of these balloons are very important to a me. I'll start with the Qualatex Deco Bubbles. This is a relatively new balloon in the scheme of things, and I believe that if I was still decorating today it would be essential to my business! Gone are the days of messy/tricky hi-floated double-bubbles (which if I am honest, I would avoid at all costs, I just seem to get them stuck together). Bubble balloons are very long lasting so they can be prepared early - days early in fact, which has to be a blessing during very busy periods! Add tulle or organza to your designs and it will float for days even weeks! They look crystal clear and sparkle, I love them!
Foil balloons for me are a source of inspiration, it is often the foil balloon that stimulates my designs or decor. To make anything look good you need to follow rules, 'the elements and principles of design'... colour, line, shape, unity & harmony to name a few! Using the design/ colours and shapes within a foil balloon can help start the thought process of how I want my decor to look and how I am going to make everything work together to create a 'oneness'. I'll give an example of how this works and to explain myself a little better :) Let's say I was creating wedding decor and my 'inspiration' is being taken from the Qualatex Just Married Ivory & Gold Microfoil. Firstly, I look at the balloon and see what's there: The colours are Gold, Ivory, White and a hint of Silver, the shape is a heart shape and it has two distinctive "Qualatex' themes within the design... 'Elegant Roses' and 'Love Doves'! So, now it's easy, I select some, not all of these elements and I use them to create my design, that way I always create a design is visually very pleasing and it looks right, however, if I stick in a bunch of balloon that does not feature any of these elements, it would look odd and stand out for that very reason! If you look at many of my designs. you will see this system... the Mother's Day design I created for the Spring Fair is a great example of this!
Finally, latex! I left this one until last, as this balloon is the one that add's the 'art' to balloon art! With so many shapes and colours to work with it's like having the biggest paint palette and all that is needed is the artists creativity to turn it into anything... an amazing balloon sculpture, a baby, bride... as I said, it's down to the artists creativity, and there are some truly amazing balloon artists out there!
2) With the latex balloons what is your favourite colour? And shape/size? to use.
Probably the 5", I use a lot of 5" balloons! They are perfect when making a centrepiece, small characters... even fantasy flowers! My favourite colour at the moment is Wildberry but I am loving the new Caribbean Blue, which I saw at the Spring fair!
3) How do you see the future of "stackers" and twisters, with regard to helium resources diminishing?
Helium supplies are a major concern, but I was somewhat heartened by a report instigated by the Balloon Council USA, which has been featured in the BAPIA New Spring 2013 and is available to download //http://www.bapiaonline.com. The report suggests that the current helium shortage is the result of several 'perfect storm' events happening at once, it also suggests that supplies will improve this year and that the world is not running out of helium! I am no scientist, but it sounds like good news to me! That being said, I also believe that maybe this is a good time and opportunity to offer different decor ideas to our customers, using more air-filled designs! To be honest, most of the designs that I create these days are air-filled, with just a few helium filled balloons... but equally I appreciate that 11" balloons on a ribbon is many balloon decorators bread and butter! I think there are those business's who will survive whatever happens, because they are determined and willing to change, yes, it's going to take a while to re-educate the public that there are alternatives to a helium filled 11" but I think once they see what can be done they will be very happy. I spoke to a number of people regarding this at Spring Fair this year and one of the main comments that I heard was that so many venue's these days do not allow helium balloons anyway, so this is nothing new! I truly hope that all balloon business's 'weather the storm' and find good alternative ideas to offer! Qualatex have produced a great booklet called Air-Filled Advantage, it can be downloaded from their website http://www.Qualatex.com or picked up at a Qualatex Distributor.
#11
Thank you Colin - Making my first 'home grown' DVD, was a great experience. I have worked on DVD's before, but they were part of a bigger program and with other artists - we made the Qualatex/ Conwin Master Series some years ago, which was a great program!

Balloon Decor 1 was all my own work, the concept and designs and I enjoyed the whole process very much! I spent a long time deciding what incorporate into the DVD... I think I could have gone on for hours and hours! Even now the DVD is 155 minutes! I wanted to appeal to all levels of abilities from beginners through to more experienced balloon artists who are looking for idea's, new techniques and a bit of inspiration!

Yes, I would love to make another DVD, maybe later this year, who know? In my next DVD I want to concentrate on smaller designs, Balloon Decor 1 has some pretty big projects! I have many new ideas plus I think I would like to incorporate some of my signature designs too like the 'Baby' and Bride & Groom, but maybe an updated version of both?

Any idea's and suggestions for my next DVD would be great!
#12
4. What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you during a ballooning/entertaining session?
I don't think anyone believes me, but I get extremely nervous every time I teach a class, the first 5 minutes are awful, my mouth goes dry, I feel sick, but it gradually goes away as I settle into my 'patter'!
However, the first time I taught in Mexico City, I had a very strange experience! I started to teach my first class, I inflated a foil balloon with helium and added it to the design that I was creating, and then it happened... the balloon did not float! So, being the 'professional' that I am, I mumbled something about it being a 'poorly' balloon and put the design to one side! I then set about creating my next 'amazing' creation using the Pirate Ship foil balloon, I filled this with helium and added it to my design... the balloon instantly flipped over giving a 'sinking' appearance... the look of panic across my face must have said it all, at which point my translator and very good friend Alex Arroyo piped up "Oh, I forget to mention, that we have a huge problem in Mexico City as we are at a very high altitude and not so many foils float here"! Just the sort of information that would have been good to know in advance of my trip! It certainly added a humorous element to each of my classes as it was too late to change my designs, and even if the balloons did float the lift was not fantastic and as the rooms were fully air conditioned the balloons mostly floated horizontally!

5. What do you most enjoy about twisting & why?

Learning to twist has brought a whole new dimension to my designs and designing. I can add detail and added touches to my designs. My skill level in twisting is still pretty basic and I truly want to learn so much more. I am in awe of those who are competent in both area of balloon art!

6. What's your favourite age to entertain?

7. Do you have the same act but vary the presentation for all ages or do you have set acts for different ages?

8. What's your favourite thing to make at the moment?
Centrepiece/ arrangements and small characters! I worked for Conwin for 8 years up until 2010 and all my classes were designed around Conwin equipment, so large decor and balloon walls where the norm!
So, in the past few years I have rekindled my love of fantasy flowers and lovely elegant wedding designs! I currently teach Wedding Design Classes for Qualatex called The Complete Wedding Series 1 & 2, these classes  show how to decorate different area's of a wedding, using some very different ideas and techniques, plus how to cost and sell the designs too! I also think that it is important that we understand trends and colours, to enable us to offer our clients the very best advice when planning their big day! If anyone is interested in these courses they are bookable through http://www.thequalatexevent.com
#13
Hi Ian!
I would say it would depend what effect or look you want? Yes, you can add a 5" cluster and then reverse spiral, or you can add your next 4 x 260Q's at the point where the first are finishing off, twist them all together and then continue to spiral in the same direction to give a continuous spiral. You will need to 'finish off' the first set, in the usual way, I then add in my little 5"cluster afterwards to hide my mechanics, but this gives a really neat finish to do it this way... I hope that this makes sense?
#14
'What is your favourite memory of your balloon career to date'

Now this is a very hard question to answer as I have many special memories and working out which is my favourite will be very hard! So, I may cheat a little and give a couple of answers!

Probably one of my first very special memories was attending my very first IBAC! IBAC 13 in 1997. My first ever balloon convention was in 1996 when I went to the Qualatex Balloon Symposium in Paris, and that was awesome! I made friends at that convention who I am still very much friends with today, but traveling just one year later to Chicago was huge! Like Paris, I had made a decision, that if I was to travel such a long way and invest my money in attending such a great event, I should try and get as many experiences out of it and that included entering the competitions!
"In Those Days", our only inspiration came from IMAGES Magazine... there was no internet (or I did not have it), no Facebook and the wealth of designs that are posted each and every day! I cannot tell you how many times I studied my pile of Images magazines, trying to work out what I should 'attempt' to make for my competitions!
So I turned up on the morning of the large sculpture competition, the room was vast, the space I had to build my large sculpture was enormous! I had a tiny little tool box, with a few essential items, around me I was surrounded by teams with trolly upon trolly of tools, rods, SDS panels, you name it, they had it!!
But none of that mattered, once we started working everyone was amazing, the camaraderie was incredible and even 27 hours later without any sleep, we were all still smiling.. I think (rose tinted glasses)??
My sculpture was pretty awful, but I was happy! I had made a green alien from un-inflated Geo Blossoms... I was a huge learning curve!
I also entered the centrepiece and the buffet arrangement competitions too... now, my buffet design was disqualified :( I found out that the American flag I had used within my design was deemed to be inappropriately used (I had draped it within my design), I suppose I should have checked out stuff like this... BUT my centrepiece was attracting a lot of attention! I could see people looking at it, trying to work out how I had made it! Christopher Horne thought that Pat & Jim Skitsimas had made it... I was smiling inwardly, as no one knew it was mine!
Final Night and the decor was awesome 'The Golden Age of Greece'! I had helped to make some of the decor and it was beautiful and elegant... and then they started to announce the competition winners, I cannot tell you how it felt when they started to announce the winners of the centrepiece category, in 3rd place... in 2nd place... and then it happened... in 1st place... ME!!  That memory has never left me, I was such a newcomer! Winning that competition opened many doors for me and eventually lead me into the world of teaching!

Oh, this is so hard... the memories are flooding in!

Having the opportunity to spend some very special time with the lovely Linda Bruce!
I had known Linda for many years, we worked at many events together, but we had never really had the opportunity to get to know each other very well, but that all changed at a Ballooniversity Event some years ago, where we became great buddies. For the next few years we traveled to so many wonderful places together including a tour of Australia and Japan! I have so many funny stories and wonderful memories working with Linda, I truly miss her, but there are days when I think she is still playing her little tricks on me... :)

I suppose I can add to this, when I was awarded the "Golden Light' Award in Linda's memory at the World Balloon Convention in Dallas 2012, this was a huge surprise and an incredible honour!
#15
Firstly thank you for inviting me to take part in this "Star' interview, what a great honour to be asked, especially as I would be considered a 'Stacker' rather than a 'Twister', although the first time I heard 'that' expression I had no idea what it mean't :)
 Today I consider myself to be a 'balloon artist' as I work with all types of balloons!

So here it goes, please feel free to ask me any questions along the way!

1. What led me to balloons?
 I was looking to start a business that I could do based from home and around my young daughter and maybe something a little bit on the creative side?
After several months of looking through various trade magazines, I came across a very small advert that asked "have you ever heard a balloon talk"? And that was it really! That one line opened a huge door and with the help of the advertiser... a very young George Oustayiannis of GO International, my balloon business 'Gasbags' was born!
But I am going to be totally honest, I was very much a beginner for the first 4 years, looking at pictures and IMAGES magazine... that was a huge source of inspiration and still is today!

2. When did you get started with balloons?

I actually set up my balloon business 2 weeks before Valentines Day 1990, selling balloons in boxes and balloon bouquets and oh boy did I learn so much so quickly... or should I really say that I learned through trail and error... mostly error!!
Like how the helium in balloons reacts to the cold when it is taken outside!

I had prepared all my balloons in my lovely warm house for delivery early on Valentines Day morning, they looked beautiful, all lined up in my hallway, it was such a proud moment... my first ever deliveries! Then it happened.. I took them outside (with frost on the ground) they all started to collapse... deflate!! Not knowing anything about helium, I ran back inside and topped them all up as much as I could and tried again! The end result being that as I started delivering them into nice warm offices that they started to 'pop'!! I huge learning curve for my first day working with balloons, one that I will never forget!

3. What was my best twisting experience?
My FIRST twisting experience was when I attended a Qualatex Balloon Symposium in Paris 1996. Along with many other decor classes I also signed up for 3 twisting classes with the lovely Marvin Hardy! Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced... who was I trying to kid!
I just about held it together for the beginners class but the other classes were way out of my comfort zone, and if I am honest, I think it put me off twisting for a few years, although I did try out some of my new found twisting skills with my mate Rosemary on the way home from the convention! We had just missed our ferry crossing back to the UK and had a few hours to spare, so we started to practice the art of 'twisting' in my very small Mini... it was hilarious, we popped just about every balloon we inflated, the car steamed up and we were laughing so loud, goodness only knows what the other people thought we were up too!

My best twisting experience was probably the day that it clicked, and a pinch twist looks like a pinch twist and I was finally being to get the hang of it!