Balloonies 169 2011

169 Issue 4 2011 NABAS The only independent trade association for the party & promotional balloon industry in the UK

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FROM YOUR COMMITTEE

BALLOONIES EDUCATE - PROMOTE - INFORM

Dear Member As 2011 draws to a close it’s hard to believe another year has flashed past. It’s been a busy year for NABAS – exhibiting at both the Spring Fair in February and the National Wedding Show in October.

Also the ongoing Regional Events, which have been held throughout the UK, have been extremely well received and more are planned for 2012.

It’s impossible to ignore the present economic and financial problems faced by the country but the one big advantage for our industry is people will always want to celebrate special events. 2012 will be a big year for the whole of the UK with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics. Whether you’re lucky enough to have corporate clients or just small local community groups – this will be a time when people will want to celebrate and as always the NABAS Committee will do all it can to get a positive balloon message out to the public.

Best wishes for a busy and prosperous Christmas and New Year and good luck for 2012.

Regards NABAS Committee Balloonies No. 169 - Issue 4 2011 ©NABAS - The Balloon Association 2011

Published by NABAS The Balloon Association Ltd Katepwa House, Ashfield Park Avenue, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 5AX NABAS Committee

Paul Bloomer, Philomena Groome, John Lee Mark Saunders, Peter Smith, Paul Widdowson Secretariat

Gill Hinton, Kate Walker, Elizabeth Malcolm, Hilary Pulsford Content Editor: NABAS Printed by: Hanley Court Print Front cover: NABAS stand at the National Wedding Show 2011

Image from NABAS Show 2006 - Showcase by Chris Horne

the independent trade association for the party and promotional balloon industry in the UK

NABAS MEMBER INTERVIEW: Natalie Saunders CBA

Business Name: The Balloon Room Owner: Natalie Saunders CBA Location & area covered: Stevenage, Hertfordshire, London, anywhere really!!

What was your career path to where you are today?: I've always been a bit 'crafty'. I made jewellery as a child, then I made bridesmaids headdresses for a few weddings; and then when I qualified as a Nursery Nurse, I was the one in charge of creating spectacular displays of the children's work. I volunteered once to do the face painting at the school Christmas fete and realised I was quite good so started the face-painting as a little side line.

About 13 years ago I was asked to do the balloons at my friends wedding. Back then I didn't know how to go about blowing up balloons so I bought single balloons on ribbons from a balloon shop and arranged them into table arrangements and even attempted a Single Pearl Arch. I was hooked! It wasn't until I bought my own wedding dress a couple of years later from a shop who also offered balloon decorating that I was told to contact Qualatex & book myself on a course.. I completed my Fundamentals course in April 2002 and went on to complete many more courses.

Name something in the balloon industry that you most like: It’s really nice that most people in the industry are willing to share information, tips and photos. I have a few sets of friends who run their own balloon decorating businesses and they always help me out if I need them and vice versa.

You never know when you’re going to have an emergency and when you need help! And I’ve helped other professionals lots of times, it’s how it should be.

Name something in the balloon industry that you least like: I absolutely hate unscrupulous balloon professionals in business. Over the years I’ve found some people in the industry aren’t out to help others, in fact its the complete opposite. I think if you feel the need to bad-mouth other balloon decorators who are in your area then you’re not confident in your own abilities. I think competition is a good thing, it makes you ‘up your game’! I’ve had a couple of things happen to me recently that have made my blood boil. One is a new home-based balloon company start up only about a mile away from me and call themselves a name which is almost identical to mine. I spoke to them and said it was unfair to me that they were ‘cashing in’ on my name and good reputation and it was misleading to the public. Unfortunately the situation hasn’t changed ....yet!

Another one is I had a balloon company try and take credit for my work. I had installed some really nice balloon displays all over a huge supermarket in my area, they had so many balloons, the job took 2 days to complete! When I went back a couple of days later, I found that the balloon shop in my area had given a tiny display for free and put their banner up at the check outs. This made it look like all the balloons in the store were theirs! That was definitely done on purpose. I can’t understand professionals who do that??

Best thing about your job?: I love it when a customer says 'you're the expert, I'll leave it up to you!' I love it when I get the opportunity do something I haven't done before, have the chance to really experiment. I'm very lucky that I have some regular customers that leave it all up to me and let me create. It's fantastic for my portfolio.

Another thing I really love is when I get thank you's and nice comments from bride & grooms. I get such a great feeling from knowing that I played a little part in one of the most important and memorable days in their lives.

I had a lovely comment left on my blog recently that said the balloons where probably the best part of the day! They loved the balloons!!

What best describes your business?: Balloon decorator?

Balloon and costume retailer? Other? Balloon Decorator.

How did you decide on your business name? I had a room built on the side of my house to use as a work room and consultation room. Whenever I was in there working and my kids or husband would call for me I’d say “I’m in the balloon room”. That’s where the idea came from. I did some research to make sure there wasn’t a company near me with a name like that.....and the rest is history!!

THE BALLOON ROOM Cont...

How do you decide what products to buy in?: I always use Qualatex latex and either Qualatex or Anagram foils. As I work from home I have to be careful of space. I generally order stock in only when I need it. I use a fantastic wholesalers in my area who always go the extra mile to help me. That makes a big difference to my business.

What advertising works for you?: I've tried newspaper advertising and it didn't really make a difference. I'm in the yellow pages and again, it doesn't make a huge difference either. I get a lot of nice comments about my website.

There's very little text on there the majority is pictures and I've found that's what people want. Facebook is good and it's instant, which I like.

I find Wedding fairs are a good way to advertise, but it's extremely costly. Word of mouth is definitely the best advertising for me and that's where the majority of my work comes from. As I've been in the balloon industry a while now, my name and hopefully my good reputation has got around.

Do you show at Wedding Fairs? Other?: I do show at Wedding Fairs but only a few as they are very expensive and also very time consuming!

Does your business vehicle promote you?: Yes it does. I started off with a little Bedford Rascal van with the magnetic sign stuck on the side. I got so fed up with the stickers either falling of half way down the motorway of little wotsits stealing them off the side of the van that I decided to get a van with sign writing on. The Bedford Rascal was also far too small for what I needed! I then progressed onto an old Toyota Hiace with sign writing. It was a bit rusty but all I could afford at the time. Now I drive a new VW Transporter. I had it sign written at the same time that I had a bit of a logo over-haul for the business. I changed my logo and had a corporate image created and now the sign on my van matches the business cards and flyers which is nice and consistent. I would recommend to anyone to have their vehicle sign written. It looks professional and it's such a great way to advertise. I go everywhere in my van, even down to Asda's! It gets my name out there.

Do you have an online presence?: Yes I have my website, my blog, Facebook and Twitter. I have to update so many different things I just about have enough time to blow balloons up!

If you have a website, is it a basic site to inform Potential customers of your existence, or do you use it as an online portfolio?: I use it as an online portfolio. I suggest to people that they look on my website, blog and facebook but tell them that there are more photos for them to see and to come and have a consultation for me to show them.

Do you feel your website is working for you? Yes I do but I'm going to change it shortly as there are a few things that I'd like on there now that aren't on there at the moment.

I'm going to pay someone to create a website for me whereas before, I bought a template and updated it myself.

How would you like your business to grow in the next few years?: I'd like to be able to offer more than I do at the moment and not just balloon decorating. I'd like to employ a florist and be able to provide bridal bouquets etc. I'm also investing in new things such as fairy light walls.

How is the ‘credit crunch’ effecting you?: I've noticed a dramatic drop in weddings, but my corporate clients have doubled this year so it kind of balances out. There's obviously still money out there!

What tip would you offer someone new to the business?: Always be friendly and professional with your 'competitors'.

Don't do any back-stabbing, it always backfires.

Make sure you are up-to-date with training Make sure you are up-to-date with new stock that comes onto the market so you can incorporate it into your designs.

How do you relax after a hard day’s work?: Relax - what's that??? :) I have a very supportive family, thank goodness.

So spending time with them is how I relax. I also do volunteering with old people in my spare time, which I really enjoy.

NABAS members have been doing some amazing jobs this year - just take a look over the following two pages. More members work will appear in the next few issues of Balloonies so if you have something that you want to share then do let the NABAS office know - info@nabas.co.uk

London Fashion Week I have done an amazing international event this year. I did a HUGE display for Top Shop at London Fashion Week at Waterloo Station which surrounded a 22 meter runway and the entire crowd. As you can imagine, I was chuffed to be chosen out of all the companies in the country to be asked to help design the set. There where photographers and film crews from around the world and my balloons have been featured in The Guardian, The Independent and Vogue magazines. I was also in the local newspaper (which has done wonders for my business). The set was voted the best set of the entire week (and there are quite a few). It’s nice that the balloon world and the fashion world worked so well together.

Natalie Saunders - The Balloon Room Read all about it on Natalie’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/The-Balloon-Room where there is also a link to the complete Fashion Show on You Tube.

B-Loony helps Alfa Romeo UK with Guinness World Record stunt Alfa Romeo is preparing not only to break records with its new campaign for the range topping MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde but burst them in an Aquabatics Challenge.

In an exercise which integrates Alfa’s skills within social media, marketing, film and technology, the Italian car maker came up with an innovative way to showcase the new Alfa MiTo’s high performance abilities.

B-Loony’s Events Team constructed Alfa’s iconic brand logo with thousands of balloons filled with water and then, using professional stunt driver Terry Grant, Alfa Romeo mercilessly destroyed them by using the power and precision of the 170 bhp MiTo, leaving just four lonely balloons at the end.

Combining with a Facebook campaign, the four entrants who select the correct grid location of one of the four surviving balloons will win an unforgettable and exclusive Alfa Romeo track day at the famous Goodwood Motor Circuit.

B-Loony’s Events Manager, Annabel Sore, said “We were very excited about getting this prestigious job and the Event Team had to work very hard on the day. B-Loony are regularly working with NABAS members who give us fantastic support for the many promotional events we get involved with up and down the country”.

The stunt has also been put forward for a Guinness World Record, as never before have so many balloons been burst by one car alone. Alfa’s driver, Terry Grant, who has 19 world records to his name, ensured the balloons stood no chance. Guinness now have Alfa Romeo’s submission which is likely to be announced as a World Record shortly.

To see this exceptional video and campaign, get over to Alfa Romeo’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/alfaromeouk for more details or visit www.alfaromeo.co.uk

Here at BDD Events I am glad to say it has been a fantastic year for corporate events which in the current climate we are so grateful for. It’s so much fun when your client’s allow us to be really creative with great themes! The palms & Sea party was a beautiful setting and the decorations were so colourful and really lent themselves to the backdrop. With this theme you can let your imagination run wild – we added mirrors, sand, gold shells with our themed balloon decorations.

I have been in this business for 20 years and never run out of fun and original ideas for our clients – this helps to keeps your business fresh and clients returning time and time again.

POOL PARTY

Julie Kraulianis - BDD Events

Up Up & Away NABAS Member Lucy Lee-Allen - Frog Orange - recently had a request from a customer for an 'Up' themed bouquet for her wedding, to fit in with a modest budget. She found a Sylvanian Families house on eBay, painted it, and came up with this. She had to use a breeze block to weight the house down on the inside, and then wedged one corner of it to give it the illusion of taking off. The bouquet was placed the in the entrance of their venue to greet their guests.

Original Image from the Movie ‘Up’

MTV We have had a great year for our balloons appearing on not just TV but MTV. The link below should let you see what happened. http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/bruno-mars/video/2011-ema-main-show-part-21-perf-3-bruno-mars-marry-you This was a drop of 1500 balloons from 22 metres up. They wanted a slow release which worked well. I spent most of the two days prior just waiting on our turn to do the rehearsals which happened only 3 hours before the main event on Sunday night. Oh such fun trying to get a second set of 1500 balloons into the roof within 20 minutes after the full dress rehearsal was over.

This wasn't a bad experience as I got to watch the artists up close on and off the stage, the like of Lady Gaga & Justin Bieber only about 2 feet away.

Eric Patton - Luce Balloons

THE QUALATEX EVENT 2011 The recent Qualatex Event was one of the first industry events to be held in the UK for some time and was eagerly awaited by both long standing balloon artists and newcomers alike. Held in the stunning Oxfordshire countryside at the Heythrop Park Complex the event had a real buzz to it, with competitions, classes, parties and awards and an abundance of creative talents were on offer from all corners of the globe.

On arrival delegates were all presented with a goody pack containing t shirt, new products, Foil shapes, weights and industry info presented inside a handy satchel style bag and it felt like we were being thoroughly looked after throughout the duration of the show.

There were three competitions, Large Sculpture, Medium Sculpture and Disney Twisting competition. The theme for the large and medium sculpture competitions was ‘The Future’ and it was really interesting to see how each competitor depicted this theme.

The awards given were as follows: LARGE SCULPTURE 1st Place – Tatiana Izmaylova & Team Russia (above) 2nd Place – Luiz Da Silva CBA & Team Brazil rd 3 Place – Augustino Coh CBA & Team Slovenia

There were many classes which were offered in many languages, allowing all delegates to benefit.

Italian Instructor Vanessa Lever wowed us with her whimsical baby designs, UK Instructors Colin Myles and Shirley Ray offered an abundance of ideas with Q balloons, while Robbie Furman provided fun filled classes with larger than life designs, of course there were many more and classes were offered in all areas to allow for all skill levels to learn something new.

When the Balloon & Party industry comes together to party you know you’re in for a fun night! The wine flowed thanks to kind industry sponsors and the food was good, Saturdays party had a Disney theme and most attending made the effort to take part by dressing up in true Disney style. Sundays Awards Dinner saw delegates dress to impress in smart attire and after the flowing wine, presenting of awards and good food, the music played and people took to the dance floor.

The feeling throughout the entire weekend was of an industry uniting together and it definitely left me not only with an abundance of ideas to move my business forward but also a new group of Balloon friends from all the world over.

Jo Uddin CBA, Inflated Ideas

MEDIUM SCULPTURE 1st Place – Pascal Grooten – Belgium 2nd Place – Nicolae Savu CBA & Team Romania 3rd Place – Jo Uddin CBA – UK (below)

THE QUALATEX EVENT 2011 First Place Medium Sculpture Pascal Grooten Belgium

Chris and I had a great time - fantastic venue! was

lovely to

It

catch up with industry friends

from far and wide. There were delegates from over 20 countries there, but language was no barrier

to

exchanging

ideas

and

tech-

niques! The Disney party costumes were many and varied, lots of Mickey's & Minnie's and several fantastic balloon costumes!

It was super assisting Jodie and Dee with the gala decor, an opportunity not to be missed, and an ideal chance to extend skills when decorating large events. No matter how long you have been in this industry you always learn something.

Many congratulations to Jo Uddin on her success and hats off to the Pioneer team who pulled out all the stops.

Anne & Chris, Samms

Large Sculpture Mike Harris CBA & Team - UK

Second Place Medium Sculpture Nicolae Savu CBA & Team Romania

Images by kind permission of Qualatex

NABAS MEMBER INTERVIEW: Nikki Moran CBA

Business Name: Vale Balloons Owner: Nikki Moran CBA Location & area covered: Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, West Midlands What was your career path to where you are today?: PA to president of an advertising agency in New York. Returned to UK and for next 10 years, worked my way through direct marketing agencies from office administrator to account director. Eventually, the novelty of wielding my laptop around London wore off, so set up dog grooming business (massive dog lover) – sold the business after two years because I suffered alopecia with the stress!

Started an indoor market stall selling shoes/handbags.

The florist left the market and gave her helium cylinder and a few foils to my sister on the card stall. My sister couldn’t be bothered to ‘mess about’ with balloons, so I said that I’d have a go. Soon realised there was a whole world of balloons out there which really appealed to me for some unknown reason, so went on a fundamentals course. After two years, moved into a shop and nearly three years later, I’m still here. So the florist and my sister are to blame.

Name something in the balloon industry that you most like: The brilliant education, training and support available to us at relatively low cost. And receiving thank you letters, the ultimate result!

Name something in the balloon industry that you least like: Faulty foils (all types, shapes, sizes and makes they are all guilty). An absolute pain causing no end of stress and loss of time and profit. And OUT OF STOCK products – the bane of my existence!

Best thing about your job?: It’s different.

People are fascinated, if not vaguely amused, by it. Yes, it’s hilarious after a 90 hour week!

What best describes your business?: Balloon decorator? Balloon and costume retailer? Other? Decorator.

How did you decide on your business name?: With no imagination whatsoever. Evesham is known as the Vale of Evesham. Thought I’d copy Vale Kitchens, Vale Plumbing, Vale nearly everything else! At least people know what we do….... unless they think we do hot air balloons. Perhaps I didn’t think it through very well?

How do you decide what products to buy in?: In the shop, after much trial and error, I buy products that sell well (obviously). I buy in small quantities and don’t hoard stock as tastes and trends seem to change all the time – especially the kids stuff (can’t give the Night Garden stuff away)! I try not to buy just what I think is nice – my late great Dad was a successful market trader and he always said to avoid doing this. For the decorating work, I buy products that I need for the jobs (obviously) - plus all the popular, regularly used latex and foils etc, etc, etc.

H o w i s t h e ‘c r e d i t c r u n c h ’ e f f e c t i n g y o u ? : M y business is growing all the time, so that’s positive. But, I don’t know how much better I’d be doing if there wasn’t a credit crunch?

What tip would you offer someone new to the business?: Get some good photos showing a range of designs and ideas to sell the work and eventually p h o t o s o f d i s p l a ys i n a l l o f t h e l o c a l v e n u e s . I really struggled with this when I started as people are so unwilling to ‘lend’ their photos, even i f yo u c r e d i t t h e m .

Showing good photos of affordable and realistic décor to customers i s s u r e l y o n e o f t h e b e s t w a ys t o g e t s t a r t e d with taking orders? And I’m not talking about e l a b o r a t e p o r t f o l i o p i c t u r e s t h a t yo u c a n b u y i n a set, it’s more the bog standard, bread and b u t t e r s t u f f t h a t p e o p l e w a n t e v e r y s i n g l e d a y, like bunches of three and pearl arches.

H o wever much we are supposed to try to steer a wa y f r o m b u n c h e s o f t h r e e , I w o u l d l o s e a hell of a lot of business if I refused to do them and besides, I think they are a good way t o f i l l a r o o m o n t i g h t e r b u d g e t s . P e r s o n a l l y, I’m very flattered when I see one of m y photos on somebody else’s website, so long as they are not covering m y areas, good luck to them.

What advertising works for you?: W ord of m o u t h w i t h o u t a d o u b t , f o l l o w e d b y G o o g l e H o w d o y o u r e l a x a f t e r a h a r d d a y ’s w o r k ? : s e a r c h ( I d o n ’ t p a y f o r p r i o r i t y l i s t i n g ) . I ’ m s t i l l t r yi n g t o l e a r n t h e a r t o f r e l a x a t i o n .

Y e l l . c o m m o r e t h a n Y e l l o w P a g e s ( i n wh i c h I have a cheap ad for people with no computer). I don’t think local papers and r a g s a r e w o r t h wh i l e u n l e s s yo u h a v e a v e r y regular presence in them, which I don’t.

But I do the seasonal spreads such as Valentines, W eddings and Christmas. I do the odd charity freebie if I can plaster my advertising ever ywhere.

Do you show at Wedding Fairs? Other?: A b o u t t h r e e p e r ye a r – I a l w a ys g e t j o b s f r om t h e m , e v e n i f I ’ d r a t h e r b e e a t i n g m y o wn l e g s t h a n d o i n g o n e .

Does your business vehicle promote you?: Madly enough, no, but I’ve finally decided to get it done. W ill just have to keep it clean and become a model driver. W e all wear lovely uniforms though.

Do you feel your website is working for you?: Yes If you have a website, is it a basic site to inform Potential customers of your existence, or do you use it as an online portfolio?: Both.

How would you like your business to grow in the next few years?: More corporate work. A good earner and normally less hassle.

3162 Lisa Murphy Daisydoos Stockport SK3 0NE 0161 491 3225 3163 Mari MacAllister Bows & Balloons Kilmarnock KA1 2DQ 07779 714518 3164 Heidi Cowderoy Deliciously Gorgeous Ltd Eastbourne BN21 4QE 01323 749794 3165 Nicki Jenkin Occasion Balloons Plymouth PL6 7QS 07817 212640 3166 Julie O'Neill Jules Balloons Hardwicke GL2 4UJ 07917 400359 3167 Jodie Rowe All Occasions London SE18 1RX 020 8836 9080 3168 Clare Golding-Walker Opal Passions Slough SL1 2YS 01753 532 940 3169 Gavin Wilson Bubbly Balloons Glasgow G46 6BN 07733 318782 3170 Nicola Thomas Balloons By Nicci T Wrexham LL14 6BZ 01978 810497 3171 John P Walker The Party Hat Warwick CV34 6AN 01926 419471 3172 Alison O'Grady Alison's Designer Cakes & Balloons South Sale M33 3LA 0161 969 3756 3173 Bolanle Popoola Kibit Decorations London SE9 4AN 07747 027509

NABAS NEW MEMBERS 3174 Victoria Clark & Sharon Dix V&S Balloons (Bourne) Bourne PE10 9BY 07722 816497

3186 Nikki White & Rachel Marner Occasion Station Telford TF2 9TS 07767 657689

3175 Sarah Varnam Inflate & Celebrate Leicester LE18 1LB 0116 288 1576

3187 Rhiannon Fleming Rhiannon's Balloon Creations Bilston WV14 6NZ 01902 827 954

3176 Susan.A. Conteh London SE15 3RR 07894 346779

3188 Lynn Ferguson Lynn's Balloonaffair Co. Tyrone BT80 0DX 028 867 37001

3177 Veronica Serwah-Dwomoh Addo London SE4 1XF 07904 418046 3178 Marcia Tull Delacey - Balloons & Lacey Wembley HA0 4SL 07908 153400 3179 Nicola Barrett Ballooming Madness Bristol BS15 9RY 07910 040664 3180 Angela Ward Crafty Inflations Milton Keynes MK19 6NT 01908 569803 3181 Georgette Dawson Balloonies Stowmarket IP14 3PF 07415 678610 3182 Julie Todman Airtight & Co Thornton Heath CR7 8BQ 020 8239 9633 3183 Richard Gale Flower Designs (Dreghorn) Irvine KA11 4AG 01294 217828 3184 Orla Crowley A-Fun-Day Londonderry BT47 2JW 02871 341321/07849365304 3185 Jenny Tarry Tashes 'N' Tails Welwyn Garden City AL8 7TT 01707 327165

3189 Clive Basham The Lincolnshire Balloon Co Boston PE20 1SP 01205 723068 3190 Sally McConville Balloons, Bows & Bunting Wolverhampton WV4 4BS 01902 330483 3191 Pauline Draper Fabulous Feathers Party Designs Liverpool L9 8DU 07949 550 581 3192 Kerry Linnell KSBalloons Dovecot L14 0NU 0151 259 9387 3193 Lesley Gann Fantasy Cards & Balloons Southminster CM0 7LX 01621 774298 3194 Cherril Ward Bedford MK42 0HW 07941 961350 3195 Lindsey Atherton Miss Inflation Liverpool L14 6TL 07540 891614 3196 Sara Wareing The Celebration Station Chorley PR7 2DR 07749 353465 3197 Jannet Davies Jay Jays Balloons Leominster HR6 9QU 01568 709096

the independent trade association for the party and promotional balloon industry in the UK

NABAS APPROVED TEACHERS/TRAINERS

Yvonne Baynes Lodge Cordell Balloonery Tel: 01986 894482 yvonb@tiscali.co.uk

Paul Pearce CBA & Pam Pearce CBA

Courses Provided: NABAS Level 1; NABAS Level 2;

Balloon School of Balloons & Tunes Tel: 01827 316600

Area Covered: East Anglia

www.balloonschool.co.uk us2@balloonsandtunes.co.uk Courses provided: NABAS Level 1; Update Level 1½; NABAS Level 2; Assorted workshops & training days

Rita Kyriacou CBA

Area Covered: Midlands

www.marguerites-academy.co.uk

Marguerite's Academy of Balloon Artistry Tel: 01279 639508 ritakyriacou@btinternet.com

Jo Uddin Balloon Training Academy by Inflated Ideas

Courses Provided: NABAS Level 1; NABAS Level 2; Wedding Workshops

Tel: 07904 178024 www.inflatedideas.co.uk

Area Covered: Hertfordshire, Essex & the South East

jo@inflatedideas.co.uk Courses Provided: NABAS Level 1; NABAS Level 2 Area Covered: Hertfordshire & throughout UK

Mary Paul Dreemway Tel: 0161 861 8807

Mitch Gilbert CBA Rainbow Balloons Tel: 01625 585910 www.rainbowballoons.me.uk info@rainbowballoons.me.uk Courses Provided: NABAS Level 1; NABAS Level 2; Advanced level; 260’s Course; Balloon Drops

www.dreemway.co.uk sales@dreemway.co.uk

Area Covered: Cheshire, NW England & Nth Wales

Courses Provided: NABAS Level 1; NABAS Level 2 Area Covered: Manchester

Philomena Groome CBA School House of Balloons

John Lee CBA & Jane Lee ANBA International Balloon Academy Tel: 01908 605960 / 07852 204706 www.international-balloon-academy.co.uk iba@bloonoccasions.co.uk Courses Provided: NABAS Level 1; NABAS Level 2; Basics & Beyond; Beyond the Basics; Varied range of Master Classes

Tel: 07956 226824 www.fantazia-decorations.co.uk info@fantazia-decorations.co.uk Courses Provided: NABAS Level 1; NABAS Level 2; Exploding Balloons; Wedding Workshop Area Covered: Yorkshire & throughout UK

Mary George Area Covered: Milton Keynes and beyond

Gretna Green Creations Tel: 01709 818636

Janie Bacon Just Janie Promotions Tel: 0141 883 4259 Courses Provided: NABAS Level 1; NABAS Level 2 Area Covered: Scotland

www.gretnagreencreations.co.uk info@gretnagreencreations.co.uk Courses Provided: NABAS Level 1; NABAS Level 2;

Area Covered: Yorkshire and the North East

Bubbles & Swirls A very straight forward but really elegant arrangement - perfect for any romantic setting....

Product Required Balloons: 2 x 24" Stylish hearts deco bubbles 2 x 11" Purple Latex 8 x 5" Flowers Around Diamond clear 1 x 36" Holographic Firework Curve 1 x 4" purple heart White Curling Ribbon 1 x 2m FDL soft white lights Base: 9" cake drum 11" purple latex 2x 4" lilac hearts (heat sealed) l x 4" purple heart (heat sealed) Bow - purple poly ribbon / eleganza wired silver bullion Hook and loop double sided Velcro to secure bow etc to covered base Construction Method Balloons: 1. Fully inflate the holographic firework curve foil with helium tying a length of ribbon and securing the balloon temporarily to a weight.

2. Insert an 11" purple latex inside the neck of a 24" deco bubble and inflate the bubble with helium until there are almost no creases in the seam.

Inflate the purple latex to 10" which should remove the remaining creases from the bubble seam. Tie off the bubble by holding both balloon necks and twisting the balloons a couple of times before securely sealing using the neck of the latex to knot the balloons. (some people use a piece of 260Q knotted around the necks as well to ensure a good seal). Attach a length of ribbon to the bubble and anchor it to a weight temporarily.

3. Repeat step 2 4. Air inflate the 8 "Flowers Around" Diamond Clear latex to 3" and form duplets. Twist 2 duplets around the neck of each bubble to form a collar.

Base: 1. Inflate the 11" purple latex and while still holding the unknotted neck, lie it down onto a flat surface.

Take an 9" cake drum and put it face-down onto the side of the balloon. Press down quickly and firmly after releasing the neck of the balloon and press until the balloon is flat. If you have been quick enough, the balloon should have wrapped itself around the base. Remove the neck of the balloon and tape the edges of the balloon to the cake base.

2. Using around 2m of purple poly ribbon & eleganza wired silver bullion, form a porn-porn bow with 6" tails and stick it to the base using double-sided tape. Wrap the tails under the base and secure again with double sided tape.

3. Inflate & heat seal the 4" foil hearts & stick in place with velcro strip Assembly: Using velcro tabs, stick the 2 bubbles and the curved foil together with their ribbons at the base of the balloons. Pass the foil's ribbon through the cluster at the base of the left hand bubble and run all ribbons to the base where they can be tied into the bow to secure them. Place the battery pack of the led lights in the bow on the base then twist the lights up the ribbons on the left, through the cluster and back to the base before continuing up the right hand ribbon to finish in the bubble cluster.

WHOLESALERS, MANUFACTURERS & PRINTERS B-LOONY LTD Buck House Sunnyside Road Chesham Bucks HP5 2AR 01494 774 376 Fax: 01494 791268 balloons@b-loony.co.uk www.b-loony.com

PARTY PLUS 4 Acton Lane Chiswick London W4 5NB 020 8994 1674 steve@partyplus.co.uk www.partyplus.co.uk

BALANCEBEST LTD 118 Wheldon Road Castleford W Yorks WF10 2RT 01977 510 898 Fax: 01977 514 678 sales@balancebest.co.uk www.balancebest.co.uk

PREMIUM BALLOON ACCESSORIES PO Box 352 Sharon Centre Ohio 44274 USA 00 1 330 239 4547 info@coolaire.com www.premiumballoon.com

BALLOON CITY Unit 7 Spillmans Court Middle Spillmans Rodborough Stroud Glos GL5 3RU 01453 753149 or 07974 941 105 mike@balloon-printing.com www.balloon-printing.com

READY2GO LTD T/A PARTY GENIES 8 Daimler Close Royal Oak Industrial Estate Daventry Northants NN11 8QJ 01327 308755 sales@readytogocreate.com www.ready2gocreate.com

BALLOON SUPPLY & DISTRIBUTION Unit1B. Woodside House Woodside Park, Catteshall Lane Godalming Surrey GU7 1LG 01483 808121 Fax: 01483 808 141 sales@balloosupply.co.uk www.balloonsupply.co.uk

SAUNDERS DISPLAYS UK LTD Unit 10 Buzzard Creek Industrial Estate River Road Barking Essex IG11 0EL 020 8594 7221 mark@saundersdisplays.co.uk Fax: 020 8594 7216 www.balloonframesbysaunders.co.uk

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BALLOON WORLD Unit E Parkside Business Park Kirkstead Way Golborne Cheshire WA3 3PY 01942 719888 Fax: 01942 719 988 sales@balloonworld.co.uk www.balloonworld.co.uk

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BALLOONS & GAS DIRECT Unit 6 8 Meadow Road Glasgow G11 6HX 0141 337 3373 Fax: 0141 337 3374 norman@balloonsandgasdirect.co.uk www.balloonsandgasdirect.co.uk

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BALLOONS AROUND SCOTLAND 100 Carnegie Road Hillington Ind Est Glasgow G52 4JZ 0141 882 8107 Fax: 0141 882 9925 sales@balloonsaroundscotland.com www.balloonsaroundscotland.com BALLOONS TO GO 160 Eardley Road Streatham London SW16 5TG 020 8679 7766 Fax: 020 8679 8889 sales@balloonstogo.co.uk www.balloonstogo.co.uk

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BELBAL UK Broadgate House Church Street Deeping St James Peterborough Lincs PE6 8HD 01778 343 445 Fax: 01778 347 230 info@belbaluk.co.uk www.belbaluk.co.uk

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BOC LTD The Priestly Centre 10 Priestly Road The Surrey Research Park Guilford Surrey GU2 7XY 01483 244035 www.bocballoongas.co.uk DREEMWAY LTD 50 Stockton Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9ED 0161 861 8807 Fax: 0161 881 9289 sales@dreemway.co.uk www.dreemway.co.uk

SG PARTY SUPPLIES LTD Unit 3 The Ickles Sheffield Road Rotherham S Yorkshire S60 1DP 01709 820852 Fax: 01709 830955 info@sgparty.co.uk www.sgparty.co.uk TALKING BALLOONS McGregor’s Way, Turnoaks Business Park Chesterfield, Derbyshire S40 2WB 01246 270555 Fax: 01246 270566 sales@talkingballoons.com www.talkingballoons.com

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theballoonshop.co.uk Compound 1 The Enterprise Centre Mill Lane Coppull Chorley Lancashire PR7 5BW 01257 795700 Fax: 01257 795150 sales@theballoonshop.co.uk www.theballoonshop.co.uk

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VIBORG BALLON A/S Gortlervej 7 DK8800 Viborg DENMARK 00 45 866 21200 bini@viborg-ballon.dk www.viborg-ballon.dk WEDDING & PARTY SUPPLIES Rathdale House 30 Back Road Rathfriland Northern Ireland BT34 5QF 028 4063 2081 sales@weddingandpartysupplies.com Fax: 028 4063 2083 www.weddingandpartysupplies.com WORTHINGTON CYLINDERS Beim Flaschenwerk 1 A-3291 Keinberg bei Gaming AUSTRIA 00 43 7485 606 272 Fax: 00 43 7485 606 694 Timo.snoeren@wthg.at www.worthingtoncylinders.com www.balloontime.com ZIBI GmbH Kalkdarren 15 D-79713 Bad Sackingen GERMANY 00 49 776 192 4010 info@zibi.de www.zibi.de

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FDL LTD (Festive Decoration & Lighting) Holland House 2 Toll Bar Street Stockport Cheshire SK1 3EW 0161 474 7772 fdl@fdl.li www.fdl.li FOLKDEAN LTD Unit 2 Lydney Harbour Estate Lydney Glos GL15 4EJ 01594 841545 Fax: 01594 844 577 sales@folkdean.co.uk www.folkdean.co.uk

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HOUSE PARTI 20 Mandervell Road Oadby Industrial Estate Oadby Leicestershire LE2 5LQ 0116 271 0100 Fax: 0116 271 0300 sales@houseparti.com www.houseparti.com OAKTREE UK LTD 66 James Carter Road Industrial Estate Mildenhall Suffolk IP28 7DE 01638 716655 Fax: 01638 711211 sales@oaktreeuk.com www.oaktreeuk.com PAMS OF GAINSBOROUGH Unit 30 Corringham Road Industrial Estate Gainsborough DN2 1QB 0845 230 6763 Fax: 01427 810174 sales@pams.co.uk www.pams.co.uk

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The professional’s choice!

Also available: Walkthrough Heart Crescent Moon; Numbers 0-9 and many more‌.

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