When the twistin bug caught me

Started by Benjamin, April 02, 2014, 05:59:21 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Benjamin

Thought it was about time I put to paper ( well Internet post ) how, when and why I got into balloons.

I always liked getting balloon models when I was younger but always thought they were far to complicated for me to do. Several years later I had a chance to have a go at making my first balloon dog. I failed at that so decided balloons were stupid. Several years later from then I was doing freelance work for a circus skills company. Going to places teaching circus skills at fetes, carnivals, events all over.
One of the weekends I was working I was partnered with a friend of mine and we got on great. In the evening there was some down time as we only worked till 7 so he offered to teach me some balloons. I said ok as long as it wasn't a balloon dog, still didn't like them lol. So my first balloon model was a monkey in a palm tree. And I loved it. So as the evening went on we kept on making models, giving them out to people on surrounding tables, taking requests and having a blast. I took to twisting like a duck to water. We ended up making these huge hats and kept adding random models to them so much so mine became at least 4feet across. Less a hat more a sombrero.
After that it was safe to say I was hooked. I watched every YouTube video I could find and moved on to buying DVDs and working through those. I loved every minute of it.
I eventually became part of a circus society at Birmingham university and carried on my skills there. I even got to teach several classes on balloon modelling at their annual ballring juggling convention.
The rest they say is history. I just keep learning more and more designs, usually forgetting them as well, and keep having fun.
I do have to say that besides all the fun I have with twisting the best bit for me is seeing a child's face when they get their balloon. Seeing the wonder in their expression takes me back to when I was that young. It's just a great feeling knowing you have given someone a little bit of wonder into their lives
"At the touch of her lips, it grew long and swollen. I gasped as she squeezed and pulled expertly. It was the best balloon giraffe I\'d seen."

Novalee

#1
Aw that's lovely Benjamin! Have you dared make a dog since?

I made my first balloon dog when I was volunteering overseas with disabled children. One of the other volunteers had bought some cheap modelling balloons, and, after popping a few, I made a tiny little dog. I was so proud - I still have the photo of me with the little dog!

The children loved balloons so I decided to buy some decent ones (and a decent pump) and learn a few basics for the next visit to them. That was 4 years ago and I absolutely love it now. Like you say, seeing the smiles is just fantastic!

GingerDave

#2
Hey Benjamin, great story! I'm in Halesowen, we should get together and jam some time.

Graham Lee

#3
Thanks for posting how you got hooked, always nice to read how it happened to others.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk