Showing posts with label Jackie Ochitwa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jackie Ochitwa. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

"The evolution of the balloon industry alongside the rise of influencers."


"My Italian genes just LOVED working on this project with @philipcarrevent"
Design by Chris Adamo, CBA, Owner at Balloonpro.co and Balloons Online and Owner at The Balloon Crew - Balloons.net.au


The balloon industry shares similarities with the fashion world as it undergoes continuous transformation and development. I have witnessed many of trends emerge and fadeover the last three decades. This includes the introduction of novel and creative balloon-related products, as well as the emergence of a fabulous array of exciting balloon colours. Among the memorable moments, one that stands out vividly is the introduction of the organic style of balloon decor. This revolutionary approach offered a liberating form of balloon arrangement, breaking away from the constraints and conventions of traditional Classic Balloon Decor. 


Some within the industry held the belief that this new trend would have a brief existence, echoing sentiments such as "it requires an excessive number of balloons," "it demands too much time," and "people won't be willing to pay extra for the additional balloons and time." However, this prediction couldn't have been more off-base. Amidst the pandemic, when numerous balloon enterprises faced a sense of hopelessness, a contrary phenomenon was unfolding. In places where contactless deliveries were sanctioned, a fresh surge of balloon artists emerged along with the evolution of “ballooning influencers.”


The balloon industry has consistently featured a key group of influential figures—balloon artists who have conducted workshops and sessions at prominent global events. I can certainly identify myself as belonging to this category. However,  a new wave of influencers has had a notable impact on the balloon market since the pandemic in several ways:


So, what exactly is an influencer, and how do they influence the ballooning community?


Promotion and Visibility: Influencers showcase balloon decor in their content, whether it's home decorations, party setups, or event displays. This increased visibility has brought attention to balloon decor, encouraging individuals to try it themselves or hire professionals.


Organic Display using Qualatex Chrome Balloons by
Blow it with Bex


Trends and Inspiration: Influencers introduce new trends and creative ideas. Their unique designs and innovative concepts inspire consumers and professionals to explore different styles and themes in balloon decorations.


Halloween Decor by Bubble Hustle Balloons in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Consumer Engagement: Many influencers engage directly with their followers through Q&A sessions, tutorials, and live demonstrations. This interaction has educated and encouraged people to experiment with balloon art, especially during lockdowns when DIY projects gained popularity.


Business Collaboration: Some balloon manufacturers and suppliers collaborate with influencers to promote their services or products. This partnership can boost brand recognition and reach new audiences. Influencers often share their positive experiences with balloon businesses, leading to referrals and recommendations.


Photo by @Sarah_lit with @Northstarballoons


Community Building: Influencers have fostered a sense of community within the balloon industry. They connect enthusiasts, artists, and businesses, creating a supportive network for sharing ideas, techniques, and resources.


Market Expansion: The pandemic prompted many individuals to explore home-based businesses, including balloon decor. Influencers played a role in guiding newcomers through tutorials, business advice, and product recommendations, contributing to market growth.


In summary, influencers have contributed to the resilience and evolution of the balloon market during the pandemic and beyond by promoting creativity, inspiring trends, and fostering a sense of community. They've helped balloon decor remain relevant and adaptable to changing circumstances.


The balloon industry is not unique; influencers can practically be found in every industry, from book reviewing to fashion blogging, and their knowledge and understanding of their niche places them in a position of power and authority within the digital realm.


Here are a few balloon-related accounts that have substantial followings. I am sure there are many more, but these are the companies that I follow. 



The Event Collective @theventcollectivex, with a jaw-dropping 994K followers:

The Event Collective, established in 2018 and based in Austrailia, is a directory and convenient place to find anything and everything party or event-related. The Event Collective shares the work of balloon artists and event companies from around the world.


Balloon Designers ♡Genesis Nieves & Iravid Nieves

Decolovers @decolovers: with 926K followers





Qualatex @qualatex: With 176K followers, Qualatex is a major balloon manufacturer and educator known for providing high-quality balloons and educational resources. They have a significant following due to their global presence and educational content.




Dream Higher Events @dreamhigherevents:

Boasting an impressive 205K followers, Debbie Boxall of Dream Higher Events has experienced remarkable growth in just a few years. Debbie's fine art and fashion design background undeniably influence her distinctive style and boundless creativity. Her balloon journey narrative is truly compelling; I wholeheartedly recommend exploring her story on her Instagram page.



Bubblegum Balloons @Bubblegumballoons:

Founded in 2013 by sisters Laura & Sally and their best friend Megan, they began the Bubblegum business in their family home. Surrounded by endless amounts of confetti, feathers, helium, and ribbon, the Bubblegum dream was born. With a vision to create a beautiful personalised gift for every special occasion, the business has grown into a team of Balloon Ninjas who travel worldwide to deliver the Bubblegum Balloons magic! Today, Bubblegum Balloons still boasts a magnificent 194K followers. 

 


The Event King - @jesustejadax: - 177k followers



Blow it with Bex @blowitwithbex: -155K followers




Dress your Daydream @dressyourdaydream: - 148K followers




Edward Munoz - @edward_munoz: - 128K followers






Balloon Occasions - @balloonoccasions: - 125K followers



Feathered Fox Designs - @featheredfoxdesigns - 119K followers




With a Twist Balloons - @withatwistballoons: - 112K followers



Are influencers important for the growth of the balloon industry? While influencers can amplify these efforts and reach a broader audience, they are just one piece of the puzzle. The collective actions of professionals, businesses, industry associations, and the broader community all contribute to the continued relevance of balloons in the eyes of the general public.



Happy Ballooning! 


Sue

www.suebowler.com

Follow me @suebowler (only 33.9K followers 😊)










Friday, August 18, 2023

Balloon Stacks: The Creative Balloon Bouquets

Over the past few years, a new and exciting style of deliverable design has emerged – Balloon Stacks, or Balloon Bouquets.

The Evolution of Balloon Bouquets over Time ⏰🎈 Back in the day (we're talking many years ago 🦕), a balloon bouquet was simply a bunch of helium-filled latex and foil balloons tied together and securely fastened to a weight. Nowadays, balloon bouquets have become much more sophisticated. These stacks are creatively arranged and have a unique blend of colours, techniques and designs that make them a perfect fit for any occasion.

Check out this stunning example of a creative Balloon Bouquet! Designed by Jackie Ochitwa of With a Twist Balloon Creations in Alberta, Canada, this masterpiece showcases the artist's mastery of this style of decor. I usually live by the philosophy of "less is more", but in this case, more is definitely better!

Design by Jackie Ochitwa, CBA

For me, it is all in the detail, and that is what Jackie is especially good at! Jackie's twisting skills really give her the edge when creating these intricate designs. Learning a few twisting techniques definitely elevates any balloon artist's work! 

Jackie has her own YouTube channel 'Jackie O' where you will find a selection of video tutorials that show a number of techniques she uses in her designs.

I have also included below, Jackie's Kawaii class from the Q Corner Balloon convention 2020. This FREE video class is approximately  1 hour and 45 mins long and is packed with some great techniques and twisted design ideas to recreate for your bouquet designs... Happy viewing!



Balloon Number Stacks are also extremely popular, and they make the perfect gift for anyone celebrating a special birthday from 1 to 100! There is definitely no age limit for these fabulous balloon designs! I love this vibrant tropical theme Number Nine design by Debbie Boxhall of Dream Higher Events. Those HOT colours really do 'pop'. 

Balloon Design by Dream Higher Events in Kent. UK

Here are some more great example of creative balloon bouquets.

Love... Covered in Sprinkles!

Any Valentine would swoon over this SWEET concoction of balloon goodness!

Designer name: Eve Antonello, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA




Tutu Cute!

Surprise a little dancer with this ballet themed delivery!

Designer name: Cam Woody, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA

Gold rose is a classic and a favourite regardless of the age. This Number 80 design is by Ventura County Balloons in California, USA



Designer name: Eve Antonello, CBA, Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita, KS, USA
Please note that the Black numbers have now been discontinued but could be easily replaced with any colour.




Designer name: Zahraa Jawad, CBA of Forever Balloons Boutique in Beruit, Lebanon

There is no limit to the amount of creativity you can use within one of these displays. The only limitation is your ballooning abilities. If you would like to learn more, there are some truly great resources:

1. You can tune into Q Corner's FREE Balloon Show or you can join the Q Corner School of Balloons for a monthly nominal fee where you will get access to lots of video tutorials and extra Q Corner content.

2. You can tune into Happy Hour with Cam & Eve. Simply click on the link to view all the past live streams. Once again, these are all free!


I hope that you have enjoyed this post, thank you for read!

Happy Ballooning!

Sue
Follow me @suebowler











Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Stylish and Creative Ways to Add Balloon Flowers to Designs and Décor

Balloon flowers come in many different guises. They can be twisted, distorted, made with round and heart shape balloons, and of course they can be a flower shaped foil balloon! In this post, we are going to look at the many different styles and decor ideas that can be created with Balloon Flowers, plus a few how-to video's to help you learn some of the techniques! 

How gorgeous is this Birthday Bouquet by Sally Povey of Above & Beyond Balloons in Sheerness, England? Sally created this stunning bouquet with a collection of different styles of twisted flowers, plus she added small yet impactful accent details that help set this apart from other flower designs. 

Fabulous balloon flowers by Sally Povey


Cam Woody, CBA, of Pioneer Balloon Company, uses a variety of different balloon flowers to create this Easter themed Balloon Wall! Cam used 6" latex hearts to make the daisies, then added two fabulous 33" Pink Peony Microfoil™ balloons to give a floral focal point to her design.





A whole new meaning to flower power! This breathtaking design is by Joan and Barbara of Globosmanas Manas from Caracas, Venezuela.



This creative Flower Wall was designed and created by Alberto Falcone, CBA. Alberto has used a variety of different balloon flowers to make this abstract and colourful balloon wall for a trade show window display.




This fabulous photo is from the Qualatex Pioneer Balloon Collective - Lifestyle Photos that are freely available to download HERE and use on your socials.


Jackie Ochitwa, CBA of With a Twist Balloons from Alberta, Canada, uses Twisted Flowers to create this undeniably adorable design. To find out how to make it click HERE or follow this link https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cb74LI8A3JG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link


This beautiful Arch has been made using Chrome™ Balloons which have been distorted to create these unique flowers. Designer name, Leonardo Carmona, CBA, White Diamond Decor, from Anaheim, CA, USA.


If you would like to learn how to create a range of different styles of flowers, check out this video from Qualatex, where you will learn to make Daisies using four different methods!


Here is another fabulous flower! Federico Onida, CBA of Balloon Express in Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy shares his 6" Heart Tropical Flower design.



Another flower that I see regularly used in 'Marquee' and 'Stack' designs is the Basket Weave Flower.



And of course, we cannot forget Fantasy Flowers! These flowers are made from uninflated latex balloons that have been wired. If you would like to learn more about Fantasy Flowers and how to make them click HERE for a direct link to my blog post - The 'Art' of Fantasy Flowers or visit - https://theverybestballoonblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-art-of-fantasy-flowers.html




What could be more appealing than this giant bouquet of flowers! 

Flowers are always a popular addition to any design, but the white daisy with a yellow centre is particularly trendy right now!

I hope that this post has been helpful and has given you a few new ideas that can be incorporated into your everyday balloon decor and arrangements! 

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue
Follow me @suebowler