Showing posts with label Balloon Images Magazine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Balloon Images Magazine. Show all posts

Monday, January 12, 2015

A little last minute Valentine's Inspiration.

One of my New Year's resolution's is to be more organised and to take every opportunity to plan ahead rather than give myself last minute stress that I could have so easily avoided! 


Balloon Images Oct/Nov/Dec 2014

I was reminded of that when I picked up my Oct/Nov/Dec 2014 Balloon Images magazine and on opening the Trade Secrets pages "It's Never Too Early for Love", it reminds us to 'Get a Head Start' and offers us some great suggestions on how to get our creative juices flowing! So just in case you missed this great article I am sharing some of these tips with you today!












STEP ONE: GET INSPIRED! Here is a list of resources that can help you to get started, for immediate access to the relevant pages just click on the links, all links will open in a new page/tab.
  • Check out the Valentine's Day Business Booster on Qualatex.com
Valentine's Day Business Booster
  • Enhance your websites and your Facebook Business pages with these great seasonal bouquet ideas on Qualatex.com



Valentine's Seasonal Bouquet Ideas

Valentine's Pinterest Boards 

  • If you are a member of the Qualatex® Facebook Groups you can use the search feature just below the pages cover photo to search for "Valentine's Day", I have added a red arrow to indicate the box you need to type your key search words into, this is a great tool when looking for specific ideas.
Qualatex Facebook Group 

  • And of course don't forget to check out The Very Best Balloon Blog, click the Valentine's label on the sidebar, (I have indicated this with a red arrow), this will bring up all the blogs that relate to Valentine's day including some great step by step designs and recipes!
The Very Best Balloon Blog

STEP TWO: DESIGN YOUR OFFER
Now that your inspiration is flowing, it's time to start preparing your designs.
  • Select designs at a variety of pricing points, so that you can appeal to customers with any budget.
  • Include a couple of options that are suitable gift ideas for family or friends, not just significant others.
  • Brainstorm catchy names to make it easier for people to request a specific design.
  • Remember that 9" and 14" air-filled Microfoils make great add-ons, grab-and-go gifts, or party favours.


STEP THREE: GET READY
Once you have decided on your offerings, start making a list of the products you'll need to stock. Order your stock NOW to ensure availability. When ordering general love-them balloons, remember that these can be sold year-round not just on February 14.
Don's forget to show your staff the Valentine's Day offerings you've chosen, and print out any necessary instructions sheets so everyone will know how to create them.

If you have the opportunity I recommend that you check out the whole article as there are some other great pointers to help you to get the most from this fantastic 'ballooning' day!
'It's Never Too Early For Love" Balloon Images Article

Happy Valentine's Ballooning!

Sue
www.suebowler.com

Friday, October 7, 2011

A few tips for those who are ready to take the CBA Practical Exam... I promise there is nothing to be nervous about!

With more and more balloon professionals working towards their CBA accreditation, I thought that it might be a good time to write a blog about how you can prepare for the big day!


Taking the practical exam is the final step in earning your CBA and this can only be accomplished after completing the 3 online tests, "QBN Balloon Basics", "QBN Balloon Deliveries" and "QBN Balloon Decor" and passing!

Now you are eligible to take the CBA Practical Exam and I want to share some tips with you that I hope will help you on the day!
You wont be doing this!
  


Firstly, I do not want you to think of this as an EXAM, the minute we use that word most of us go into complete panic mode and remember our schooldays of sitting hour after hour with a piece of paper in front of us desperately trying to recall all the information that we had learned over the past XX years! I can guarantee no desks, just a work table to work on and no written exam, you will just be asked to answer a few questions, no 'trick' questions, no 'curved balls', just things that you learned when you watched the DVD's!


We are a creative 'bunch' of happy people, working with balloons is our passion therefore I would rather you consider this as a your very best balloon job (which of course they all are) and the opportunity to shine and to confirm that you are the person who completed the online tests and that you understood the curriculum!

Let me start by talking about the practical side of the assessment process... I much prefer the word assessment :)

I would like to say at this point, that taking the CBA practical is not a competition! I believe that many people think that they have to create something that has never been seen before, in terms of idea's and techniques, I can assure you that this is not the case. Designs that score well are those that demonstrate a good knowledge of the principles and elements of design... all the 'stuff' that you just learned in the QBN program and not how you have invented the next great technique... there is plenty of time for that later when you enter competitions!

1. You are required to design and make one SOCIAL EXPRESSION bouquet.
What is meant by Social Expression? As usual I 'Googled' it!  I was pleasantly surprised with the result, it really defines what it means! Here are a few examples...

A friend has just had a baby. What do you say?
·        Congratulations!

Your  friend  is ill. What do you say?
·        I hope you feel better soon.
·        I hope you get better soon.
It’s a friend’s birthday. What do you say?
·        Happy Birthday!
·        Many happy returns!

So this is easy, you need to create a balloon bouquet that expresses a message... and there are many messages that you could choose from,  just simply open your Qualatex catalogue and you have a wealth of beautiful balloons with messages that you can use within your bouquet.

Here's an example using a design that I created:

Firstly, this design is called "Bottle Buddy Bouquet", it gives me the opportunity to make a bouquet that also acts as a gift! The bottle could be the recipients favourite 'tipple', but make sure you are within licencing  laws if the bottle contains alcohol, you could always use a non-alcoholic drink, which could be fun too...
Bottle Buddy designed by Sue Bowler CBA

What 'social expression' does this bouquet convey?
  • 'Happy 50th Birthday' - reflected through use of the Silver & Black Birthday Elegant Sparkles & Swirls and the 50-A-Round 11" Qualatex Balloons
  • Let's Party! - The wonderful 8-Point Star Shape topper -Let's Party Sparkle & Swirls, 28" Microfoil balloon.
  • With love - the 4" Gold Microfoil Heart, held by my Bottle Buddie that could be personalised with the recipients name!
This design says it all, it has a clear message, it's fun and perfect for a delivery!







Remember when you create your design... think California Law!


2. You are required to design and make one TABLE CENTREPIECE of your own design.
Centrepiece designs by Sue Bowler cba


What is a table centrepiece? It is simply an arrangement placed at the centre of a round or rectangular table where no part of the display blocks view lines. These are usually defined with the base element of a centrepiece not exceeding 14"  and a good clear visual gap before the use of any aerial balloons, usually a distance of 24" or more from the table top. Once again your design should demonstrate your understanding of principles and elements of design. Here are a few tips when you are creating your designs:
  • Have a strong focal point in the arrangement and draw the eye through the focal point by repeating balloons and other design material in a clear line or lines.
  • Make sure your design is visually balanced and mechanically sound.
  • Choose one of the colour harmonies for your arrangement and stick to it in all of your materials.
Your centrepiece design can be an air-filled design, using a central pole to give you the required distance between your base and top elements! Or it can be a base design connected with a complimentary helium filled arrangement. Remember when you create your design... think California Law!

3. Make a Duplicate Balloon Bouquet, working from a photograph, both the photo and materials are provided for this. I recommend that you practice 'specialty' skills & techniques such as creating 'Gumballs', Double Bubbles, correctly inflating GEO Donut's and GEO Blossom balloons! A new element to the assessment is that you are required to correctly inflate Qualatex Bubbles and Deco Bubbles, if these balloons are new to you I recommend that you watch the video clip on Qualatex.com  http://www.qualatex.com/qualatexbubbles/ It is important that you have the ability to re-create accurately designs from a photograph, this is especially important for referrals and relay business's.


4. Make a Duplicate 'Balloon Flower', working from a photograph, both the photo and materials are provided for this. Instructions for the Balloon Flower can be found at 'Instruction Sheets' on Qualatex.com or in the QBN Balloon Delivery & Bouquets' Kit. Just make exactly what you see, nothing extra, keep it neat and tidy!


5. Construct a 5' (length) of air-filled, 5-Balloon Cluster Spiral Garland, using 11" balloons, these do not need to be inflated to 11", between 9"-10" is perfectly OK, but you must ensure that all your balloons are the same size... use a template! The spiral pattern must be correct and the column should be constructed well and should not fall apart on a firm shake! You will be provided with the balloons and Dacron line for this.

6. KNOW YOUR KNOTS! You will be asked to demonstrate how to tie a temporary knot and a permanent knot as per the QBN curriculum!
Temporary knot


7. Answer 6.... only 6 questions from the curriculum, and either demonstrate a mock balloon delivery sales phone call or make a mock balloon delivery presentation during your assigned 15 minute panel interview.
OK, I would be lying if I said that this was easy... it's not difficult, but this is where most peoples nerves kick in!
 However, the panel will never allow nerves to stand in your way and they will try and make sure that you are relaxed as possible, if your mind goes blank, then you'll be asked another question or you can re-visit the question later and in most cases you'll be relaxed enough by then to remember.

Balloon Images Magazine Oct/Nov/Dec 2011


  • Make sure you know the principles and elements of design... as additional reading check out the great series of articles in IMAGES  magazines starting with April/May/June 2011 this issue covers Balance & Line, July/Aug/Sept 2011 covers Scale & Texture and Oct/Nov/Dec 2011 covers Colour and Proportion.

  • These articles are invaluable as they will really help you to fully understand the importance of these within your every day work.
Balloon Images Magazine Apr/May/Jun 2011
  • Make sure you understand the business side of your business, once again, in addition to the resources supplied with the QBN program look at the great articles featured in IMAGES magazine such as Protect Your Business Trade Secrets April/May/June 2011.


    With the mock delivery or telephone call... give it your all! Why not, everyone on the panel will have been through the exact same process, remember all the points to making a good delivery or talking a phone call order...  sing Happy Birthday or if you do not feel confident enough to sing, how about reciting a simple Birthday poem like some did in their delivery presentation, which was great! If you are asked to do a mock telephone call you can ask to turn your chair round, this may help you so that your not looking at the person you are suppose to be talking to on the telephone!


    There is a Guide to Taking the Certified Balloon Artists (CBA) Practical Exam, that you can download from Qualatex.com, this is full of other  very valuable information that I have not included in this blog and the actual CBA Practical Exam Score Sheet, so you can see how many points you are scored for each of the sections of the exam... a very helpful tool! 
    Design Basics Book



    Finally, review the DVD's, resources and your completed online tests, remember this process is simply to confirm your knowledge of the QBN curriculum!

    For me, becoming a CBA is not just about remembering what you have learned on the day, it is about using the knowledge and skills that you have learned each and every day within your business. I know that when I passed and became a CBA 16 years ago, it was a little like passing my driving test! I was certaininly not a perfect driver but I had the knowledge to be and from that day on I REALLY learned how to drive well... so once I became a CBA I started to look at my business in a totally new way, the designs that I created and still create today are all based round understanding the principles and elements of design, which colours I use together and how I can make my design look visually pleasing... and most importantly how to run my business... understanding how to price my work, and the list goes on and on! 
    I hope for those of you who are planning to take the final steps towards becoming a CBA that you have found this information useful... Good luck and I look forward to reading your name as a new CBA in Images magazine soon!

    Sue


    If you want to find out when and where the next CBA exam will take place you can visit Qualatex.com or contact your nearest Pioneer Office, there are often opportunities to take your exam at  Qualatex Events such as the one being held in Oxfordshire next month and the World Balloon Convention in Dallas next March!











    Monday, October 3, 2011

    Pinch me... am I dreaming? An amazing opportunity to decorate a party of a lifetime!

    "Imagine being able to create the party decor that only dreams are made of, where the balloons are unlimited and you have a full staff to help you to bring it all to life"! ...


    Final Night Gala WBC 2011 designed by Rocky Toomey CBA


    I am so very lucky, I have attended balloon event gala's and parties world-wide over the past 20 years that has stimulated every emotion within me ... from that amazing WOW factor as you walk into a wonderland of awesome decor, TINGLES that have run through my whole body as special effects have created sheer magic within a room,  and TEARS of joy knowing that this is an industry that I am so very proud to be part of.


    Balloon IMAGES Sept/ Oct 1996
    I have had the honor to be part of a number of these magnificent gala's and parties, as a delegate at IBAC 13 (International Balloons Art Convention) 1997, I worked along side Marloes Bakker-Marsden, where she taught me how to use 260Q's to help create beautiful Grecian Urns for the 'Golden Age of Greece' final night gala. Marloes first wowed our industry in 1996 when she and Gunter Blum of Australia, used their innovative technique using 260Q to create their sculpture 'Fishing for Compliments', as featured on the front cover of Images magazine September/October 1996.

    Balloon Images Nov/Dec 1998
    I have also had the honor to work long side other incredible designers such as Rocky Toomey and Terry Mulryan Toomey of Future Affairs Productions in Providence, RI, USA, who are absolute Masters when it comes to creating grand gala decor and special effects. I will never forget the incredible final night gala 'Phantom of the IBAC', IBAC 14 1998. There is a great article on this fabulous gala in IMAGES November/ December 1998, it is well worth a read.
    I could go on, there have been so many spectacular parties and gala's, each one special but they all have one thing in common, they are all memory makers that leave a wonderful lasting impression long after the event has gone!

    Now you have the opportunity to make that dream a reality!

    For the very first time, Qualatex in conjunction with the World Balloon Convention is giving you the chance to rise to balloon stardom by offering  2 opportunities at the 2012 World Balloon Convention to take the leading role in designing one of two prestigious parties : the Thursday Night Theme Party or the WBC Grand Gala.
    Along with the opportunity to design and execute the winning decor, each winner will receive:
    · Transportation to and from WBC 2012
    · Full-package Registration for WBC 2012
    · Lodging for the duration of the event
      
    Where do you start? Well if you are anything like me, your mind will go into 'creative overdrive', but on a more practical note you should start by reading the How To Enter and the Eligibity section by visiting www.worldballoonconvention.com  you can then download the entry form that gives you full details of what you have to do next! But you need to get started as the closing date is 15th October 2011!
    Opportunities like this are very rare, the kudos that designing and creating decor of this magnitude can bring you and your business is enormous, what better way to impress your clients and demonstrate your skills as a 'Master' event decorator.

    I wish you every luck and am very much looking forward to meeting the winners at WBC 2012!

    Sue