Joining us this week for the first of our BMTV customer chats is David Schollenberger from Balloon Crew. Based in Portsmouth, Balloon Crew are a balloon modelling company that specialise in balloon décor and deliveries throughout Hampshire. Despite this, David did mention a delivery he made to Blackpool in the past, so they will travel around the country for special deliveries!

David’s origins in the balloon industry began on a regular evening, when he picked up a balloon modelling guide from his local pound shop. At a loose end, he tried twisting balloons into shapes using the guide. A few thousand attempts (and lots of popping) later, David realised how much he enjoyed balloon modelling and started his own business!

Take a look at the video to see some of the brilliant decorations that David has made, including a vegetarian zombie, Darth Vader complete with Lightsaber, a stalk for a new baby and a bride & groom headband! The benefit of headbands over the more traditional balloon hats are that they don’t pull children’s hair, and if the balloon pops it’ll pop away from the eyes and ears, so they are more safety-focused. Another change in the balloon industry that David has noticed is the morphing of balloons. This is where you inflate modelling balloons inside round balloons, which will shape and give definition to the outer balloon to create different effects such as realistic faces.

When making balloon decorations and modelling with balloons, David uses the mantra of “just one more!” Examples could be one extra balloon to create eyes instead of drawing them on, or adding a small baby balloon to the basket of his stalk creation. David states that adding “just one more” thing always adds to the perceived value of the balloon decoration, without increasing the cost for the maker! Another tip he gave for balloon twisting was not to be afraid to use the colours that customers suggest, even if you think they aren’t overly flattering! In David’s own words: “It’s their balloon, so give them what they want!”

Instead of the traditional balloon apron, David uses regular builders’ trousers with the pockets built into the legs, so he can fit 160Q, 260Q and 350Q balloons into them as well as pumps, pens and round balloons for all his twisting needs. That’s another top tip right there!

Also coming up for David and Balloon Crew is a world record attempt at the longest continuous balloon twisting session, which David hopes will land him in the Guinness Book of World records. The record currently stands at 21 hours, and David will be attempting to smash that by going for a mammoth 44 and a half hours! Balloon Market will be supporting him, and maybe even film the event so make sure to stay tuned! All the proceeds of David’s gargantuan balloon twisting session will be going to Muscular Dystrophy Association and Rowans Hospice. A lot of fun, all for a great cause!

Rob

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