Here's a couple behind-the-scenes shots from our recent work on JIFFY LUBE's "We're Good With Our Hands" commercial series.
They asked for a big hat. And a big hat they received.
Looks like a finished product...
New Balloon Artist Spotlight: Bryan
We have some great news - The Inflators are growing! And we would like to introduce to you our newest member, Bryan!
Bryan grew up in Japan (if you can believe it) and made his way over to sunny, Southern California in the early 2000's. He a close friend (and ex-roommate) of Bryce and was even in Bryce and Heidi's wedding. Bryan is a certified EMT and lives in Glendale, CA while he pursues a career as a fireman.
Side note, he's got one of the best smiles in the business and makes some gnarly (fancy!!) balloon hats. He's thrilled to be on board and The Inflators are thrilled to have him!
Our team!
Just thought we'd let everyone know what the team looks like at a training session!
On the docket tonight? A couple new versions of:
Rabbit
Buzz Lightyear
Giraffe
Tinkerbell
Jasmine
Nemo
Squirt
Flamingo
Mickey Mouse
And a few more! Thought we'd clue you in!
THE INFLATORS
Balloon Crazy Hat: Crazy Hat, Cray-Cray Coaster Hat, The Mess - VOTE!
We got to fooling around last night and decided to throw a couple new hats in the mix. Sound off in the comments with your favorite one!
Top to bottom: Crazy Hat - Cray Cray Coaster - The Mess
Everything You Need To Get Started Twisting Balloons
What's the #1 question we're asked as balloon artists: How did you learn how to make balloons?
#2 question we're asked as balloon artists: How do I get the balloons that YOU use?!
Look no further. THE INFLATORS are about to tell you everything. (NOTE: decide now which colors you want to go with (for pump, balloons and skirt). Personally, I have a purple pump, all the colors balloons, and black skirt.
PUMP
The pump is the most important tool in your toolbox. It's the baseball glove of your ballooning, so once you choose one, stick with it. It will shape to your hand and you'll pray it never breaks. I had my first one for a year until it broke, but luckily, I had an exact replica as a replacement!
You really only have one choice for a pump - and that's QUALTEX.
BALLOONS
Greens, Blues, Oranges, Yellows, Pastels, Neons... the choices are endless. Here are some of our favorites. Get one, get them all. We buy them by the hundreds. Balloons typically come in two package sizes: 100ct or 250ct. You can choose your colors and you'll save a little getting the 250ct bags. The neons are a little more expensive (couple bucks...), but that's because they're SUPER bright and pretty durable (I love them - they look amazing).
Small cylinder balloons are called 160q's. We don't actually use those for our style.
Medium cylinder balloons are called 260q's. We exclusively use these, unless we're making eyeballs, or octopus heads or bigger, rounder "ball" balloons, then we use...
2-inch balloon. These come in all sizes. We usually get lots of whites (eyeballs) and some assorted colors for all the other stuff, or colored eyeballs.
Here To Help: The Perfectly Planned Party
Have a party planned, but you feel crushed by all the details? Never fear. Help is on the way. The Inflators will help manage your party so you don't have to!
Need some helping preparing for the perfect party, but can't seem to keep everything in order? THE INFLATORS are here to help! Attached you'll find a little something that we put together to help you keep your party straight, your entertainment manages and your guests totally happy!
Frequently, we hear from mother's and grandmothers and aunt's alike that they've loved dealing with us because we made it a simple three-step process towards booking:
Contact. Deposit. Confirmation.
But unfortunately, not all vendors (and guests) are quite so simple!
So we decided to do something about that. Attached at the bottom of this post is THE INFLATORS Guide to the Perfectly Planned Party. Download it, keep it on your desktop or print it off and follow it along as you approach your party date. Even get the kids to help! Grab planning back from the 'stress' column and toss it in the 'fun' category again.
And don't forget to smile. Often and always!
New Artist Spotlight: Marisa
We've added a couple new artists to THE INFLATORS! In the coming days, we'll roll out the introductions and fill you in on a little newsie-news about who they are, where they came from and anything else that might tickle your fancy funny bones.
Up first, Marisa!
Home State: California
Favorite Balloon: Caterpillar
Favorite Animated Character: Phineas, from PHINEAS & FERB
Handed: Right
Started Balloons: In college, 2008
Go-To Snack: Teriyaki Beef Jerky or Cheddar and Sour Cream chips
Diehard Fan of: USC Trojan Football
Enchilada/Burger/Sandwich? Chicken Enchilada.
Random Fact: I've never, ever been flexible enough to touch my toes standing up.
Meet The Inflators!
THE INFLATORS – Bryce & Heidi & The Gang – have got you covered! We’re thrilled to be able to help make your perfect party come true!
Back in 2011, Bryce and Heidi got married. And what a joyous affair it was! But it wasn't long until they realized that Heidi's talent as a balloon artist and face painter was becoming too popular for her alone to handle.
It was decided: they would train Bryce...
And what a joyous affair it was!
One party turned into two parties and before you knew it, THE INFLATORS were full-blown party artists. So much in fact that they've managed to hire two more INCREDIBLE artists (Bryan & Marisa) with a couple more on the way!
We're so happy to have you along for the ride! And be sure to check back for more pics, videos and updates about The Inflators -- it's going to be a terrific ride!
Artist Spotlight: Heidi
Heidi - one of the founding members of THE INFLATORS and a true whiz with the balloons and paints. Here's a snapshot into her personality...
Home State: Montana
Favorite Balloon: Penguin
Favorite Animated Character: Belle
Handed: Right
Started Balloons: June, 2009
Go-To Snack: Salt and Vinegar chips
Diehard: San Francisco Giants Fan
Enchilada/Burger/Sandwich? Enchilada
Random Fact: Loves Hot Cheeto’s & Ketchup
Artist Spotlight: Bryce
Bryce - a founder of THE INFLATORS - can trace his love for the twist way back into some of the fascinations of his past. Let's take a look...
Home State: Washington State
Favorite Balloon: Monkey in a Tree
Favorite Animated Character: Buzz Lightyear
Handed: Left
Started Balloons: Sept, 2011
Enchilada/Burger/Sandwich: Sandwich
Go-To Snack: Cheddar Goldfish
Diehard: Washington Huskies Fan
Random Fact: Played Lacrosse for 4 years in college.