We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ernie Shown a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ernie, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I first learned about the balloon business from my wife — she was already a successful balloon twister when I met her. After we got married, she gave me a very basic understanding of how to become a balloon twister, and off we went.

I learned the balloon craft from numerous places. First, meeting with more experienced people really helped with the basics – tying, twisting and some rudimentary balloon creations. Next, I was able to watch some super talented balloon artists on VHS and DVD (really old school!) …… this helped me learn more quickly, since I was able to pause, back up, or replay segments I may have had trouble with.

Next, I graduated to attending balloon conventions. This was absolutely the best way for me to learn more about my craft, how others handle various aspects of the balloon business, and specific balloon designs. Also at conventions, I got a chance to hang out with some of the world’s very best balloon artists. This was very inspirational!

Conventions also featured classes, taught be really skilled balloon artists. I learned a number of fantastic designs in this way, and being able to corner an instructor to clarify any points I may have missed was key to understanding what the artist’s was trying to achieve.

One of the coolest things about balloon conventions – besides classes for everyone from beginner to advanced – is the “Jam Room”. The balloon manufacturers who sponsor these events put out a bunch of their balloon stock for people to try out, and the attendees really get into this! Often, a balloon artist will be asked to show someone how to make, say, an elephant. The artist will tell interested people to gather up balloons (colors, sizes) that will be needed to build this creation. If it’s an interesting/cute/neat balloon sculpture, a small circle of twisters will magically appear, and everyone get to twist along and learn! Some of my best lessons came from the Jam Room, and I also had a chance to show others some of the cooler stuff I had learned, too.

Nowadays YouTube is an excellent source for learning new balloon designs, and other social media platforms (Instagram) cater to collections of really dazzling balloon designs. My skill level has increased to the point where I can look at a photo, and can come up with a nearly identical design.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I spent nearly 17 years in the US Air Force, first as a Navigator/Weapons System Officer and later as an Intelligence Officer. After leaving the service, I was not quite sure what I wanted to do with my life. Fortunately, I ended up in San Antonio, Texas, where I met a young lady (who later became my wife) who made her living twisting balloons! After we ere married, I thought I would build websites, run the “business office” for her while she actually worked the business.

My wife insisted that I try doing balloons for tips in a local a restaurant, and wow, people would actually give me $$ for building fairly simple balloon sculptures! This type of work inevitably leads to — birthday events. And I was the person in charge of building special balloon creations for the special guest at these events. This led me to search out sources for inspiration — I really wanted to impress and dazzle the birthday kid’s parents. And when I created something that blew the parents away, they naturally recommended our business to others. More birthday events!!

I have never “settled”, or become complacent with my balloon making skills — I always am looking for the neatest, or coolest, or cutest balloon designs. I really want to dazzle the people that see me work, and delight those that receive one of my balloon sculptures.

It comes down to balloon twisters versus balloon artists — twisters have a limited set of designs that they can reproduce quickly, whereas artists can create just about anything out of balloons. My goal has to be the very best balloon artist in my area!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I find it fascinating that, with all of the tech that is available to kids today, people will stand in a line with an hour-long wait to get one of my balloons!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I want to be recognized as the very best balloon artist in my area. So, I constantly seek out more complex designs to learn, and find ways to improve my skill set.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://allthingsballoon.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllThingsBalloon/

Image Credits

All images taken by Ernie Shown