We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rachel Baker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rachel below.

Rachel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, I was living alone in a two-bedroom apartment with my dog, George. Struggling with my mental health, I found solace in balloon twisting—a hobby that had helped me before. Amid the chaos of the pandemic, inspired by a viral video of an artist in Rome releasing a balloon rosary to send prayers, I wanted to spread smiles. I discovered the “One Million Bubbles” campaign by balloon artist Steven Jones, aimed at sharing love and hope through art. Excited by the project, I prepared for Easter weekend, April 12th, 2020, planning to create a display of balloon flowers from my balcony. Joining 2,200 balloon artists across 81 countries, I used my art to promote kindness and joy during difficult times. I enjoyed it so much that I continued to create installations four more times at my apartment and once at my job, reminding my community to spread love and kindness.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Rachel Baker, and I am also known as The Twisting Sister. With over 15 years of experience as a balloon artist, I have committed my career to spreading joy and laughter through the art of balloon twisting.

In 2010, I founded The Twisting Sister, which was initially established as Balloon Twisting by Rachel. As a self-taught artist, I began creating balloon masterpieces as a means to address my struggles with depression. I discovered that this creative outlet not only facilitated my healing but also brought smiles to numerous individuals.

My experience includes providing services for a diverse array of events, from birthday parties to corporate functions, allowing me to share my unique creations with a wide audience. Every balloon sculpture is crafted with meticulous attention to detail and infused with passion, ensuring that each piece is regarded as a work of art.

I possess a strong enthusiasm for expanding the boundaries of traditional balloon twisting and persistently challenge myself to develop new and innovative designs. My dedication to this craft motivates me to consistently refine my skills and explore emerging techniques.

The ability to bring happiness to others through my art is a profound privilege. I am thankful for the opportunity to engage in a profession I love and to observe the joy that my creations elicit in both children and adults alike.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I first started playing with balloons, it was a hobby—a creative outlet during my time studying and working full-time. Balancing nursing school and my job led to overwhelm, and I set balloons aside to focus more on my responsibilities. Unfortunately, I began experiencing memory loss and disorientation.

I was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 10, which seemed hereditary, as my mother and great aunt also had seizures. After taking anti-convulsants for 13 years, I was medication-free and seizure-free for three years by age 26. The thought of having seizures again was terrifying. When I consulted my neurologist, she suggested I might be having absent seizures, and testing confirmed increased seizure activity in my brain, triggered by stress and sleep deprivation.

I aspired to be a pediatric nurse, wanting to care for children like me with invisible diagnoses. During my last clinical rotation on the pediatric floor, I encountered clowns visiting to entertain the kids. I was inspired to ask one clown how I could get involved. He told me about Clown College but mentioned that latex balloons weren’t allowed in hospitals due to allergies. Although I was disappointed, this sparked a desire in me to spread happiness and kindness.

I realized that I needed to prioritize my well-being first. If the stress of being a nurse would lead to seizures, I had to make a change. A friend often reminded me, “You have to put your oxygen mask on before you can help others.” Now, 16 years later, I run my own business spreading joy with inflatable smiles and haven’t had a seizure in nearly 20 years.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being creative is personal growth and self-discovery. One of my favorite balloon memories happened during my very first public balloon job. I was hired by Chick-fil-A to create balloons for their family fun night in the food court at the mall. I had been practicing balloon art for about a year and was incredibly nervous about performing in front of a large crowd.

Thanks to a connection through a friend, I teamed up with a local face painter who gave me the chance to join her for the event. It was important to me that my balloon animals stood out—I didn’t want to just make simple balloon designs that only vaguely resembled animals. At that time, I wasn’t fast with my art, and as a result, the line of waiting customers grew extraordinarily long. I was visibly nervous, and I found myself tripping over my own feet as I slowly made my way down the line. I stressed about making each animal as perfect as possible when suddenly, a woman tapped me on the shoulder.

She said, “Hi, I know you’re super busy, but could you do me a favor?” Caught off guard, I looked at her, and she continued, “I’ve been watching you work, and you are incredibly talented, but I can see how nervous you are. I’d like you to take a deep breath, look out at the people in front of you, and realize that they wouldn’t be waiting in this long line if you weren’t providing them with something special. You’re doing a great job, and watching your work has brought me so much joy. All of these kids are leaving with the biggest smiles.”

I hold on to this memory, and every time I start to feel nervous or overwhelmed, I think of the woman who took the time out of her day to show me what she saw when she looked at me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thetwistingsister.com
• Instagram: @thetwistingsister
• Facebook: The Twisting Sister
• Other: tik tok: @thetwistingsister

Image Credits

MJG Photography 2025 Max Convention