Top of the pops
Lisa’s made a career out of balloons
Surrounded by 100 inflated balloons, I was in my element.
Twisting and tying them together, a few hours later, it was finished.
I’d made Disney’s Belle and Chip – standing at 6ft tall – from hundreds balloons of various shapes and sizes.
My blow-up creation was for a client’s birthday.
See, balloons are my bread and butter. I make spectacular installations for parties, weddings, christenings…
It all started when my daughter Talia, 15, and her big sister Charis, now 18, were little.
With my husband Toby at work and the kids at school, I had more time on my hands.
When Charis was 6, she had a Narnia party.
I had an amazing time, creating a whimsical wonderland in our living room and back garden.
I got an old wardrobe and Toby took off the back, so everyone had to climb through it, finding their way through fur coats.
Then I filled the lounge with Christmas trees to create a forest.
‘This is incredible,’ Charis gasped, amazed.
I had so much fun, bringing my imagination to life, it made me want to share my creativity.
So, in 2005, I started selling party packs to help parents create memorable events for their kids.
I’d learnt how to do basic balloon decor, but I really wanted to create more extravagant pieces.
So I went on balloon-decor courses, then twisting courses, and learnt to do loads – people, animals, trees, you name it, I could make it. In 2013, I set up a business called inspiredballoons. co.uk and started selling all of my creations. And they proved to be very popular! Some people wanted to buy giant zoo animals as gifts. Others wanted film characters and customised balloons of themselves. ‘My little boy wants a Despicable Me party,’ one client said. So I got to work inflating lots of yellow and blue balloons. Then I made lots of little and large Minions. But I wanted to set myself a truly mindblowing challenge. So, this summer... ‘I’m going to make a dress out of balloons,’ I told Toby
I wanted to learn how to create more extravagant pieces