By Irina

Party invitations: I'm in love with party invitations and thank you cards.

I just love exquisite party invitations and thank you cards. The newly invented photo invitations that I see more and more here in Florida are not for me.

 

I love the classic custom party invitations and thank you cards. I love the invitation paper feel, even the smell and the little ribbons that adorn them.

 

I love cute baby shower invitations and birth announcements and cheeky kids party and birthday invitations.

 

But most of all I love calligraphy personalized party invitations and one of-a-kind, hand made invitations that are now so easy to find on the web.

 

If it wouldn't be for balloon art, I think I would design unique custom party invitations and invitation stationary.

 

Or maybe weddings and bridal shower invitation or bar mitzvah invitations. I am in Florida It looks like every day someone has either a wedding or bar mitzvah here.

 

And if we didn't party enough yet, the Holiday season is here and I look forward to unique Christmas party invites. Will not be getting many housewarming invitations this year though with the housing market in such a mess.

Mylar Balloons or Foil Balloons now come in Mylar Balloon Letters & Other Shapes

Mylar balloons, also known as foil balloons, came a long way, baby. Myself, I rarely use mylar balloons  but can't help admiring all the shapes and sizes that mylar foil balloons now come in.

There are mylar letters that you can use to spell your baby's name. There are mylar cartoon characters. You can get a mylar Dora, Elmo, Mickey and a teddy bear mylar balloon.

There are mylar flowers that you can assemble in a mylar balloon bouquet. There are mini mylar balloons and giant mylars. And if that is not enough, you can order custom made foil balloons and you can print your own messages on them.

Mylar balloons are a great birthday gift in a hurry and a stand-by advertising tool.

Then there are holiday specific mylar balloons: scary for Halloween, red and green for Christmas and bunny-cute for Easter.

You can buy mylar balloons anywhere these days, from your grocery stores to mylar wholesale suppliers at a great discount. And if you are a real  bargain hunter, you'd go to that grand-daddy of all discounts - eBay!

Student Loans: Student loan debt consolidations and other student loan matters

When I hear student loan dept consolidation or any dept consolidation, I go crazy.

Student loan dept consolidation? Give me a break. Maybe it is because I grew up in Russia. 

Call me extreme. But if I had to go to college on a substantial student loan, I’d look into educating myself elsewhere.

In my mind, no matter what loan deferment or consolidation service you use, eventually it will come out of your own pocket. With interest that is. <

Myself, I went to college in Russia. We didn't have student loans at that time. In fact, the Soviet government paid us a small student allowance, 40 rubles a month. You couldn't live on that.  I lived with my parents while I went through medical school. And we had to watch our expenses at that.

Good or bad, but Soviet Russia didn't have student loans, home equity loans or any other kind of loans. Because of that I learned, oh so well, that first you earn then you spend.

OK, maybe my position on student loans is extreme. Still, need a loan? Get different opinions and sort it out for yourself.

Feel free to share your own student loan story down there in comments.

Tradeshows: Tradeshow Exhibit Giveaway Ideas, Tradeshow Promotions, Publicity in Miami, Orlando, Florida

We have a convention, an exhibit or a trade show in Miami, Florida almost every day. Add to that all the conventions in Orlando, Florida. 

Many times, I'd watched the show attendees who were bored silly. They'd wander the show floors like zombies, barely acknowledging the bleak show booths.

And I thought, one balloon artist would make such a difference. Don't ask me why, but balloon art always attract crowds.

I say a balloon artist twisting balloon art live can generate more traffic to your booth, than a $1000 display.

Plus, a single balloon artist in your booth will almost guarantee media exposure. The media is looking for a photo opportunity, a colorful action photo. A balloon artist is just that.

An expensive trade show display hardly guarantees anything but expenses.

Corporate Gift Ideas: From Gift Baskets to Caricatures, Say it with Balloons in Miami, Boca, Palm Beach

The Holiday season is here. It means gifts, gifts and more gifts. Look into balloon art for original gift ideas. Don't think of balloon art as those wiener dogs from your kids birthday party.

Most of our balloon art has nothing to do with balloon dogs or balloon animals at all. More often it is balloon flowers, balloon art caricatures of people and corporate logos. If you can think it, we can make it out of balloons.

 

The great thing is balloon art gifts can be made at virtually any price.  A large balloon sculpture can be very complex and quite expensive.  But a small balloon sculpture can be done for less, at great savings, inexpensive.

But no matter how small, it will never be a cheap-looking gift, because each balloon art piece is customized and hand-made.

Also, balloon art baskets can be a great corporate holiday gift. Balloon decorated baskets are always a great conversation piece. They are guaranteed to be one-of-a-kind gifts.

We deliver in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca, Palm Beach and other South Florida areas. And, yes, balloon art can be overnighted nationwide, e-mail us your questions.

Face Painting in Miami, Boca, Palm Beach and South Florida

Face and body paining or temporary tattoos are must at all South Florida kids parties.  It is an easy kid party idea because kids love face painting. But, wait, adults love face painting and temp tattoos or body painting just as much. I painted some grown-ups and they acted like little children.

As a family entertainer in Miami and elsewhere in South Florida, I was forced to learn face painting fast. 

I started as a balloon artist because I just love twisting balloon art. I twist balloon sculptures for my own entertainment.

But, soon enough, I would get, "What else do you do?"  Oh well, balloon animals are just not enough for the hyperactive little party people. I was forced to learn face painting and I love it now too.  It is fun to get creative on little faces with FDA-approved face paints. Always!

Now I work with some of the best face painting artists in Miami and South Florida, so if you need one, just e-mail me here.

Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove: My favorite luxury hotel Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami

I twisted balloon art a few times at the Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove in Miami. And I always enjoy going there.

This Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove is happened to be right down the street from where I live.

They have an amazing brunch at their Biscaya restaurant each Sunday. It is a beautiful feast that spreads over several dining rooms. The Ritz Coconut Grove booked me last Easter and Mother's day to twist balloon art for the brunch diners.

Dressed in my royal gown and balloon crown, as The Russian Queen of Balloons, I twisted balloon animals and other balloon art for the Ritz Carlton patrons. I was going from table to table and was hardly able to keep up with the demand.

Most families were local from Coconut Grove and South Miami. Those who left their kids back home with nannies, moaned and groaned about it. They wish they brought kids along, so they could meet "such talented balloon lady".

I love it when people get exited about my balloon art twisting. I totally share their excitement.

I noted that the more upscale venue is, the more excited my patrons are. The Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove is one of my favorite places to entertain.

Miami Meetings: Plan your Miami Conference, Meeting & Events with Miami fun in mind

Miami is a great destination for corporate meetings, conferences and trade shows.

Miami also is a vacation destination, so meeting attendees often bring their families along.

Event planners that I worked with make sure that the attendees and their family have a great time when they come down to Miami.

The planners had me entertain by twisting my balloon art in hospitality suites, at company dinners and cocktail hours, trade booths and boat outings.

 

Balloon art twisting is versatile and low-tech. It is an entertainment on the go. Granted balloon animals are fun for kids. But from what I have seen, serious corporate honchos at corporate meetings can go totally crazy with balloon art, balloon hats and even small balloon animals. Who would think?

Clowns: Miami Clowns and Other South Florida Entertainers

I don't usually see myself as a clown. But I have nothing  against clowns. I can be a clown if it is necessary.

If I am not asked to dress as a clown, I prefer to dress in my upscale party attire. I see myself more as a Balloon Lady.

I have a great collection of upscale party gowns that even kids recognize as awesome! It always amazes me how small children are generous with their spontaneous compliments!

On a rare occasion when I am dressed as a clown, I look  something like this:

 

I know a lot of fine clowns in Miami, Broward and Palm Beach. In fact, the first party entertainers I ever met were clowns. They twisted balloon art and did face painting. I have never seen anything like it. I couldn't believe that those clowns had such a wonderful job.

I still see those clowns at events. But we are equal now. We work together. I know many fine entertainers in Miami, Broward and Palm Beach. We work together and learn from each other.

Balloon Hats: Hats, Hats, Balloon Hats can Get Party Going

I love balloon hats. And I love people who love wearing balloon hats. When you see people in balloon hats you know that these people know how to party.

And for a balloon artist, balloon hats are a chance to really show off their creativity.

There are birthday party balloon hats and special holiday-themed balloon hats. There are animal balloon hats and flower balloon hats. And then there are my favorite: abstract art balloon hats.