BAPIA member, Lucy Hennessy, CBA, of Balloon Power in Leigh on
Sea, United Kingdom achieved 4 Bronze awards for her entries in
the following competitions: Balloon Column, Table Arrangement
and Deliverable Sculpture.
“
I strongly believe in attending as many balloon conventions
as I can because each one has given me new techniques to expand
my business. I’ve wanted to attend an American Balloon Convention
since I first started admiring pictures in ‘Images’ magazines 13 years
ago, when I started my balloon business.
After seeing all the press from the last event I decided that
I was going to attend WBC 2014. Once I’d booked my space there
was always a niggling feeling that if I didn’t compete I would regret
it, as I had at the last UK event in 2012. I had rough ideas in my
head and decided as I was going all that way I’d enter more than
one competition. I drew out some ideas and submitted the forms.
It was too late to go back now! From the rough drawings I started
to develop ideas and apply for copyright which unfortunately wasn’t
approved so I went back to the drawing board and came up with
other ideas.
Weekdays allowed me to concentrate on the designs, from
an idea in my head to lots of prototypes. Some worked and some
didn’t but I felt I was constantly learning. As the date got closer I
started to panic and worry that the designs wouldn’t be good
enough.
Being part of Team GB was a great experience we started at
9am on the Tuesday and worked through to noon on the Wednesday.
I took a couple of hours out on the Wednesday morning to prepare
my stock and diagrams as I was literally going straight into my first
and second competition after the large sculpture finished.
The first competition was very nerve wracking – the
deliverable sculpture. My hands were shaking and I started to panic,
which led to some silly mistakes but I gave myself a talking to and
settled down. Time ran away with me and the end result didn’t quite
come out how I’d practiced it. There was no time to beat myself up
about it I was going straight into the Balloon Column competition!
This time we could have a helper which calmed my nerves. Janine
Crispin CBA helped me, I think she was a little puzzled by my rushed
diagrams. Competing next to me were Mike Harris & Mari Forret,
Sara had hurt her tendons so Mari stepped in at the last minute. This
helped as we laughed along the way and all battled the tiredness as
we all hadn’t slept for the last 35 hours!
That night I tried my best to sleep but excitement and jet
lag overtook. The deliverable arrangement really threw me, I knew
there were issues with balloons floating in Denver but I thought I
had this covered - Wrong. I had to quickly change my design by
borrowing some bubbles. Again it wasn’t what I had envisaged on
entering but it was complete and thats all what mattered!
I went straight into my last competition – ‘In Bloom’. I
brought all of the cupcakes complete in my suitcase and luckily there
were just a few repairs. I wanted this one to be different from what I
normally make and was pleased with the result.
The balloon competitions were a great experience. I was
glad I pushed myself and entered. It was hard work and took over 2
months of my life but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Working
alongside other competitors was a great experience and the standard
of competition entries were very high. I didn’t have any expectations
of medal wins, I just thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. I was
overwhelmed when I achieved four 4 bronze medals of achievement!
I opted for a room buddy and was glad I did although I
was a bit apprehensive as we would be living together for a week! I
needn’t have worried as we shared laughter and a common passion
in balloons. Jo may tell you a slightly different story as she also
shared my competition mess and lack of unpacking!
The convention built new relationships with members of
Team GB. We all pulled together and created something that each
and everyone of us were proud of. It was very emotional on the
count down to the end of the competition build we were all so proud
of Sara & Mike Harris who created the Team GB sculpture, lumps in
throats & a few tears were shed!
I really enjoyed the classes I went to, learning new
techniques and being taught by people whose work I have always
admired and never met was amazing. The convention was a mass
of balloons, laughter and team spirit! The parties and gala dinner
were fantastic, where do you get the chance of creating large scale
décor to that level ? The staff at the event worked tirelessly and it’s
down to their meticulous planning and hard work that it was such an
amazing event!
My advice to anyone thinking of attending would be to
not hesitate, start saving for WBC 2016! I’d also say to help out on a
large sculpture build; it gives you hands on experience on a project
that you pro