Balloon Crew's Views

Top 10 Memories of 2011

2011-12-09T11:37:00.000-08:00

Boy, where has the year gone? It's already December!

"Memories, light the corners of my mind," and we have lots of memories from this year! Okay, here you go, Balloon Crew's first "Top 10 Memories!"

Attended the Premiere Party for the "UnPoppables," a TLC show about balloon art. We had a blast at Peppermill in Brecksville!
Opening day for the Indians: great weather, perfect balloon release. Went down to Quaker Steak and Lube afterwards to cheer on the Tribe!
Prom season in May: we did more proms that month than ever before! Thanks to the schools' Senior Advisors for choosing us.
Blacklit balloons from
Kaleigh's Bat Mitzvah
Created AWESOME black light balloon decor for Kaleigh's Bat Mitzvah!
Awarded contracts to decorate the Huntington bank branches inside ALL Giant Eagle stores!
Selected to decorate the premier of the "Bridesmaids" movie at Cinemark's Strongsville location.
Hired our part time college crew member, Sarah DeCarlo, and she's doing great!
Threw the BEST 30th anniversary party ever! Fun, food, dancing and pictures for all! Thanks to the crew and all the vendors who helped us celebrate.
Awarded the contract for coordinating balloons at 37 branches of Arhaus Furniture across the country! Thanks to Robin from Penca Creative Services.
Had the best year ever in our 30 years of business! We are almost totally booked for New Year's Eve! Thanks to all our customers and staff for supporting us since 1981.

Our 30th Anniversary cake featuring
Crew Members Andria, Susan,
Jacquie, Marina and Sarah

In addition to all of these highlights, we would like to congratulate our fearless leader Jacquie on attending the 2011 BALLOONstitute last September for three days of creativity, fun and learning in Detroit! She brought great ideas back to the greater Cleveland area to share with the rest of the crew, and we're looking forward to sharing them with you, too!

Color me happy! Thanks to all our customers and staff for supporting us since 1981 - Stay tuned for fun times with us in 2012!

The Balloon Crew

Making an Entrance that POPS!!

2010-08-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

This weekend Cleveland's Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame will be welcoming their 8 millionth visitor. I think we need to take some inspiration from the partiers at the Rock Hall and put it into our own celebrations. I'm thinking balloon drops; 500 neon colored balloons cascading around you making the perfect entrance and an even more memorable photo op. If it's perfect for the Rock Hall's special moment (and the 7 millionth "moment", as well!), why not use it for you?
____________________________

Imagine this, you have that special entrance and BANG, POP, DROP; there they all go. You've got balloons surrounding you, astounding all your guests and showing off the true center of attention. Brides, corporations and even restaurants all across the Cleveland area are jumping up at the idea of a balloon drop, and they've got reasons to do so. As far as special effect so, balloon drops are definitely within the budget-friendly category. From a simple cascade to an awe-inspiring rush of color in motion, your balloon drop can be personalized to your needs and budget.

Drop and pops add the perfect element of decor and surprise to any type of event. Whether you're looking for an extra touch to your wedding, a way to make your Bar or Bat Mitzvah stand out or even just a chance to play like a kid again, balloon drops will give you all you need and more!

BCI-- Your Outdoor Decor Specialists

2010-06-17T07:49:00.000-07:00

It feels like I wait six months out of the year for these next three months. Summer's here, and I am absolutely in love! I love that shining sun (even if my sunburn doesn't). I adore those summer BBQ's (even if my diet starts to falter). And I even love those darn chirping birds (even though they wake me up early when all I want to do is sleep until ten).

However, as a balloon professional there are certain aspects of summer that always seems to put my stomach in knots. Outdoor celebrations are what makes summer...well, summer. Parties at the lake, backyard bbq's, baseball games: fantastic summertime events! But, when you're decorating an outdoor celebration you need to keep Mother Nature in mind. I've seen customer after customer walk into our office planning for their ideal outdoor celebration, and most of them take our advice when ordering decor, but some of them don't and those are the parties that put my stomach in knots.

I've made a promise to myself and my customers this summer-- outdoor decor it is, and we'll do our best to make it happen! Just follow these helpful hints, listen to your designers and be as creative as possible!

1) Don't Blow Up my Balloon! Puff it up with air!!

Helium-filled balloons are fantastic for that extra add of pizzazz, but not when their's wind involved! Stick with air-filled designs to make sure that your decor remains neat, stable and won't be popped by any pesky trees. The air-filled topiaries are my personal favorite and can be used to lead guests where they need to go. Choose the 5" topiary for a smaller design or go big with an 11" style to really make an impression.

2) Go Big or Go Home-- With Decor Frames!

Just because you're outside, doesn't mean you can't go over-the-top with balloon sculptures! All you need to do is add that extra "umph" of support. We've mastered the art of using metal frames and heavy base plates to keep decor stable. Columns, sculptures, arches, and even balloon pigs all need that extra support to keep themselves stable in this unpredictable Cleveland summertime weather.

3) Somewhere Over the Rainbow Arch Way Up High!

Some of my fondest Balloon Crew memories involve my Balloon Crew partner-in-crime, Susan, and I waking up early summer morngs to create absolutely astonishing balloon archways. When it comes to an outdoor celebration, your arch really does need to go big or go home. We've got pleanty of arch styles to choose from, but make sure that your arch has pleanty of helium lift to keep it stable throughout the entire party. Packed, Spiral or Crescent Moon Archways work best in my experience. They're large enough so that they won't blow around and grand enough to really make an impact. These are also great for any walk, run or ride you're planning for this summer-- imagine seeing that rainbow in the distance as your run the last few miles!!

There they are. My helpful decor hints-- keep them in mind! If you have any other ideas, give us a jingle. Mother Nature can be a powerful force, don't ignore her!

See you at the lake & remember to wear your sunblock!

Party on,

Marina

Balloon Crew Celebrates For a Cause!

2010-01-23T13:20:00.000-08:00

Many times in life we get stuck in the everyday grab and go -- so much so that we forget to look around and see the true beauty of people and the hope we can inspire in one another. Two years ago the Crew got a wake up call! We received the chance to work with an organization that truly highlights the good of the world. The Cleveland based Imagine Benefit raises funds and awareness for the boys and girls of the Nepal Orphans Home and for the past two Decembers we've got to party with this amazing non-profit!

The benefit was filled with one-of-a-kind silent auction items, complete with gourmet hors d'oeuvres and finished off with top-class balloon decor! I've never seen such a dedicated group of people working for one common goal-- just look and see what you missed!

This year, find an organization or cause that wakes you up from that everyday routine. Find your passion; live it; dream it; and most of all....celebrate it!! To thank YOU for all your hard work, we'll give you 10% off of every non-profit order you place with us.

As Louis Armstrong said, it really is a wonderful world. Take some time to enjoy it with those you love.

Kindest Regards,

Marina Bach

SuperSales Gal

A "Window" from the Past

2009-11-03T11:21:00.000-08:00

Throughout my life I've been told that I'm an "old soul" in a "young body." At times, I really do wish that I was born earlier...not necessarily to be wiser and have that perfect hint of gray, but rather to have experienced my hometown, Cleveland, during its glory days. Jacquie, a Cleveland-history genius and Balloon Crew Supreme Commander, constantly tells stories of the Cleveland of her youth.

I'm told that the Holiday Season in Cleveland was the time of all times. The time for parades, music, and ice skating, but most of all the time for extravagant creativity and ingenious designs. I'm talking about HOLIDAY WINDOWS! I've never really seen one, but thinking about it still makes me happy!! Imagine the wonder on a small child's face as he or she stares at all of the little gadgets and gizmo's; their hope that the perfect little gift will be given during the holiday season.

It is with that creativity from the past that the Balloon Crew designs for the future. Simply stated--I get to play window designer!! Our pretty little window shines bright over Garfield Blvd. and celebrates the everyday occasions of the year. Holidays, birthdays, celebrations--whatever the world throws at us, we'll throw a party right back!!

If you're ever in the area swing on by and admire our pretty little window. You'll get to relive your childhood as you stare in wonder at all the fancy balloon gadgets and gizmo's.

Party on!

-Marina
Super-Salesgal

Simply "Spook"tacular

2009-10-21T08:26:00.000-07:00

Halloween celebrations truly give our designers the chance to go above and beyond the customers wildest dreams!! This is the season when kids dress like adults and adults act like kids. The time for free candy and Carmel-coated fruit. The chance for families to bond of over pumpkins and scare their all kids, all in the same day. How often do you get that kind of variety?

Some of my favorite balloon designs were created for Halloween parties. How about throwing your own spooky party this year? It's not too late-- just plan a costume, pick some apples, call some friends and, of course, don't forget the balloons. We've created 7-foot tall Frankensteins, disco-ing Pumpkin Heads, and simply spooky centerpieces.

Here are some of my favorites. Hope they provide some inspiration for you.

Happy haunting!

Marina

"Super SalesGal"

Balloon Crew, Inc.

Outdoor Extravaganzas...

2009-08-13T12:53:00.000-07:00

Let us make your next outdoor EXTRAVAGANZA an absolute hit!! Summer is slowly winding down and the kids are gradually going back to school, but it's never too late for one last "Hurrah!" We "Balloon Crewers" pride ourselves on the one-on-one client interaction and the attention to detail needed to make every event unforgettable--both inside your venue and out in your backyard! Balloon decor for outdoor celebrations needs to be created specifically for outdoor use-- and I'm proud to say we've mastered that art. From arches to centerpieces, and from personalized balloon sculptures to characterized banners, we've got your covered.

This summer, we've decorated some phenomenal outdoor events. Here's our top five:

1) Huge multi-colored balloon archway for Cleveland Public Power's Community Day.

2) Personalized 3-foot balloons for CSU Weeks of Welcome Celebration!

3) The creation and presentation of Babe-- our absolutely ADORABLE balloon pig with piglets made specifically for our clients' outdoor luau and pig roast.

4) A 7' tall Dancing Dolphin Column "Picture Prop" for our clients Under-the-Sea Celebration.

5) 99 6' Red Balloons to enhance an exhibit for Cleveland's Ingenuity Fest.

Wow--these events created some amazing memories for us! Let us do the same for you--it's been a great summer, don't let it end too soon!! I'm seeing a personalized Luau in your future...

IT'S TRIBE TIME 2009!

2009-04-06T14:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Baseball and Balloon Fans!

On Friday the Balloon Crew will be at the home opener releasing 3,000 helium balloons for the 5 th time! The Indians liked it so much in 2005, they kept inviting us back. And thanks to Sherri Foxman from Party411.com for helping us get the job!

It is so exciting standing out on the field with 15 of our staff trying to hold down 5 nets that have 600 balloons in it. You would not believe how much lift is in that net! We use 80 pounds of free weight. One year it was so windy, one of the nets got a way and started to release! Fortunately, they were announcing the team members so it looked like it was supposed to happen! The baseball gods were looking down on us that day!

And who can forget 2007 with the "Snow-pener"! It snowed so long that I lost count of how many times the grounds crew had to go out and blow the snow off with leave blowers! They even hauled some of the snow off and had it melting down by the loading dock that day!

Hope it makes the front page again this year! We love to see that!

Best regards,
Balloon Crew, Inc.
Jacquie, Susan, Kathy, Marina, Terry, Denise and Ryan
216-341-5100
http://www.ballooncrewinc.com/

BLOG, HUMBUG!

2008-12-17T11:52:00.000-08:00

It's the holiday season already! It seems as though we were just ordering for customers for New Year's 2008! How time flies....

Last week we created 54 of the most gorgeous bouquets literally overnight to adirn the tables for Providence House, a crisis care nursery in Cleveland. We designed bouquets to sit on the auction tables and represent the items for sale! A giant shoe and purse for the shopping spree inNew York City, various Disney characters for the Disney package as well as Strawberry Shortcake, Dora, Elmo and Spiderman to go with their themed auction items. My favorite was the Bay Girl and Boy bouquets with a GIANT Pink or Blue foot as well as a balloon pacifier and "Birth Certificate" balloon!

For the first time ever, we are delivering on Christmas Eve for a woman's 40th birthday! Her sister is sending her 3 different sets of balloons to dazzle her for her birthday! We are creating "winter wonderland" columns and a "Sassy Gal" bouquet with maribou feather accents! Too cute!

New Year's Eve will be a busy day with FIVE (5) customer events! We are doing some the day before, but the biggest ones have to be set up the same day. Imagine 1,000 balloons being dropped at midnight on all the customers of a comedy club! It's an amazing site!

Well, from all the crew here: Jacquie, Susan, Denise, Kathy, Marina and Ryan we'd like to with you Peace on Earth, Good Will toward Men and a Successful and Happy New Year!

Jacquie

Balloon Convention here we are!

2008-11-16T20:27:00.000-08:00

11/5/08
Just drove 3.5 hours from Cleveland to Cincinnati to experience "Float" the Convention. As a balloon professional and owner of Balloon Crew, Inc., I am a proponent of education. Denise, as the newest employee is excited about learning new ideas and seeing new products.

We show up at registration and find out they don't have our paperwork, so we go check into the hotel room at Great Wolf Lodge and then come back down to see if we can help anyone finish their competition pieces. We find that everyone is finished, so we chat with other delegates until it's time for the "Welcoming Festivities"! What a presentation! Giant balloon test tubes lit from inside along with a balloon drop of "balloon molecules" ( I'll post a photo). Great theme!

We got to view the large sculptures: A beautiful 9 foot tall carousel horse, a Blue Water Dragon, a bathtub with bubbles and a Mexican siesta scene with a smiling donkey! Too cute!

Classes start tomorrow and I can't wait to see what we can learn to make Balloon Crew a better value to our customers!

Jacquie