Miss Balloon Heart Earns Recognition as Certified Balloon Artist

I did it! Today was EXAM day. The big four hour , Certified Balloon Artist (CBA), exam. I had a few date changes in the last month from my originally scheduled date but I was well pleased to learn just last week that this last change allowed me to take the exam two days early, right here in Pennsylvania. It was supposed to be later in the week just outside of NYC. This change saved me at least 4 hours of driving this week. I am grateful for that.

I was extremely nervous going into the Exam. While I admit I was well prepared, it is still completely overwhelming. I even said to my husband this morning, if I do not pass it this go around, I am not sure I will take it again as I can not imagine being any better prepared. Thankfully, the preparations paid off.

I was also well pleased to find that Jean Eddy, CBA was handling the panel interviews and judging. I had the pleasure of meeting her back in August when I attended Balloonstitute. She taught a wedding decor class which I was able to attend. She has the sweetest personality and really has a gift for calming you down and allowing you to do your best.  Thank you, Jean for that.

 Jean Eddy, CBA & Christine Maziarz, CBA

I had the pleasure of testing with two other lovely ladies and we ALL  received our certification, today. It was an honor to test with them and I am thrilled that we all went home with BIG SMILES on our faces. 

I attached my press release below. 

Now that this is complete...onto the next big project (sorry, that one is still a secret). ; )

I WILL be at my regularly scheduled Tuesday evening hangout this week at Red Robin Exeter but will not be at Friendly's on Wednesday this week - no worries - I will be back next week!

As always, thanks for taking the time out of your day to read my blog.

Have a wonderful week, everyone!

Christine Maziarz, CBA

aka Miss Balloon Heart

"Balloon Genie"

Back from Vegas!

 Hello, all!

I pray this finds you and your family enjoying the last days of summer - hard to believe how quickly summer has flown.

I am back from the amazing balloon education in Las Vegas. I have yet to unpack all of my "balloon stuff" but I will eventually get there... maybe by January if it is anything like last year. Hee hee.

For those who have been receiving these updates for a while, you will notice the new picture - I was blessed to have the opportunity to have my picture taken by Richard Faverty of Beckett Studios in Las Vegas, while I was out there, and was thrilled to have the picture above as a result of our quick photo session. He is a pleasure to work with!

I was able to enjoy Las Vegas with great friends who I have met in this fun, balloon industry.

I have posted pictures from this event on my Facebook Fan Page and they may be viewed here.  Many thanks to the generous individuals who stepped up and "saved the day" by creating these events in less than one month's time: Don Caldwell, Tawney Bubbles, Todd Neufeld (Alternajam) and Mark Zettler (Balloonstitute). Catching the magician, Jeff McBride, at Alternajam was an extra amazing bonus. I'm not a magician by any means but he made it look like fun and was an EXCELLENT speaker!

One of my favorite moments was hanging out with Laura Caldwell, aka Annie Banannie, at Alternajam.
She is as sweet in person as I imagined her to be. Kind of a bummer that I am located on the East Coast and she is on the West Coast but then it is probably lucky for her as I would be one of her groupies! ; )

Balloonatic RN, Annie Banannie & Miss Balloon Heart

I was blessed to spend most of my time with my buddy, Diane, aka Balloonatic RN, the majority of the trip. We saw the sites together and attended many of the classes together. We even were able to take in a Vegas show with our new friend from Australia, Matt.

Okay, so, yes, this educational trip was great. I learned a ton that I will be able to use in my business over the next year and years beyond. Now that I am back in Pennsylvania....

                   ...the CBA Exam that I was scheduled to take in Vegas will be held in New Jersey next month so I have a few weeks left to prepare and study for that. September 15th is exam day! I do need to say that I love the CBA program, I went from being unsure about doing decor to having a solid foundation and confidence in creating beautiful decor. I can not honestly say that I am super calm about the exam but I know it will be over before I know it - it is feeling a little too college-like for my taste...you know... read the entire 500-page textbook and there will be 5 questions worth 100 points total, kind of thing. ; )

This coming Friday, I have the privilege of decorating a wedding and am very much looking forward to that event. I will be sure to post pictures. I will be at my regularly scheduled restaurants, as well, this week, Red Robin, Exeter on Tuesday evening and Friendly's on Shoemaker Rd. in Pottstown on Wednesday.

May you all have a blessed week. As always, thanks for taking the time in your day to read my blog!

Christine
aka Miss Balloon Heart
"Balloon Genie"

The hot air balloon was created in Robbie Furman's Floating Decor Pieces class... the bride and groom I added later in a silly moment. They are also his designs but not exactly his recommended placement. : ) 

Christmas Party Feedback and 2009 in review..

One of my career blessings has been that in this first year as a balloon twister, I have had so many clients so willing to give me feedback and comments. A few even take the time to forward pictures as well. Here is one that did both, thank you Jackie! Below is what she had to say and some pictures she forwarded to me.

"I booked Miss Balloon Heart for our Mustang Car Club Family Xmas Party in order to keep the children amused during the cocktail hour. She did a fantastic job!! What really blew us all away was the "Vista Blue Mustang convertible" she made out of balloons which included glo-sticks in the white balloon headlights!! How creative!!" ~Jackie Dahlen

This year I have learned so very much. I have had the privilege to entertain in countless homes for birthday parties and holiday parties, at corporate events, stores, libraries, restaurants and a wedding. I believe I have FINALLY found the look needed for Miss Balloon Heart - only took me 10 months to find (smile) and the tools that work best for me to do the best job. I have always been one to believe in continuing education and with this career it is no different.

I attended Diamond Jam, a balloon twisting convention in Las Vegas in August, where I was able to study with some of the best in the industry and have found a local balloon jam group that is amazing! Such talent and willingness to share is yet another blessing that I count in my life.

Along with the attending the convention, I have DVDs, books and magazines that I read/watch weekly so that I will be the best entertainer for your event. In 2010, I will begin the path of becoming a CBA (Certified Balloon Artist) balloon professional. Can you believe this stuff exists? A year ago, I did not know what a 260 balloon was and now it is in my daily vocabulary. I find this whole journey exciting and am thrilled at what 2010 and beyond has in store for "Miss Balloon Heart." I do place it all in God's hands and will go where He leads me.

Thank you all for being part of my journey this year and for all of your support. Have an absolutely wonderful holiday season!

Miss Balloon Heart : )