A Dunedin balloonologist is about to get some international air time.
Pip Milford-Hughes, also known as Pippity Pop, will travel to Sydney and Las Vegas later this month to showcase her designs and teach others the tricks of her trade at two major balloon conventions.
In Sydney, she has been invited to create a life-size balloon sculpture of All Black Ben Smith, complete with 2015 Rugby World Cup, fans and a grandstand, for the Australasian balloon convention "OzJam'' .
In Las Vegas, she will teach and showcase her art to the 200 other delegates at the "Bling, Bling, Jam'' balloon convention.
The self-taught mother-of-two said she was excited and honoured to be given her first entire display area at OzJam, which she had attended twice before.
"I'm so looking forward to it. It's so much fun.''
The theme of her display was "superstars'' and would feature Smith with the world cup under his arm.
"It will have to have a sign 'Bring back Buck'. Some kiwiana.''
The display would require at least 1000 balloons and, under the rules of the convention, had to be completed within six hours.
Completing it and doing so perfectly was a matter of pride, she said.
"You want to honour them [the All Blacks]. It's one sculpture that you want to be outstanding. It's going to be a big challenge.''
In Las Vegas, she had been invited by balloon manufacturer Qualatex to teach two classes, one in woven sculptures and items for delivery such as flowers and bouquets, and one in line-works - balloon sculptures in under three minutes.
She planned to showcase her new children's designs, including princesses, dragons, "Spongey man'', diggers, cars and fairies.
"Boys toys'' such as diggers and cars were generally some of the harder pieces to make, she said.
Mrs Milford-Hughes started her balloon party business 10 years ago, finding the weekend work fitted well around the special needs of her daughter Grace (now 12), who often required health appointments during the week.
Grace has coffin siris syndrome, which makes it difficult for her to eat.
The balloon work was rewarding, Mrs Milford-Hughes said.
From the moment she opened her bag at parties or events there might be up to 40 children eager for a balloon. She took pride in making them something worth the wait, she said.
-By Julie Howard
