Shawn and I love playing with balloons. In fact, Shawn often tells people as they watch him entertaining with balloons that we have the best job in the world. What else could we do that's so much fun and makes both kids and adults happy?

Balloonopolis was officially formed in 2005 in Columbia, SC, and specializes in balloon art, entertainment, decor and deliveries. Each year our business has grown and not only have we become regular features at school carnivals and church festivals etc., but we've also expanded into new projects such as building large sculptures and entertaining with balloon shows.

In May 2008 we were the featured artists on "Live with Lucas," a special interest segment with Lucas McFadden on the WIS morning news show. During the show we constructed a giant "Under the Sea" themed sculpture, complete with a manta ray 4 feet across and coral reef. The finished piece was about 8 ft x 8 ft x 6 ft high. It took a total of 10 hours to complete (including the 2 hours we were at the studio) and used about 500 balloons.

In March 2009 we made our most challenging sculpture to date, which was a 9-foot tall leprechaun for the St. Patrick's Day parade in Five Points, Columbia. It just fit in the bed of our pickup, took 27 hours to complete and used about 1000 balloons. It was cold and rainy that day marching down Devine Street, but it was really a lot of fun.

This past summer we were the intermission entertainment at several of the Village at Sandhill Summer Concert Series concerts. We created 30-minute shows entertaining the crowd using our unique style of balloon art and entertainment.

Shawn and I are very excited about having just purchased the Pee Wee Pump Entertainer's System manufacturing business. The Pee Wee Pump is the highest quality battery-operated air pump on the market. I just love mine and can't be without it when I'm making balloon animals. And not only does it inflate balloons, but it can also be used as a face painting airbrush system.

As Balloonopolis grows, Shawn and I look forward to expanding our balloon art in whatever direction it takes us, and bringing joy to everyone we meet.

Janice