Carmen Ballering's Bio

The Event Decorating Academy was founded by, International Multi-Award winning Balloon Artist & Event designer Carmen Ballering from Balloons Milwaukee. Carmen has been making a difference in the industry for more than 20 years. Carmen’s passion for art has made her one of the industry's most influential designers, her passion for art helped her to get thousands of people to attend her exhibits. Balloon dresses and Balloon Artex are the ultimate test of this true artist.

This creative and highly motivated, balloon Artist is fully bilingual. Wasborn and raised in New York with Puerto Rican parents. She started her journey into the balloon industry in 1990 with a retail gift shop & decorating services. In 2003 she closed her gift shop and became a full time decorator.

Carmen has had her work featured on Milwaukee TV, including many live interviews in different local channels. Her work has also been featured in numerous trade publications.

She studied business and Art. This has helped her to improve her business and creativity. While she makes a lot of art pieces using balloons, this designer also designs events using fabric draping and flowers. Her unique style has helped her become one of the best event designers in the industry. Carmen currently enjoys her hobbies of painting & clay sculpting. Carmen also has 3 teenagers and a loving husband that support her in all her endeavors.

Carmen has received numerous awards for her designs & talents at international competitions.

In 2006 Carmen won eight awards in 6 months, a great honor for her.

Awards are listed in side bar

The Event Decorating Academy

Carmen was a part time instructor for recreational programs of arts, crafts, and flower design for high school students and adults offered by the school district. During her teaching career, she developed an acute interest in opening an academy that offered on going education on all the different aspects of event decorating and Balloon art under one roof.

This led to her decision to open EDA in fall of 08’.  Her sucess had proof that it was the greatest idea of all. The Event Decorating Academy gets students from all over the world. Carmen enjoys teaching others how to  suceed in this business, while people come to this school to become decorators, Carmen prepares them to become not only decorators , but true artists.

It is Carmen’s mission to turn her students around by improving their self-confidence. She achieves this by devising individualized curriculum, allowing them to learn at their own pace, focusing on basic important skills as well as advance techniques, and making learning desirable, enjoyable and profitable.

The philosophy of her academy is based on small class size, ample teacher-student interaction, stress-free, calm environment, and regular feedback.

Balloons Milwaukee

Carmen runs the biggest balloon Decorating Company in Wisconsin. Offering professional balloon decorating services designed to enhance any occasion from weddings to corporate events. Her unique and elegant event designs are recognized world wide by her use of mixed media in her work. Carmen designs the most breath taking ceiling draping and backdrops using beautiful fabrics.

Balloons designs are more than just for kids parties. Carmen utilizes the elements of designs to put together the most beautiful and formal events. Utilizing balloon arches to bring the space together

Carmen covers all the diferent aspects of decorating, from balloon decorations to flower design, fabric draping and props. This combination sure makes a picture perfect event.

Carmen loves designing unique centerpieces using mixed media, from simple balloon centerpieces to the most elaborated buffet pieces.

To see more of her work go to: www.balloonsmilwaukee.com

Awards / Achivements

2009

Balloon Camp - Las Vegas

2nd Place: Large Sculpture

1st Place: Buffet Table Centerpiece

2nd Place: Centerpiece

3rd Place: Small Sculpture

Betallic spring/summer catalog
Featured Artist

Betallic Decor Contest

2nd place: Theme Decor

2008

Betallatex
1st annual decorator contest

1st Place: Large Sculpture

2006

2005

2004

2003

Ballooniversity - Athens, GA
First Place: Table Centerpiece

Other Projects

American Balloon Association
Carmen also runs the American Balloon Association a business resource center for balloon artists, balloon retailers and entertainers. Her goal is to not only help people become better artists, but also become good business people. She helps others start their own business with marketing ideas, designs and education.

The website includes a live forum/chat where balloon artists can discuss products, designs and ideas.