Charis writes:

Many people ask me how I got started in balloons.  When I was 7 years old, I went to the Callingwood Farmer's Market in Edmonton and saw a man twisting balloons. While the rest of my family shopped, I watched the balloon man closely for over an hour.  On the way home my mom said I could learn to do that, so I bought a balloon animals kit at our favorite bookstore. Over the weekend, I used up all the balloons and made most of the figures in the book.  We bought more balloons at a local toy store, but they were expensive and poor quality.

The following weekend there was a children's festival in town and we went looking for a balloon man in order to find a good source to buy better and less expensive balloons. We met another balloon man there and found out his Balloon Gang shop was very close to our house. Almost every time I bought more balloons, Mr. Stephen Dubetz would take time to show me something new.  Mom sewed me a balloon apron and a few weeks later I was making balloons for friends at the park.  I've been practicing ever since!

July, 2001: My first public balloon experience:
Twisting for other home schoolers at a park.

When I was 9, after we moved to Hawaii, I decided I wanted my own business and made presentations to three mall managers.  One of them hired me on the spot for the upcoming Mother's Day event at the mall.  This is where I met my second mentor, Chris da Clown.  I was very nervous for this first event, but the mall hired me 4 more times (I guess they liked me!) and Chris' guidance and humor helped me learn to manage crowds.  

May 2003:  My first time working professionally!

 

Halloween 2003:  Working alongside Chris da Clown!

Soon I was receiving requests to twist at birthday parties and other events.

October 2003, Twisting at a Birthday Party in the park!

January 2004,  AWANA's crazy hat night...pretty crazy!

April 2005, Poolside Birthday Party

December 2005, 4th Birthday Girl