Brookfield Balloon Artist Brings Life to the Party

At a quinceanera party, which is a celebration in the Latino culture for young girls on their fifteenth birthday, there's a tradition of replacing the guest of honor's flat heeled shoes with an elegant pair of high heeled shoes, signifying her grown up status. Party designer, Cindy Greenfeld, owner of Party Creations of Connecticut in Brookfield, has taken this sweet tradition to the next level by placing the high-heeled shoes inside a beautiful balloon adorned with bows and sparkles. The balloon is then popped to reveal the magnificent shoes before they are presented to the young girl. This is just one of the many dramatic creations Cindy comes up with as she, "lays awake at night, thinking about how to make things come alive."

And that's exactly what Greenfeld's balloon art does — it comes alive — transforming a simple room into something spectacular for a party. With a degree in interior and exterior design from the University of Rhode Island, Greenfeld is finally in her element when it comes to designing creations to make a room and a party into something celebratory.

A Brookfield resident for 18 years, Greenfeld worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative while brining up her two sons, Scott and Justin, who are now 19 and 23. Although being a pharmaceutical sales representative was quite a different job than her design background, Greenfeld explains, "I never wanted to be one thing. I always wanted to be lots of different things." However, after taking charge of designing her own son's bar mitzvah party, friends began asking Greenfeld to make centerpieces for their parties and functions. "It began as something I did on the side," she said, "and I began to wonder what more I could do with balloons to make a room into something really special."

As a former floral designer, Greenfeld began experimenting with balloons, eventually making floral archways, columns and life size sculptures. Greenfeld prides herself on creating theme centered pieces. If you happen to be an ice-cream fanatic, Greenfeld will sculpt a life size version of an ice-cream sundae, topped off with a cherry, made entirely out of balloons. Therefore, when three years ago, the company Greenfeld was working for dissolved, she naturally stepped into the role of full time party designer, and opened her business, Party Creations of Connecticut, from a basement studio in her home. Greenfeld immersed herself in her new business, and took her art more seriously by becoming a member of the Qualatex Balloon Network.

Being a member of the Qualatex Balloon Network required Greenfeld to complete extensive home study, pass multiple exams and travel to Las Vegas, NV, to present her work for approval by a board of experts. Greenfeld explained that being a balloon artist is more than just "twisting a few balloons into simple shapes." It's about sculpting balloons in a way to "decorate and transform" a room.

During a recent visit to Greenfeld's art studio, it was evident that balloon art inspires and awes her just as much as it does her customers. In April, she attended the World Balloon Convention in Dallas, TX, and was as eager to show off pictures of balloon art she witnessed at the convention. The work was tremendous, including a long, deep glowing tunnel made of dark purple balloons, complete with flowers and peace symbols adorning the walls. 

Greenfeld's own portfolio was equally inspiring.  Pointing to a life sized sculpture of a bride and groom she did for a wedding, she explained, "I add detail, like the color of their hair, to make the balloon sculpture look like the actual bride and groom." It's personal touches like this that make for a successful business.

Although Greenfeld works with a team of people, including her husband Eric and son Justin, she is the one in charge of making the product. "This is my art. I need to be the one making the center pieces and decorations," she stressed. Because of this attention to detail, Greenfeld is choosy about which jobs she takes on and recommends booking well in advance, considering she finds herself booked for parties well into 2012. Greenfeld's committed to giving her clients a "wow for their money," willing to work within their budget and party desires.

When asked why balloons in particularly have inspired he creatively, Greenfeld simply replied, "because balloons add that something extra special to any room." Like all true artists, Greenfeld has taken a common pleasure — a ballo — and transformed it into something more elaborate, so that other's can see and appreciate the beauty and happiness a simple balloon can achieve.

To find out more about Party Creations of Connecticut, and to view more of Greenfeld's balloon art go to their website, or call (203) 740-8233.

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