Sangeeta Guptar-Maharaj knows the art of balloons

Designer Balloons and Events can customise a grand balloon display for birthdays, company functions, bachelorette parties, baby showers, weddings and graduation celebrations. Using balloons Guptar-Maharaj has made Mickey Mouse frames, baby bottles, pacifiers, rainbows, hearts as well as a champagne bottle with cascading bubbles.

Guptar-Maharaj, 25, of Curepe said that she has always enjoyed being crafty and creative, but never really considered a career in decorating. At the age of 14, she took a cake decorating course to occupy her Saturdays while she waited on her sister to finish driving lessons. “When they dropped my sister off from driving practice there was a cake decorating class across the street. So they signed me up for that. It was fun. They were amazed at how I picked up the artwork and intricate designs so well. I enjoyed it and I was the youngest person to graduate from that course.”

Over the years, she dabbled in different areas and took short courses in hairdressing, makeup, balloon decorating, floral arrangement, draperies, interior decorating and events planning.

“I think I have a natural ability and a natural creativity. But you need a lot of patience to do these kinds of things,” she told Sunday Newsday.

The very first event she decorated was simply for fun. It was an intimate wedding reception for a friend. “One day, a friend asked me to help out with decorating for a very small wedding reception. I just helped put together the balloons and flowers and stuff. Afterwards, everyone was asking who decorated. I did not have any experience, but they were very impressed. So they encouraged me to take it seriously and start a business.”

Most of her specialty foil balloons are sourced on the internet and purchased from a local supplier. Then, she creates elaborate balloon designs that are often accented with vines, silk flowers, LED lights, feathers and other subtle touches.

Says Guptar-Maharaj, “This is not your average take on balloons. These are designer balloons crafted to fit a theme. Everybody loves these cute ideas.”

She started taking orders and soon she was being contracted to decorate for clients like Unilever. “Three years ago, the Hilton asked me to decorate for their Valentine’s dinner around the pool. I also did a Bishop’s graduation ceremony and a wedding in Hyatt.”

Balloons are a traditional feature of parties, but they also add a touch of whimsy for an affordable price. Says Guptar-Maharaj, “People want the setting to look beautiful, but people cannot afford to spend so much on decorations. Balloons are cost effective and you can still get a magnificent effect.”