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Interview : Jan Iiams – Betallic Instructor


Jan Iiams, CBA is a popular international presenter of professional seminars for the balloon, gift and floral industry. Many brasilians knows her. She works on Betallic web site, to education by creating decor designs. Let´s see more about Jan Iiams.

ESBD - What exactly are your activities nowadays?
Jan Iiams - Wow, I’m a very busy girl these days! My job with Betallic is primarily geared to the latex market on both twister and decorator sides. I’ve been working on our web site education by creating décor designs for online recipes and pursuing the work of other artists who inspire. We showcase their wonderful work and I help them format the step-by-steps for teaching others how to recreate their designs. People love the great online education and now we are getting ready to address the needs of the twisters in the same way we do for decorators which is very exciting. I still teach often and particularly enjoy the international seminars. I have the best of both worlds!

ESBD - You have participated in several teaching teams in different companies – did this bring you a lot of experience?
Jan Iiams - Indeed! I have enjoyed sharing my design expertise in other countries but best of all, wherever I go I learn new things that can be shared with others. Color is one of the most important and beautiful ways to evoke admiration for and emotion in décor. Seeing how Australians and my friends in South American countries embrace the richest hues has changed how I “see” décor options. I now share this love of enhanced color use with those have typically offered a softer palette in their design repertoires to rave reviews. When people experience beautiful color in its richest forms, it makes a simple design seem fresh and new and sparks creativity in the designer and excitement in their customers.

ESBD - What would be your advise for someone who is just starting in the balloon artistic world?
Jan Iiams - Education! Education! Education! There are so many wonderful opportunities to learn today that it’s easy for the newest balloon artist to become proficient and professional very quickly. Seminars are wonderful and I highly recommend them, but for those who are unable to attend classes on a regular basis there is quality online education. Betallic’s website, Conwin, Hi-Float, Clik-Clik, and creative people like Seiti who is more than willing to share his expertise online is right there for anyone who takes the time to learn ( www.conwinonline.com, www.hi-float.com, www.magmover.com)

ESBD - How important is for you to use the right tools?
Jan Iiams - Extremely important. Precision Inflators are simply the best way to make more money and to make balloon design look more professional and consistent. Though equipment is expensive, it is a long term investment in your business as a sewing machine would be for a serious seamstress. How diffucult would it be to make your living as a tailor with only a needle and thread? Top of the line equipment means your design work will look top of the line too. I might even say I consider balloons to be an important “tool”, so beautiful quality balloons like the brand I represent, Betallatex/Sempertex are also important to balloon artists. Beautiful accessories and a simple but well stocked tool box are vital when on the job.

ESBD - During your past visits to Brazil, what was your impression about the “Brazilian way” of welcoming foreign guests?
Jan Iiams - My impression of a Brazilian welcome is “Oh La La!” I love the passion of Brazilians for their work and for their fellow artists, families and friends. I have very fond thoughts of friends I have made and maintained from the times I have been privileged to teach in Brazil.

ESBD - What is the country in Latin America that you consider to be more active/ prominent in the balloons area?
Jan Iiams - I actually think Brazil is at the head of Latin American countries due to artists who demonstrate more expertise and creativity in our industry. Some of the most wonderful competition pieces I have judged from around the world have been from Brazil. Bravo!

ESBD - Apparently balloons in the old European continent seem to be flourishing/re-born. Do you believe that Americans are losing the technical domain/supremacy in this area?
Jan Iiams - It does seem the American market is not growing at the same speed it was a decade ago whereas Europe which had lagged behind the US for a long time continues to demonstrate a strong growth pattern. I do think America continues to offer more educational opportunities however and on the twister side it has evolved into an amazing art form beyond the simple figures that were popular for so long. I see a wonderful trend in decor that I am happily embracing that is more of a blend of techniques from the round and non-round worlds. Profitable, creative and fresh techniques are all enhancing the business of balloon design here.

ESBD - Besides Europe, the Far East is also growing much more than the USA. Apparently it is the American culture that is spreading in a world which is not even Christian. In other words, what do you say about the artists from the Far East creating large Christmas projects/designs etc.?
Jan Iiams - I think there is an influence from the US that our marketing has set the stage for in fashion, interior design, the floral industry and that has now blended into balloon décor. Asian artists are so incredibly talented and bring their own special techniques to the world that I think its fun for us to see how they interpret designs that have been considered traditionally Western.

A quick game:

· Name of a balloon company : Betallic Balloons

· Name of a company of balloon accessories : Clik-Clik

· Name of a country : Australia

· Name of a balloon artist or designer : Rie Hosaki

· Name of a music or song : Money by Pink Floyd

· Name of a film : “Strictly Ballroom”

· Favorite hobby : Cooking

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