This creative and highly motivated, balloon Artist started her journey into the balloon industry in 1990. In 2003 she closed her gift shop and became a full time decorator.

In a very short time Pretty Weddings & Events had grown from a retail gift shop into Balloons Milwaukee, an award-winning balloon and event decorating company.

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.

Carmen studied business and Art. This has helped her to improve her business and creativity. She currently enjoys her hobby of acrylic painting & clay sculpting.

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. The awards started at The Special Event Showcase in Milwaukee, where she received the award for "Best Booth Design. She followed that up with two awards at the IBA Balloon Convention, two more at Bloomers, and finally three at Summer Balloon Camp.

Balloon-a-Palooza

In 2005 Carmen designed and produced Balloon-a-Palooza, a new community balloon art exhibit that was attended by over nine thousand people.

In 2006 & 2007 the Balloon-a-Palooza attendance grew to over 12,000 people, it was recognized as the largest balloon art exhibit in the country for it's record of attendance. The event had over 100,000 balloons.

Scene from Balloon-a-Palooza 2006
www.balloon-a-palooza.com

Awards

2008

Twist & Shout - Burlington, MA

Second Place: Medium sculpture

2006

Balloon Camp - Las Vegas, NV

First Place : Large Sculpture
First Place : Portfolio
Second Place: Small Sculpture

Ballooniversity - Athens, GA

Second Place : Large Sculpture
First Place : Table Centerpiece

IBA Convention- Chicago, IL

International Balloon Association
Second Place: Large Sculpture
Third Place: Table Centerpiece

Special Event Showcase - WI

First Place: Best booth design

2005  

Balloon Camp - Las Vegas, NV

First Place: Table Centerpiece

Ballooniversity - Athens, GA

Third Place: Table Centerpiece

2004  

Ballooniversity - Athens, GA

Second Place: Table Centerpiece

2003  

Ballooniversity - Athens, GA

First Place: Table Centerpiece

Artex© Sculptures

For the past 4 years Carmen has been designing the most unique and detailed art pieces ever see in the balloon industry. Carmen is the first artist to build this kind of art sculptures with uninflated balloons, while other artists had done some similar pieces using uninflated balloons; Carmen's Artex© sculptures have techniques and special touches never used by any other artist. Carmen introduced them to the balloon industry after being well received by the public in at exhibits.

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.