Former City worker turned balloon artist taking world by storm
Balloon artist Lucy Hennessy recently won four bronze awards at the World Balloon Convention 2014 - Credit: Archant
A former finance worker who left the City to set up her own balloon artistry business has taken America by storm, picking up a handful of awards in a recent international competition.
Lucy Hennessy spent 27 hours creating a Red Arrows sculpture using 27,000 balloons, as part of 12-person team. - Credit: Archant
Lucy Hennessy, who used to live in Shirley Gardens, Barking, wowed judges with her four creations - a pair of Russian dolls, a Formula One sculpture and an intricate cupcake table decoration.
Lucy's Russian doll creation - Credit: Archant
Each category at the World Balloon Convention 2014, which took place in Denver, USA, featured more than 25 entrants from across the globe and Lucy was over the moon with her prizes.
Lucy's cupcake table decoration - Credit: Archant
“I was absolutely delighted,” she said. “It was my first World Convention and the standard was really high, but I loved every minute of it.
Lucy's Formula One creation - Credit: Archant
“I spent about three months planning and preparing my creations and the closer the competition got the more I was practising.
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“I work from home and it was starting to take over a little bit, so it was a relief to have taken part and return to normal.”
Lucy, now living in Leigh-on-Sea but often seen in Barking visiting friends and family, set up her business Balloon Power 13 years ago, just before giving birth to the first of three children.
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After leaving the City behind to spend more time with her kids, she took a course as a way of entertaining them, eventually going on to lecture in balloon artistry at Capel Manor College, Enfield.
Recently she spent 27 straight hours and a whopping 27,000 balloons as part of 12-person British team in a competition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Red Arrows.
In between competitions she entertains at weddings and parties, loving the freedom and versatility that defines her business.
“There’s nothing you can’t create with balloons,” she added.
“One way or another you can make anything at all.”
For more information visit balloonpower.co.uk
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