More than 3,000 Balloons in Prize-Winning Sculpture by Valley Cottage Designer

Balloon Artist Laurie Straus of Confetti Party Decorating walked away with top honors from the 2015 national balloon decorators’ convention in St. Louis, MO Feb. 1-5.

Straus runs her event planning and services business in Valley Cottage. You can find it here on Facebook.

“I enjoy the range of possibilities. I like meeting with potential clients, listening to their ideas and coming up with designs that have a wow factor,” she said. “The best part is seeing the smiles on people’s faces when I have achieved their dreams.”

Straus was voted Designer of the Year for the high scores she received in three competitions at FLOAT—including a large sculpture, an entrance arch and a live centerpiece design.

All of the construction took place live and on site and had to be completed within the time frames for each piece.

Straus said the piece de resistance was a 10’ by 10’ by 13’ balloon sculpture depicting the Old Woman in a Shoe. Under her guidance, about 15 other balloon artists helped her bring her vision to life, including a collection of rambunctious balloon children causing angst for their overwrought balloon mother. The balloon sculpture was completed in a little under 12 hours and included over 3,000 balloons.

This piece not only won first place but also received the “Delegates Choice Award” by her peers.

Straus also received accolades for her 13’ red and black stiletto heel designed to illustrate the theme Hollywood. For her Sweet 16 centerpiece entry she designed a smart phone with head phones twisted out of balloons attached to a square glass vase with lights.