BALLOON FOUNDATIONS

A Hands-On Beginner Balloon Workshop with Designs by Essence
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Learn. Create. Elevate.

Ready to learn the foundations behind professional balloon décor?

Balloon trends change. Strong construction skills don't.
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Balloon Foundations was created to teach beginners the classic techniques and mechanics that continue to show up in professional balloon décor year after year. You'll learn how to size, build, troubleshoot and finish foundational designs before layering in today's trends.

​Whether you're exploring balloon décor as a new creative outlet, considering starting a balloon business, or you've already started decorating and want more confidence in your technique, this class was created to help you move forward with a stronger foundation.

Sunday, September 6, 2026 (NEW DATE COMING SOON)
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Huntsville, Alabama

Founding Class Tuition: $375
Regular Tuition: $425

Only 4 Founding Class seats are available at the special $375 introductory rate.

REGISTRATION TEMPORARILY PAUSED

​THIS ISN'T JUST A DEMONSTRATION — YOU'RE GETTING HANDS-ON

Balloon décor is one of those things that makes much more sense when you actually get your hands on the balloons.

During Balloon Foundations, you'll work alongside Essence as you learn the techniques, mechanics, and thought process behind several foundational balloon décor designs.

You'll inflate. You'll size. You'll build. You'll troubleshoot.

Every student will build their own classic balloon column from start to finish.
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You'll inflate and size your balloons, create your pattern, build the column on its structure, add your topper, make adjustments, and finish with a completed piece you can photograph before you leave.
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We'll also build a classic balloon arch together so you can see how the same foundational principles scale into a larger design. We'll finish the arch with organic balloon accents so you can see how classic construction and current design trends can work together.

And you'll learn why you're doing what you're doing—not simply how to copy a finished design.

This workshop is intentionally designed to provide an intimate learning environment where students can ask questions, practice techniques, and receive hands-on guidance throughout the class.

​​No prior balloon experience is required.

​WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Core Hands-On Skills
🎈 Balloon Sizing, Inflation & Basic Techniques
Learn why consistent sizing matters, how inflation affects your finished work, and foundational techniques that help create cleaner, more professional décor.
🎈 Classic Balloon Column Construction
Build a classic balloon column while learning balloon sizing, stacking, pattern placement, structure, and finishing techniques.
🎈 Classic Balloon Arch Techniques
Learn the fundamentals behind constructing classic balloon arches and how those same principles can be adapted for different events, spaces, and sizes.
🎈 Quick Link Balloon Wall Construction
Learn the basic mechanics behind creating structured balloon walls using linking balloons, including proper sizing, connection, pattern, and construction techniques.
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You'll Also Be Introduced To​
🎈 Organic Balloon Accents
Explore the difference between classic and organic balloon décor and learn how varying balloon sizes, placement, proportion, and movement affect the finished design.
🎈 Understanding Your Job Costs
​Creating beautiful décor is only one part of offering balloon services professionally. You'll receive a basic job-cost worksheet and learn how to begin identifying the balloons, supplies and labor that go into a finished design.
​This portion is designed to help you start thinking about your numbers—not to serve as a comprehensive pricing course.

​WHAT'S INCLUDED

Your Balloon Foundations registration includes:

• All balloons, equipment, and materials needed during class
• Hands-on instruction and troubleshooting with Essence
• Your own complete classic balloon column build, from inflation through finishing
• Guided participation in a full classic balloon arch build
• Introduction to incorporating organic accents into classic décor
• Quick Link wall construction fundamentals
• Printed Balloon Foundations class notes
• Branded Designs by Essence notebook and pen
• Job-costing worksheet for evaluating your material and labor costs
• A take-home practice kit with latex balloons, foil topper, and hand pump
• Light refreshments

You won't just leave with notes—you'll leave with materials to keep practicing what you learned at home.

​WHO IS BALLOON FOUNDATIONS FOR?

Balloon Foundations is designed for serious beginners and newer decorators who want to learn professional balloon techniques the right way from the start.

This workshop is a great fit if:

• You're considering starting a balloon décor business
• You're ready to begin taking paid balloon jobs
• You've made balloon décor before but want to learn proper construction
• You want hands-on instruction instead of piecing everything together from videos
• You want to master classic, consistently sellable designs before chasing trends

You do not need to own professional equipment or have previous balloon experience to attend — just a willingness to learn, practice, and build.

​MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

​Essence Nesbit | Owner & Lead Creator,
​Designs by Essence

Essence Nesbit is the Owner and Lead Creator of Designs by Essence, a Huntsville-based balloon décor company serving corporate events and social celebrations since 2018.

Over the years, Essence has expanded her craft far beyond creating beautiful balloon décor. She has intentionally invested in professional education, technical training, large-scale installation experience, and the business knowledge required to turn creativity into a sustainable service.

Essence has trained alongside and learned from respected balloon professionals from across the industry, developing her understanding of color theory, proportion, balloon mechanics, design composition, installation techniques, and the professional standards that separate simply putting balloons together from intentionally designing balloon décor.

Her experience includes participating in three Big Balloon Builds, including an international build in London, and serving as a Team Lead during a Big Balloon Build in Pennsylvania. These immersive experiences provided the opportunity to collaborate with balloon professionals on large-scale installations requiring teamwork, planning, technique, efficiency, and creative problem-solving.

Essence has also served as a Lead Balloon Artist for multiple large-scale weddings and milestone birthday celebrations, working collaboratively with other professional balloon artists to execute detailed installations and transform event spaces.

Through Designs by Essence, her work has been trusted for corporate events, schools, conferences, community celebrations, grand openings, weddings, milestone events and other special occasions throughout North Alabama and beyond.

Her entrepreneurship has also earned recognition within the Huntsville business community, including being named a multiple-year nominee for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Small Business Awards.

Now, Essence is bringing those years of education, experience, mistakes, lessons learned, and real-world installation knowledge into an intimate classroom designed to help the next balloon artist start with a stronger foundation.
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Because professional balloon décor isn't just about knowing how to inflate a balloon. It's understanding how to turn balloons into a well-designed, properly constructed—and profitable—finished product.

YOUR INVESTMENT

Founding Class Tuition $375

Regular Tuition $425

To celebrate the very first Balloon Foundations workshop, 4 Founding Class seats are being offered at a special introductory tuition of $375 — a $50 savings.

Once the Founding Class offer is no longer available, regular tuition for Balloon Foundations is $425.

This is your opportunity to be part of the inaugural class and help establish what we hope becomes the beginning of many more learning experiences from Designs by Essence.

SECURE YOUR FOUNDING CLASS SEAT – $375

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need balloon experience?
No! Balloon Foundations was specifically created as a beginner-friendly workshop. No previous professional balloon experience is required.

Do I need to bring balloons or equipment?
No. The supplies and materials needed to participate in the hands-on class will be provided.

What should I wear?
Come comfortable and ready to work! This is an interactive workshop, so comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes are recommended.

Will food be provided?
Light refreshments and beverages will be available during the workshop. A full meal will not be served.

Where is the class?
Balloon Foundations will be held in Huntsville, Alabama. Registered attendees will receive the complete venue information and additional class details prior to the workshop.

Can I get a refund if I can't attend?
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All registrations are final and non-refundable.

We understand that plans can change. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to another attendee by notifying Designs by Essence at least 48 hours before the workshop. Transfer requests must come directly from the original purchaser and must include the name and contact information of the person receiving the registration.

Registrations are not eligible for transfer within 48 hours of the workshop.

What happens if Designs by Essence cancels or reschedules the class?
​If the workshop must be canceled by Designs by Essence, registered attendees will receive the option of a refund or transfer to a future class. If the workshop is rescheduled, registered attendees will receive information regarding their available options.

​READY TO BUILD YOUR FOUNDATION?

You don't have to know everything before you start.

But learning the right techniques, understanding the mechanics, and developing strong foundational habits can make a tremendous difference in where you go from here.

Come ready to learn, ask questions, create, and get your hands on some balloons.

Sunday, September 6, 2026 (NEW DATE COMING SOON)
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM 
Huntsville, Alabama

Founding Class Tuition: $375

Regular Tuition: $425
​
Only 4 Founding Class seats are available at this special introductory rate.

REGISTRATION TEMPORARILY PAUSED