Three little princesses and their balloons
Pink, yellow, and orange delights
Tutus and dresses
Frolics and twirls
Away they sail,
Captured by thrill
xo Ivy
More of the cutest pictures below! We took these gems at the most gorgeous field out at the Ellwood Butterfly Perserve Continue reading
Jolly soul!
On my stroll down State Street yesterday evening, I noticed myself much more aware of my surroundings. I was taking notice of all the strangers passing me by; people watching to the max. The “Balloon Man,” whom everyone has seen on State Street in Santa Barbara with all his balloon creations, caught my eye. Who is this random man, selling balloon animals, and how did he come about this business? I decided to talk him and find out his story.
I walked up to his cart filled with the brightest colored balloons, briefly told him about my blog, and asked if I could include him in the process. He was delighted to talk to me, telling me all he could squeeze in. As I talked to him I discovered a number of things, one being that The Balloon Man, otherwise known as Juan Barron, has been creating balloon creatures for the public for 30 years! His soles have taken him from Mexico City where he began, across the border to Santa Barbara where he has been for 18 years.
Although twisting balloons into the most exciting figures he can imagine is a big part of his life, the Balloon Man is also a toy designer, and a Salsa dance teacher as well! I thought it was so interesting; the diversity of things he is interested in represent the different parts of his soul. He journeys from festival to festival, farmer’s markets, to street corners, selling his toys and balloon creatures, and meeting new people along the way.
Balloon creations
Feet of a traveler
xo Ivy
soles to souls 