Professional balloon artists
Eve Hightower
Issue date: 1/12/09 Section: Features
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After four years molding balloons into cuddly creatures, bicycles and body parts (the latter of which he swears he'll never do again) he has grown accustomed to the sounds of popping and screeching balloons.
Sauls, 27, of Modesto, Calif., began his balloon artist career four years ago while attending Brigham Young University-Idaho.
"I was delivering pizzas and looking for something that let me set my own hours," he said. "My friends were trying to start a kids' party and entertainment business."
So Sauls joined in, earning $300 to $500 a week depending on availability and demand.
Q: So, how do you make things out of balloons?
A: It's all about making bubbles. You have to visualize what you're going to make. I can make anything as long as I've seen it.
Q: Where do you normally work?
A: I've been working at restaurants. I'm at Mike's Road House (in Modesto, Calif.) on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Q: So this put you through college?
A: I paid all my bills with it and had money left over for dates. It helps when you get paid every day.
Q: What did you major in?
A: Poli-sci. I'd like a staff position assisting elected officials. Someday, I'll run for office and, hopefully, win.
Q: You want to leave the balloon business?
A: It's tiring. Sometimes my fingers hurt, and my legs hurt from standing up for so long at parties.
Q: Have you ever been a clown?
A: I've been asked, but I don't have a clown suit.
Q: What's the most difficult thing you've made?
A: Wolverine from X-Men, he had to have claws and five fingers.
Q: What's the first thing you made?
A: A penguin was my first design.
Q: So you've come a long way. Do you ever refuse to make things?
A: I've made body parts upon request by adults. I won't do that anymore, though. I just say: No. I won't do that.
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