Balloon artist and play therapist Pip Milford-Hughes is heading to Chicago this month to teach at one of the world’s largest balloon twisting conventions — Twist and Shout.
More than 500 people applied for the Chicago event, which included teaching courses and competitions, but Mrs Milford-Hughes was officially asked to join.
Dutch balloon artists had also requested Mrs Milford-Hughes travel to the Netherlands following the Chicago convention to continue teaching her craft.
"It’s a real honour.
"A lot of people said ‘we would like to see Pip there’, so that’s really amazing."
When she is not twisting at parties and events, Mrs Milford-Hughes works for the hospital in diabetes research, where she helps to entertain the children involved in the study with games and balloon art.
Mrs Milford-Hughes said her passion for balloon art started when she went to the Balclutha A&P show as an 8-year-old.
"I saw my first balloon artist and I was absolutely mesmerised.
"I spent all my show money, much to mum’s disgust, and I bought the three designs he was making and some extra balloons."
What started as a hobby turned into a sustainable and fulfilling career, and she went on to win the Lou Clauson Top Variety award in 2023.
Throughout her career, she had been asked to conventions in Australia, America, England, the Netherlands, Germany and Japan.
"I never, never imagined that it would be like this."
Ms Milford-Hughes encouraged those who had a passion, however niche it was, to follow through with it.
"It was a hobby that I could cover the costs with and then it grew and grew and grew.
"And now, in 17 years, I'm doing parties now for the children of the children that I twisted for, and that's really amazing."
