1/2 Ferry van Melis is ‘Master Balloon Professional’
“Now I am a PhD student in balloons!” Ferry van Melis jokes about his title. He is standing in his office in Uden where thousands of balloons in all colors of the rainbow are stored. The balloon decorator has obtained the ‘Master Balloon Professional’ certificate. He is the first in the Netherlands with this title. “This allows me to show that what I do is much more than just blowing up a balloon.”
Whatever you think of it, he will make it. Ferry van Melis started as a balloon decorator ten years ago under the name ‘Melige Melis’ and still can’t get enough of it. His decorations do not stop at a balloon in the shape of a dog, an arch or a pillar, but he even makes complete costumes that he takes to the streets and performs at festivals.
“This allows me to show that what I do is much more than just blowing up a balloon.”
Obtaining his certificate as ‘Master Balloon Professional’ gives him some recognition for this: “I am very proud that I am the first in the Netherlands to achieve this. It is a worldwide certificate. This allows me to show that what I do much more than just blow up a balloon.”
The exam Ferry had to take was not easy, he says: “I was so nervous that I took medication for it, but that only had the opposite effect.” Despite the nerves, it went well: “The jury was even surprised by the speed with which I completed the assignments, so that was a bonus!”
Van Melis gets the most pleasure from the balloon costumes. The costumes can be seen on his YouTube channel. From colorful birds of at least two meters high to life-size dragons and llamas. “That’s such a cool thing to do. That makes me slightly different from an ordinary balloon decorator.” he says.
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Although he has his hands full with assignments during the weekends, he cannot yet make a living from it. Ferry works full-time in a creative studio in healthcare with people who are at a distance from the labor market.
“Sometimes the whole house is full of them, even the bedroom!”
There he first came into contact with a balloon decorator ten years ago: “I hired him to make balloon arches at my work in healthcare. When I spoke to him he told me that he no longer enjoyed his work, but it seemed to me I really enjoyed it! I asked if I could take over his work and clients and that was allowed. I started taking courses and now I am here.”
After work and during the weekends, he can be found at home in a small office of about eight square meters. That’s where he also makes the gigantic costumes: “Sometimes the whole house is full of them, even the bedroom!”
“I always touch the door handle with my elbow first, otherwise it will crackle.”
In his office there are cupboards full of balloons, sorted in every colour, shape and size imaginable. Ferry works with latex balloons, not the nicest material to work with, it squeaks and cracks. Not to mention static hair. But that’s no problem for him: “I always touch the door handle with my elbow first, otherwise it will crackle. But hey, at least you have a spectacular and crackling profession!”
With his new title, Ferry looks positively ahead: “I hope for even more and larger assignments and more performances at festivals. The best thing would be if I could really do this full-time.”