Conrad Story

I like to think that inspiration can come from anywhere. Back in 2016, I was trying to think of a fun idea for a balloon costume for the competition at my favorite balloon-twisting convention. I wanted to make something unique but also popular with a lot of movement in the design for looking great on stage. While shopping in a local store, I saw a little box of chewing gum with a unicorn on it. The box said something like, “Always be yourself. Unless you can be a unicorn. Then always be a unicorn.”  I kept thinking about that quote and decided to try making a unicorn costume. My first try was very similar to how Conrad the Unicorn looks now except for the hair.  The first design had braided rainbow hair, but it didn’t have much movement. I kept trying to think of how to make the hair and mane more flowy, and I found inspiration right before the convention in some beautiful balloon weeping willow trees that were designed by another balloon artist for a big project in upstate New York.  I loved the look of the balloon strands hanging from the trees and thought they’d give great movement to the unicorn mane. 

I was excited for my performance which I had planned in my head ever since I had decided on making a unicorn.  I was going to dance to Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” with a few planned moves timed to the music and lots of shaking of that beautiful mane. At the last minute, I also decided to have the unicorn (now named “Conrad” by one of my friends) poop rainbows on stage. I added this in because so many people asked if he was going to do that, so I decided I should give the audience what they wanted. When the music started and I came on stage dancing, everyone got very excited, and I could tell that the costume was a hit!  Then Conrad stopped on the runway and left a rainbow “gumdrop” on the stage. The audience was screaming with laughter!  Conrad left two more gumdrops behind as he exited the stage. A star was born!  Conrad the Unicorn was immediately embraced by the balloon community, and the video of his performance was widely shared. After that, he was invited to participate in the Chicago Pride Parade as part of a friend’s balloon float. Videos from that weekend went viral and launched Conrad on many exciting adventures!  I was so lucky to appear with/as Conrad the Unicorn on the Harry Show, America’s Got Talent, KTLA Morning Show, at the Orange County Fair and more!  Wherever Conrad goes, he’s the life of the party and loves to high five and interact with everyone around!  He’s always ready for an adventure, and so am I!  The best part about creating Conrad the Unicorn is how he has inspired so many other balloon artists to make costumes, too!  There’s nothing like the feeling I get when I put in a balloon costume. It’s instant joy and excitement!  I love sharing that with other people whenever I can. If Conrad the Unicorn’s creation was inspired by a box of gum, who knows where the next big idea might come from?!