About Melanie

I'm a balloon twister and graduate student in the Pioneer Valley (Massachusetts). I provide children's party entertainment, balloon decorations, and more! I have twisted at local birthday parties, library events, farmer's markets, fairs, and business and charity events.

I live in Amherst and have two cats and a turtle.

A photo of my two cats on leashes.
Cats on leashes, yay!

Environment:
​My graduate work is in an environmental field, and environmental responsibility is very important to me. I believe that balloons can be a fun and safe way to create art, celebrate, and even educate, but they must be used responsibly! While latex balloons are relatively quick to degrade, releasing balloons is certainly littering. I do not support balloon releases and I only use latex balloons (not plastic or foil). I also generally fill balloons only with air (not helium) and don't attach anything to my sculptures.

An image of the Pro Environment Balloon Alliance logo
PEBA member (click the image for more info)

Accessibility:
​As a teenager, I spent a number of summers volunteering at a summer camp for children and young adults with physical and developmental disabilities. I really enjoyed and valued this experience, and it is important to me to be able to entertain children and adults of all backgrounds and abilities with my balloons, provided it can be done safely. I am also learning some ASL and can ask deaf or HOH children what balloon they want in ASL.