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Bonkers about balloons
We spoke to master balloonist Krazy Kev about giant diggers, pirate ships and "stealth" grannies.
Even in his civvies, Kevin Hubery is a children's entertainer through and through.
He is adept at taking the mick, chucking jokes into a conversation and bringing a general air of jolliness into the room.
Though he describes himself as "a bit rubbish" at it, the opposite is true, and his balloon creations are legendary on the party circuit.
On one occasion he even made a 6ft by 6ft JCB digger complete with a Bob the Builder driver.
Kevin said: "I always ring up before a party and find out what the birthday boy or girl likes so I can make them their own character.
"This boy's mum said he liked diggers but I got a bit carried away and it ended up being massive.
"I turned up and the party was in this tiny flat so I had to get all the kids to jump up and down on it and burst it 'cos it was taking up the whole room."
Kevin, who lives with his wife Susan and daughters Emma, 19, and 13-year-old Danielle in Hawthorn, has been in the business for two and a half years.
What was to become a full-time career started out as a simple way to entertain his two daughters, and grew from that.
Kevin's first attempts to make balloon animals were for his daughters' birthdays, which both fall in January. Kevin said: "I was petrified of balloons when I was a kid so one year Susan got me a little kit as a joke Christmas present.
"I had a go and managed to make a few dogs, swords and giraffes for the girls' birthdays.
"I don't think they noticed much to be honest but about six months later I gave it another go."
When Emma was born, hospital mistakes meant she was deprived of oxygen and left with brain damage.
Eventually the Huberys were given a 4million payout from Sunderland Health Authority.
After the case was settled and with plans to extend the family home, Kevin took voluntary redundancy from TRW where he worked as a logistics controller.
He said: "There never seemed to be enough hours in the day and I was spending too much time away from home when I was needed.
"Emma needs all sorts of care and attention which just added to the frustration of working away.
"Last year she needed a 10-hour operation to put rods in her back so I really need to be around.
"It was scary to take redundancy but it's the best thing I ever did."
From making simple balloon shapes for his daughters, Kevin really got the itch through his other talent – magic.
Through the Durham Magic Society Kevin met Darren Bonas, also known as children's entertainer Mr Twister.
Kevin said: "I saw what Darren could do and got inspired to do it myself – he created a monster really.
"The first event I ever did was at a nursery in Horden. I was as nervous as when I had to take my driving test. I thought 'never again' but now I don't get nervous at all.
"I take the Tommy Cooper approach so when it goes wrong I just make a joke out of it and carry on."
Kevin can now make pretty much any cartoon character going: it takes about 25 minutes to make a good Goofy and up to two days to make bigger creations like the massive wearable pirate ship he created for Hartlepool Marina – the only thing he can't do is hedgehogs.
But there are unexpected pitfalls in the murky world of children's parties.
Kevin said: "It's the best job in the world but you've got to watch for the stealth grannies.
"They know how to blend into the front of an organised queue and then order 10 balloon animals for the grandchildren who couldn't be there!"
Though his show is for kids, Kevin also gets plenty of interest from the grown ups.
He said: "I do children's magic shows as well and usually all the adults want to watch as well – the first time that happened it was pretty scary but they always seem to enjoy it.
"Sometimes I even get the grown ups to try and blow the balloons up which is pretty funny – it's something people get a bit of a mental block about.
"I've always been a people person really so I suit this job."
Kevin's wife Susan said: "I've noticed a huge difference in Kevin's mood since he started up. Sometimes I have to fetch him off the ceiling which is lovely."
Being a master balloonist has taken Kevin and his family all over the country.
He appeared on the Noel's Christmas Presents TV show and even managed to get Chico from The X Factor to perform at Emma's 18th birthday party at Seaham Hall.
Kevin said: "How can you not love a job where you're making children laugh?"
* To find out more visit www.krazy-kevs.co.uk or www.krazy-kev.weebly.com or call 5273130.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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