A Pop of Magic
Mamma Events Brings Celebrations to Life…
What began as a casual experiment quickly sparked a passion in Justine Lawson. After seeing some examples and watching a few online videos, she tried her hand at building balloon garlands, mixing colors and sizes into small clusters. Right away, something clicked. “I’m a very creative, do-it-yourself person,” she says. “And when I started playing around with balloons, I loved it. It just came naturally.”
That interest blossomed into MamaMia Events, a balloon design and backdrop business she now runs from her home in Yreka. For events like birthdays, anniversaries, gender reveals and baby showers, she crafts playful balloon sculptures and garlands that transform an everyday party into something memorable. “My main thing is balloons, whether it’s a balloon arch or columns. It just adds something magical to a party.” And, when it comes to design, clients mostly give Lawson creative freedom. “A lot of times, clients will send me some type of inspiration or color palette that they’re looking for. Color is especially important because of how many options there are. For instance, green comes in countless shades. Even white and gold vary by brand. Then, from there, I pretty much create it on the spot.”
Lawson is most comfortable working without a pattern. “Every project is so different based on the space I’m working with and how tall it is. A lot of people will charge by the foot, but I just go in and do it until it looks good. I’m constantly analyzing if it looks right, or if something else needs to be placed. I honestly just let it happen. That’s how I work best.”
Paradoxically, it’s the projects that challenge her the most that she enjoys best. “When someone comes to me and says, ‘Can you do this?’ and I’ve never done it before, I’m like, sure, let’s give it a whirl. Those tend to come out better than I ever expected.” To date, one of her biggest triumphs was creating a design with a Winnie-The-Pooh theme. “I put a lot of pressure on myself because I so wanted it to turn out well. But there was a lot involved with it. It also included a tree, a honeycomb and flowers. It was a huge display, and even though there were some things I might have changed in hindsight, it was something I was extremely excited about.”
While balloons-as-objects might seem like simple décor, Lawson says there’s a science to it. “You have little clusters or little bubbles of smaller balloons. And then, I usually work with 10-inch, 12-inch and 18-inch balloons. The biggest challenge is often the weather. Working outside when it’s hot, not only will the balloons change color and dull in the sun, but they can pop. There’s nothing worse than setting up a whole display and the balloons start popping. So, I’ve had to learn the different quality of balloons and how to handle whether I’m working in the shade or direct sun.” Lawson notes that thicker latex balloons last longer, but they’re also pricier. “Of course, I always recommend high-quality balloons, but if cost is a concern, I’m happy to work with my clients, even if it’s something like an Amazon kit. Some professionals won’t touch those, but I try to give my customers what they want.”
Behind every polished display is a logistical scramble that clients rarely see. Depending on the venue, and especially if hourly rental is a concern, Lawson often finds herself inflating and transporting hundreds of balloons from home. “Depending on the location and how many balloons, it helps save time to blow them up at my house and transport them. But to get them there, I use a mattress cover that looks like a huge garbage bag, and I can fit up to about 200 balloons in the back of my truck, which has four doors. Sometimes I can’t see behind me, but I can see out the side windows.” She laughs. “A camper shell would be nice. Eventually, maybe.”
The name MamaMia Events carries a personal meaning for Lawson. She is “mama” to two girls, her oldest being named Mia. “They’re my world,” she says. Not only have their extravagant birthday parties become opportunities for Lawson to experiment and test new ideas, they’re the inspiration for the love she weaves into the heart of her business. “Birthdays are the most special thing ever. I love them, because it’s the one day that’s all about you.” And the same way she goes all out for her daughters, she loves watching a client’s face light up when they enter a decorated room. “I love decorations. I love it when a space is unique and over-the-top. It’s magical, having these beautiful displays where you can take pictures and create memories. I love making someone feel so special.•
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