Our story
It started with one balloon and a very good hat.
The Balloon Shoppe is Elijah Green’s. He started twisting balloons in Dhaka in 2019, and by the age of fourteen he was running seven-hour fairs on his own. Seven hours, one twister, no understudy.
Everything is still made the same way. By hand, to order, one balloon at a time. Dogs, cats, birds, flowers, hats and swords leave the workbench in Dhaka and go out across the city.
The scrapbook
The early collection, 2019–2020.
Same hat in every photo. We don’t ask questions.
At the workbench
Twisted by hand, drawn on.
Every piece starts as a long, skinny latex balloon. It’s inflated, then twisted into bubbles and shapes. Faces go on last, drawn by hand, which is why no two cats ever have quite the same grin.
Nothing waits on a shelf. When you order, Elijah twists it, in the colour you picked, and it leaves the workbench looking pleased to see you.
In their own words
Elijah creates very exquisite balloons. Each of which are hand made. I would definitely recommend.
I really like the flower.
Questions
Good to know.
Delivery, payments, care and the rest. Can’t find it? Ask us.
Orders & delivery
Where do you deliver, and what does it cost?
We deliver inside Dhaka city. Delivery is free on orders over $25; below that, the options are:
- Dhaka delivery
When will my order arrive?
Everything is twisted to order, so you choose a delivery date at checkout and we aim to deliver on it. The earliest date is 2 days after you order, which gives your balloons time to be made properly.
Can I choose the colours?
Most designs come in a few colours; pick one on the product page. Want something that isn’t listed? Write it in the gift note or send us a message and we’ll see what we can do.
Can I send a balloon as a gift?
Yes. Open Add a gift note in your basket and write up to 300 characters. The note goes along with your balloons.
Payments
How can I pay?
The checkout offers card, PayPal and cash on delivery inside Dhaka. Here’s what’s switched on right now:
Card and PayPal payments are charged in US dollars; cash on delivery is quoted in taka.
Do you have discount codes?
A few. There’s one for joining our letters (sign up at the bottom of any page), two you can win in the back room, and one hidden somewhere on this site. One code per order.
Care & safety
How long will my balloon last?
Like any air-filled latex balloon, it slowly softens and loses air over time; that’s normal, and a sign it was well loved. Keeping it indoors, away from sun, heat and sharp things, helps it last.
How do I look after it?
- Keep it indoors, out of direct sun and away from heaters.
- Keep it clear of sharp edges, rough floors and enthusiastic pets.
- Carry it gently, by a handle or stem where it has one.
Are balloons safe for small children?
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD. Children under 8 yrs. can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons. Adult supervision required. Keep uninflated balloons from children. Discard broken balloons at once. Contains natural rubber latex, which may cause allergic reactions.
Older children are welcome to play with their balloons; please keep an eye on the little ones.
What are they made of? Is there latex?
Yes. Every piece is twisted from latex balloons, filled with air. If anyone who’ll be near them has a latex allergy, please don’t order, and tell us before booking a party.
Parties & the Club
Can you come to my party?
If your party is in Gulshan or Banani, Dhaka, yes. Elijah twists live for an hour at birthdays, school fairs and office dos in those two areas, for $80 an hour. Pick a date and an area on the parties page; not all times are available, and every booking is confirmed by email.
What is the Balloon Club?
A monthly membership with free balloons every month (one, two or three, depending on your tier) and recognition as a Club member. See the tiers.
How do Club free balloons work?
Each one comes as a one-time-use code, emailed to the member every month. Give us the code with your order and that balloon is free; once used, the code stops working. Each code is valid for 3 months from the day it’s issued. Members can pass a code to anyone they like.
The membership itself isn’t transferable — it stays with the person it was bought for — but you can buy one as a gift for someone else.
Contact
Say hello.
Questions about an order, a party, a colour you can’t find, or just a balloon you’d like to see made? Send a note and Elijah will get back to you.
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Based inDhaka, Bangladesh
Photo credits
Photo and illustration credits, including the Unsplash and Creative Commons licences, are listed on the credits page.