April Brunelle of Ledyard followed the call of her eclectic art and launched April's Balloon Creations LLC this year. Her projects range from dragons to wine glasses to a pink flamingo for the lawn. She has performed at the Misquamicut Spring Fest, the Children's May Day Festival in Mystic and the Stonington Borough Fair. Upcoming appearances include the Misquamicut Fall Fest and the Groton Fall Festival. For more information, visit www.AprilsBalloonCreations.com. Grace caught up with her recently.

Q: Your work looks so fun! How in the world did it enter your mind to pursue balloon creations?

A: I've always been a kid at heart and one day I just said out loud to my husband that I wanted to learn how to twist balloons. He just laughed but I was serious. And then it all went from there.

Did you know about or anticipate the artistic aspect of the craft?

At first I was just interested in learning how to do the basic balloon animal shapes like dogs, cats, rabbits, but as soon as I started watching videos and looking at pictures I realized there was a whole world of balloon art out there that went beyond just animal shapes. And then I watched the short-lived show on The Learning Channel called "The Unpoppables." That was when it really hit me that this was what I wanted to be doing professionally and not just out of a hobby.

How long do your creations last?

Generally, they last three to four days before they start to shrink down in size. Each creation is precious in that respect. You have to enjoy it while you have it!

You take part in a lot of community events. How are you received?

Some people just think it's cute and kid stuff but others just stop and watch me twist and are in awe. I have had a lot of fun at community events and functions. It's funny how I'll be in a room full of adults and everyone seems a bit shy at asking for a balloon but as soon as I do one ... many more follow. We all are kids at heart and need to embrace it from time to time.

Has the business become your "day job"? What did you do in your former life?

I'm trying to make it my day job as it is really what I love to do. In my previous work I worked mostly in the pharmaceutical industry doing things from quality assurance to project coordination and resource management. My new line of work is much more exciting.

What is the strangest item you've been requested to make?

A foot. A young man just wanted a foot.

Most popular?

Monkey hat.

Do you have a personal philosophy that characterizes your approach to your work?

Each piece is a work of art not just something made out of a piece of latex. It's an expression of joy and fun that I can share with others.

When you're not working, you're most likely:

Playing with my 5-year-old son or chatting online with friends and family.

What do you value most in a friend?

Time. Time with them. And to know they will always have time for me and vice versa. You need to make time for people you care for and love.

What is the best thing your parents taught you, by word or example?

To keep trying, keep going and to never give up.

Complete this sentence: I've always thought that one day I would...

write a book, and who knows that still could happen.

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?

Nothing. I like where I am today and I wouldn't change a thing because everything in my life up to this point got me here.

What is your favorite place to recharge and/or find serenity?

Online. I love relaxing playing Facebook games and catching up on Facebook to see how family and friends are doing.

What do you like most about your community?

The caring that is shown by so many and the way everyone is so willing to help one another.

Dogs or cats?

Definitely cats. I just lost a very good friend of mine who I had since he was a feral kitten. Seventeen wonderful years he gave me. Will miss my Rebel but I still have my other cat, Riot, to pester me in the middle of the night.