Making The Coolest Balloon Art in The World
Back in 2000, during the first dot-com economic downturn, Korene Tom lost her administration job. From there, Korene saw this as a rare opportunity to leave that life behind and become – a balloon artist and clown! Today, she is making some of the most amazing balloon art I’ve ever seen and living her best life. “Well, when one door closes, another door opens – all you need to do is walk through it. Let the universe know and the universe can provide,” she encourages me.
Korene Tom “Fortune Kookie” with one of her creations in hand – photo by Vita Hewitt
Meeting Korene Tom, AKA: Fortune Kookie
A month or so ago, my friends and I had gone over to see The Illusionist show at The Palace Theatre. It was a fantastic show and we had a great time. As we were leaving, we mischievously wandered around inside the speakeasy a bit and wound up inside a room that looked like an empty underground casino.
Standing about 5’ tall, a bright glowing smile shined so brightly from one of the casino staff that I felt compelled to ask her about herself. Through that casual conversation, she casually tells me that 23 years ago she chose to live a more fun and fulfilling life in entertainment as a balloon artist and clown over the comfort of Corporate America. As she tells me this, her smile is beaming so brightly that I feel at ease and excited about the opportunities we have here unlike anywhere else. We live in a city where being a clown and following your own heart’s desires is a viable career. You never know who you’ll meet and Korene, AKA Fortune Kookie, is a gem of a human and for sure someone you should know.
Korene helped to recreate the Tale of Jack and the Beanstalk with balloons. It took 4 days with over 75 artists
“I love to learn and experience new opportunities. My friend introduced me to a clown he was teaching magic to. She invited me to an entertainers’ convention where I was exposed to balloon art, face painting and acrobatic arts and discovered that I had the DNA for balloon art and face painting. Soon, I was invited to be the clown for the San Francisco Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival. I started to perform at Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, festivals, corporate and private birthday parties,” Fortune Kookie tells me.
Kookie’s specialties consist of Balloon Artistry, Face Painting, Magic Shows, Costumes, Balloon Decorations, and Party Casino. Her balloon art is stunning. Beyond what I ever thought balloons could do. Whimsical environments with characters you love so much you want to hug – but are afraid to pop.
That classic Fortune Kookie silliness with a lion balloon animal
Traveling Balloon Artist for Charity
It warms my heart to know that Fortune Kookie travels to spread the joy of her balloon art with others, for charity. It’s almost like her infectious smile that drew me in that first day radiates right into her balloon work. This past year, she participated in The Big Balloon Build in Colorado where balloon artists were able to really showcase their skills for charity.
“Also being part of a team of 75 to hundreds of balloon artists from around the world to build for four days for a charitable event. One being in Rochester New York; Orlando, Florida for Give Kids the World resort for critically ill kids and family; and my last one in Greeley, Colorado for Life Stories, part of CASA which supports child advocacy,” she explains.
Korene Tom “Fortune Kookie” standing in front of her work at Big Balloon builds in Colorado
“Big Balloon builds: balloon artists build for 4 days in a large area like hotel ballrooms, gyms, shopping malls, etc. The build is handed over to the organization and sells tickets to fundraise for charity and people get to view the amazing balloon art. The art can last up to a week for their event before the display is striked and balloon debris is properly and environmentally disposed of. The professional manufactured balloons used are made from the sap of rubber trees and will decay as all organic things do.
In 2024, I will be traveling for more Big Balloon Builds to support more charities. Canton, Ohio and Big Bend, Indiana. Someday, I hope to participate in the international big balloon builds,” she tells me.
Behind the scenes. It took over 120,000 balloons to create this masterpiece in Colorado:
Where can you see Fortune Kookie’s art this holiday season?
I love meeting all of the amazing artists we have here in The Bay and hope you’ve also loved getting to know so many amazing folks we feature on Broke Ass Stuart. You can meet a performance artist who dances on a pole one day and then the next you cna meet someone like Fortune Kookie who makes balloon art for a living. This skilled clown, known for her amazing balloon art, is a prominent presence in San Francisco. She notes a slower November due to post-October event recovery but anticipates a surge in bookings after Thanksgiving. If you want to book her, I’d suggest getting in early before things get too crazy this holiday season.
A balloon ship?! Amazing balloon work by Fortune Kookie (seen in full makeup)
“Right now, November is historically slower as people are recovering from October events. Bookings start to get very busy after Thanksgiving. In past years, Ms Claus, Elf or the Snow Princess entertainment appears at public and private events. Party casinos also get very busy. I anticipate more holiday balloon décor will be requested.
I am always busy providing private entertainment on the weekends. Most people seem to wait until one to two weeks prior to book their party … .by that time I may already have filled the available time slots. I always advise them to book early for a premium quality entertainer.
A few of my past highlights was Ms Claus for Union Square … the organizers chose my image for the digital advertisements displays and being one of the featured artists for SF Chinatown Autumn Moon for several years,” she tells me.
Korene has such an electrically beautiful smile and joy that resonates – photo by Vita Hewitt
“Happiness Unlimited!!!” Where can you find Korene (Fortune Kookie) online?
Korene’s (also known as Fortune Kookie) story is truly inspiring. As an entertainer, she promises “happiness unlimited!!!” As an artist, she likes to push herself and find joy in her balloon artistry. As an artist myself, it’s challenging to envision taking the leap into becoming a full-time artist, particularly in such a costly location. Korene encourages us to just take that leap and see where life can take you if you just believe in yourself. “B.E. (Before Entertainment) I was a contract office admin and would look out the office windows and wonder where everyone was going! Now….I am one of those people following their unexpected dream,” encourages Korene.
Facebook: Fortune Kookie Fun
IG: @korene_tom_fortune_kookie_fun
Twitter: _Fortune_Kookie
Website: www.FortuneKookieFun.com
Korene can make literally anything out of balloons and it’ll make you smile ear to ear
Howdy! My name is Katy Atchison and I'm an Associate Editor for Broke-Ass Stuart.
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