Art made of balloons
Earlier this year balloon artists from around the world traveled to San Diego to compete at the 2018 World Balloon Convention, a bi-annual contest of sculptures, small and large, made entirely of balloons.
"Oh, my gosh, the World Balloon Convention is our Oscars, it's our Academy Awards," said balloon artist Connie Iden-Monds, of Nashville, Tenn.
Pictured: The first-place winner in the Medium Sculpture category, by artists from Taiwan.
Hello!
Balloon art from the 2018 World Balloon Convention in San Diego.
Globe
Balloon artists from France construct their sculpture.
During the World Balloon Convention's competition, a million-and-a-half balloons were used, provided free by the Pioneer Balloon Company.
Tiger
A team of balloon artists from Taiwan constructed this 15-foot-tall tiger, and won first place in the Large sculpture category. Teams had 27 hours straight in which to construct their sculptures.
Wolf
This wolf by the Russian team won second place in the Large Sculpture category.
Ursula the Sea Witch
For the first time, an American team placed in the Large Sculpture category, winning third for their creation of Ursula the Sea Witch, from "The Little Mermaid."
Ursula the Sea Witch
Balloon artist Connie Iden-Monds, who led the team that created Ursula, described to "Sunday Morning"'s Conor Knighton the joy in balloon art: "By sharing a little bit of joy in a balloon, that transcends language, that transcends race. And in fact, I tell people all the time, 'I'm so lucky. I'm, like, completely blessed, 'cause I have a job where I make somebody happy every single day.' It doesn't get any better than that!"
The Incredible Hulk
The Italian team won gold for their large sculpture of The Incredible Hulk.
Bounce
A levitating cat won silver in the Large Sculpture Category.
Sebastian
Sebastian, from "The Little Mermaid," was second-place winner in the Medium Sculpture category.
Dumbo
Everyone's favorite flying elephant landed in first place in the Balloon Figure category.
Aladdin
Aladdin and his friends.
Bears
Balloon art from the 2018 World Balloon Convention in San Diego.
Jedi Knight
This Star Wars-inspired balloon costume won first place in the Fashion & Costume category.
Costume
A Hong Kong artist created this second place-winner in the Fashion & Costume category.
Costume
The third-place finisher in the Fashion & Costume category.
Hat
A second-place winner in the Hat category.
Costume
These balloons are fit for the belle of the ball.
Costume
A gold winner in the Fashion & Costume category.
Balloon Couture
A balloon gown.
Dressing Up
Balloon fashion.
Flowers
Balloon art from the 2018 World Balloon Convention in San Diego.
Adornment
Balloon art from the 2018 World Balloon Convention in San Diego.
Chapeau
Balloon art from the 2018 World Balloon Convention in San Diego.
Hat
This genie headpiece won third place in the Hat category.
Flowers
These flowers won first place in the Balloon Centerpiece category.
Figures
Balloon art from the 2018 World Balloon Convention in San Diego.
Santa
This Christmas theme won gold in the Picture Frame category.
For more info:
World Balloon Convention, San Diego
Pioneer Balloon Company/Qualatex
partyanimalstn.com (Connie Iden-Monds)
By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan