This piece was inspired by Lydia Muell's "Terra Flora" lampwork bead set and focal bead - when I purchased them on eBay I had no idea what I would be doing with the set, but when the beads arrived I opened the box containing the focal upside-down, with the bulb section facing up instead of down, and the hot air balloon idea hit me head-on. As a former clown the prospect of weaving that part of my life into a piece of wearable art was something I had to pursue, this piece is the end result. I've since started an entire line of hot air balloon pieces using Lydia's beads - she brings out the happy child in me!