Creative Claire cut out for new job as she opens market shop

Mum-of-six Claire Huitson says she’s finally found the job she’s cut out for after a number of false starts.

Claire has just opened PartyPop Balloons & Blooms at Middlesbrough’s Dundas Indoor Market, creating balloon displays, flower arrangements and decorations to brighten up any party, celebration or corporate event.

In the past the 40-year-old from Eaglescliffe has tried her hand at shop work, childcare, hairdressing and nails.  She also trained to be a teaching assistant, but always found it difficult to stick to any job.  “It was too much, too overwhelming, too many things to do,” she said.

“I didn’t realise that until I got older why I was so different and why things weren’t working out for me.”

Then, two years ago, she was diagnosed with ADHD. “That put a perspective on my life and made me think about things in the past and where it’s got to me now,” said Claire.

With such a big family Claire has always made things for parties at home and friends also recognised her creative talent.

Then at the start of the year, with her house overflowing with materials, she saw an advert for a vacant shop unit in the Dundas Indoor Market and decided to take the plunge.  “I thought if I don’t give it a try then maybe I’ll regret it one day,” she said. Claire has opened PartyPop Balloons & Blooms with a new self-awareness and self-confidence: “I think once you know yourself then you can start to build on what you actually do want. I’m quite a colourful, creative person, so this is really my thing.”

She added: “I know that if I really put my mind to it, then I can go quite far. But at the minute we’re just right at the beginning, so it’s exciting to see how it goes.” And the future might see one or more of her children, aged between seven and 17, working with her.

Claire’s business is the third shop to open in the Market this year, following pet shop Paws & Treats and Steel River Comics.