A TALENTED balloon twister and face painter has been chosen as a finalist for a prestigious award.

Emma Nettleton, who used to be a financial analyst but ditched the suits and number crunching to take up face painting back in 2018, said she was amazed to learn she has been shortlisted as a finalist in the East of England Event Entertainment Awards.

The 34-year-old, of California Road, Mistley, said she filled out the application for a giggle during lockdown as she had a lot of time on her hands.

She said: “When I received the notification that I made it to the finals I was amazed as I’ve never been nominated for an award before.

“Because of the nature of what I do face painter and balloon artist, we don’t normally qualify for many of the child related awards which are normally for groups and classes, so I was amazed to be a finalist for an award.

“I’d be astounded if I won, there are lots of amazing acts and artists also nominated. I’m happy to just have made it to the finals.

“My family is excited for me, my husband is always super supportive of my work and found it funny when I was dancing around the kitchen after I learned I’d been made a finalist.”

Emma, who is a mum-of-two, and runs her own business, called Emma’s Fanciful Faces said if she would win the award it would help her stand out and give potential clients the reassurance they are dealing with a commended business.

She added: “When Covid-19 hit I had a full summer of party bookings already booked which then I had to refund which as a small business hit us pretty hard.

“With no sign of when parties would be allowed again it was an incredibly stressful time. Thankfully as we came out of the strict part of lockdown, the balloon gift side of my business really picked up again, which has really helped take the pressure off a difficult few months.

“To receive this nomination now feels extra special, as the Event Entertainment Awards recognises the best in the industry, so to be announced a winner of the award for best Children’s entertainer would mean so much after a difficult few months.”

“I work really hard to make the best balloon sculptures that I can, and I want people’s reactions to what I have made them to be ‘wow’.

“I sometimes spend hours making sure a design looks exactly right, I do lots of research of other balloon work and always work hard to challenge myself to try new techniques to make my work even more impressive, I always want to be the best that I can be.”

As 50 per cent of the score is from community voting and the remaining 50 per cent is from the judges from Book Entertainment, people can vote for Emma by visiting bit.ly/3eIDIy5.

Voting ends on July 7.