Give 1,200 balloon tubes to clowns, and they will twist them into an endless series of dogs, cats, bears and dolphins - much to the delight of children.
Give them to Phoebe Chan Kin-pui, though, and she'll weave only a single item out of them. But it's an item you can wear for your prom.
Chan, 38, specialises in making one-of-a-kind wedding dresses and party gowns out of balloons. She is one of the only four certified balloon artists in Hong Kong.
Balloon art is no child's play. Aspirants have to pass written, oral, and practical examinations locally and abroad.
Chan taught herself the art by researching online and watching a television programme on balloon twisting two and a half years ago.
Initially, she began twisting balloons for her then-two-year-old daughter. She created cartoon characters and made her a princess' gown from balloons. But as her skills improved, so did her confidence. She entered competitions in Japan, Malaysia, the United States and Belgium.
Her intricate costumes, hair accessories and decorative arrangements amazed judges. This year she was named New Artist of the Year at the annual World Balloon Convention in Dallas, Texas.