Balloons
I can't go into a party shop and not walk out with a bag of balloons — inferior quality? I don't care. Must have balloons!
The bulk of my balloons are from Qualatex®. But don't just use 260's — you'll limit yourself. Try downsizing a sculpture you know with 160's, or upsize with 350's. A figure you already know might become supercute when made smaller, or more impressive when made bigger. And that's just from changing the balloon diameter.
160 sculptures are great to impress adults. 350 sculptures last very long — perfect for gifts. Heart balloons are essential too: bodies, faces, shoes, wings, eyes, fish, feet, hands — just a short list of what you can do with them.
And don't limit yourself to balloons. Latex surgical gloves can be twisted too. Condoms make a very wide clear pencil balloon, great for stuffing items inside.
Tools
- The Magic Cutter — great for cutting off unused balloon. Try attaching the blade to your pants with double-sided tape; it sticks out less than the holder.
- Markers — I can't draw well and no two eyes I've ever drawn were the same, but I still can't live without them. Stabilo Permanent are my favourite. Note: permanent markers re-liquefy when a balloon deflates and can rub off on your client. When kids will handle the balloon, a whiteboard dry-erase marker may be more appropriate. Paint markers don't rub off but take a long time to dry.
- Apron — I use the jumbo apron from TwistEmUp. Easy to carry 260's.
Recommended Books
All the tools in the world don't give you the balloon knowledge to be the best you can be — books, videos and the internet will.
- Simply Amazing — Patrick Brown
- Any book by Ken "Flash" Stillman
- The Balloon Magic books
- Books from Ralph Dewey — one of the most innovative balloon artists out there. Most of what we consider basic twists today, he did first, years ago.
- Attack of the Killer Demon — Larry Moss
- Balloonicature: The Many Faces of Balloon Art — Larry Moss
- Ballooneries — Arthur Tivoli
The last three are also available on CD. For all books: they don't just show you figures — they let you fly off, combine, and come up with your own designs. If a great book isn't listed here, it's because I don't have it yet.
Balloon Websites
- Balloon HeadQuarters
- Yahoo Balloon Twister Club
- Professor Wonder
- Balloon Designs
- Magical Balloon Dude Dale
And last but certainly not least — visit balloon workshops, conventions and jams!
