Balloon Review 069 - Dylan Gelinas PDF Instructional Downloads.

Dylan is a member of balloonchat and is known as signeddiamond. I have always loved Dylan's work which he has posted on this forum and on his facebook page. He has also very generously created free youtube instructional videos which standout in terms of quality compared to most. So I was excited when Dylan sent me his first PDF for me to review. Given that Dylan will be releasing some more in the future I figured it would be better to create his own balloon review post.

So here is the first one...

BARTLEBY THE LEPRECHAUN

Available by messenging balloonchat member signeddiamond at a special introductory price of $8.

This design is not for complete beginners and some of you may find it challenging in places. Firstly the PDF instructions are very clear and precise. Excellent use of photographs with some humorous comments added in the text which I enjoyed. This design will take a while to make. I think it took me about an hour. It uses an extensive range of balloons, 260Q/350Qs/hearts and a large geo donut.

I really enjoyed making this one as it offered a few little challenges. Here are a few of the key points:

#1 The head design is lovely and really good. I love the way the green hat is positioned in place. This face could be used for a multitude of different characters. The really tough part is a sidewall bubble on the 260Q to attach the nose part but if you have made David Brenion's masks you should have cracked it by now!

#2 The black/white balloons inside the mouth need to be a tight fit otherwise they will keep falling out. If it keeps moving wait until you have added the beard and the rear of the head and it will then stay in position.

#3 The body structure is simple yet effective.

#4 The hand design is brilliant. Even though it only has three fingers and a thumb it doesn't really matter too much.

#5 The beer glass design is very quick and easy.

#6 The character sits well on top of a geo donut. The balloon is supposed to represent a pot of gold but I guess you could get away with the geo.

#7 The arms use 5" rounds but I didn't have any in dark green so I used hearts instead. I think they look just as good.

A really delightful sculpture, large and impressive. Well worth the $8 introductory price. Highly recommended and I cannot wait to see more of Dylan's work.

MY RATING : A+

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I liked the design and instructions as well nippy.  I also used hearts for the arms and didn't have lime 360's so I used white.  It took me three hours to do it, mainly because I had NEVER done a sidewall bubble in a 260, but I'm sure the next time I make it, less time will be taken.  This is well worth the money invested in the pdf's.

Looks great Darren and i'm glad you enjoyed.

Response was greater then expected so the profits were used to invest in better lighting and photography equipment to deliver better PDFs in the future.
I am also putting together a web site which should make finding the right design for you as easy as possible.

I hope to be able to offer designs that see a huge return on investment for any twister out there and look more to the advanced delivery pieces then the normal line and party work.

So keep your eyes open for a certain wizard mouse coming soon.


Dylan Gelinas

Hi funat60 - can you post a photo of your model - I would love to see how it looks with in white.

Sidewall bubbles in 260s can be tough. You can always insert a raisin or a small bead in the 260q so it gives you a point to grab onto.

Here's my first attempt. Thanks Dylan!! I took it to my day job today and stuck business cards under the rim of the pot. Works great to advertise!!!

Really looking forward to this am very interested in the head design thanks for the review Darren - superb as always x

Sure nippy, here it is but I also posted it in the "Picture Gallery"

Dylan has just published this photo on facebook of his next PDF release... watch this space....

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How much are his PDF's usually charged at?

Hi Chris, I believe this Mickey design will be $15 but we will have to wait and see. The Leprechaun is available for $8 right now.

Here's my take on him.  I had to change a few of the balloons because I ran out, but I was happy with how he turned out.

Actually got to make one today.  Here he is!

Great effort - thanks for sharing

I have received a handful of messages about how to order this little guy and I thought I would clear it up by saying that all PDFs are sold through my web site: www.slightlytwistedballoons.com

I would also like to thank Darren for the wonderful reviews he provides and for taking the time to look at what I have to offer.


Thanks,
Dylan Gelinas