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Uncategorized Boards => Welcome => Topic started by: zozoo on March 11, 2016, 12:31:20 PM

Title: I'm so new!!
Post by: zozoo on March 11, 2016, 12:31:20 PM
Hi everyone!

I really am so new to balloon modelling. I am a mum of two. My daughter who is 4 LOVES balloon sculptures and my son who is about to turn 1 likes to pop them! I am at a stage in my life where I am done having children and am thinking about my future and work. Knowing how popular balloons are with children I wanted to try and incorporate them into my future work plans. I didn't however think I would become so addicted to doing it! I have literally only been practicing for a week now and already want to do bigger and better more than I ever expected. Anyway I look forward to all your advice as I KNOW I'll be needing it and I am excited to join in with the competitions that funnily enough has just been delivered by the postman! I have included a photo of my early work so hopefully you will get to see how I improve over time. Its a ball, dog and parrot on a swing....I just do what my daughter demands hahaha  :D  Thank you!  :)
Title: Re: I'm so new!!
Post by: magirob on March 11, 2016, 06:41:47 PM
Welcome along and nice to see the photo. look forward to seeing more from you soon  :-D
Title: Re: I'm so new!!
Post by: Graham Lee on March 11, 2016, 08:46:44 PM
Welcome along, the models look pretty good if you have only been twisting a week.
Looking forward to seeing some other designs form you.

There is a model of the month section with step by step instructions on how to make over 70 different designs here on balloon chat.

model-the-month.html (http://balloonchat.co.uk/model-the-month.html)
Title: Re: I'm so new!!
Post by: Jana on March 11, 2016, 10:57:20 PM
very good proportions for such a new twister
greetings and welcome
Title: Re: I'm so new!!
Post by: zozoo on March 12, 2016, 07:08:07 AM
Thanks so much. I have tried a couple of more tricky ones yesterday. Sorry they're not the right way up I have no idea how to turn them  :roll:  They aren't perfect but I'm quite pleased for first attempts. I'll definitely be looking at the model of the month. Thanks Graham.
Title: Re: I'm so new!!
Post by: Danny the Idiot on March 12, 2016, 11:41:42 AM
Welcome Zozoo! The balloon models are all looking great!

Keep going!

 :D
Title: Re: I'm so new!!
Post by: magirob on March 12, 2016, 01:27:20 PM
I'm very impressed with your skills Zozoo, for someone who has been doing it for just a week or so, well done :D
Title: Re: I'm so new!!
Post by: Jay72uk on March 12, 2016, 11:01:50 PM
Great job.
Title: Re: I'm so new!!
Post by: MisterShuffles on August 04, 2016, 03:40:08 PM
Well Zozoo, I must say you are progressing very well so far. When I taught myself by trial and error so many years ago I would rather not think on it,it took me ages to master what you have learned there so quickly.

Given the age of your children though, I'd like to offer this little bit of hopefully sage advice that I picked up long ago when at a Buskers Festival from a veteran twister.  

Always be aware of the potential dangers of RED, White, Pink and clear.

Some children, will always take a balloon and immediatly want to taste it.  That is no revelation of course.  As twisters, both new and veteran we all find that out fast.  But consider this:

Since Balloons are so thin they cannot be discerned on an x-ray I have been told.  Thus, the color becomes an issue too, as the colors I mentioned will more likely, blend into the back of the throat and lungs.

I am not saying to NOT make those color balloons.  Far far from it!!

Just that when you do make them, and hand them out, and you may consider having a little sign up or verbally even and politely warn adults if they wish that color for their children.

I suggest saying something like while you can indeed make them this or that color, would they mind if you suggest another shade, and then tell them your reasonings behind the request.

That way the adults can make a more informed choice. They appreciate that you more are looking out for the welfare and safety of the child above other concerns.  It almost never fails to be appreciated when I take the time to tell a parent this, or even a group of people who are standing around, watching me twist.

Oh, and when and if you do make a balloon for a young child?  Especially for the 4 and under crowd, always politely try to hand the balloon to the parent.  That way, the onus is more on them for handing it to the child, and not so much us twisters who produce them.  That and it reinforces the whole 'dont take things from strangers' lesson..

Here's a quick but effective balloon twist for you and the others.  One your daughter might well love a lot!

Just get a purple lavender round balloon, or perhaps a  of a 350Q,  a piece of a 260Q the same color, and one of lime green.

Under-inflate the purple balloon if the round one, or just use a few inches of the fat 350Q and tie it off, then use the scrap purple one to make a pair of little feet and attach it to the bottom.

Inflate a 260Q or 160Q Green, perferrably of the lighter shade, and make three or four loops for leaves like in the photo I posted below and fasten it to the top.  All thats left is to draw the face and you are done.

Quick.  Simple.. and hey, its Poke'mon!  There are other simple figure designs too that wont slow up things too much if you are trying to twist a lot in a short time.

Btw, that particular oddish photo is one I pulled from the web, made by a skilled twister by the name of Inëz Czymbor.

Take care and have a fantastic time doing the twist!

G. Manson
aka
Mister Shuffles
Title: Re: I'm so new!!
Post by: zozoo on August 04, 2016, 06:29:08 PM
Hey Mistershuffles!

Thanks for taking the time to write! I am moving along nicely and have even had quite a few bookings working around my family life. I never considered the coloured balloons you've mentioned but I do in fact have a sign warning parents about the risks etc :)

Here's some of my ore recent work. Still far from brilliant but people local to me seem impressed and happy so far! Thanks again :D
Title: Re: I'm so new!!
Post by: MisterShuffles on August 05, 2016, 12:39:24 AM
Far from brilliant?

If this is far from Brilliant, then we have a prodigy in our midst.

I've been doing balloons for over 2 decades, and I never once considered making
a toy story figure quite like yours, or nearly so successful and recognizable.

Sadly, I have no excuse for my lack of progress except that I got to the stage where
I made everyone the basics at flea markets for line twisting and what not, and then
I just stayed in that comfort zone.  

Poodle.  Parrot.  Bunny.  Blues Clues.  Dinosaur.  Snake.  Mostly stuff that I could twist
in under a minute or in as little as 3-5.  Though I do go more elaborate for birthdays.

But if this is what you can do after what is it, a few weeks?  Then the 'oldtimers' like me
are in trouble, because you've serious skills!

I have to get a working camera again other than my dinky celphone, so I havn't anything
truely recent to show, but I've had a few I twisted in the past, which while did not quite
turn out the way I intended, did turn out quite amusing.  Especially in just how it came out.

This one was way back when I was trying to figure out how to twist a hulk with moderate
success.

At the end of a long hot day of balloon busking, I put my own hat on my creation, gave 'em
a sword and used my coke bottle to keep it weighted and in place.  But the end result in the
picture was I thought just so neat, when the wind blew it in just the right way, for it to give
my creation a sort of 'Back off man.  This is MY Coke now!' glare.

Keep up the good work.  You'll surpass a lot of us at this rate before long.  I am reasonably sure
you've surpassed me, or atleast caught up.

Shuffles
Title: Re: I'm so new!!
Post by: Thelma Levett on August 05, 2016, 06:38:43 AM
Very impressed with your modelling zozoo. About the balloons safety advices nd colours. That was interesting to read. Personally whenever I am working and there Re young children waiting for balloons I never give them one. I tell the parents that I can't make a balloon for their child because they are too young and till put it in their mouth which is dangerous. So instead I will make the balloon for mum or dad. It is their balloon not the child's and they should remember about the danger. So I make the balloon and they give it to their child. Well... I just hope they keep an eye on them. Advice is always given.  This applies to up to four year olds and then I do the balloons for the children themselves.
Part of the addiction of balloons is seeing the look on people's faces when they are handed their balloon. Never get tired of that! Hope you can come along to a balloon day some time zoboo. Enjoy your addiction.
Title: Re: I'm so new!!
Post by: zozoo on August 05, 2016, 07:56:41 AM
Thank you both that's really encouraging to hear! I will also definitely do as you suggest and make the balloons for the parents.

Thelma I have to say thank you to you for your great tutorials as you have taught me some great stuff. I am waiting patiently for your e-books!!  :D

I'm also pondering whether to go to the care and share day in September as I think it's the closest one ran to me but I'm a bit nervous!!