Balloon Chat
Uncategorized Boards => Balloon Review => Topic started by: nippy99 on May 29, 2016, 10:15:18 PM
Balloon Review 152 - Character Cuties Vol 2 Space Wars by Corrine Smith VIDEO DOWNLOAD
Available from http://twisterscookbook.com (http://twisterscookbook.com) priced $35
This video download is a collection of 13 Star Wars characters. Each model is supplied as an individual video download. The quality of the video and audio is excellent and all these designs are filmed in 'over the shoulder' mode which makes following the instructions easy with plenty of close ups. Corrine is a good teacher and none of these models are particularly difficult to make.
I would think all of these designs will be quick enough for line work / restaurant work...
Lets see what we have here!...
PRINCESS LEIA
This collection of designs include four cutie type characters of Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Yoda and Han Solo. Each of them is perfect for mounting on a headband or for decorating party cups. Once the basic design has been learned then you only require different colour balloons and minor tweaks to achieve the different characters.
Princess Leia uses a 6" blush Q-Link for the head. This could also be made with a regular 350Q if you didn't have any q-links but it will take a little longer to make. You also need to use a raisin to attach the head. The hair buns are quite effective and the final design is instantly recognisable. Easy artwork.
I am most likely to use this design for party cups for birthday parties.
Nice design.
[attachment=1:2stzvu8t][/attachment]leia.jpg[/attachment:2stzvu8t]
[attachment=0:2stzvu8t][/attachment]leia2.jpg[/attachment:2stzvu8t]
YODA
A cute little Yoda made again with a Q-link for the head in lime green. Whilst not a close likeness to the original Yoda it is still recognisable and the kids love him. A small variation on the previous design. Very usable.
[attachment=0:wify50pl][/attachment]yoda.jpg[/attachment:wify50pl]
LUKE SKYWALKER
Very similar to the Han Solo design - all that is needed is a change of colours and you have Luke Skywalker. Quick and easy to make - one that will be popular this year.
[attachment=0:1z7xb3kj][/attachment]20160522_114824.jpg[/attachment:1z7xb3kj]
HAN SOLO
Now you can see how similar it is to Luke Skywalker - I have mounted this one on a party cup so you can see what it looks like.
I'm sure a collection of four Star Wars party cups will sell well. (I have some pre-orders already!)
[attachment=0:3fhlgvti][/attachment]20160530_110000.jpg[/attachment:3fhlgvti]
C3PO
Made entirely from gold balloons this is C3PO. A fairly basic design relying on artwork to make it look like C3PO. Would be OK for line work but to be honest this design is below standard for my professional line work engagements and so I would not use it.
Quick and easy to make if your audience isn't too demanding.
[attachment=0:126mvibv][/attachment]20160522_222417.jpg[/attachment:126mvibv]
BB8
Really not sure what to make of this one. It was my son that said you should be able to recognise a balloon without having to add loads of artwork. I tend to agree with him. The original version of this design had white feet at the bottom but BB8 doesn't have feet so I mounted on a base for putting on a headband or a party cup. It is recognisable as BB8 but probably not a real-world design for me.
[attachment=0:28f4lmc5][/attachment]20160530_161129.jpg[/attachment:28f4lmc5]
R2D2
A great little R2D2 perfect for line work. The artwork is not too complicated and it could be simplified to make construction faster. The instructions suggest using a grey q-link or a round balloon but they don't actually explain how to make it with a round balloon. I used a round and used a raisin to connect the side onto the legs and twisted a small sidewall bubble to connect the base of the round to the body.
I also added an extra balloon behind R2D2 to hold the legs in place. Technically R2D2 doesn't have this but I just felt the design stayed together better.
It's up to you!
[attachment=0:1brysq5m][/attachment]20160530_225216.jpg[/attachment:1brysq5m]
DARTH VADER
This one actually looks better in real life than in the photo. The instructions are a little hard to see due to low lighting and a dark background in places but you can still follow along OK. I didn't think much of this design until I made it and now I can see it in front of me, I must say it is growing on me. I think for line work this would be a decent balloon.
[attachment=0:3ovamae4][/attachment]20160602_225146.jpg[/attachment:3ovamae4]
DARTH MAUL
A variation on some of the existing designs except this has a single 160Q black across the top of the head. This one requires extensive artwork which is easy enough to follow.
[attachment=0:d8u4uo8r][/attachment]20160602_232421.jpg[/attachment:d8u4uo8r]
CHEWIE
Really not too sure about this one. Looks like a teddy bear wearing a rubber ring! Maybe of the band around the body was done in a 160Q it may look better. I won't be using this one!
[attachment=0:14x8pwm7][/attachment]20160602_191914.jpg[/attachment:14x8pwm7]
JABBA THE HUTT
Not so sure this design is close enough to the original Jabba The Hutt to make it usable in the real world. The body and tail are fine just not overly sure about the head. The construction is very similar to many of the other characters in this collection. Not one for me i'm afraid.
[attachment=0:md2o4ip5][/attachment]20160604_020849.jpg[/attachment:md2o4ip5]
KYLO REN
I only know the original Star Wars characters and so I haven't a clue who this is. This design is quick to make with simple artwork. Like a lot of these characters they look better in real life than in a photo.
[attachment=0:2gh0807u][/attachment]20160604_020803.jpg[/attachment:2gh0807u]
FIRST ORDER STORM TROOPER
This design is actually very nice. The 160Q black eye band coupled with the black pen underneath makes for an overall good effect. Again the construction is very similar to the other designs and this is quick to make. Good for line work. I think without the red pen marks it would just be an original storm trooper.
I like this.
[attachment=0:20e23234][/attachment]20160604_020833.jpg[/attachment:20e23234]
SUMMARY
I would class this collection as a mixed bag. Some of the designs are really very good and ideal for mounting on a party cup or headband whereas some of the designs really aren't strong enough for the real world (in my opinion - they may work for you!). With some of the designs being very similar in construction I feel the price of $35 is excessive compared to some of the other collections on the market. A $20 price tag would represent better value for money and a fair price.
$35 would buy you Cutie Dolls, Rumble Trucks, Matt Falloon OCD or Masks - so think carefully.
If you disagree with my summary then please feel free to post your views :-)
I Love all your reviews Darren thank you! You're costing me a fortune though hahaha. I don't think I'll be buying this one, not really me. I have liked your page too :mrgreen:
Thanks for your kind words. It is nice to know these reviews are helpful. At least with these reviews you can choose carefully how to spend your budget.
If there are any reviews you would like to see just let me know.