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Topics - Novalee

#1
Balloon Chit Chat / Balloon arches / decorations
July 10, 2017, 05:12:53 PM
I see a lot of these columns and arches use round balloons.

What type of balloons would you recommend for these? The Qualatex 5" and 11" rounds, or standard 'shop bought balloons'?
#2
So I'm about to 'restock' with the aim of taking my balloon twisting to the next level.

What wouldn't you be without? Currently I keep a good range of 260s and 160s and also hearts, white 5" rounds and red polka dot 5" rounds (lady birds).

Thanks :)
#3
Balloon Chit Chat / Setting up a business - check list?
September 25, 2016, 06:56:38 PM
So, I've done balloons for friends etc but more and more people are asking me to do parties and so on.

I'm happy to do that, but I know I'll need at the very least, public liability insurance?

What else do I need to consider - how does this casual type of business work with regards to taxes etc?

TIA
#4
Balloon Chit Chat / Old balloons
September 24, 2016, 08:43:13 PM
So I found some nice bags of metallic 5" rounds in my local 'cheap' shop. They are Qualatex, but the old branding so I don't know how old the balloons are.

They only wanted a pound or so per bag so I grabbed them.

Are there any downsides of old balloons? I imagine the material my have weakened?
#5
Balloon Chit Chat / Line work ideas
July 18, 2015, 10:40:21 PM
So, following on from my other post, I need some 'ideas' of easy to make, nice models.

I've got a good few up my sleeve, but I'd really like to nail about 10 decent, models. One I always get asked for is a cat, and I just can't figure it out!
Does anyone have any recommendations for 10 popular, 'fast' to make models?
#6
Balloon Chit Chat / Any donations for this summer?
July 18, 2015, 02:54:26 PM
So once again, I'm am off to Belarus - https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/samanthabelarus15

Basically, the charity I go with is the Chernobyl Children's Project UK and we work with disabled children and adults who live in institutions in Belarus.
One thing everyone out there loves, is balloon animals! This is the reason I took up twisting 4 years ago actually.

So I always have lots of balloons to take. But the costs go up and up and up...as we take a lot of other toys, games and activities.

If anyone would like to donate that would be amazing - all financial donations go directly to either buying equipment to take out there, or to paying for an adult in an institution to have a holiday at the sanatorium, as we have to pay for all over 18s. Equally, if anyone would like to donate any balloons or similar, that would be really wonderful.

Thank you all so much!
#7
Balloon Chit Chat / Storing balloons
May 11, 2015, 04:19:34 PM
I feel I've read this question before, but I am currently surrounded by packets of balloons!

I have a stock in my apron, but the extra supplies are just everywhere. I keep sticking them in carrier bags, still in their qualatex packets. How do you all keep track of what you have? I never really know how much of everything I have got and it's a real muddle when I order things.
#8
My Dad called the other day and asked how to order two things off my wishlist - I'm getting a busking apron and the Beating book! I don't know which I'm more excited about!!
#9
Balloon Chit Chat / Static and hairy balloons!
December 12, 2014, 07:39:09 PM
So I have really long hair and there's always a piece of it floating about, even when it's tied back, there's usually a stray piece of hair which has attached itself to my balloons. Plus generally fluff just seems attracted to them. It's driving me batty!

Any tips on keeping my balloons nice and clean?
#10
Hope no-one minds me posting this in here - please delete it Graham if it shouldn't be here.

I volunteer with a charity every summer out in Belarus working with disabled and orphaned children and adults. It is through doing this that I actually got into ballooning - we took some cheap modelling balloons out there and they adored them, so I of course came home and tried to learn more and more for them.

I am fundraising at the moment for this summer. I really don't expect any / many donations as this is my 4th year out there! But I figure it doesn't hurt to post a link just incase anyone does want to donate?

https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/samanthas1?

 :D  hope it isn't too cheeky of me!! Thanks for reading!
#11
Balloon Tutorial & Help / Another 'storage' question
April 06, 2014, 02:46:27 PM
I know there are many out there, but I can't really find what I'm after so please excuse the new thread.

How do you store your balloons in the house? Not an apron, but your other balloons?

I'm sick of tripping over bags of balloons and things as they are just on the floor of my office really as I keep getting them out.

I thought about one of the 'really useful' storage towers - you know the ones in Hobbycraft / Rymans. Something like this; http://www.reallyusefulproducts.co.uk/u ... towers.php

But they are REALLY expensive for what is essentially a plastic box.

I then found this thread;
home-bargains-t7629.html?hilit=balloon

And it looks good - but how do you store your balloons in it? Do you use empty kitchen rolls to keep them together? Or just cram them in?
Anyone know where I can get something like this now? Can't find it on the website suggested - did find one on eBay but it's nearly £20 now.
#12
Picture Gallery / My first Easter basket...
April 05, 2014, 01:00:21 PM
Fairly pleased - only tried weaving a couple of times before and that was about a year ago.

Used an online tutorial but didn't like the handle he made so improvised my own.
#13
I am supposed to be studying - but have somehow ended up in here?!

Balloons are much more fun than the Fourier series though...

I want to make something fun! Also I want to try out my new balloon cutters which arrived today, courtesy of Graham. Wimpy me can't look cool and break balloons...*sob*
#14
Picture Gallery / Snails
March 31, 2014, 08:01:41 PM
Quote from: "Graham Lee"S is for,

Snail

Graham I love these snails! I never thought snails could be a fun animal but they look fab. Do you mind I try to make one?
#15
Hey,

So my first bag of white 5" rounds arrived today! Excited to make something using them.

Has anyone got any recommendations or tutorials for models which use these balloons? Even if they're just eyes I want to make something!

Thanks.

Novalee
#16
I just noticed on a reply you posted to my topic that you joined (or created?) on this day 2008!
#17
Balloon Chit Chat / How do you store your balloons?
March 17, 2014, 02:32:46 PM
I am wanting to invest in a 'balloon bag' or apron or similar.

I don't do any events just yet - just for my own personal use and charity work which I do. However, I am tired of my balloons being disorganised, not knowing what I have left etc.

How do you arrange things? Any tips of a 'bag' which I could essentially DIY to make into a balloon holder?

Thanks.
#18
Balloon Tutorial & Help / Sempertex balloons
July 30, 2013, 04:06:17 PM
So after using Qualatex balloons, I thought I will try Sempertex. I never consciously chose Qualatex over Sempertex but I just found them first. Not got a lot money for balloons so thought I will try the cheaper ones.

Just got them and must say I am disappointed, they are 360 and 160. So far the end of the balloon, you know the nozzle part, has popped off one of the 360's and the 360 doesn't seem to keep its shape well, the air seems to push down and bulge rather than staying consistent. They also seem to attract dust haha, everything is sticking to them!

But on the other hand, I haven't used 360's or 160's before. So perhaps this is normal?
Not the end of the world but as I haven't used them before I just want to check if anyone else had a similar experience?
#19
Balloon Tutorial & Help / Qualatex quartz purple
July 20, 2013, 07:44:50 PM
Mine seem to be noticably smaller in length than their alternate coloured counterparts.

Anyone else's like this? Is it because of their 'trqnsparentness' as they seem a lot tighter when twisting as well.
#20
Balloon Chit Chat / Ideas request?
July 07, 2013, 08:32:59 PM
Not sure if this is in the rot section, please feel free to move it if I got it wrong.

I have been asked to make a heart. I can just make a basic heart from one balloon and shape it, but does anyone have any ideas for something which looks a little more impressive?

Thanks :-)