I have been using a hand made pump in a bum bag my hubby made from the Chris Dunn instructions for a little while but because it is home made the wires keep coming unattached - in the middle of a gig, 10 minutes before I leave etc. It is also really heavy and gives me lower back pain in a gig 2 hours or more. Hubby feels he has 'done his bit' in making it and is getting a bit sick of me asking hime to fix it and I think it is time to invest in a proper / more reliable one. I have looked at the majiloon but don;t know whether I would need the single or double ( I mostly do gigs 2 - 3 hours at the mo). I also don't know if there is something newer and lighter / quieter on the market now? Also price is of course a factor. I really like the bumbag pumps as I move around a lot with my apron. I have a shoulder injury at the moment and the battery powered pump is really helping me out so I want to continue with it!
Would really love to know what everyone gets on with the best to see where I should go from here.
Many thanks guys!
Kerry

Hi! I was wondering if anyone knew of a tutorial around for help in making a giant car? Say F1 style / go-cart that kids can sit in for a photo op?
Any help much appreciated!
Kerry

Here is a little girl on her way to a Christening today! Quite pleased with how she turned out although I wish I had remembered to pop a raisin in the head before so I could make a balloon bow. Oh well the stuck on ribbon does the trick. The rattle is full of mini balloons - first time I've tried that trick. Hope the mum likes it!

Hi All! I am thinking in investing in a battery powered balloon pump and quite like the idea of a mobile one i can fit in a bumbag. Just really don't know where to start looking and if anyone can recommend anything or where to buy?
Thanks loads
Kerry

Hi all! I have been asked by a local sweet shop to put together a few fathers day themed balloon cups - just wondered if anyone had any bright ideas!? My cups order is on it's way so playing without at the mo but thought Superman / Superdad could be be fun on top! (from Matt the Balloon Man's headband design) I also thought motor bike could work.  Any other ideas? x

Thought I would start a new thread on this as I don't want to 'lower the tone' by talking money on other people's fab pics! I have been mainly doing on the spot models at parties and charge between £70 and £90 an hour usually depending on time and distance. I have recently been asked for larger models but really don't know where to start on charging for this. Eg. The great free standing  Peppa and George or the large number balloon from an recent post, or a life sized bride and groom I have been asked to do for a wedding later this year. So firstly am I in the right ballpark for by the hour party balloons (usually up to 15 balloons per hour), and secondly some advice on how to price up larger models would be really appreciated. If you would prefer to pm me rather than post your prices that would also be really appreciated! Thanks tons in advance! X

I need a good pig design for a good luck present for a friend in a show (Betty Blue Eyes hence the pig theme!) Just wondering if anyone has any good designs. I want something more than a 1 balloon wonder but a real pig not Peppa! Any inspiration appreciated! Thanks!

Hi all!
Don't know how many of you on here are parents to young children, but mine are 3 and 5 and we seem to be in constant search of new playgrounds! Whenever we visit a new area there are loads of paid attractions advertised but some real gems of free playgrounds if you know where to look. Which we often don't until it's too late! Anyway, my new venture is to create a Uk database of free to visit playgrounds. The website has been soft launched at www.ukplaygrounds.co.uk but clearly I can't alone can't cover the UK and that's why we are initially asking friends, around the UK, to help us build up the pins on our map before we 'go viral' and push the nation to join us!

So please do take a look and let me know what you think! And if you have any photos at all of playgrounds you wouldn't mind uploading that would be absolutely brilliant!

Thank you in advance for your support.

www.ukplaygrounds.co.uk

Kerry x

A friend went to a Christmas party the other day and said the balloon twister that was there was putting lights in the balloons which sounded great! Reindeer with flashing noses and penguins with flashing tummy etc. Does anyone use these and if so where I might be able to get some?
Thanks! Kerry

I was asked to make a balloon wheelchair at 50th Birthday party for the birthday girl on Saturday. I gave it a go as it was her party but it was rather rough! Just wondered if anyone had any 5 - 10 minute designs for wheelchairs that may work in such a situation!? Thanks! Kerry x

Sorry if I am repeating a question that has been asked many times - had a bit of a look but couldn't seem to find a thread. I have always used Qualatex, but just wondered what the difference between Sempertex and Qualatex is? Most tutorials seem to use Qualatex but is there mmuch of a difference? Would love some advice. Many thanks. Kerry

I have just made a post on 'where to buy' after receiving a lot of 'duds' lately from the Trade Only balloon website I use and their customer service being rather unhelpful. I am wondering though just how many 'duds' I should expect to find in a pack of say 100 260Qs? By duds I mean those with pre-existing holes, or joined at the end to another balloon. Packs I have received lately have had 10 - 15 duds in some packs which for the price I find unacceptable, but maybe my expectations are too high?
The thing is, the price with VAT seems to be over 25p cheaper per pack with the site I currently use than direct with Qualatexballoons uk website. Would it be worth the extra and would I get better quality or would it be much the same?
I would love to hear people's thoughts. THanks! Kerry

I have been using my trade retailer for about a year now and have had several bad batches along the way. After finding my first 6 orange balloons with pre existing holes in during a gig today as well as several other seeming dodgy batches, and finding the customer help very unhelpful, I am thinking of changing my supplier. Can anyone recommend the best site for ordering Qualatex modelling balloons please?
Many thanks
Kerry

Hi! I'm new to the chat and thought I'd say hello! I've been twisting on and off for about 9 months or so. I like to learn quick but impressive balloons - ideally 4 minute or less, and love all the inspiration I find on here!

I have been loving my Twist em up apron for the last 6 months or so but was inspired to have a go at making my own - here's my results! I have popped how I made it at http://jovialspondoodles.blogspot.co.uk ... g-bag.html.