I have recently got more into making Balloon hats when working, as I found that the child/adult tended to wear this straight away,rather than me making a dog or swan etc,and 5 minutes later seeing that model on the floor or just left to one side,also they are great for advertising that a "Balloon man/woman" is at the event,what is your view on this?

I love hats.
Mum's cant put them in there bags so no one knows if there is a balloon man/woman about.
And a shop/shopping centre full with people walking around in hats is colourful and
a good talking point, also those who pay the bill can see you've been working.
I think we should have a forum or section just for hats,
Wim where are you  another idea.

Graham Lee

where did you learn your magic with balloons is there a dvd or books on this or have you come up with it your self if so you sould bring out a dvd on it and balloon games

The balloon magic act is 95% things that I've come up with, which I'm very proud off.
The only thing that is not mine is the cut & restored which I have permission to use.
not wanting to tip anything from the show yet as I have sponsorship to take the act to FISM to compete in the world magical championships next year in China.
Perhaps one day I will make a DVD explaining everything but not for a while.

Graham Lee

do you do many balloon dresses? and how long do they take?

Have made probably about 6/7 dresses myself for varying functions.
Although I did help out with a friend making 35 for a function at "The Cafe Royal"
where all the waitresses had to wear a balloon dress, it did look awmazing all these people walking about in latex.
Will try & post some pictures when I find them.

Graham Lee

Hi Graham, I'm amassing a variety of balloons of all shapes, sizes and colours so any tips for storage and keeping everything neat and tidy?
Also any tips for drawing on the balloons to make them realistic/comical. I'm terrified to draw on the balloons in case I ruin it by making every balloon cock-eyed.
thanks  8-)

When I'm out working I usually take either a B&Q plastic screw box that has 24 small compartments & 2 very large compartments or my busking bag which you can see on the web at http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk
Did I mention that I also sell them

At home when I work I have all the balloons in three shoe tidy holders (there for hanging shoes in wardrobes) that each have 10 compartments, you can see these at any Care & share day as I always bring them along.
I only do basic eyes & mouth, there is a book out from America called,
faces, faces balloon faces that shows different face techniques or if your coming to the Leeds care & share day Twistina is excellent with the drawing on balloons & can give you some tips.
Another Idea is to chat to a local face painter as they are usually very good when it comes to adding features onto balloons.

Graham Lee

What made you want to get inside a balloon? and how did you learn it

I was looking for a finale for the magic act, then came up with a great finish to the act which involved getting inside the big balloon.
I know four people that get inside the balloon in the UK, although in Europe getting inside the balloon is far more popular.
A friend Andrew helped me out for the first couple of attempts that were fairly successful,
then when rehearsing the act for the competitions my friend Pearse was my safety man, I had to be cut out three times when things went wrong.
If the balloon deflates at the wrong time when your hands are at your side or above your head, I just got trapped.
I didn't have enough strength to get myself out, a six foot balloon has a lot of elasticity & your trying to climb in through a four inch hole.
Please dont try this on your own, always have someone to help as it can be very dangerous.
Sitting inside the balloon looking out is an amazing feeling, which is hard to describe but perhaps like meditating?
A great experience which I enjoy doing, not sure what that says about me but probably, "What a sad......You need to get out more"

Graham Lee

Graham Thank you for this forum it has a great focus on balloons and our art for all levels. as a supplier of sempertex I was  wondering if Sempertex publish any magazines like balloon magic? Also what books, DVDs or pdfs would you recommend or has changed the way you twist?

I have in my collection over 125 balloon video's & DVD's, yes I'm that sad.
I also have booklets on balloon modelling going back to the early 50's, if anyone has some of the early books that they no longer require I would be very interested in them, although they may be in my collection already.
I can't say that any one DVD stands out on it's own, I think I've gotten something from all of them. Even the very bad ones you can learn from.
I do like Ken Stillmans superhero DVD as it's a very impressive design.
I do like things that can be made as we say in the real world in front of an audiance,
so quick, easy & Impressive. That would be a good title for a lecture :lol:
Oh hang on, I remember now that is the title of my lecture.
Some people make amazing stuff but it's just not possible to make it while entertaining at the same time, or perhaps I hav'nt found the technique for entertaining while making a ballon sculpture that takes 30 mins to make?
Not sure if Sempertex do a publication, will check but guessing no as I'm sure I would have heard about it by now.
Keep the Questions coming & dont forget we have Ralph next week so please post your questions for Ralph, he will be logging on a few times during the week & will answer a few questions each time.
A non related balloon book that I found fascinating to read was a magic book by Marvyn Roy & Carol who travelled the world for over 40 years with a 10 minute act called "Mr Electric" It was an amazing act, for me they had that wow factor, star quality & charisma.
It would be very dated for todays audience's & with the way technology has moved on but when he walked on stage.... no more is needed to be said.
Well worth a google in my opinion, I'm sure there must be something about them on you tube as well, mind you I've not looked so it might be a wild goose chase.

Graham Lee

//http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gwO0v1aTCg

 8-)

Thanks for finding the link Neil, just watched Mr Electric.
To me he just oozed class.

Graham Lee