Once their attention is captured, even the most impatient child can be fascinated by watching a skilled person craft an animal from a balloon. If you can stand the resultant “squeaking,” it’s a skill in great demand, even today. The balloons used for this form of art are usually oblong in shape, and are specifically made for balloon animal construction. Read the rest of this entry »
One of the first inexpensive toys given to children is a balloon. Even in infancy, we have been known to entertain children by floating a balloon nearby and watching their reaction. Due to the overwhelming popularity of balloon animals, children are usually familiar with them after attending a birthday party. By now, these children equate balloons and balloon animals with fun activities and have begun what could be a life-long inexpensive form of entertainment. Read the rest of this entry »
Making balloon animals is not only fun, but also a very constructive way to develop dexterity and focus. Balloons animals are now used in place of decorations at many social events and have taken the place of streamers, party favors and hats. Huge animals are created by companies wishing to catch your eye while driving (perhaps not the safest strategy), and lure you to their car lot, store grand opening, or other commercial endeavor. Read the rest of this entry »
Yes, you can sculpt just about anything using balloons! Of course, people are used to animals and aircraft, but now there are specific twisting and bubble patterns to depict people as well as awards. Would you believe a balloon Oscar?? Read the rest of this entry »
Children, who have decided to acquire a new skill, whether it is riding a two-wheeled bike or rollerblading, can be very persistent, if not downright relentless. While these skills require complete involvement of their entire bodies, they are just a part of their physical education. Rainy days or other inclement weather invariably provide opportunities to learn other ways to express physical prowess, such as the practice of arts and crafts. Read the rest of this entry »
You must first have the proper equipment. Oblong balloons (i.e., long tubular balloons) are the balloons used for constructing balloon animals. Do not depend upon your lungs to consistently blow up the balloons; this activity alone could be quite strenuous. Professional balloon artists use balloon pumps, which can be purchased inexpensively. The following techniques are used in almost every sculpture. Read the rest of this entry »
What better way to promote your business than giving away items? Few people are willing to turn down anything that is the least bit usable and/or entertaining, particularly if it’s free. Many businesses have seized upon this concept of advertising and are using balloon sculptures, often embossed with their logos, to establish their name in the consumer psyche. Read the rest of this entry »
Perhaps you were recently at a party or a restaurant, where a very pleasant individual asked if they could make a balloon animal for you. As the offer was free, you happily obliged, and the resulting “giraffe,” was very cute. Later, you mentioned this encounter to friends, who related a similar experience. Together, you wondered, “Could we learn to do that?” Uh-oh. You’ve been bitten by the “balloon animal, or twister” bug! Read the rest of this entry »
While young children are initially introduced to balloons of the round variety, the use of these to make balloon animals is not common. In fact, only recently have some very talented balloon artists successfully attempted to construct different animals with round balloons. The preferred balloon of most artists is one that is longer than wide and tubular in shape. Read the rest of this entry »
Not every balloon is perfect for balloon animal construction. In fact, balloon artists are very particular about the size of the balloons they use. Balloon artists commonly use #260 size balloons, although it should be noted that sizes up to #646 are available for giant creations. Apparently the #160 size is less desirable than the #260 size, because it is smaller. It appears that the #160 balloon size is also less expensive. However, balloon artists complain that while the price is quite reasonable, the flexibility to create larger animals diminishes with the smaller balloon. In addition, you should also be aware that there is an entire subculture of balloon artists dedicated to the creation of “miniatures,” i.e., smaller balloon animals, created solely with the use of the #160 size balloon. Read the rest of this entry »
Where are balloon animals most popular? This burgeoning art form was initially used to direct and focus the attention of adults and children alike. Patrons at crowded restaurants who were waiting for tables found their attention diverted from their growling stomachs by balloon artists, many of whom could create animals by request on the spot. Grateful parents often hire balloon artists for a temporary diversion of groups of toddlers who are normally practitioners of perpetual motion. The children watch the balloon artist perform in amazement, transfixed by the emerging animal shapes, hats or flowers. Let’s just hope that he or she has enough balloons to give each child a “take home” remembrance of the party. Read the rest of this entry »
Although initially the fodder for children’s birthday parties, balloon animals are now popular inexpensive party favors, and can be found at adult soirees as well. Obviously, if you have the time, it’s cheaper to learn how to form these creations yourself. If that’s not an option, then there are many balloon artists available for hire, usually at reasonable rates. Read the rest of this entry »
Many years ago, we started seeing balloons shaped as animals at restaurants and birthday parties. Balloon animal artists are now regularly scheduled performers at several local eateries, and we actually feel cheated if we leave a child’s birthday party without a balloon animal. Now, this inexpensive form of sculpture is challenging the floral industry. Let’s face it—flowers are not cheap. For the same amount of money spent at the florist, a talented balloon artist can construct several bouquets of identifiable flowers for you and your guests. Read the rest of this entry »
The actual website address is www.balloon-animals.com. Here you can find all the news that’s fit to print on creating animal balloons, including a blog for balloon animal artists, allowing them to exchange ideas and get solutions to problems. From the novice balloon twister to the expert entrepreneur, this website has something for everyone interested in balloon art. In light of the recent awards season, the latest featured balloon sculpture is an Academy Award. For those who wish to liven up their future Oscar parties, there is a video posted on the site, containing step-by-step instructions. Read the rest of this entry »
“I’ll do (whatever) when pigs fly!” This is a popular saying that basically means that the precipitating event will never happen. But in the world of animal balloons, pigs do fly, along with anything else suspended in a mobile form. The versatility of animal balloons has few limits, as they can be held or hung in just about any configuration. Read the rest of this entry »
This art form began solely as an entertainment vehicle for children, at restaurants and birthday parties. A balloon artist would be hired to perform, creating dogs, cats, etc., and handing them out as party favors to guests. Soon, many adults realized that more sophisticated party favors, decorations, etc., could be done inexpensively with balloon animals. Taking it one step further, some of these adults decided to become proficient at balloon animal art themselves. Today, anyone who wishes to learn how to make balloon animals or other balloon sculpture forms can find a myriad of books and websites to help them. Read the rest of this entry »
