Day 27: MONKEY!

I filmed an instructional video for a more advanced monkey design. I had gotten several requests for it...
Unforgeable, I learned that the video editing program I was using was just a trial version. I am now on the lookout for a good video editing program so I can chop the video up for Youtube. The video is almost 20 min long, so it exceeds the posting limit.

I did put the video up on the iTunes podcast.
Everybody remember how to find that? Just search for "balloonatic" in your iTunes store.
You can also watch it at Blip.tv at http://blip.tv/file/4446958/. (This is another place where all the videos will be showing up.)

Anyway... Here is the monkey. It has a lot of options for posing it, and it can be used to hold up business cards or flyers quite easily.

Once I get the video editing troubles sorted out, I'll put the video for making these up on the blog as well.

See you tomorrow.

Day 26: Slow and Steady

Here is a simple balloon snail that I've grown fond of. It's not the most complicated snail, but it is quick and has a lot of character. This guy works great if you get asked for "something Spongebob" but you don't have the time to build one of the more complicated characters.

You can find the video for making this snail on my Youtube page, and it is also on the podcast.
You can also view all my videos through Blip.tv.  Here is a link to the snail video.

http://blip.tv/file/4408200/

I filmed a couple videos for the podcast today, I need to work on editing them a little.
Look for them to show up soon in your iTunes store if you search for "balloonatic", and they will also be on the youtube page.
Once I post them I will also have them here on the blog.

See you tomorrow.

Day 25: Beauty And The Beast

It seems that Beauty And The Beast, that Disney classic... was playing over Thanksgiving.
I have been getting a lot of requests for princesses and candelabra, and I was pleased when someone finally asked me for the enchanted rose.

I've been working on a few different designs that use clear balloons... I'm sure they will be showing up on the blog at some point.

See you tomorrow.

Day 24: hats!

I think it's very important that any balloon entertainer have a good variety of hats in their arsenal.
The truth is, nearly any animal can be turned into a hat... And it's easy to create a lot of great abstract shapes that make wonderful hats.
Above are just a few examples.
See you tomorrow.

Day 23: You throw down the rope!

"Why did it have to be snakes?!"

100 points for the first person to comment and tell me where those last two quotes are from.

Here is a very simple snake design. Often when I mention that I can make a snake, or the customer sees it listed on the balloon menu... they scoff and say "I can make a snake. You just blow up a balloon!"

This quick design is just what you need to show those people that not only are you a better balloon twister than they expected, that you know how to do some crazy stuff and bend these balloons to your will.

Here is a picture of the snake.

Here is the youtube video explaining how to make this version of the snake. It includes instructions on how to get the balloon to swirl like that. There are many ways to achieve this swirl, I only present the way that I've found works best for me.

You can also download this video to your computer or iPod by searching for "Balloonatic" in you iTunes store and grabbing it from my balloon podcast. If you like what you see, please rate the podcast subscribe.

I already have a list of what the new videos will be, and they will be going up shortly.

See you tomorrow

Day 22: Thanksgiving.

It's Thanksgiving day, and what balloon would you expect to see? A turkey, right?

Well... You're wrong. You get a monkey.

I can't seem to find my picture of the Thanksgiving Turkey I make as centerpieces, and what with the craziness of dealing with the holiday I simply didn't have the time to throw one together.

Rest assured, the turkey will make an appearance, but now it will randomly pop up on the middle of march or something.

Here is the quick and simple monkey climbing a tree that I make during line work or when I don't have enough time to make the more advanced monkey.

The more advanced monkey is actually next on my list of designs to film a video for, so keep and eye out for that one.

See you tomorrow.

Day 22: Gonna need a bigger boat

Tonight I was asked for a shark balloon and I wasn't too busy because it is the day before thanksgiving... So I threw together a new shark design. I haven't made a shark in a few months (just haven't been asked for one since the summer) so I worked out a quick and simple new shark design. Overall I'm happy with how it turned out.
See you tomorrow.