| The art of shaping and twisting balloons into shapes | | | | The most commonly used balloon is the 260; the |
| and figures is called balloon modeling. There are a | | | | number of the balloon indicated that it is 2 inches in |
| number of different shapes like hats and boats that | | | | diameter and 60 inches long when fully inflated. You |
| can be made, but animals are the most popular. A | | | | can experiment with the larger and the smaller |
| talented “twister” can make just about | | | | models to suit your fancy; there are also some |
| anything. They have the talent for manipulating the | | | | exotic shapes such as the heart and the geo |
| balloons into just about any shape by bending, | | | | blossom balloons. |
| twisting and molding them. Because they often make | | | | The typical balloon for most of your designs will be |
| tons of figures in just one sitting, twisters have | | | | the 260. The 160 is thinner and good for things like |
| taken to using other means, such as a pump, to blow | | | | dog leases; it too can be use in fashioning the balloon |
| up their balloons rather than their own lungs. Some | | | | characters, but the 260 is preferred. The 160 can |
| still do it the old fashioned way. | | | | also be used for accent pieces or hard-to-maneuver |
| It is common for someone to associate the art of | | | | features that you may want to add. The 350 size is |
| twisting balloons with birthday parties, clowns, funny | | | | impressive and great for those one-of-a-kind pieces; |
| hats and poodles but there are actually some strong | | | | it is a bit harder to use, though. The 350 is most |
| subcultures of twisters and they do not get along so | | | | often used for making a base for the larger pieces. |
| well. The balloons are not only for parties and | | | | The largest balloon you can use is the 646; 6 inches |
| poodles. There is a limited release documentary about | | | | in diameter and 46 inches long. The results of using |
| these balloon-twisters subcultures called “Twisted: | | | | this balloon for sculpture are dramatic to say the |
| A Balloonamentary.” This film examines the | | | | least. |
| almost unknown world of the professional balloon | | | | You can choose to embellish your balloons by adding |
| twisters. | | | | other balloon with adhesive. Before you try this, you |
| When you watch the documentary you will learn | | | | should know which adhesives will work the best and |
| about the rift between the “gospel twisters” | | | | which may cause damage to the balloons and should |
| who use the craft in order to teach bible lessons and | | | | be avoided. Rubber cement can be used, but |
| the “adult twisters” who use the balloon | | | | cautiously. The rubber cement is bottled in a solvent |
| twisting in a more risqué manner. It’s quite | | | | and must dry a little to rid the solvent before placing |
| interesting to see some of the things that these | | | | it onto the balloon. The solvent will dissolve your |
| balloon twisters have accomplished, such as a life-size | | | | balloons. Petroleum products such as gasoline and |
| model of a racing car or a woman who made her | | | | even Vaseline will dissolve the rubber in your balloons. |
| own wedding dress entirely out of balloons. | | | | Keep the adhesives off your fingers, too. You |
| Whatever side you take, when you begin modeling | | | | don’t want to pop a balloon simply because |
| your balloon characters it is quite important that you | | | | you’ve glued it to yourself. Oasis floral glue |
| start off with the right materials. The Balloons for | | | | works best for gluing the balloons together. A small |
| modeling come in a wide variety of colors, shapes | | | | amount works wonders. |
| and sizes that are sure to spark your creative side. | | | | |