Jan_Feb_1997

January/February, 1997
How to get
even MORE
mileage
out of balloons
(part II)
By Ron "Ringer" Sutten
300 S.Everest Rd. #14
Newberg, OR 97132
Adding entertainment to your balloon sculpting can
make the difference between a child 's simply getting a
balloon or receiving a memory that will last a lifetime. It can
also make the difference between a one-time or repeat
performance. I first offered some ways to get more mileage
out of your balloon twisting in the September/October ,
1995 issue of The New Calliope. I'm back, with a few more
ways to liven up your twisting with a little personalized
entertainment.
1. HATS: Always popular with kids, hats are quite visual ,
too. There are many things you can do and say while
twisting hats that will add entertainment. Do you size up
your customers when making hats? Try to come up with
some creative head sizes ... how about "Triple X gigantor
large," or an"Extra E super petite?" One type of heart hat I
make requires "handlebars" on the basic helmet. The
handlebars are made into two large loops, which in turn hold
two heart-shaped balloons. If a girl has requested the heart
hat, I will sometimes stop after attaching the handlebars and
bend them to form antlers. "Here you go," I say, "a Texas
Longhorn bull hat! What? You didn't want a bull hat? How
about a Viking warrior hat?"
the balloons first before you twist them . Hand one of the
untwisted balloons to the child to hold. Hand another one
to the child next to him. This is where you get confused and
take the first balloon and switch it with the second child.
Then take that balloon and switch it with the one you're
holding. Continue to switch balloons back and forth
between the two children and yourself as you become
more and more confused. Finally give up in exasperation
and twist the creation .
4. If you use a balloon pump, have the balloon jump off
the tip of the pump as you begin to inflate it. This gets a
chuckle the first time. The second time the children really
think it's funny. The third time, it's a total crack-up. The ol'
clown in trouble syndrome strikes again!
5. When you go to tie off a balloon , get the knot stuck
around your finger tip. Try to shake it off to no avail. Finally
work it free with your other hand , only to have it get stuck on
that finger, too.
6. When making an animal that has a ''tuft'' or ball at the
end of the tail , try the pinch and squeeze method. (Pinch
the end of the balloon and squeeze the air past the pinch in
a burst.) This will make the ball appear suddenly , much to
the child 's amazement. It's even more amazing when either
you or the child blows on the tail to make the ball appear .
7. There is a spiritual application for the Huggy Bear
balloon for those who do clown ministry. As you make the
heart, explain how God loves them . As you begin to make
the bear, ask the child 's name. Tell them that the bear
represents them , and explain that God wants them to hug
onto Him just like the bear is hugging on to the heart.
8. Think of some of those corny jokes that kids love
when you're making balloon animals. For instance , when
you're making a rabbit: "What time is it when a 500 pound
rabbit sits on your watch? Time to get a new watch !"
THE IDEA IS TO HAVE FUN WITH THE KIDS. Don't let
your ballooning become a mindless production line with
little personal interaction. Even the most creative and
complex balloon creations will eventually pop, deflate or just
fade away. But the memories of that special occasion will
last for years to come.
2. When making something with a tulip twist , pretend to
get your finger stuck in the balloon. (This might not be too
difficult; half the time, I really do get my finger stuck!) Enlist
the help of a child to get your finger loose. This is a classic
"clown in trouble" syndrome, and the kids eat it up.
3. When making a multiple balloon creation, blow up all
22 The New Calliope