I have landed my first proper balloon décor job and am now scared silly as it has turned out to be a rather large job!

Anyway, I am learning lots of lessons as I go like don't show a client a picture of something unless you absolutely know how to make it or at least have the instructions in your grubby little mitts!  Unfortunately I didn't do this and just assumed  :roll:  that the thing I had downloaded from BalloonsIT were the full SBS instructions or at least the Xpress ones but alas no it was just the visual (which for those of you that have not used the site is just a picture) shown below:
[attachment=1:3j86qeib][/attachment]Column - Oscar.jpg[/attachment:3j86qeib]

I have today had a go at it (the job is a week Thursday) and this is my attempt:
[attachment=0:3j86qeib][/attachment]PICT0023.JPG[/attachment:3j86qeib]

I know it is not as tidy as I would have liked but the larger balloons are Belbal and a couple in the base have already deflated.  Also the body (behind where the hands meet) should have actually been wider than the rows above and below but for some reason the Belbal have inflated shorter and rounder than the Qualatex.  Also for the real thing the two Oscars will be in gold with a black base and I will be covering the stand with 260's so the stand doesn't show through when looking too closely.

However, any constructive criticism would be most welcome as I would like to have another attempt later this week.

Blimey Yvonne - that's a baptism of fire!  I'm not sure that I can offer much constructive criticism as a) that's a really good first stab at it, and b) I've not attempted anything like this!

You'll know this anyway, but the key to this piece is the sizing of the balloons - if any are slightly off then it will ruin the overall rhythm and balance of the piece.  Look at the hands, waist, thighs and knees - it's the size that give these parts their definition.  The overall proportion needs to be there too, which will mean constant stepping back and looking before applying the next cluster.

Also, the base balloons (and presumably each 'layer' thereafter) are 6 balloon clusters which are tough to work with, but give a much 'fuller' sculpture.  One of the first differences I see between yours and the gold one is the gold appears to be much 'tighter' - do you know what I mean?

I don't envy you on this (I hope you are charging a whack for the time and precision this will take   )but the very best wishes.  Judging from your first attempt, I think you will nail this no problem in a couple of attempts.  

Let us know how you get on

--Neil

Cheers Neil.  I did think it was a 6 balloon cluster but decided to try it with a 5 balloon cluster instead.  I know what you mean about the gold one looking fuller as mine does look a little skinny!  Think I will get myself a few more bags of balloons a give it another go tomorrow.

Wouldn't mind but the job also incorporates a garland arch, a SOP 7 deep tunnel and 11 x 3 balloon bouquets for the tables!  Strangely enough I will be attempting to do as much at home the day before as possible which will include the air inflating of all the balloons for the 2 Oscars!

 Wow - that's good for your first decor job, well done!  I think mine was a single 20' SOP arch, and I was petrified...   :lol:

--Neil

Well it certainly is a baptism of fire and will be a much needed cash injection for the business as I have been haemorrhaging money trying to get the décor side up and running!

Have you tried mapping out the original on paper Yvonne?

Your 1st attempt doesn't seem to have enough rows/balloons in each section.

That's the thing though it is ceiling height and the listing on BalloonsIT said it should be 2.4 metres which it is and the smaller balloons are 3" so I'm not quite sure how they have so many rows in.  Wouldn't mind but they don't give you any pics of how it looks under the arms either!

Sorry I forgot to say Martin I'm not sure what you mean by mapping it out on paper?  Never done it before  :roll:

Hi Yvonne,  one word of extra advise,  do not use Belbal balloons,  Qualatex are more expensive but in my opinion the balloons will blow up correctly first time,  Belbal gives you all shapes and sizes,  would only ever use Belbal if someone wanted 200 odd balloons on the floor for a kids party.

Will have another look and see if I can be of any help,  please buy Qualatex as this is a big job and I have see Belbal bouquets and they really look horrible as you seem to get that bulb look.

Debbie

Me again,  the rows seem to be more that a 6 balloon cluster ?, if you can buy the recipe then you may be better off paying for the instructions and you will have the confidence to build this and put togther knowing that the customer will get what they are paying for as they were shown the picture.  You personally will feel much better and less stressed on the day.

Good luck and I hope all goes well for you.

Debbie

All I was meaning Yvonne was that if you haven't already then you should create an abbreviated form of the 'recipe' you thought you were downloading.

I am no expert but I would not try to build this by eye... Especially as you need 2 exactly the same.

I would probably pre-make everything else the day before and give yourself the full day on the statues. They are the killer piece!

Debbie don't panic I only used Belbal as I am trying to use them up and didn't want to use my more expensive balloons to practice with! As for buying the instructions - you can't! I thought it was instructions I had bought when I included the picture with the others for the meeting I had with the client but it turned out to be only a picture.

Martin when I built this one I did print off the picture and mark down the sizes I had inflated each row to - is that what you mean?  I think I will get a few bags of balloons tomorrow and have another go but still not sure really how to get the body shape right.  I am also not sure as to how they got as many rows in there but made it look so fat!

Oh and I had planned on pre-preparing as much as possible the day before.  I may also borrow my hubbies car and a friend has offered to play delivery driver for me too as she has a people carrier so I should be able to prep a lot.  I also have my HEIDI so that the helium inflation should be easy enough and the weights etc will be prepped the day before too.

Quote from: "YvonneH"I think I will get a few bags of balloons tomorrow and have another go but still not sure really how to get the body shape right.  I am also not sure as to how they got as many rows in there but made it look so fat!

I just had a better look at the original picture. Forgive me if I am stating the obvious Yvonne but you do realise it is a computer generated picture and not a photo?

Have you emailed Michael about getting the instructions, seems odd that he has the picture for sale with no instructions on how to make the piece.

Just read this and thought the same as Graham. Michael is a great guy and very helpful and always uses belbal balloons and his displays and pieces have always been perfect in shape when I have seen them.

Dont think for one minute Yvonne as a first job you would replicate Michaels work - he is amazing!

I know a lot of Michael's work I have seen pictures of  and displays in this country have been in 6 balloon clusters for columns but they could also be 8's

My only advice to give has to be Practise, Practise, Practise...

Think by mapping - my understanding would be marking this out on graph paper - then you could see each row and mark the sizes etc..

And to make doubley sure I would make the sculptures the day before and take them done ( I usually find if you leave the head balloon off and tie that in on site, mine fit in our belingo's!)  The new qualatex column bags are so big they are amazing for storing these in. Better to leave the work you are comfortable doing to be done on site not the stuff that could stress you out.

Pam
xx