That's a very good question actually Yvonne!

All the hearts I have done have been hanging from the top of the window frames via a length of monofilament.

I think If I was to do a standing one I would make a mini column base, not sure what the more experienced of you would do?

Heart frames come with a base - or sometimes you can buy them hanging only, if a wholesaler get a few requests and gets them made up.

These days they are ready made and sold by Saunders displays Yvonne.//http://www.balloonframesbysaunders.co.uk/

We use our original Dandy frame (no longer made or sold) as a template and Paul makes others when we need more so can make them for hanging or standing.

We buy our Ali rod (wire) from a local metal sales company! so get it in straight lengths (from upup it will come wound up, due to delivery) - most metal companies dont sell ali so thin as they call it wire, so you need to ask around.  Its light and pliable and with metal work knowledge form Pauls school days he can bend it into shapes needed. Its what most use for the Big Sculptures we create when a framework is needed.

Dont know about other training courses, but the Nabas level 2 course actual demonstrates how to make a heart frame from a 4m length of Ali rod

Pam
xx

These instructions are really good on how to build a balloon heart on a frame.

http://www.conwinonline.com/balloon_info/article9.asp

Making the heart out of wire is not so much the issue more as to get it to free stand.  I actually have a large double heart frame in the loft at the moment but again for that the previous owner used parasol bases as "feet".  These not only look ugly but they are rather high off the ground and are very difficult to disguise.

My thoughts were if I were to make a 4' tall aluminium heart frame I can't think how to make it stand up.  Even if I had proper base plates the holes in them are far too big to attach the allie without it falling over in seconds.

The bottom of my heart frames are flat (as per the Conwin design).

If you were to lash 2 short lengths of aluminum rod horizontally to the bottom (at right angles to the heart frame) then they would create the equivalent of 4 flat feet. You could then just use duplets at the bottom so that the 15cm or so that touched the floow wasn't totally bare.

Think that would work.

Sounds like it should work - will have to give it a go.

Thats a good description from conwin site, forget them at times.. the guy has just started selling frames cant see him being too happy... he thinks he has a niche market, every step he takes it seems to get smaller!!

If you make it and start at the bottom rather than the top then you can have 2 loose ends at the base.. If you then join them together with duck tape rather than have it flat they should fit into a professional balloon stand or metal conduit.  Our stands for the hearts are only 2 foot and 3 foot in length rather than the normal 6 foot.

Yvonne your lady probably used organza/drapes to hide the parasol bases.

Pam