Balloon Chat
Uncategorized Boards => Balloon Review => Topic started by: nippy99 on September 12, 2011, 10:58:20 PM
MAD HATZ & WILD WEARABLES VOL 5 BY DON CALDWELL
With the excitement of an upcoming limited edition DVD collection by Don Caldwell (Buster Balloon), I thought I would review one of Don's DVD releases. There are a lot of models on this DVD so it may take me a while to make my way through them all. I will review this DVD objectively but I think we all know what rating it will get in the end!
Mad Hatz and Wild Wearables Vol 5 was released a few years ago. Don's presentation style is unique and entertaining and this particular DVD is a source of ideas and concepts upon which to build.
OK let's start...
LITTLE WRIST FRIENDS
A large section of this DVD is dedicated to the concept of Little Wrist Friends. There are three main variations which can be adapted to create an endless supply of designs. Don teaches the basic concept for each variation. He doesn't go into detail for each variation but any experienced balloon artist will easily work them out for themselves.
BUNNY BRACELET
A very fast bunny bracelet. Perfect for line work and the children love to wear these. Some people who find twisting lobes on a heart balloon may struggle but this technique is easy after a little practice. This balloon can be made in various colours and artwork can be adjusted for all sorts of facial expressions.
[attachment=0:3taqqilz][/attachment]346-bunnybracelet.jpg[/attachment:3taqqilz]
FROG BRACELET
A very fast and easy frog bracelet. To be effective this model needs some decent artwork. As with all these designs they are perfect for line work.
[attachment=0:e4brwqoy][/attachment]347-frogbracelet.jpg[/attachment:e4brwqoy]
CHICKEN BRACELET
A great little chicken. This one has the added complication of needing rubber cement/glue to stick on the beak and the comb on the chicken's head. For this reason it may slow you down for line work. Looks quite good though.
[attachment=0:rmjacntf][/attachment]348-chickenbracelet.jpg[/attachment:rmjacntf]
WOLFMAN BRACELET
This is one of my favourite designs and perfect for Halloween. This wolfman looks good with his bulging wacky eyes and the simple artwork is effective. Fairly quick for line work. I really like this one.
[attachment=0:26xxwjml][/attachment]354-wolfmanbracelet.jpg[/attachment:26xxwjml]
Oooo the wolf one could be easily adapted to a Guffalo one by the addition of a poisonous wart! Although I would struggle with this DVD for now as I fall into the category of finding twisting heart lobes very difficult so tend to avoid it as much as possible :roll:
Yvonne, its just practice!
Thanks Nippy for reminding me about this great DVD.
;)
I know but that is something I can't really do at present. Trying to sell the house and I am way to messy when I play with the balloons. Hopefully we will get an offer soon so I can play again :D
VAMPIRE BRACELET
The vampire bracelet is a variation of the wolfman. I am not too sure about the chosen colour here and how effective this one really is. Saying that, it is still great as a halloween monster.
[attachment=1:m5rdgzph][/attachment]355-vampirebracelet.jpg[/attachment:m5rdgzph]
FRANKENSTEIN BRACELET
I really like this design. My attempt doesn't look as good as Don's. I had a problem with the 'bolt' as they seem to stand up too much. I love the bulbous nose and the large yellow eyes. Fantastic!
[attachment=0:m5rdgzph][/attachment]356-frankensteinbracelet.jpg[/attachment:m5rdgzph]
ICE CREAM BRACELET
Don's loves his ice cream designs. This time it is a much smaller version. Whilst a good one I am unlikely to make this one very often.
[attachment=1:q7vc6o5g][/attachment]349-icecreambracelet.jpg[/attachment:q7vc6o5g]
MONKEY BRACELET
A really simple and quick to make monkey design that relies on some good artwork to look the best. The kid's really love this one and it is great for line work.
[attachment=0:q7vc6o5g][/attachment]350-monkeybracelet.jpg[/attachment:q7vc6o5g]
SNOWMAN
A nice snowman that may take a little time to make for line work. The only problem with this design is that the nose is glued to the face. Anyone feeling brave could use a raisin twist but this may not work very well.
[attachment=1:ntck68o4][/attachment]352-snowmanbracelet.jpg[/attachment:ntck68o4]
ELF BRACELET
This elf is really cute and fantastic for Christmas. Quick to make and the effective use of artwork makes this a popular choice for me.
[attachment=0:ntck68o4][/attachment]353-elfbracelet.jpg[/attachment:ntck68o4]
CARS
A really popular cartoon car which is quick to make and extremely popular with the boys. I have seen many 'car' variations and this is the simplest by far.
[attachment=0:1cjqarzv][/attachment]360-carbracelet.jpg[/attachment:1cjqarzv]
SNOW WHITE BRACELET
This model should have been made with a blush and black heart but seeing that I cannot get hold of any decent black hearts I had to adjust this one slightly. The key to this one is decent artwork. Unfortunately mine is not particularly good but I think you get the idea.
[attachment=0:3h9q72cp][/attachment]361-snowwhite.jpg[/attachment:3h9q72cp]
SKELETON BRACELET
A very simple design for a skeleton bracelet. I think my artwork lets me down a little!
[attachment=0:3vkgpo68][/attachment]357-skeletonbracelet.jpg[/attachment:3vkgpo68]
PRINCESS BRACELET
This princess bracelet uses Dave Bartlett's 'Girl in Gowns' design for the upper body. This sits upon a heart (although I used a pink round balloon instead) which is attached to the bracelet base. I couldn't be bothered to dig out Dave's DVD so I decided to have a go at making the princess myself. Not an ideal copy but I think you at least get the idea.
[attachment=0:1dtndguf][/attachment]358-princessbracelet.jpg[/attachment:1dtndguf]
MOUSE BRACELET
I struggled a little with this one and just couldn't get it to look as good as Don's. Don't be put off by my attempt - this really is a good bracelet.
[attachment=0:3fhw0tkd][/attachment]362-mouse.jpg[/attachment:3fhw0tkd]
BUZZ BRACELET
A fantastic bracelet - instantly recognisable, fast and easy to make. It's nice to see a bracelet suitable for a boy. I love it!
[attachment=0:1cx6u31t][/attachment]364-buzz.jpg[/attachment:1cx6u31t]
SQUIRREL BRACELET
This is the most challenging balloon on the DVD especially creating an S Twist for the Squirrel's tail with a 350Q. Designed to sit on the wrist, this balloon doesn't look too good free standing. If I was to make this again I would try to get the sizing of the head balloons more accurate as Don's version is so much better than mine. But hopefully this gives you some idea of its potential.
[attachment=0:1v7c9tqo][/attachment]367-squirrel.jpg[/attachment:1v7c9tqo]
CREEPY EYEBALL HAT
When I first made this balloon I was very surprised as it didn't seem to be up to the usual high standard of Don's creations. I took it to a birthday party today and it was very popular with the boys. So give it a try. Very easy to make.
[attachment=0:2olufdwc][/attachment]368-creepyeyeballhat.jpg[/attachment:2olufdwc]
CREEPY EYETOOTH HAT
A slight variation on the previous creation. A different hat base and the addition of two 321Q whites for teeth. I wouldn't bother with this. The first simpler version is good enough.
[attachment=0:twkj8i9n][/attachment]369-creepyeyetoothhat.jpg[/attachment:twkj8i9n]
BALLERINA HAT
I really like this design. The ballerina is simple to make and very fast. This doesn't need to be a hat and can easily be a standalone model. I would see this suitable for line work and if you wanted to save money just use a regular round balloon and draw your own face.
[attachment=0:2brq79y4][/attachment]375-ballerinahat.jpg[/attachment:2brq79y4]
GUMBALL BRACELET
This bracelet is a little tricky to make. I am not sure if I am using the correct technique but I made the individual balloon balls and then stuffed them inside an uninflated clear heart before inflating. The animation is nice but I am not sure if gumball machines are that well known in the UK.
[attachment=0:3mwuu9ev][/attachment]351-gumball.jpg[/attachment:3mwuu9ev]
CROWN BRACELET
A good colourful bracelet that is easy to make. My guess here is that girls would prefer a crown that they can wear on their head so I made a larger version of this bracelet which was so much better.
[attachment=0:2r3grzqe][/attachment]359-crown.jpg[/attachment:2r3grzqe]
BELLE PRINCESS HAT
And still my review continues! This is a simple princess hat using the hard to obtain (at least in the UK) princess 5" rounds. I had to buy these from the USA which will limit me for professional gigs. Don suggests that you take time to color the face which I think is very effective. Quick and easy, if you can get a good supply of faces. The alternative is to use plain blush rounds and at the artwork yourself.
[attachment=0:r8o9rg0b][/attachment]377-belleprincesshat.jpg[/attachment:r8o9rg0b]
AERIAL PRINCESS HAT
Similar to the previous design. Although it is not clear from this photo, this hat has two fins at the back for the mermaid's tail. I like the use of well known aerial colours as whilst not a complicated design it is instantly recognisable.
[attachment=0:8b5j9c09][/attachment]378-aerialprincesshat.jpg[/attachment:8b5j9c09]
MOUSTACHE
A comedy gag using two 321Qs which I can see as being great fun. Hard to take a photo of this myself so I used my son as a model (not a very good one). Very quick to make and I can see a use for this one.
[attachment=0:2ninygdb][/attachment]372-moustache.jpg[/attachment:2ninygdb]
PIXIE BRACELET
A cute little pixie that would be a whole lot better if I made the head in proportion and my artwork was better. Don uses a sempertex key lime as the colour is a better match but I used a standard lime green. Quick for line work but need to work on my drawing.
[attachment=0:fz8fnnyy][/attachment]366-pixiebracelet.jpg[/attachment:fz8fnnyy]
TEDDY BRACELET
This is a very quick and easy to make Teddy Bear wearable bracelet using just two balloons. Excellent for line work - easy made within a minute.
[attachment=0:wz5734or][/attachment]363-teddybracelet.jpg[/attachment:wz5734or]
ROBOT BRACELET
Even easier than the Teddy bear and can be made very fast. I am no superhero expert but I am guessing this is supposed to be iron man.
[attachment=0:bh8wzx6o][/attachment]365-robot.jpg[/attachment:bh8wzx6o]
PRINCESS HAT
A quick princess hat which in this example the feet should be attached to a hat base. I don't think the head print looks good on this one. I like the other princess hats already shown but this one is not great. Despite Roger's expert tuition at the last London jam I am still struggling to make a decent skirt!
[attachment=0:1uvplx0k][/attachment]SAM_4974.jpg[/attachment:1uvplx0k]
Change the colours and artwork on that bear and you have a popular toy story character!
Hi Rhian,
Thanks for posting this variation - what a brilliant idea.
SILLY SANTA HAT
A quick and easy Santa wearable. The method to attach the 321Q red is excellent. Suitable for line work.
[attachment=0:3nbkf6ki][/attachment]SAM_5090.jpg[/attachment:3nbkf6ki]
CREEPY GOGGLY EYEBALL HAT
Another variation of a previous creepy hat design. Certainly one of the weakest designs on this DVD but equally quick to make with plenty of animation and movement.
[attachment=0:28cxb603][/attachment]SAM_5127.jpg[/attachment:28cxb603]
DRIPPING FAUCET HAT
OK so this is the last model on the DVD and I didn't have a 11" agate balloon for the 'drip' and then the tap popped when I took the photo but you get the idea. The twisting of the 646s is fun and takes a bit of practice.
[attachment=0:2123uy9c][/attachment]SAM_5153.JPG[/attachment:2123uy9c]
SUMMARY
Hooray, i have finally finished this one! Whilst there are some weak designs here, given the volume of designs including many helpful concepts this DVD is excellent. There is something for everyone. The instruction is to Don's usual high standard and the video production is good. Please bear in mind that this DVD does not include comprehensive instructions for some of the wrist buddies. Don teaches the basic technique and then talks you through the other designs rather than show you first hand. This may be problematic for some people but wasn't for me.
A great review! I believe your dripping faucet looks great with a normal blue instead of an agate. That's good news for people that are little more cost conscious about using Agates in line work.
Hi Evansmagic,
with regard to using agates - the impact of using one is amazing. Most people haven't seen one.
I use them all the time but only one or two per day. They are very impressive. So you don't need one every time you use a round. They make great planets, drips from the tap, octopus heads etc.
Well worth a bag to get you more work. 100 in a bag, 2 per gig, 50 gigs.
I look at it as another tool in my kit of balloon surprises!
best wishes
Danny
I agree with you Danny. The small blue balloon I have used looks very lame but it is all I had at the time. Agates are on my list... Graham -> any chance of stocking some?
Quote from: "Danny the Idiot"Hi Evansmagic,
with regard to using agates - the impact of using one is amazing. Most people haven't seen one.
I use them all the time but only one or two per day. They are very impressive. So you don't need one every time you use a round. They make great planets, drips from the tap, octopus heads etc.
Well worth a bag to get you more work. 100 in a bag, 2 per gig, 50 gigs.
I look at it as another tool in my kit of balloon surprises!
best wishes
Danny
totally with you there......sometimes its these little extras that make the sculpture perfect,great review too.I have had this DVd a while and there are some great techniques taught that allow you to get very creative with bracelets that can also be adapted to head band designs:)
Nice
I totally agree with you guys about agates. I have only made the water tap with Agates. i was just thinking that if you are in a pinch or if you are at an event where you don't want to use agates, the blue rounds don't look that bad.
I don't like the price of the agates, but they are a necessity. I use them for this one, planets, bowling balls, and the elephant's circus ball.
Quote from: "nippy99"GUMBALL BRACELET
This bracelet is a little tricky to make. I am not sure if I am using the correct technique but I made the individual balloon balls and then stuffed them inside an uninflated clear heart before inflating. The animation is nice but I am not sure if gumball machines are that well known in the UK.
[attachment=0:1tfiwqcx][/attachment]351-gumball.jpg[/attachment:1tfiwqcx]
Hi Nippy99
Just an idea (forgive me if it's already been mentioned, I didn't read much further as The idea sprang into my mind) Instead of a Gumball machine, could you not write numbers on some of the balls and turn it into a National Lottery machine ?