So Jordan, what's it like buddy? Worth the wait???

I'm in for the first meeting of the UK Twister Club... Graham do I need to do anything to register or is this post enough?

Best wishes No. 12.

I use A4 overhead projector sheets. They work a treat. One sheet for every 100 260s or 350s, rolled up tight with two elastic bands each end. As balloons are pulled out of the tube I find it self tightens. They get a little loose when there are ten or so balloons left in the tube but then I know it's time to refill.

It is hard work preparing the tubes upon receipt of a new order but I just put a good movie on the TV and can now prepare the tubes without really looking.

The tubes can be stored in any type of bag or box. Sometimes I just grab a few tubes and put them in a rucksack or use my balloon bag. Whatever I fancy at the time.

Awesome, a mini Jordo :-)

Hi Tonya

To be honest I lost count of the number of balloons I used. I wasted a few getting the nose and eyes to the correct size. When I make a balloon for the first time I carefully measure each bubble to try and get an exact representation of the original design. Saying that when I looked at your final photos my one actually looked a little different. The wonderful thing about your face design is it can be made in so many variations to give a different look.

I am a part-time entertainer and work full time in a local hospital. Last week I set myself a silly target of bringing to work a new balloon design each day. At the start of each day I email a few hundred staff with a balloon photo and they enter a draw to win the balloon.

It's a brilliant way of promoting my services but also to gauge how appealing each balloon design is. Today was the turn of your clown and I received hundreds of responses. The lucky winner was so excited she hugged and kissed me (I will make the clown everyday) but the staff really look forward to the daily balloon prize draw.

I am working my way through my stacks of DVDs, PDFS and books making each design in order. Perhaps I should write some reviews for everyone's enjoyment?

If you have a normal day job, try it, it is hard work but great fun. I've been conned into taking my daughter to see Justin Bieber in London tonight so will spend four hours in car waiting for her trying to twist balloons.

Best wishes

Darren

Dear All,

Over the last few months I have been enjoying many of Tonya's PDFs. Tonight I made her fantastic clown which has gone down a storm with the wife (she's hard to impress). This balloon looks even better in real life. For anyone who hasn't bought any of Tonya's ebooks, I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Hope you like it...

Paul

The airship balloons are hard to find. If you do a lot of modelling then 350s are easier. They are less prone to bursting and due to their length you can make a decent sized head and body length. If you do buy your balloons from Graham he offers a first rate service.

Cheers Darren

I will buy it!

Hi Paul

Are you talking about the airship balloons that Shirley uses for a butterfly on one of her earlier DVDs? If so, I still make this model but just use a 350Q instead. It works just as well but obviously you need to cut off and break the excess balloon.

Cheers

Maybe I've answer this myself - could it be a side wall bubble?

Wow looks like everyone had a fantastic day! Shirley is a legend in my book and it was her first DVD that really hooked me on balloon modelling and took me beyond single balloon dogs and swords. Even now many of her designs such as Buzz Lightyear (oh sorry Spaceman) and her wonderful princess designs are the most popular for the birthday parties I do. I really wish I could have come along to the day but it was just a little too far.

I really love the Fantasia Sorcerer's Apprentice broomstick. If that was combined with a decent Mickey Mouse that would make a really impressive display. Looking at the broomstick I cannot figure out how the arms are attached to the main body. Logic tells me they are glued as to do a raisin twist halfway along the body of a 350Q seems near impossible. Can anyone explain?

The magic wand's head is based upon Shirley's Lumiere candlestick from Beauty and the Beast (see my attempt) - that's one worth making.



I have every Shirley DVD and instruction book from her website. Did she have any new material for sale?

Thanks for posting the photos - I now have another source of inspiration.

Graham,

Thanks for the lovely design....

Hi Tonya

Yes I am very interested. Would be great to meet you in person. Given you are coming to Europe it seems to make sense to travel a little further to the UK. Hopefully yourself and Graham can work something out.

Best wishes

Darren

Hi David / Graham,

I am very much looking forward to this event. Will David's DVDs be available to purchase on the day? If not I will preorder them in advance so I have them right after the lecture.

Thanks Darren

Hi Pam,

The brief for the job was to fill the family enclosure with blue and white so it was high volume in a very short amount of time. You will fall off your chair when I say I wasn't paid a penny. I do regular events at the stadium (Christmas parties, close up magic etc) and now have a relationship with the club where I get to see the home games for free, meet the players etc. Not that exciting to me but my 12 year old son thinks it is wonderful.

So it pays back in other ways.

:-)