Explanation for this twist from some old lecture notes that I wrote.

To do the pop twist you will need either an ear twist either side of the pop twist or for a safer more secure type of twist make the split twist. The bubble in between the two sets of split twists will be popped. This could make arms & hands for a model from one balloon rather than using two.

A split twist is an ear twist that is split/twisted in half again, this is a good twist to use when doing the pop twist.
As if you just use an ear twist either side of a pop twist there is a very high percentage chance of it deflating.
If you want to have two ear/pinch twists together, by making them this way the bubbles will be a lot firmer & tighter together.

This is just a tulip/apple twist that is then split into two. Push the knot four/five fingers deep and then with the other hand grab the knot through the balloon and twist around a few times. Then twist the tulip/apple twist in half. You can use this technique for a reel on a fishing rod or Dave Bartlett uses this technique when making some of his princess dress designs.

The frumple twist is just a tulip/apple twist that is attached to the side of the balloon to form an anchor point to attach another balloon. So push the knot into the balloon to the required position/depth and grab the knot through the balloon with your other hand. You can either tie this with a scrap of balloon for safety or add the next balloon straight to this attachment point.

This makes a nice clean join of two balloons rather than using two pinch twists. Tie the two balloons together and the just do the apple/tulip twist. Push the knot inside one of the balloons appox three inches, always more than you think as you will need to push the knot back towards the centre (darker balloon) so that the pressure of the balloons help to hold the twist in place.

As in diagram four where the left hand is, at this point you could tie a srap of balloon around the outer balloon to hold the knot in place before you push the knot back towards the centre of the two balloons.

The hook twist is a deep apple twist, push your finger into the balloon from the knot approx four/five inches, grab the knot through the balloon with your other hand and gentle start to slide and push the balloon off your index finger that is inside the balloon with your thumb and second finger of the same hand. As you take your finger out of the balloon will curve & look like a hook.

It may help to wet your index finger as this will help you to slide your finger out & cause less friction on the balloon

The "S" twist is a very deep apple or hook twist, push your finger into the balloon from the knot end at least six/eight inches, grab the knot through the balloon with your other hand and gentle start to slide and push the balloon off your index finger that is inside the balloon with your thumb and second finger of the same hand. As you take your finger out of the balloon try and manouvre and manipulate the balloon into the "S" shape.

It may help to wet your index finger as this will help you to slide your finger out & cause less friction on the balloon

You tie a few knots onto a scrap of balloon and then put this inside either a round or modelling balloon. Hold the balloon up to the light and move the scrap to the required anchor position. You can then tie this through the balloon with another scrap for security or the balloon that will attach to the raisin can be connected directly to it.

The side wall bubble is when you put a very small bubble onto the side of a modelling balloon.
It is easier to do with a slightly softer section of balloon and with the balloon folded.
The bubble would be twisted into the side of the balloon where the fold of the balloon is made and acts as an attachment point.

This is when you twist a small bubble on the oustide of a balloon, normally a round balloon to use as an anchor point for attaching another balloon too. You could also use a piece of scrap balloon to tie the bubble up so that it will not pop out & unfold.
If you were to use this technique on a modelling balloon it would be called a side wall bubble.

This is when you change the direction of the balloon by squeezing and pulling the balloon with your hand while pushing the air out of the part of the balloon that you're holding.

Here are two variations for a lock twist. You can either use a bubble to form the loop/lock twist as in the first picture or the knot of the balloon to form the loop/lock twist as in the second picture.

Will be adding approx 16 instructions for explaining varying twists etc for balloon twisting.
This one was taken from some lecture notes that were written a couple of years ago.
If you put more balloon onto the pump before inflating this will give you more balloon to
play with & tie so hopefully making it easier for you.

We are looking for members of the forum to volunteer to be interviewed on the forum.
At the moment we have a set of 28 questions to be answered & then any more that come your way from the answers that you give. It's also a good chance to plug your website, services etc that you offer the balloon community so please get in touch if you'd like to be in the firing line

Graham Lee

Youtube video of the worlds longest/tallest arch. A lot of latex & helium;
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=j_SGwzlXJcA

There are some very good interaction balloon/performance/audience participation videos on this site with some very stunning costumes, well worth a few minutes to view
http://www.bugsandballoons.com:80/

I think this is a differeent version than the one we posted last year?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dz_A2QI9Oes

Petra,
I hope you have a lovely birthday after your fun few days in the UK with Thelma & I plus all the gang at the care & share day  :lol:
Fingers crossed that Bart has got you a nice big surprise party & present.

Graham Lee

This looked interesting; http://www.balloonlab.com/ecom/index.php/get_started