Here's my first attempt at this snail.  Made it quickly and will need some work, but I love the design.  Next time I get asked for a snail (which would be the first time incidently), this is the one I'm going to make.  Thanks Graham!

Michael

I haven't been on the forum in a while as things have been pretty hectic (Thanks Graham for not deleting me).  Anyway, I thought I'd get back into things by trying one of the monthly models.  Here's my go at the parrot...love this design.

Thanks,

   Michael

Snurb,

   I hope you're still thinking of doing the Ben 10 Four Arms video.  It's my son's favorite character!

Dylan,

  This is super impressive! For such a young man, you are truly gifted.  I'll echo Nippy's comment.  When you have a DVD out I want it in my collection.

  Michael

It's finally time for my co-worker's going away.  I decided to do a hula monkey for her.  I put a coconut drink in the monkey's hand using a blush heart tulip twisted with a little artwork
[ You are not allowed to view this attachment ] hula_monkey.jpg[/attachment:2kdzdbsu]

Happy Birthday Balloon Chat!  So glad that I'm part of such a great group.  Graham, thank you for all that you do to provide this invaluable resource.

Michael

Nippy,

   Thanks for including Stretch in your reviews (I'm a big fan of your reviews by the way).  Stretch has some great stuff.  Just wanted to mention that the normal price of his DVDs are $40, however if you look on his FaceBook page (real name is Wendell Clendennen) he regularly runs a "starving artist" sale where you can pick up multiple DVD's for reduced rates.  I just took advantage of one such sale and picked up 3 of his DVD's at $15 each.  You good folks in the UK will still have some postage to pay but I think the discount will make up for it.  

   Thanks again for your reviews...please keep it up!

 Michael

Phoenix,

  Thanks for the great ideas.  I've made the Don Caldwell monkey before but not the hula version.  I think she'll get that and a balloon lei.   Will post pictures when I'm done.

  Michael

Hello all,

  When I have a coworker transferring to a new assignment (military) I typically make a balloon sculpture to give to them at their going away luncheon.  

   I have a coworker who will be transferring to Hawaii and has asked for a Hawaiin themed balloon.  I thought about making her a balloon lei (flower necklace).  

   I make several of the standard type flowers/roses/etc, but have never made a Hawaiin type of the flower with balloons.  

   Any advice on a balloon lei?

  Thanks,

  Michael

I should have been more specific.  Tomorrow (March 2nd) is Theodor Seuss Geisel's (aka Dr. Seuss) birthday.  So this week there have been a lot of activities at my children's school related to the Dr. Seuss books (Cat in the hat, the Lorax, etc) Today happened to be crazy hat day which gave me a chance to work on my weaving and raisin twists.  

It's Dr. Seuss week and my kids' school and today is crazy hat day.  I made my son a tall cat in the hat like top hat and my daughter got a headband hat from David Brenion's new DVD.  

  Michael [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ] Ian_Hat.jpg[/attachment:12g7lkk7] [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ] Sarah_Hat.jpg[/attachment:12g7lkk7]

Wow...Thanks to everyone so far that has responded.   Sounds like I'm on the right track.  Time to get my new order together...

  Michael

Howdy,

  I'm curious to know how much balloon stock do you keep on hand?  I buy my balloons by the color for most sizes with some exceptions and always try to have an extra bag of each in storage.  I twist as a part time business and do not have a weekly gig at the moment.  For that reason I'm not going through nearly as many balloons as many of you out there that do this for a living.  

   With that in mind, how much stock do you keep on hand outside of your working bag/apron?  I should mention that I do twisting exclusively...no decor...yet.  

Thanks,

  Michael

Hey Dewayne,

   Meeting Graham at Twist and Shout this year is how I got to the board here too.  Great group of folks on here.  I've learned tons already.   What part of Alabama are you in?  I'm in Fort Walton Beach, Fl....maybe we could get together for a mini jam sometime.

  Michael

In September of 2008 I was involved in a nasty motorcycle wreck.  In the wreck I broke my clavicle and 7 ribs on one side, my left wrist on the other.  After a surgery I was at home healing and surfing Youtube when I came across David Brenion's old channel.  I became fascinated by the fact he was mouth inflating all the balloons for his sculptures (this was astonishing to me at the time).  I thought to myself, I wonder if I could do that?  I bought some cheap balloons and began trying to mouth inflate as a way to rehabilitate my lungs after having so many rib fractures.  I started making his creations and others from Youtube artists such as Michael Floyd.  

Needless to say I healed up fine from the accident and found a new skill (more like obsession) and late last year started my part time business.  I attended my first convention this year (Twist and Shout).  For all of you who were there that I had a chance to meet...Thank You for taking the time to make me feel welcome and sharing your knowledge.

 Michael
 Airbender Entertainment