So got me a busking bag/apron thingy and I just wondered how you guys use yours. What do you put in it? Do you take some of everything or are there things you don't bother with? Currently in my balloon armoury I have have 321, both kinds, some 5 inch rounds and a vast assortment of 260s with a few 160s. I have a gig on Sunday with my band and thought it might be fun to take some balloons along to make when we do songs I don't play anything in!

I have been using 160q balloons. The story is I told my girlfriend I wanted to make some balloons models and she bought me a pump and balloons for my birthday. Neither of us knew anything about different sizes. So all I have made is stuff with 160 balloons. I have some 260s arriving soon but I wondered how much of a difference is there, will I now find it hard to get used to larger balloons, will certain things be harder than others?

Ah, okay, I might give that a try!

I was just wondering if anyone can offer advice on how long a balloon is good for until it is inflated. I have been using a bag of 160qs that my girlfriend bought me, they are a couple of years old. They seem to be working okay but wondered if they were 'fresh' if they might stay inflated longer.

I'm well and truly addicted. Just sent about 90 quid to Graham!

I have seen a few videos showing people pinching a balloon after it has been twisted, and seemingly pulling it away. It looks almost like a magic trick. Does it rely on the balloon being inflated fully or sharp finger nails? Is there a simple way to achieve this? Many thanks

Well, I do have some stuff, like I said, I found an online shop before I found this forum. So I have a few 160 balloons and about 1000 260s arriving for my wedding for guests to play with! I will also have a small pump for the 160s and a larger on for the bigger balloons. Also a balloon cutter. I think I would like some bee bodies, but I'm not sure what else I might need to make some good balloons. Should I get geos, and donuts? Round balloons, what size? Anything else?  I did an impromptu balloon twisting party on monday night, I was left in charge of a load of children backstage at a concert so It thought I might make a giraffe or two to keep them quiet, instead I ended making loads of stuff almost for every child there. I didn't realise how much kids like that kind of thing!!

Thanks, but I can't see anywhere on either qualatex, or sempertex sites advertising 'sample bags'. Is this something i need to contact him for?

Possibly a silly question but do people fill modelling balloons with helium? Aeroplanes would look quite cool with a few pieces of cotton to anchor it, butterflies too maybe?!

OMG thats amazing! Haha (I'm a professional trombone player!)

I just saw a really cool snake tutorial on youtube that I can't do because I don't have any round balloons, but I tried the body. It kind of worked. So instead of leaving it I thought 'Oh I'll make a giraffe'. As most of the balloon was coiled round I left the ears of the giraffe and it looks like a cool little smake now. I thought i could try and make it into a rattle snake. Is it possible to twist one finger sized bubbles and have them stay in place without twisting them round each other?

Haha, because I really wouldn't know where to start! All I can work out at the moment, is there are three balloons!

I realise this is an old post, but I just searched for guitar! This looks very simple really effective. I would love to try and do something like this while playing onstage with my band! I have a lot to learn!

Thanks, thats reassuring. I tried a giraffe with pinch twist ears just now - the first ear was great, however, the second ear was harder for me to do. The second ear is right after the first and I have a hard time trying to understand exactly where to twist. Are there any good videos online that might show me in a little more detail?

Hi,
   I currently own a bag of 160Q balloons, and a standard sized double action pump. For my wedding I've ordered 1300 260Q balloons so I don't really think I'm going to have a shortage of larger ones when they arrive! I also have a balloon cutter and small pump for the 160 balloons. What other bits would you guys recommend I get? Round balloons, shaped balloons? What in particular? Many thanks, Ben