Balloon Twisting, The Art of Balloon Animals and Figures
You can learn the art of balloon twisting and gain the attention of children in every party or other gathering.
Here is a list of some of the easiest figures to start and practice with.
The first task you need to learn is Inflation.
Believe it or not, almost every beginner goes wrong with this one.
NEVER completely inflate the balloon.
whether using a hand pump, a tank or your own lungs, make sure you leave some deflated portion for air to expand into from twisting (normally 1 to 1 1/2 inch).
After you have inflated to the desired length, tie a knot on the end.
(NOTE: It will take some practice to learn how much slack to leave in and how much air is needed.
Be prepared to take time for trial and error) Balloon Figure 1 - The Sword; This is the most ideal item to start with for estimating and evening the length of each 'limb' from the 'twist joint'.
Step 1 -- Fold into a 'Z' figure leaving about double the length toward the slack end as on the tied end.
Step 2 -- Twist together in the middle.
Use this task to make the stem on "The Flower", coming up next.
Balloon Figure 2 - The Flower; A more advanced item to practice as far as making each limb EVEN.
Remember, it takes many people LOTS of practice.
Step 1 -- After inflating, loop the balloon and tie the two ends together.
Step 2 -- Push together into an even figure eight.
Step 3 -- Fold to make two equal loops.
Step 4 -- Twist the loops together in the middle to make 4 even petals.
Step 5 -- Pick up the stem (sword) and squeeze the remaining slack down to make a ball end (or twist a ball on the end).
Squeeze the ball-end in the petals.
Use this task to make the flower attachment on "The Party Hat", coming up next.
Balloon Figure 3 - The Party Hat; The next step up.
Step 1 -- Loop about 2/3 of the balloon and twist together.
Step 2 -- Squeeze the slack (or twist) to make a ball on the end.
Pick up the flower petals and squeeze the ball-end of the hat in the petals.
Balloon Figure 4 - The Dog; The basic steps that leads to almost any balloon animal.
Step 1 -- Fold down between 1/4 and 1/5 of the total infalted portion on the tied end.
Step 2 -- Twist together the folded portion anywhere in between the fold and the tied end.
Twist more toward the fold for short ears and a long snout, or lower toward the end for long ears and a short snout.
(NOTE: Make sure to give 1 or 2 twists for each step) Step 3 -- Fold another 1/5 to 1/6 portion and twist together halfway between the fold and the previous twist.
Step 4 -- Fold another 1/4 to 1/5 portion and twist together just below the slack end.
Experiment with your balloon twisting instructions.
For instance, make a giraffe with 'The Dog' instructions by twisting shorter legs further down from the first twist.
This will make the neck longer.
Practice with these figuress and you may come up with your own in the process.
Here is a list of some of the easiest figures to start and practice with.
The first task you need to learn is Inflation.
Believe it or not, almost every beginner goes wrong with this one.
NEVER completely inflate the balloon.
whether using a hand pump, a tank or your own lungs, make sure you leave some deflated portion for air to expand into from twisting (normally 1 to 1 1/2 inch).
After you have inflated to the desired length, tie a knot on the end.
(NOTE: It will take some practice to learn how much slack to leave in and how much air is needed.
Be prepared to take time for trial and error) Balloon Figure 1 - The Sword; This is the most ideal item to start with for estimating and evening the length of each 'limb' from the 'twist joint'.
Step 1 -- Fold into a 'Z' figure leaving about double the length toward the slack end as on the tied end.
Step 2 -- Twist together in the middle.
Use this task to make the stem on "The Flower", coming up next.
Balloon Figure 2 - The Flower; A more advanced item to practice as far as making each limb EVEN.
Remember, it takes many people LOTS of practice.
Step 1 -- After inflating, loop the balloon and tie the two ends together.
Step 2 -- Push together into an even figure eight.
Step 3 -- Fold to make two equal loops.
Step 4 -- Twist the loops together in the middle to make 4 even petals.
Step 5 -- Pick up the stem (sword) and squeeze the remaining slack down to make a ball end (or twist a ball on the end).
Squeeze the ball-end in the petals.
Use this task to make the flower attachment on "The Party Hat", coming up next.
Balloon Figure 3 - The Party Hat; The next step up.
Step 1 -- Loop about 2/3 of the balloon and twist together.
Step 2 -- Squeeze the slack (or twist) to make a ball on the end.
Pick up the flower petals and squeeze the ball-end of the hat in the petals.
Balloon Figure 4 - The Dog; The basic steps that leads to almost any balloon animal.
Step 1 -- Fold down between 1/4 and 1/5 of the total infalted portion on the tied end.
Step 2 -- Twist together the folded portion anywhere in between the fold and the tied end.
Twist more toward the fold for short ears and a long snout, or lower toward the end for long ears and a short snout.
(NOTE: Make sure to give 1 or 2 twists for each step) Step 3 -- Fold another 1/5 to 1/6 portion and twist together halfway between the fold and the previous twist.
Step 4 -- Fold another 1/4 to 1/5 portion and twist together just below the slack end.
Experiment with your balloon twisting instructions.
For instance, make a giraffe with 'The Dog' instructions by twisting shorter legs further down from the first twist.
This will make the neck longer.
Practice with these figuress and you may come up with your own in the process.
Source...