A Christmas Candle - a beautiful design with balloons.

I love Qualatex^® Microfoil Taper balloons and I was inspired to use one to created this candle design.

Materials Used:

1 x 27" Orange Taper - this has now been discontinued, a good replacement would be the 27" Gold Taper #17133 or spray paint the taper orange!
18 x 5" Gold Balloons #43560
2 x 260Q Gold #80343
2 x 160Q Gold #62600
1 x 260Q Pearl White #43954

Base with a 24" pole

Method of construction:

Make a 4-balloon cluster at the base using 5" Gold inflated to 4" or three pumps using a Qualatex hand pump.
Inflate 2 additional 5" gold and inflate these also to 4" but tie them separately, these will be added in after the next cluster.
Inflate a 4-balloon cluster using 5" Gold to 3" or two pumps using a Qualatex hand pump, add this cluster to the base cluster.
Take the two additional 5" inflated to 4" and ties these together, but as far apart as possible, so that there is some stretch between the two balloons and slide this 'duplet' between the 4-balloon cluster at the base.
Inflate the 260Q's and 160Q's and ties these as duplets (I have used two of each size because I like the effect that this makes when they are twisted around the pole. Secure the 'Q' duplets into the base cluster and then twist these around the poles almost to the top, secure and tie off each of the balloons.
Repeat the same two 4-balloon clusters as the base and position these at the top.
Part-inflate the 260Q Pearl White and tie. Create a 'String of Pearl' bubbles and wrap this around one of the spirals - following the same line and secure at the base and the top.
Finally, air-inflate the 27" Taper and secure that at the top to create the flame of the candle.