Develop Your Twisting Skills and Add Value To Your Everyday Designs

Ballerina Design By Sue Bowler, CBA.

So maybe you're a balloon artist and twisting is just not your thing. Maybe you are scared to work with entertainer balloons, as they always seem to pop or go down quickly?

It personally took me a while before I really gained confidence working with the Q's. Even then, I know that I will never be at the same level as those who enter the incredible Colour Quest competitions, which produce fabulous creations like this wonderful Flying Dragon by Li Tao, Huangshi, China, which won 3rd Place (tie) 2019 ColorQuest Chrome™ Blue category. 









But what I do know is that by learning to use them, I have been able to add value to my designs, and make them much more appealing!

It might be as simple as adding a string of precision bubbles around an 18" balloon, then finishing it with a twisted bow, like the design on the left.









If you would like to learn how to make this design or be inspired by other designs featuring this technique, check out one of my past blog posts, which includes a great step-by-step video that you can follow: Learn How To Create Precision Bubbles to Add Value to Your Designs.






Basic twisting is made up of a few simple techniques. Jackie Ochitwa, CBA, of With A Twist Balloon Creations in Alberta, Canada, has very kindly made an easy to follow video that will teach you how to:

Make Bubbles

Lock Twist

Loop Twist

Pinch Twist

Tulip or Apple Twist

Marriage Twist

Bend a Balloon

Poodle Tail

Jackie has more great easy-to-follow tutorials on her Facebook Page - just click HERE for a direct link.

Earlier this year Balloon Magic was launched as an online publication available to read for FREE on Qualatex.com.  The online issue offers content like you’ve never seen before! Including the latest balloon news, step-by-step recipes and video tutorials, all translated into 5 languages!

As a decorator you may not have considered Balloon Magic as relevant to you or the type of decor that you usually make. However, I promise you that this magazine will inspire you and give you the tools to create new and exciting designs.

In issue One, Vadim Shushkanov's shared a one of his top selling designs - "Gentleman with Flower" which only uses 3 balloons! Watch his 5 minute video tutorial to master this cute and extremely sellable design! Click HERE for a direct link.

Online video tutorial by Vadim Shuhkanov, CBA, Moscow, Russia.

And if you are feeling a little more adventurous, try out Nicole Greg's fabulous Toucan design, which would be a fun addition to any tropical theme party! This is available as an easy to follow video tutorial, and it's free and available on Balloon Magic - click HERE for a direct link.

Online Video Tutorial by Nicole Greg, CBA, Nifty Entertainment, Adelaide, Australia.

My granddaughters birthday was a few weeks ago, and I decided to challenge myself to make one of Jackie's beautiful fairies as a gift for her. Jackie made a very easy to follow video tutorial, which is free for QBN members in the "Magic in the Air" article in Images 2019 Issue 2, and is also available as a payable download.

If you are not a QBN member but would like to learn how to make this adorable fairy, click HERE for a direct link.

Jackie Ochitwa's Fairy design made by me!

If I could offer one tip that really helped me when I was learning to twist balloons, it is to ensure that you always remove the tension from the balloons that you are twisting. That means that when you inflate the "Q" balloon, ensure that you allow a little puff of air to escape from the balloon before you tie it. When you squeeze the balloon, it should feel soft and not tight. You should continue to remove the tension as you twist by simply squeezing the balloon before you make your twist, this will ensure that your balloon remains soft.

As I mentioned at the start of this post, understanding some of the more basic twisting techniques will really allow you to expand your balloon repertoire. Adding a little character or fairy to a balloon bouquet can really transform a design and take it to a whole new level! 

A huge thank you to Jackie who made the "Essential Twists for Balloon Artists" video, and for all the inspiring design ideas shared by the many balloon artists featured in Balloon Images and Balloon Magic.

Happy Balloon Twisting!

Sue
www.suebowler.com
#suebowler