ASK MARJ
This is where Playtime Balloons’ own agony aunt solves your problems. To ask her a question, send an email at info@playtimeballoons.com with ASK MARJ in the subject area.
Dear Marj,
At Portsmouth I watched someone on your stand make a heart out of a round balloon. It looked really clever. How did he do it?
David, Worksop
That must have been Gerry. Clever though he may be, even Gerry isn’t that clever. He cheated! Yes, it may have looked like a round balloon, but it was really a heart. All he had to do was inflate it. The handling, together with the so-called shaping and squeezing, created a very effective illusion, so effective it fooled you. It fools spectators, too. They think making a heart is really clever! Try it yourself.
Dear Marj,
How do I start balloon modelling?
Wayne, Haslemere
Easy, Wayne. Just buy a bag of two sixties, a beginner’s book like All Wind & Twists and, to make like easier, one of our minipumps. Read the book, follow the instructions, twist the balloons and have fun. Remember that balloon modelling is like magic. To be good at it you need lots of practice.
Dear Marj.
Is there any difference between the Qualatex Standard and Entertainers’ Assortments?
Derren, Bristol
Only their colours. Their quality is exactly the same. Many years ago, and before Qualatex, balloons came in two qualities, 260A and the stronger 260E. Not now, though. All Qualatex 260Qs are of the same high quality.
Dear Marj,
Why don’t Playtime Balloons sell Whirlies or Spinners any more?
Jackie, Bodmin
For those who don’t know, the Whirly or Spinner was a 260 with thicker rubber along one side. When it was inflated, it automatically curled up into a tight spiral. When released it would spin or whirl round like a Catherine Wheel in the air. They could be great fun. Why don’t we sell them? Simply because no-one makes them. If they did, we would.
Dear Marj,
What’s the best way to store balloons and how long do they last?
David, Rotherham
If you keep them in a dark, cool place and loosely packed then they will stay in good condition for several months, perhaps as long as a year. This means you can buy, say, six month’s supply of balloons in one go and possibly save money.
Dear Marj,
Should I buy balloons in assortments or a selection of single colours?
Derek, Blackpool
Some busy twisters use nothing but the 260Q Standard Assortment, presumably because they stick to fairly basic models. The one problem that does arise, however, is that some colours are more popular with customers than others. The Standard Assortment includes black, a very unpopular colour and difficult to identify in a mixed bag. Is that balloon black, emerald green, sapphire blue or quartz purple. Buying single-colour bags means that this problem is avoided. You can also make your own selection from the complete range, possibly like Mike and other twisters, preferring to use the seven relatively new colours because they have more visual impact. Buying balloons in single-colour bags also makes it easier to load a busking bag or apron. At the end of the day, though, it’s your choice.
Dear Marj,
I’ve just found a bag of balloons that I had forgotten about. The balloons are all squashed and stiff. Can I restore and use them?
Elizabeth, Windsor
Try warming them up. I’ve heard of people doing it in a tumble dryer or even a microwave, but I’d stick to rubbing them between your hands. With luck, the balloons will soften and become more pliable. Even then, I wouldn’t recommend using them for anything other than a simple model. Breaking balloons won’t do anything for your reputation.
Dear Marj,
How do I stop balloons squeaking when I twist them?
Fay, Preston
Easy! The squeaking happens when you twist bubbles together. If you pull them slightly apart at the same time then you will get fewer squeaks.
Dear Marj,
I made a large balloon model for an exhibition. It looked fine at first, but the balloons quickly lost their shine so that it didn’t look so good. Is there any way I can stop this happening?
Peter, South Wales
It’s oxidisation that causes balloons to lose their shine. It’s caused by daylight, particularly on a sunny day, and by some air conditioning systems. Some colours, black for instance, oxidise quicker than others. How do you prevent it? You can’t, but you can use Balloonshine to delay the effect and later to restore any lost shine. It’s easy to apply. Just spray on some of the liquid and wipe over with the special glove provided.
Dear Marj,
Why do my balloons keep bursting?
Shirley, Yorks
Your balloons could be of poor quality, old or badly stored. The answer is to buy good quality balloons like Qualatex and store them in a cool, dark place. Remember that even under ideal storage conditions, balloons will deteriorate with time. Check your nails and skin. Any roughness can cause balloons to burst. And don’t forget to burp the balloon, that is let out some air, before tying the knot.
Dear Marj,
When following instructions for models in books I run out of balloon before finishing the twists. Why?
Tony, London
Are you using the right balloons? Some so-called 260s are actually shorter than the Qualatex 260Q favoured by most professional twisters. Where are you tying the knot? Tie it as close to the balloon’s lip as possible, not an inch down the balloon. Are you inflating the balloon too far and not burping the balloon? The harder a balloon is, the more balloon is lost with each twist. Are you really checking those dimensions? If necessary, use a rule, at least when trying out new models.
Dear Marj,
When I’m a making chain of bubbles, say for the head of a Teddy Bear, some of the bubbles keep untwisting. What am I doing wrong?
Mark, Exeter
Firstly, you must ensure that you make all your twists in the same direction. Most twisters do this out of habit anyway. Secondly, make each twist with at least two full turns of the balloon. Finally, don’t hurry. It’s when you do that you become slipshod, like making insufficient twists, and it takes much longer to put things right than doing the job properly in the first place.