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Juliegel Loyal user 294 Posts |
Well my last project was a 5 foot tall St. Patricks day hat but now I have my eyes on an even bigger goal. My local relay for life is just around the corner and me and some friends have gotten a team together. The plan to raise money includes building a huge balloon sculpture. The theme for this years relay is "birthday" so I though it would be appropriate to make a cake. A cake that happens to be around 10 feet in diameter and around 10 feet tall made completely out of purple balloons.
Now I am really just taking a jump into this one and refusing to stop until it is completed but I would like to hear any and all advice that you can offer. I know that I will need a very strong internal framework and something to weigh the whole thing down but besides that and a few simple calculations and diagrams I am basicly on my own. Any word? Don't worry. I plan on filming the process and I will post it in a week or so after I finish. As always, Dylan |
Jestnjoker Elite user 440 Posts |
Dylan. My advice is to buy 646s. Tie them end to end until you make full loops the size of the circumference you want. Then use 350's as spokes running vertically to connect all the loops you made. If you have a dual sizer, or precision air, etc, it will help you keep your sizes consistent. You might be able to approach a local decorator and ask them to borrow one to help support the Relay. Also, keep the spacer bubbles in the 350's the same size. After you get the basic frame down, you can spice it up however you want.
I just did my balloon show for a local relay last weekend. Question: How is spending a $100+ on balloons going to raise money? Are you auctioning it or something? In case, does it make sense to make it huge?
Jeff Wright
www.WrightEntertainment.biz Voted Best Party Entertainer in Cleveland, Nickelodeon Parents' Picks Awards |
Juliegel Loyal user 294 Posts |
Well Jestn I am actually going to make most of it out of 260s. Sounds crazy I know but it is something I really want to do. The decor and trim will be 350s but in truth most of it will be 260s.
I am actually not $100+ into this thing The supplys cost me around $20 and that is something I have no problem coughing up. How I see it this will be a huge promotion for me and I will be handing out cards and talking to the local media outlets. There is also a contest to see who has the best booth and I think that we should have no problem winning. As for raising money well we are just going to have a jar out asking for donations. There is going to be a ton of stuff happening at our booth so money should not be an issue. I am considering auctioning it off but I have no idea who would want a balloon that huge. Heck as we reach the end we could charge the kids a buck a piece to destroy it. That might do well. As always, Dylan |
Jestnjoker Elite user 440 Posts |
You asked for advice. Mine is, don't use 260's. Haha.
Jeff Wright
www.WrightEntertainment.biz Voted Best Party Entertainer in Cleveland, Nickelodeon Parents' Picks Awards |
Juliegel Loyal user 294 Posts |
Yeah no problem. It is great advice and if I did it again I would probably take it up but this time around I want to see what I get with 260s. Your advice is appreciated though.
As always, Dylan |
Jestnjoker Elite user 440 Posts |
You're going to need a really tight, neat weave to make the 260's look nice. That is doable, just very time consuming. Good Luck, Bon Chance, Buena Suerte, Hǎo Yùn, etc, etc.
Jeff Wright
www.WrightEntertainment.biz Voted Best Party Entertainer in Cleveland, Nickelodeon Parents' Picks Awards |
Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts |
10 X10??? with 260's?? Good luck....
Really don't think you can make a structurally sound design that you can walk down the street with. My advice (since that is what you asked for..) link a loons or 321's contact Robbie Furman for advice. 350s would be the smallest I would use on such a structure. and a brick wall structure. Youtube balloon wall and get Larry Moses video on wall construction. Only other kind of structure I can think of is a rug weave like the asian balloon artist make.
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
Wes Holly Special user Cincinnati, OH, USA 644 Posts |
I am questioning the cost of $20 by using 260's to build a 10' structure. That's only 4 bags? But, if you've done the math then I guess I shouldn't question it. Just doesn't sound right to me.
I also question using 260's for such a large structure. They will not hold up under the weight, IMO, and you'll end up with a piece of artwork you'd rather not display. I second Mark's advice to search YouTube for Larry Moss and the balloon wall technique. You will have a much easier time. wes holly |
Juliegel Loyal user 294 Posts |
I have looked into Larry Moss's wall structure before. I considered it but did decide against it for reasons that will probably end up being foolish. I really do appreciate all of your input and I understand where you are coming from but I have an idea and I would like to see it through. The actual cake will not be 10 feet tall but if you throw on a candle it will make it there so I am taking it a little easier on the actual structure. The internal framework will be quite strong with a 646 tower up the center and 350s branching off that to the outside walls. This whole internal scaffolding will work with triangles to support itself.
Sure there are easier was that I can and probably should go but I am going to go for it. I have taken what many of you have said and redesigned most of the structure to make it more sound. I am sorry if I seem like I am being arrogant but the 260s are something I really want to do. As always, Dylan |
Steve Yarosko Loyal user 285 Posts |
Dylan,
Good luck. It is going to be a learning experience. Let us know what you learned after you are finished. It sounds like you have thought a lot of this through. I'm with everyone else, I would use 646's and 350's for stability and speed in construction. However, it sounds like you have a vision in mind, and I know the feeling. That itch must be scratched. |
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