I went to a machine shop and they made me a long needle.

I used a shiny gold ribbon threaded through the hole.

I kept needle in a wand that had vaseline in it, so it's ready to go and your needle is protected.

I got these GREAT balloons from 'Superior Balloon' I don't know if the company exists anymore? But they were perfect. I would put a little snowstorm in them so when I stuck the balloon it would look cool.

I stopped doing NTB beacause every Tom, Dick and Clown were doing it. But it's still a GREAT trick.

I use embroidery thread that is very thin but very bright. I use two threads looped through so that is four thicknesses. Never had a problem.

Use a cheap wooden skewer and spend your money on other stuff. If you break it use another one from the packet.

The secret of this trick was expose worldwide at many Internet locations since sometime ago, so I don’t understand why some dealers still selling it at high price.

For more details look at the following Web Site:
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/00000135

If the secret has been exposed I think it's been forgotten about. I've been using it with adults in team-building seminars as an example of risk-taking...they are quite fascinated by it...say they've never seen anything like that before.

Dear Ireland:
Agree with you regarding balloon routine is great, I use it frequently, but my point was the “cost” of something that you could learn free. The secret could be found searching the Internet and cost of materials are low.
Regards!