Ice Cream Cone

By Ralph Dewey

I was disappointed to hear that the white (with a red tip) #321 Bee Body balloon was to be discontinued by Qualatex. I have several creations that need to use a white #321 balloon. An ice cream cone is one of the neat things that you can make out of it. Of course you can use the other colors, but white works best. Maybe they will reconsider and bring it back.

INSTRUCTIONS

Before you start, be aware that there are two things to watch out for. First, the amount of air in the balloon is critical. Too much air makes it tight and will keep you from completing all of the twist. Too little air results in the cone portion (the colored tip of the #321) not being fully inflated. You may need to experiment to get it right. Secondly, making several ear twists in a row can be a little difficult. For some twisters it could present a real challenge.

To start, inflate the #321 to about 5 inches and then tie off the nozzle. You may like to squeeze the nipple end so that the 5” inflated part is shifted tightly up against the knot. This is done so that your starting point is the same and therefore you end up exactly as planned.

Twist off a 1-1/2” bubble and two 1” bubbles. Ear twist (pinch twist) the two 1” bubbles. I like to make both of them into ear twists at the same time. This can be accomplished by lock-twisting (twist-connecting) the bubbles and then by twisting the two bubbles in opposite directions. You can do the bubbles one at a time, but it is more difficult to get them to be the same exact size.

Twist off two 1-1/2” bubbles. Ear twist them.

The remaining balloon will be the cone (the colored tip of the #321). Arrange the pairs of white ear twists so they resemble ice cream. One pair should be aimed in one direction and the other pair in the opposite direction. You may like to trim off the nozzle as well.

BALLOON POPPING DEVICE

Sometimes as a magic effect or a surprise, you want to pop a balloon. Here is one way to do that without the audience knowing how you did it. It requires a piece of cellophane tape, a sewing needle and a length of invisible thread. First, anchor the balloon in place on a table or stand. Tie the thread to the eye of the needle. Lay the needle flat against the balloon. Apply the tape across the middle of the needle leaving the tip uncovered. Arrange this balloon-popping device so the point is toward (the eye of the needle is opposite you) the direction that you or your accomplice will be pulling the thread. Now the device is set. When the thread is pulled, the tip of the needle will dig into the balloon and burst it. See the graphics below for details. One negative is the possibility of having a needle flying through the air when the balloon bursts even though you are still holding onto the thread. To prevent the needle from attacking you, run the thread through a small screw eye located near the balloon. That would keep the needle under control.