Air*tistry

by Jack Porcello

Ballerina

Using Betallatex Special Shaped Balloons

Some time ago a dance school asked for balloon sculptures to use at an event they were holding for their students. They wanted something minimalistic. I had just received some samples of Betallatex special shape balloons, and decided to try using them for this project. The results are shown below.

The Ballerina

To make this ballerina you will need the following:

1 Betallatex small bear head
6 Betallatex 6" Link O Loons
1 5" round
2 160 balloons
Glue Dots and a cardboard disk for mounting.

Fully inflate the bear head.
Fully inflate the 6 Link O Loons, and connect them together into a ring. Place the ring over the bear head balloon so it is propped in place by the bear's ears when you hold the bear head upside down by the knot.
Inflate about half of one 160 balloon. Make an 8" bubble, then make a small bird body twist (about 1 1/2"). Make another 8" bubble, trim off the excess and tie off the balloon.
Inflate the 5" round. Pull the knot of the 5" round through the bird body twist in the 160. Tie the 5" round balloon's knot to the bear head's knot. Pull the knot through again so it is hidden by the bird body. Using the Glue Dots, attach the bear head's ears (which become the ballerina's legs) to the cardboard disk. Position the arms.
Inflate about half of the other 160 balloon. Make a 1/2" bubble, ear twist it. Make another 1/2" bubble, ear twist it. Make a 3/4" bubble, then make two more 1/2" bubbles, ear twisted. Make an 18" bubble, trim off the excess and tie it off. Then connect the knot to the first set of 1/2" ear twists, making a ring about 6" inside diameter.
Fit the ring snugly over the top of the 5" round.

See my website for more information, or you may e-mail me at info@airtothekingdom.org.

Until next time, I remain *Air-tistically* yours!

Jack