Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 22:38:00 -0500 (EST)
From: Larry Moss <moss@balloonhq.com>
To: Balloon Decorator List <balloondeco@balloonhq.com>
Subject: Re:  Elevated Balloons

On Sun, 18 Mar 2001, Designing Parties wrote:

> I would use a 1m. balloon mounted on a 1 1/2 m rod. under I would put a
> collar of 22cm balloons quad-packed with tulle to the table. This would be
> supported by a round concrete casting 40mm thick by 1/3m dia.  Cover the
> whole base and table with rose petals.

I want to offer a suggestion for the rod here.  Bruce Walden showed me
something awesome that he ended up using in the class we did together at
IBAC.  (I think I learned as much working with Bruce as everyone in the
class.)  Rather than just use a rod, why not use a 260 as the rod?  A 260
by itself isn't stiff enough to support anything, but you can make it look
like a 260 is supporting balloons by inflating it inside a flourescent
light tube.  Look in the lighting section of any hardware store for
flourescent light covers.  These tubes are clear plastic and are almost
exactly the same diameter as a 260.  If you inflate the balloon inside the
tube and cover the ends, you get what looks like a perfectly straight and
stiff 260.  

Larry Moss
BalloonHQ.com