Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2000 09:27:19 -0800 To: balloondeco@balloonhq.com From: Jeanne & Dave Cockcroft <jballoon@gte.net> Subject: Weights >Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2000 18:59:47 -0800 >To: Balloon Headquarters >From: Jeanne & Dave Cockcroft <jballoon@gte.net> >Subject: Weights > >Dear Friends, > I have been listening to the different discussions about weights for a long time and now I want to share what we do. > >We make sand weights with 16" latex then covered with mylar paper and tied with a piece of curly ribbon. We have never had a problem with breakage when they are covered with the mylar paper. We pre-stretch the balloons so that we can get more sand in them. This might help them be more pliable so that they don't bust as easily. I wouldn't use them anywhere near a dance floor though now that I have heard what happened to some of you. > >We used to make our weights using plaster and pour it inside of a styrofoam cup. When Dave started working with me, he came up with better ideas. He uses quick drying cement and pours it into a nice shaped mold. We buy plant liners from our floral supply store in different sizes. He also uses small margarine containers. He makes a hook from bailing wire. He twists the top into a circle (you need to use pliers to do this), then twist it down about 3 inches or so and then make a T at the bottom. You then insert the wire into the wet cement to almost the bottom and then twist it a little so it won't come out. Make a bunch of these ahead of time, before you mix your cement. After the weights are dry - won't take long, maybe a couple of hours - take them out of the mold. Then make a square of mylar paper and pull it up around the weight and tie it just under the loop at the top. This is crucile. You want that hook to be free so you can tie your balloons onto it. There are alot of things you can do to dress it up even more, but this is the basic. These weights have no apperance of a soup can or a cup, but look like they are custom made, which they are. They are heavier than plaster and sand. We make them in all sizes and use them for arches, columns, etc. We use large plant saucers for these. We glue a piece of rubber matting to the bottom of the weight and then cover it. Felt also works. If the weight is dropped and breaks, the rubber helps hold it together. We have glued them back together with hot glue and the rubber helps. Go to housewares and look for mess rubber used to line cupboards. The paper makes them very attractive and you can reuse them, just cover with new paper. > >Check our web site below and you might see them in use. I will try and get the pictures we did of The Tonight Show New Year's Eve party up soon and you can see them at the bottom of the tunnel arch. > >Jeanne & Dave Cockcroft >Balloon Designs by Jeanne >Thousand Oaks, CA, USA Balloon Designs by Jeanne 2844 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks, Ca. 91362 Phone (805) 496-3751 Fax (805) 496-6848 Toll Free (888) 996-3751 E-mail address jballoon@gte.net Check Out Our Web Page At http://www.homestead.com/jballoons