From: "Mitchell Bruntel" <mbruntel@home.com> To: "THE DIXONS" <balloons@magna.com.au>, <BALLOONAIR@aol.com>, Subject: RE: WATER WE WEIGHTING FOR? Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2000 19:48:32 -0400 Hi all. It's Mitch (Bruntel) here. I am extremely humbled (thanks again DON) (and most likely undeserving) to be called "one of the world's best..." (Although, I do hope I truly can attain that status one day...) As always, I can ALWAYS learn something, and can often do better, and I ESPECIALLY learn from my mistakes, and attempt to never repeat the same mistake twice! (like falling off a ladder during a job and breaking a shoulder!--long story--check the archives(;-->) (And as usual, Don has great words too, when he says, we should realize it should always be a CUSTOMIZED response. (...Isn't a bit of thought to PRODUCT DESIGN and APPLICATION going to improve our image and our bottom line? I think I may have been mis-understood. I personally gave up sand weights years ago. As bouquet/centerpiece weight, I HAVE used: * rocks, (My usual centerpiece weight) wrapped in ...whatever...(Mylar, bows, whatever is necessary/appropriate). * Bathroom tiles wrapped in Mylar (my USUAL alternative choice. * A small shopping bag weighted down with Hershey's kisses (and a Large washer at the bottom of the shopping bag (the kisses also spilled over onto the table- Large washer was actually the weight. * My favorite weight whenever possible-- the INVISIBLE weight and the floating balloon bouquet/centerpiece. To do this use" either a) a small carpet hook, or even just a Conwin "grip-tab" (is that the right name?) attached to the top of the table, or underside of tablecloth. Use a (thin) low poundage nylon line instead of ribbons or string...The balloons float, and it's a PHENOMENAL effect, especially if you are doing topiary balls. ** However, make sure you have permission to put the small hole it may make in the tablecloth before doing it! * THE large (HUGE) heavy washers are a good alternative if you can hide the mechanics. I have not used: tomato paste (6 oz) cans Although I like the idea loads! I gave up sand because after my first 2 bar mitzvahs, because there was sand all over the table. That's why I'd never use water either. The worst that happens is the rocks wind up on the table, but I've yet to see it (I usually triple bag them, then double Mylar them--I'm kinda cautious). BTW, the rocks are bagged without being rinsed, and so there is dust in the bags. My personal guess is that if the bag WAS opened, the rocks would be dropped, and if not, some grownup would notice a (LARGE) bag of rocks being tossed around. Anyway thanks again to all, and see you all soon. Mitch Bruntel -----Original Message----- Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2000 8:27 PM To: BALLOONAIR@aol.com; Balloon Headquarters Subject: Re: WATER WE WEIGHTING FOR? > I know Mitch, and he is a top notch professional, and I know that avoidance > of water balloon weights is a view shared by many other balloon > professionals, and I respect that view, but I would like to share my view and > my reasons: > > What if those pesky kids throw around a bag of rocks instead of a bag of > water???? G'Day from Downunder, Bill McFadden's reply (Balloon Builders in Forida) is worth reading a second time. Wynn Bell, in Oregon, chimed in with the idea of salt in lieu of sand and reminded all of us what sand can do to polished dance floors. Kelly Stevens in the UK offered her golden find of "peat pots" used by horticulturalists. Mitch Bruntel in New Jersey has years of experience (like the others) and remains a "Sand Man". Danny Magowan took the time to explain the benefits of using water weights. Not because it's inexpensive .... but, because it's practical and actually of negligible risk in his opinion. Think of the frequent flyer miles you'd rack up if you were to visit each of them to find out how 5 of the most experienced and respected balloon professionals in the world, secure their helium filled balloons? What does Dolly Dixon use Downunder? For what it's worth:- Sand? - Never! For the same reason Mitch won't use water, Dolly won't use sand. Salt? - Haven't tried it. But guess what? Her next door neighbour is a pool products wholesaler. Isn't that handy? Tiles or decorative Rocks? - Haven't tried these either. Carpet Hooks? - how come nobody else mentioned these? Water? - Have used water weights to secure air filled columns with great success, but rarely uses lately them for habit of utilizing other methods. The word "habit" is significant here. What I have learned from this discussion is that Dolly has fallen into the old "habit" trap. After reading all of the points of view on this topic I am making a visit to Dolly's workshop and suggest she try the salt from the pool place next door. Danny's instructions regarding water weights should be tested and seriously considered in detail. (much less risk than I thought) And, of course, Bill's message to make the weight a part of the VALUE in our creations is such sound advice to those who are forever searching for "cheaper" materials. My point? It's time to become more flexible with regard to weight materials. Rather that using salt, sand or water for 90% of everything we need to hold down .... let's get smarter ... and apply what we have learned from 5 of the world's best. Specific materials in the appropiate place for the appropriate job. ie; isn't it time to CUSTOMIZE the weight to the job at hand? Gold bars when the customer will pay for them and (maybe) sand weights for the outdoor school sports carnival? Water weights to secure the air filled columns either side of the stage? Bruce Walden's Uplifter or a coordinated ceramic mug from Qualatex with delivery bouquets to enhance the message and give the recipient ADDED VALUE? The next time a subsciber to the list asks, "What do most of you guys use for weights?", shouldn't the reply be, "Depends what you are selling?" Isn't a bit of thought to PRODUCT DESIGN and APPLICATION going to improve our image and our bottom line? Or should we continue to consede to the simplicity of no fuss, low cost habits? -- Don & Dolly Dixon CBAs Sydney - AUSTRALIA Don's Web Site www.bizballoons.com.au Dolly's Web Site www.celebrating.com.au Members of the www.eballoons.com.au world wide online delivery network