The following article first appeared in the Magic Menu. The Magic Menu is a bi-monthly magazine for restaurant entertainers. For subscription info, contact jsisti@ibm.net.
Several issues back I wrote up instructions for a housefly. That ended up being quite popular, so I thought I'd take some time once again to draw up another figure. This is one that I've been making for a while, and I've finally decided to share it. The jester is always what I've used as a logo on my business cards, brochures, and web site. The fact that I can make one out of balloons has always been a big hit.
This creation requires two 260's. The two balloons need to be inflated to exactly the same size. When tying the balloons, don't pul the knots tightly. I leave a six inch uninflated tail on the balloons, although others I've taught this to find it necessary to leave slightly more space. Done properly, this figure is completely symmetrical, so follow these directions for both balloons.
We'll start with the feet, making a one inch bubble, followed by a half inch bubble in each balloon. The half inch bubble is pinch twisted. This forms the heel and keeps the foot bubble in tact.
Grab the knot on the balloon between two fingers and roll the knot outward toward the nozzle. This will stretch the first bubble and allow you to shape it.
While still holding the knot, wrap the nozzle of the balloon around the twist at the heel. this creates the traditional curled jester shoe.
Make a 2 inch bubble, followed by a half inch bubble for the lower leg and knee in each balloon. The half inch bubble will be pinch twisted.
Make a 2 inch bubble above the knee in each balloon and twist the two balloons together at this point.
The make half inch pinch twists to form the buttocks (necessary to keep the balloon in the right shape), followed by a two inch bubble in each balloon to form the body.
The arms are made with a pinch and pop series. Make each arm by twisting a 1.5 inch bubble, followed by 3 half inch bubbles. The final twist is connected back to the base of the arm. The two outer half inch bubbles are pinch twisted. The middle half inch bubble gets popped. One of the half inch pinch twists on each arm will form the hand. The other will form half of the jester's collar.
Finish by twisting the two balloons together again and making bubbles at the ends of the balloons, a la poodle tails.
For greater effect, make juggling balls by putting 3 colored balls or small pieces of balloon inside a clear 260 and attaching the clear balloon to each hand.
