Balloon Modelling Academy Diploma
Module 12 : Balloon Modelling Techniques: The Basics
Duration: Approx 30 minutes
By the end of this module, you will know:
- What the basic techniques of balloon modelling are
- How to twist balloons
- How to correctly pump and tie balloons
- Includes video tutorials
12.1: Introduction
Before we begin teaching you how to make balloon models it is important that you understand the basics.
These points may seem fairly obvious but it is important that you understand them before you begin.
How to pump up a balloon
- To pump up your balloon get your balloon pump and place the end of the balloon over the tapered nozzle.
- Make sure you hold the balloon on the pump, then start to inflate the balloon
- Pump the balloon until there is about 4 inches of balloon without any air in.
- Take the pump out of the balloon and tie a knot in the end.
- You are now ready to begin creating a model.
Pumping up a balloon - 01:08
12.2: Tying a Knot
- Holding the air in the balloon remove the pump
- Stretch the latex so you have a long piece of balloon
- Curve the excess around your fingers
- Place your thumb through the hole that you have created
- Pull back through underneath the balloon that is stretching across your fingers
- Pull tight and you now have a secure knot.
Watch this video tutorial to see how to securely tie a balloon - 01:14
12.3: Twisting Balloons
There are two types of twist that you can use when creating your balloon models; a pinch twist and a lock twist.
A pinch twist is exactly as it sounds.
- Using a finger and thumb pinch down on the area that you wish to section off / create a twist.
- Then, simply twist the balloon.
- Once you have done this you will need to hold the balloon on both sides of the twist with one hand to stop it from coming undone or even popping.
- Make two sections by creating two separate balloon twists as described above.
- Grab hold of the end of the balloon and fold it over so the two sections run parallel to each other.
- Then grab the two sections together
- At the twist squeeze the two sections together
- Twist your hands in opposite directions and let go
- You have created a lock twist
- Watch the video below to see how these two twists are done
Watch this video tutorial to see how to twist balloons - 01:24
Go and Practice
estimated time: 20 minutes
Using the instructional videos above as a reference practice pumping, tying and twisting balloons. Spend at least 20 minutes on these activities or until they feel more natural and you don't have to think too hard to do them.
Once completed you are ready to start the next module
Learning Topics
- About the balloon modelling industry
- What it takes to make it in this line of work
- Why you must be able to separate your personal problems from your public performance
- Why setting up your own business is the only way to make it as a balloon modeller
Learning Topics
- Why children’s parties are the most common types of work for a balloon modeller
- About adult entertainment at both formal and informal occasions
- How to make sure that you are up-to-date with the latest crazes and trends to keep yourself competitive
- About the different ways you sell your services
Learning Topics
- What the best type of balloons are for making models
- How marker pens can make all the difference to your work
- About the equipment you can buy to help keep your bookings more organised
- Why it is a good idea to have your own transport
Learning Topics
- Why it is important to arrive early to all of your booked events
- How to make sure that you appear professional at all times
- What is in the code of conduct laid out by Equity
- How to adhere to child protection standards
Learning Topics
- What goes into a good risk assessment
- How to carry out a risk assessment
- How to rate a hazard in terms of severity and probability
- Who you need to protect in terms of health and safety
Learning Topics
- What information you need to gather from your client when taking a booking
- The tools available to help you manage and keep on track of your bookings
- Ways to manage your time more effectively
- Why you should consider making clients sign a booking contract
Learning Topics
- How to set different pricing strategies
- The sort of costs which you will face as a balloon modeller
- How to keep on track of your income and expenditure
- How to go about determining the prices that you charge for your events
Learning Topics
- How to conduct market research
- What goes into a business plan
- Why it is important to be flexible
- How to add value to the service you provide
Learning Topics
- About the types of insurance policies which you will need to take out when you set up a balloon modelling business
- What public liability insurance is
- Whether you need to pay national insurance
- How to fill out a tax return for your business
Learning Topics
- How to make the most of social media and online marketing tools
- Why networking is still important
- Other ways to market your business which do not involve the internet
- What to include on your advertising material
Learning Topics
- How to correctly deal with complaints
- How to approach every problem with the appropriate context
- What you should do if you haven’t taken many bookings in a while
- How to deal with last minute damage to equipment
Learning Topics
- What the basic techniques of balloon modelling are
- How to twist balloons
- How to correctly pump and tie balloons
- Includes video tutorials
Learning Topics
- How to make a balloon dog - picture tutorial
- How to make a balloon dog - video tutorial
Learning Topics
- How to make a balloon elephant - picture tutorial
- How to make a balloon elephant - video tutorial
Learning Topics
- How to make a balloon rabbit - picture tutorial
- How to make a balloon rabbit - video tutorial
Learning Topics
- How to make a balloon parrot - picture tutorial
- How to make a balloon parrot - video tutorial
Learning Topics
- How to make a balloon crocodile - picture tutorial
- How to make a balloon crocodile - video tutorial
Learning Topics
- How to make a balloon reindeer - picture tutorial
- How to make a balloon reindeer - video tutorial
Learning Topics
- How to make a balloon turtle - picture tutorial
- How to make a balloon turtle - video tutorial
Learning Topics
- How to make a balloon monkey in a tree - picture tutorial
- How to make a balloon monkey in a tree - video tutorial
Learning Topics
- How to make a balloon teddy bear - picture tutorial
- How to make a balloon teddy bear - video tutorial
Learning Topics
- How to make a balloon biplane - picture tutorial
- How to make a balloon biplane - video tutorial
Learning Topics
- How to make a balloon flower - picture tutorial
- How to make a balloon flower - video tutorial
Learning Topics
- How to make balloon fairy wings - picture tutorial
- How to make balloon fairy wings - video tutorial
Learning Topics
- How to make a balloon sword - picture tutorial
- How to make a balloon sword - video tutorial
Learning Topics
- How to make a balloon twisty hat - picture tutorial
- How to make a balloon twisty hat - video tutorial
Module 6 : Taking / Managing Bookings – Establishing Job Requirements – and Time Planning
find out what clients wants puppets magic how many puppets
Module 2 : The Types of Work/Jobs Balloon Modellers Do
Keep up to date with trends. Incorporate jokes, games, competitions and stories into the "act". Don't just nice up the birthday girl/boy, ensure the other children have a great time and will want to ask their parents to book you for their party.
Module 3 : The Equipment and Materials You Will Need for Balloon Modelling
Possibly a tool chest to store different colour balloons, pens, ribbons accessories. A costume or two with deep pockets.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Worksheets
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Module PDF's
Module 1: Your Introduction to Becoming a Balloon Modeller
Module 2 : The Types of Work/Jobs Balloon Modellers Do
Module 3 : The Equipment and Materials You Will Need for Balloon Modelling
Module 4 : Code of Conduct / Child Protection
Module 5 : Health & Safety and Risk Assessments
Module 6 : Taking / Managing Bookings – Establishing Job Requirements – and Time Planning
Module 8 : Starting / Running Your Own Business
Module 9 : Insurance, Accounting and Tax
Module 10 : Marketing Your Business & Social Media
Module 11 : The Do’s and Don’ts and What to Do When Things Don’t Go to Plan
Module 12 : Balloon Modelling Techniques: The Basics
Module 13 : How to Make a Balloon Dog
Module 14 : How to Make a Balloon Elephant
Module 15: How to Make a Balloon Rabbit
Module 16: How to Make a Balloon Parrot
Module 17: How to Make a Balloon Crocodile
Module 18: How to Make a Balloon Reindeer
Module 19: How to Make a Balloon Turtle
Module 20: How to Make a Balloon Monkey in a Tree
Module 21: How to Make a Balloon Teddy Bear
Module 22: How to Make a Balloon Biplane
Module 23: How to Make a Balloon Flower
Module 24: How to Make Balloon Fairy Wings