Many balloons– foil and latex– are not designed to be attached to each other, with the exception of Quick Links, Link-O-Loons, entertainer balloons, and Linky balloons. Certain designs require balloons to be attached to one another. Here are some ways to create attachment points for both foil and latex balloons.
How to use the bead attachment method when attaching a foil balloon with a corner– such as a square, diamond, or star.
- Inflate a small puff of air into a foil balloon.
- Using a straw, push a small bead through the valve of a foil balloon until it passes through.
- Once the bead is through the valve and into the balloon, use your hands to guide the bead to the corner of the balloon where you need to create the attachment.
- Grab the bead from the outside of the balloon and wrap an uninflated 160Q or 260Q around it to secure the bead in place.
- Trim off excess material and inflate the balloon. You now have a point where you can attach another foil balloon.
- Repeat these steps for every connection point needed.
A Side Wall Bubble is one method used to create an attachment point on latex balloons. They are typically used to make noses, ears, elbows, and legs on a balloon character. Side Wall Bubbles are attachment points on the side of a balloon and are not to be confused with pinch twists.
How to make a Bubble with Round Balloons
- Inflate a balloon, but make sure you under-inflate it so it is squishy and can be manipulated.
- Squeeze the area where you want the bubble to be and use the other hand to twist the balloon around. Be sure to squeeze it tightly so that the air in the bubble cannot escape.
- Secure the bubble with a 160Q or 260Q or wrap the bubble around a pinch twist from another balloon as shown here. Using Side Wall Bubbles to Create a Character
How to Make a Side Wall Bubble
- Inflate a twisting balloon to the desired size. A side wall bubble can be achieved on any size twisting balloon.
- Bend the balloon in half and squeeze the middle so that you create a bubble.
- Twist the balloon tightly, making sure not to let the air out of the bubble. Make sure that the bubble is on the side of the balloon and not in the middle of the crease as shown here. How to Make a Side Wall Bubble on Twisting Balloons
- Secure the Side Wall Bubble by wrapping it around an attachment point from another balloon or by using a 160 or 260 to secure it.
How to Make a Raisin Twist
A Raisin Twist is another technique used to make an attachment point on a latex balloon so that two balloons can be attached.
- Tie multiple bulky knots into a scrap piece of twisting balloon. These knots are referred to as raisins.
- Insert the knotted balloon into the balloon that is going to be inflated.
- Inflate the balloon and knot it. The balloon should be underinflated so that it is soft enough to manipulate.
- Pinch onto the raisin where you want the attachment to be and twist it a couple of times.
- You can either take the balloon that you are attaching to it and wrap it around the raisin twist or you can secure the raisin twist with a scrap piece of twisting balloon.
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