That is, unless, you're trying to fill the balloons with your own hot air. Don't do it! Use the clown's tool of choice: a good 2-way hand pump. These handy plastic gizmos rush air into the balloon, whether you're pushing or pulling, which saves time - and your lungs.
With your pump in hand, you'll next need the right balloons.
Sculpting balloons are not the ordinary balloons you see for sale in party stores. Qualatex balloons, made from 100 percent latex, are formulated to withstand the twisting, stretching, and manhandling required to transform them into animals, insects, cartoon characters, and aliens.
A "260" or "pencil" balloon - a long skinny balloon - will be your workhorse. Its name describes its dimensions: 2 inches in diameter and 60 inches in length when fully inflated. You can purchase assorted bags, or buy them in individual colors.
Heart-shaped balloons also are handy to have on hand, as you can use them to create the wings of fun little butterflies. And "bee body" (or 321) balloons, a small balloon with a colored tip, can be used for balloon cell phone antennas or bee stingers. For a visual of these balloons, scroll to the end of this page: http://www.tmyers.com/balloon/ballooninf...
You'll find that balloons are cheaper on the Internet than in your local party store. For instance, in my area, a bag of 100 assorted 260 balloons runs about $10. But I can get them for about half that on the Internet, plus shipping.
Never forget the cardinal rule: balloons must be stored properly or they'll disintegrate.
Many balloon pops come from incorrectly stored balloons. When not using them, keep the balloons in airtight plastic bags in a cool place. Never let them sit in the hot sun - especially in your car - or they won't last the day. To extend the life of your balloon supply, you can sprinkle them with a bit of corn starch or talcum powder, if you like. They may last a year or more this way.
You now have your tools, so on to instruction.
I can suggest several balloon manuals that contain helpful step-by-step photos or illustrations. Balloon Sculpting by Dr. Dropo features a French poodle and a snail that I really like. More Balloon Animals by Aaron Hsu-Flanders explains how to create a parrot in a swing, a dinosaur, and an adorable anteater. And once you've gotten into the swing of twisting, check out a more advanced book, Totally Way Cool Balloons, by Harry Walmsley. These are all available on Amazon.com, as well as in your local bookstore.
