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MuleePete Loyal user 272 Posts 
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OK, I know this is probably 101 for most of you, but surfing the web and searching the Café brings me no closer to the answer.
How do I choose a quality balloon maker/seller. I went to Balloon Room and LaRocks, but I don't know what I'm looking for. I plan to make animals and hats for visitors, kids and adults, in a western themed setting. Thank you in advance for any assistance. MuleePete |
greatscott Special user 595 Posts
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Qualatex balloons are a very good quality balloon. That is the brand that a lot of the balloon artists use. I know that LaRocks sells those at a very good price. Another good place to get them, at a good price, would be "Balloons To You" ( http://www.btydirect.com ). I hope this helps. If I didn't answer your question, or if you have more questions, let me know.
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MuleePete Loyal user 272 Posts
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Yep that does. Having a product name gives me a great start to know what I'm looking for.
Another question would be clear vs opaque. Is there one that stands up to the twisting force, or holds the twist better? I may just be using cheap balloons, but I find somme break very easy. |
Jay Ward Veteran user Flowery Branch, GA 328 Posts
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I recommend Qualatex which is the preferred brand of most twisters. Some balloon artists prefer Betallatex. And many use both brands. Those are definitely the top 2. Then, you'll generally want 260s, those are the size you associate most with balloons, 160s are thinner, 350s fatter.
Then you have to figure out if you want jewel tones, standards, or pearlized balloons. I like the standard colors with I believe is the Carnival Assortment and Entertainer Assortments from Qualatex. The standard colors are thick, and you cannot see through them. The jewel tones you can see through, but they are still a strong balloon. I buy from http://www.balloonmerchant.com and http://www.tmyers.com. |
Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts
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I get a lot more breakage from the jewel tones and pearls than I do the standard colors, so I pretty much stick with the Qualatex standard colors. I've tried Bellatex and really prefer Qualatex for quality and durability. Also, when Qualatex balloons pop, they tend to pop into two distinct pieces - a bonus for restaurant workers - less potential litter in a customer's food. The last time I used Bellatex, the balloons literally shredded into multiple small flying pieces when they popped.
I use 160's exclusively in my restaurant work simply because they pop less, take up less table space and the smaller poodles, wrist corsages and butterflies really appear to the ladies at the bar. They also tend to be slightly less noisy if they do pop. I can also pack many more 160's into my balloon apron without bulging than 260's. A personal preference. I always buy solid color bags, as well. I HATE sorting colors and with my plastic drawer storage system, I can tell at a glance which colors are running low. I buy my balloons from LaRocks and T. Myers and very rarely get a bad bag.
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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MuleePete Loyal user 272 Posts
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Thank you Skip. Good to know, looks like opaque is the way to go. I perform as a strolling B western character working out of a mini saddle bag set I made. Pump and balloons on one side, magic on the other, .45's on my sides, and they really break the ice when I start spinning them. Not to mention not to many complaints. Where I work, not everybody speaks fluent english, so I do things that are more visual.
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Kevinr Inner circle 1854 Posts
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I would stay aways from ALL jewel tones (the see through colors) except clear and black.
Qualatex and Betalatex, most including myself use Qualatex. However there are few benefits to the Betalatex brand. The larger size 646 quit Qualatex are limited in length and Betalatex actually makes them the same length as 260's (660's) at this day and age almost the same quality the choice is really all yours.. I have searched almost everywhere for the best prices for balloons and depending on the side of the country your on the best prices are these two companies. http://www.larocks.com or http://www.balloonmerchant.com The second one (balloonmerchant) prices are actually the cheapest (I know of no single company with chepaer prices than balloonmerchant PLEASE let us know) but they ship out of California so if you live in New York they might actually cost more to ship unless you buy the discounted prices when you buy in bulk. |
Roslyn Inner circle UK 3405 Posts
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Hi,
This is my first post here in Balloon 101, although I am a regular visitor and enjoy reading your posts. I've just never had anything useful to say... Anyway, being in the UK I buy Sempertex balloons from http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk simply because they are much cheaper than buying Qualatex balloons. £3 per bag of 100 compared to £7 per bag. The quality of the balloon is pretty much the same, so its simply the price that's swung it for me. I buy the assorted colours 260s and have been pondering on whether it would work out better for me to buy them in single colour packs instead. I generally only use the balloons for busking work where I make the simple one balloon figures. So colours tend to not matter all that much. A red cat makes as much sense as a blue one. However, I've been wanting to expand in to creating larger figures where colour matters. The pink panther has to pink and the little mermaid has to have red hair for example. And I was wondering what colours you guys would recommend getting. What do you find are the most popular colours? Also (sorry about this, I promise this is the last question) what are the best colours for particular sculptures? For example, are your monkeys always brown or do you find that other colours work just as well? Thanks for your help, Ros
The Magic Cafe account of The Conwy Jester, Erwyd le Fol formerly known as Roslyn Walker.
My home online Join me on Facebook Follow me on twitter |
Ryan Price Special user winnipeg, MB, Canada 641 Posts
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Hi Ros,
When you make the jump into single colours (which I think everyone should) you have to think about how you are going to store them. I have about 20 different shoe box size containers that I keep the colours and different sizes in. As for what colours to get it depends a bit on what you make a lot of. For instance I make a lot of penguins so I keep lots of black, white, and orange. I don't use a lot of purple so I have some old stock that I may end up tossing out. I would say look in the bags you get right now and get those colours. You will need extra pink, red, and blue for sure. Also you have to find a way of keeping the colours separate when you work. As for what colours work best it all depends who you are making for, unless you are making a specific character there is no set rules. |
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts
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Good point, Ryan. I keep mind in small stackable see-thru plastic drawers in my rehearsal room. I can buy a set of four drawers for about $3.00 at Big Lots. One drawer for each color and separate drawers for specialty balloons like eyeballs, hearts, alien heads, etc. Each drawer will easily hold four bags and I can see at a glance which colors need to be reordered. The stack sits in a corner away from the heat vent and window.
I always buy my balloons in single colors. I HATE sorting - especially the dark colors. This makes inventory so much easier. I go through roughly 3-4 bags of the major colors and 1-2 bags of the minor colors each month. I'm with you - I use the colors the kids pick. A T-Rex is still impressive whether it's brown, green or pink.  The little smiles say it all!
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts
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Here is my sorting system in photos:
http://www.balloonhq.com/p/49567 to http://www.balloonhq.com/p/49581 Might be a great system with the saddle bags your using. Yep I use Qualatex exclusively.
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
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MuleePete Loyal user 272 Posts
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Bad,
I see by yer balloons, that you are a twister....(Streets of Larado) That is quite a set up, do you find a large color selection necessary or expected? The saddle bags do have space, the pump is in a loop on the outside so it can be used in loop or out, but should I limit the color choices. Thank you for your comments and help. |
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Kevinr Inner circle 1854 Posts
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Quote:
On 2010-02-03 09:18, Roslyn wrote: Wow those are GREAT prices! I wish they were in the USA |
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Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts
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Quote:
On 2010-02-05 00:35, Kevinr wrote: Not when you add17.5% VAT and shipping!!!
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
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Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts
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Quote:
On 2010-02-03 23:35, MuleePete wrote: I carry 21 colors ... they are not all the colors in the Qualatex product list but they represent a good selection. I call it a palette.
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
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Graham Lee Regular user 109 Posts
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[/quote]
Wow those are GREAT prices! I wish they were in the USA [/quote] Not when you add17.5% VAT and shipping!!! [/quote] Hi All, The prices on the website include VAT http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk If you have any questions? Please ask away. |
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Kevinr Inner circle 1854 Posts
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Do they have a store in the United States?
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Graham Lee Regular user 109 Posts
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I own and run the site with my wife, we also organise and run the care & share balloon fun days in the UK and the balloon forum http://www.balloonchat.co.uk
We are more than happy to ship anywhere and will find out shipping rates for you Graham Lee http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk http://www.balloonchat.co.uk |
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Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts
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Sorry didn't know VAT was added in.
However the price almost identical for Qualatex States side as is Semperex overseas. £2.99 = $4.69 currently Balloon Merchant is $4.34 Lauderdale Paper & Balloon is $4.99 TMeyers is $4.61 in bulk And you don't have overseas shipping charges. Graham is a great guy, I just don't see waiting a couple of weeks for shipping.
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
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Kevinr Inner circle 1854 Posts
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True Mark,
If it was a 75 cents less (say $3.50) a bag I would wait though! I think paying about $4.34 (US Dollars) is just the best any of us are gonna do here in the United States. On another note, I would be willing to pay 75 cents MORE per bag (say $5.09) from Qualatex or someone if they could flip all my balloons to have them facing the same direction at the plant. I HATE loading my balloon bag! |
| The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Ballooning 101 » » How to choose sculpting balloons (0 Likes) | |
Posted: Jan 14, 2010 02:26 am 
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