Things You'll Need:
- 18-inch round latex balloons in two colors
- Six 6-foot tall poles with bases
- Clear packaging tape
- Ladder
- Fishing line
- Helium tank
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Step 1
Determine the number of balloons you will need. According to Matthew Harkins, a professional balloon sculptor, to cover the poles with the balloons, you should be able to fit approximately 12 rows of balloons on each pole. Each row consists of four balloons. So you will need approximately 48 balloons per pole, and a total of 168 balloons for all six poles. To figure out how many balloons you will need for the roof, you will need to measure the distance across the gazebo area, and then divide that measurement by 18. That will give you the approximate number of balloons you will need for each line. Multiply that number by three to determine the total. Mr. Harkins recommends you always order more balloons than you think will need to make up for miscalculations or for the balloons that may burst. Also, the total number of balloons you determine you will need will be divided by two, since you will need all the balloons in two different colors.
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Step 2
Set up the columns where you want them to be when the gazebo is finished.The six columns should be positioned in a circle in the area where you want to install the gazebo. Each column should be directly across from another column.
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Step 3
Inflate the balloons you will need to make the columns. Mr. Harkins suggests you inflate balloons before you start to assemble the columns, if you have the room to work.
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Step 4
Take two balloons of the same color and tie the knotted ends together. Continue doing this until all the balloons are tied together in sets of two.
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Step 5
Take one set of each color and twist them together around the pole for the first column. To do this, you want to take one set of two and place them up against the pole on one side. Take the second set, and hold them up against the pole on the other side. Then twist the balloons around each other, with the pole stuck in the middle. When you are done twisting, the balloons should stay attached to the pole, and the colors should now alternate.
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Step 6
Repeat Step 3 until you have all six columns made. When you get to the top of each column, you can apply a piece of tape over the top to keep the balloons from sliding upwards.
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Step 7
Measure and cut a piece of fishing line so that it is long enough to go from the top of one column to the top of the column directly across the gazebo. Once you measure the distance, add about six inches so that the line will be long enough to create an arch.
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Step 8
Tie one end of the fishing line to the top of the first column. Unless you are very tall, you will need a ladder to do this. It will be helpful and safe to have a second person there to help you and to hand you needed items and balloons.
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Step 9
Inflate one balloon with helium and tie it to the fishing line, as close to the column as you can.
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Step 10
Continue inflating and adding helium balloons to the fishing line until you reach across the gazebo to the other column. Tie the other end of the fishing line to the top of the second column. As you add the balloons, keep sliding them down the fishing line. You want the edges of the balloons at the widest point to be touching each other.
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Step 11
Repeat steps 7 through 9 until you have three lines of helium balloons connecting each of the six columns. The lines of balloons will all intersect on the middle of the gazebo.
