How to Make a Balloon Fountain
Large dramatic balloon sculptures, such as a balloon fountain, add glamour and excitement to any event. The fountain can be used as a focal point for a variety of occasions and tailored to fit a variety of spaces. Construct the fountain with pearl or metallic balloons and place it in the center of a large dance floor to create an elegant centerpiece for weddings, proms, homecoming dances and other formal events. For children's events or circus parties, build the fountain with bright colors to create a tent effect. With a little practice, even an untrained balloon artist can achieve professional results by following a few steps. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Helium bottle with balloon regulator
- 400 to 800 11-inch latex balloons (depending upon fountain size desired)
- Spool of monofilament fishing line (at least 30-lb. test)
- Scissors or craft knife
- Sandbags or other weights (at least 2 lbs.)
- Steel or PVC pipe, 7 to 8 feet, and weighted base
- Air inflator
- Assistant
Instructions
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1
Place the pipe and base in the center of the fountain area. To design the fountain, decide how many arches you want cascading off the central pillar. Most fountains have four to eight arches of balloons coming off the central pillar, depending on the space available and your artistic sensibilities. Place a weight at the end point for each arch.
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Place your helium bottle with regulator near the pipe and base. Place balloon bags on the bottle and turn it on. Hand the end of the fishing line to an assistant. Place the spool on the ground beside you to allow the fishing line to feed off the spool. Control the spool with your foot if needed.
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3
Blow up balloons, one by one in your chosen color pattern. Attach each to the fishing line, approximately six to eight inches apart so that they create a "string of pearls" arch. Ask your assistant to back toward an anchor weight, keeping tension on the line with the balloons to make it easier to place the balloons evenly. Once the arch is long enough to reach the weight, have the assistant attach the line on the end of the arch to the weight. Keep adding balloons to the line until you have enough to create a pleasing arch from the weight to the top of the pipe.
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Cut the line and attach the string of pearls arch to the top of the pipe. Repeat the process until all the arches have been constructed and attached to the pipe.
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Using the air inflator, cover the pipe with a column of balloons. Construct the column by inflating two balloons with air. Tie them together by the neck. Repeat with two more, then twist the four balloons together and place them around the base of the pipe. Add another group of four and place then around the pipe, pressed tight against the first so that the balloons in the first set set lay against the base and the balloons in the second set nestle offset in the cracks just above the first set. Continue this process until the pipe is covered with balloons. If a larger base is desired, add a ring of balloons on line around the bottom of the balloon-covered pipe. The column can also be constructed by tying the balloons individually on line and shoving them together in groups of four until you have a column long enough to cover the pipe. This column can then be pressed onto the pipe.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have trouble keeping your balloons a uniform shape, get a balloon template or cut a 10-inch circle out of cardboard and use it to check your balloon sizes. With practice, you will be able to see and feel the correct size and will not need the template.
If the room has a low ceiling, attach the arches halfway down the central pipe after covering it with balloons. This will lower the overall height of the arches.
To add drama, add clusters of shiny star balloons to the top of the center of the fountain or around the central column.
Take care when using monofilament fishing line as the line can cut hands.
