Brown Monkey

Brown Monkey by Ralph Dewey This month’s Balloon HQ Challenge is a monkey. In the Chinese calendar, 2004 is the year of the monkey. I thought that it would be appropriate to share a monkey design with you in this month’s column. I make several different...

Unsung Balloon Heros

Unsung Balloon Heros by Ralph Dewey Balloon History Spotlight It was August 29, 1996 at the conclusion of the Democratic National convention in Chicago when a spectacular balloon drop happened. It got rave comments from the usually nonchalant television commentators....

Gayla Industries

Gayla Industries by Ralph Dewey One of the companies that makes #260 pencil balloons is Gayla Industries headquartered in Houston, Texas. I got a chance to tour their facilities recently. Their facility looked to be about 150,000 sq. ft. and filled with a variety of...

Cow Hat

Cow Hat by Ralph Dewey The BHQ challenge this month is a cow or cow hat. Making the Hat Balloons needed: 1 pink 6″ heart, 2 white #260, 1 brown #260 and 1 black #160. Start making the cow’s head by inflating a white #260 balloon fully except for about...

Janie Driscoll’s Snow Globe

Janie Driscoll’s Snow Globe by Ralph Dewey The Balloon HQ Challenge this month is a Snow Globe design. Here is a design that Janie Driscoll shared with me at one of the Florida Super Jams. It takes a bit of work, but it is something different and special for...

Two-Balloon Blaster

Two-Balloon Blaster by Ralph Dewey This month the Balloon HQ Challenge is a balloon gun or rifle. This AK47 style rifle is very simple to make and is sure to please any boy who likes guns. Frame Inflate a black #260 fully except for about 1″ and tie off the...