The Effect
When "certified balloonatic" Addi Somekh and his photographer friend, Charlie Eckert, got a bee in their bonnet to travel the world, spreading good cheer through... balloon hats, they had only a vague idea where this madness would lead. Three years and six incredible journeys later, the creative pair had brought smiles to the faces of thousands of people--and they had the makings of this book and balloon hat-making kit. The small, imaginative book describes Somekh and Eckert's experiences of showing up in towns and rural areas of Europe, Africa, Central America, the Balkans, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, and making balloon hats for people in their natural, everyday environments. The bulk of the book, however, is a step-by-step pictorial guide to creating fantastic headpieces out of balloons. Numbered boxes with black backgrounds reveal crisp photos of hands twisting, pinching, and squeezing colorful balloons to create swirlies, ballies, dingies, teddy bear twists, loops, locks, and other cleverly named techniques that ultimately result in latex tiaras, polar bear loungers, unicorn hats, Martian helmets, and the spectacular Dysfunctionally Large Hat. Three international balloon photo galleries showcase gorgeous snapshots of people (and a camel or two) wearing or playing with Somekh's balloon creations.
Part sociological study, part entertainment, part how-to book, this kit, which includes the 152-page book, 30 colorful balloons, and a super piston-action pump (as well as a very convincing list of 7 reasons to make balloon hats), is pure fun. (Ages 8 and older) --Emilie Coulter
You can read more at http://www.balloonhat.com/
Cost
The cheapest place I found was http://www.oilycart.org.uk/shop/ £10.50, post and packaging included for the UK.
This really was a good find, as I have only seen it elsewhere in American stores $25 + $15 shipping. This was on the 6th page of google, or something silly like that.
Oily Cart is a theatre company that works with young people with disabilities, and that includes balloon workshops, hence they are selling this book. They only a few items in their store. I'm sure they have set the book at a price so that they can make a profit, so I'm happy to purchase from here, (best price, and supporting a good cause)
Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)
2 and 3 - it's not sleights obviously, but in terms of balloons, some are quite easy, some are an intermediate level, none are too advanced - no weaving.
Review
This is what I was talking about in the forum regarding balloons at parties, and yesterday at the Manchester meet. When I perform magic, I don't want to do a standard 'key card' trick - I use key cards, of course, but I make my performance over and above what the general public has seen before and often knows about. It's the same with balloons, everyone has seen or can make a basic dog or a sword. If I'm at an event where people are paying me a lot of money, to give them a scruffily made dog, looks a bit pathetic. Personally if anyone asks for a dog, I make a poodle, as it just looks a bit more detailed, and a pirate sword over a normal sword.
This book has some really flashy and artistic balloon hats, with loops, twirls, poodle tails, and other components. They aren't designed to look like 'something' so if you go wrong, it doesn't matter, just make it up. I like that. Also because the hats using basic starting blocks, I can go to a gig, and take for example...
x20 fully inflated balloons.
x20 half inflated balloons.
x20 fully inflated loops.
x20 spirals.
x 10 braids.
and then I can just assemble the balloon hats, in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, without the time of having to blow all the balloons up.
I can do designs from the book, or freestyle my own. At the end of the book, he gives some advice on being creative. I've already come up with three or four of my own designs, that I like a lot. We made a load yesterday at the Manchester meet, and I'll put some photos, on my website, or Facebook page, this week.
Also balloon hats are great, as they keep the model, up in the air, off the floor, so less chance of bursting, and good for environment where kids need to use their hands, playing games, eating in a restaurant, etc...
Finally, I can't stand balloon books that are all line art, especially those ones that have the expanded view of the balloon in a diagrammatic form, how can you 'imagine' what the shape of the balloon must be. Fortunately this balloon is my favourite type, clear step by step photographs throughout.
You get some balloons with it, but they aren't needed, as mine I think had been stored for a while, the 'free' pump is OK to take to meets, as it's a mini size pump.
Overall
Ignore the balloons, and the pump, at £10 this book is excellent value, and like I said, you are supporting this theatre company (charity? not sure), the pictures are clear, plus you get a few sections of people around the world, African tribes and Mongolian nomads with balloon hats on - hilarious. Excellent book, showed it to a few people yesterday, who might have a comment to put below. I recommend it though, to help with your creativity in making balloon hats, and bringing a smile to people's faces.
9/10 - only because I want a sequel!
