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Balloony News, Issue #004 - Ready for Your Masterpiece, the Column?
October 22, 2006

All Things Balloon - Fresh Ideas for Young & Old


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Issue #004, Oktober 2006

Table of Contents
  1. What's new on our Web-Site: 'How to Make a Balloon Column' and 'Sourcing Good Value Party Decorations Online'
  2. Weird & Wonderful News from the 'World of Balloons'
  3. Tip of the Month
  4. Must Remember Dates

Hi,

We finally did it and proudly present a Spiral Balloon Column as our newly added design.

Please enjoy ... and, as always, your feedback is most welcome. Just reply to this e-zine and let us know your comments, suggestions or requests. We'd love to hear from you!

1. What's new on our Web-Site: 'How to Make a Balloon Column' and 'Sourcing Good Value Party Decorations Online'

True, it's not a piece of cake, to make a Balloon Column, but with our step-by-step instructions you'll soon be looking at your very first masterpiece. Please see for yourself: 'Spiral Balloon Column'

Maybe you're like us and just can't hear the word any more ... but, no matter what, HALLOWEEN is a mere week away. So, in case you're in need for some last minute decorations or costumes to keep your little ones happy, we've found two online party suppliers for you that have a reliable and fast service.

Finding good value party suppliers can be time consuming, so we thought it might be a good idea to share our experiences with you and feature a few online resources which offer good value for money and have a friendly, professional service.

The shops and products we're going to show will vary according to the season, so make sure you stop by often. And, if YOU happen to know a great online shop for balloons, party decorations or costumes, please let us know.



2. Weird & Wonderful News from the 'World of Balloons'

So far we've covered quite some facts about latex balloons, but what about foil balloons?

Their history is much shorter than the latex balloons, as they were first developed for the New York City ballet in the late 1970s. These silver metalized balloons, often referred to as "Mylar" balloons, are almost always made from sandwiched sheets of plastic (polyethelene) and nylon that are then coated with aluminum.

That's why the balloon industry prefers to call them "foil" balloons. Their production costs are much higher than for latex balloons. And despite the fact, that their molecular structure is much "tighter" than stretched latex, even foil balloons will eventually lose the helium through the inflation seal and go saggy and flat.

Another big difference to latex balloons is, that foil balloons are not biodegradable, as they contain aluminium. But that's not the only reason why they should NEVER be released outdoors. Because of their metal ingredients they conduct electricity. That means, if they got entangled with power lines they could cause commercial power outages.



3. Tip of the Month

If you're buying balloons for decorating, don't be tempted to use cheap balloons. The money invested in a high quality product is well worth it in the long run. Not only will you get balloons that are free from defects and will not appear mis-shapen when you inflate them, but also the higher quality latex will ensure that they hold air or helium considerably longer.

Personally we recommend using a high quality brand, such as 'Qualatex'.



4. Must Remember Dates

Well, we certainly do not have to remind you of the 31st of October ;-) But did you know that this day is also the 'National Magic Day' in memory of the great escapiologist Houdini!

And the 1st of November is the day to remember, not only All Saints, but all people that we knew and that are not amongst us anymore.

For our readers living in the UK or New Zealand, the 5th of November might be even more important than Halloween, as it is 'Guy Fawkes Night'. Guy Fawkes was the most famous amongst a group of Catholic conspirators, who attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London on the evening of 5th of November 1605, when the Protestant King James I (James VI of Scotland) was within its walls.

The Gunpowder Plot failed, but the memory stayed alive until today and is celebrated with firework displays and huge bonfires.

Happy & safe celebrations for you! See you next month!

Margit & John


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