Hot air balloon prop

**divinedragon7** · 08-14-2009,11:26 AM

well this is my first how to post here, i hope it help everyone out. I got the idea last christmas when i saw something like this in a neighbors tree, except with christmas colors and such. i knew right away i wanted to make one for halloween and this was the perfect chance.

I started with a plastic caldron to use as a base. I covered it with tin foil so that the paper machie won’t stick to it.

Once I have several layers on I cut it in two, peeled it off then tapped it back together

Here you can see it next to the original. I added more layers on the inside and covered the outside seam as well.

While I let it dry I got to work on the basket. It’ll be connected to the balloon by four chains. The chain hooks on to the basket by a nail. I just bent them into a U shape and slide them in between wicker of the basket. They’re held in place by some gorilla glue.

The chain I got at stator brothers, it was a twelve foot dog chain they had on sale for two dollars. I measured out the link and cut it into four equal lengths, getting rid of the clip ends which I didn’t use.

**divinedragon7** · 08-14-2009,11:27 AM

Once the balloon was dry I cut out a small hole in the bottom, which will become the top for the wire to come out of. I also added a layer of my paper clay along the inside to help distribute the weight better. Right along the top edge was also a small amount of the paper clay to make the metal brace. I didn’t worry about getting it even, gave it a more distressed look being crooked.

Here the part I cut out so you can see how thick it is.

Here a picture of my balloonist, he’s one of my favorite little props.

After a quick black paint job I started adding the rust effect along with some fake bolts to make it look better.

As long as I was painting I figured I’d add this to help break up the solid black of the balloon.

Here you can see the cross support I put inside the balloon to help hold it up on the string I used. I used 50 pound breaking point fishing line and doubled it up so even under high winds it should stay up.

Then I just slipped it inside the balloon and hung it from a tree. I didn’t have what I needed to do what I had planned to hang it so I had to get creative. I took the fishing line and stuck it through a chain I had wrapped around the branch then stuck another piece of wood through it to hold it in place. I’m sure someone reading this will instantly know a better way to do this.

**divinedragon7** · 08-14-2009,11:28 AM

And here are the other pictures of it hanging and swaying in the wind. Its looks great as it gets dark out.

**evildrbug** · 08-14-2009,12:26 PM

I like!!!! What about maybe putting a battery-powered red LED up inside the "balloon" to illuminate the "balloonist" (cauldronist?)and the basket? In any case, it's VERY cool!