Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How to Make a Balloon Sword for the Warriors in Your Life
After having success with my balloon puppy tutorial, I decided to keep trying to make more balloon creations. While I plan to eventually come up with some of my own unique balloon creations, for now, I’m starting with simple balloon sculptures to teach myself and others.
If you didn’t think you needed a balloon sword in your life, I’m here to tell you that you may need it. For this tutorial I’ll show you how to make the balloon sword for the warriors in your life.
The Inspiration: Warrior Mindset
Having a warrior-like mindset (or a Jedi mindset if you are a Star Wars fan) can be helpful when dealing with traumatizing life events and this sword creation came into my life at the exact moment when I needed to create warrior strength. I want to keep fighting for the things I need out of life, like peace, safety and healthy relationships.
When I say “fight”, I truly mean “pursue with focus and intention”. When you do this, you can make great things happen. Read this Cleveland State University article by Nick Saflund, a 2024 CSU Law Student which talks about his lessons from having a warrior mindset.
You can also see my warrior influences in my goddess hair comb tutorial on my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden or below:
Why Make This “For the Warriors in Your Life”?
I know of many people (even myself) dealing with battles in their lives. From losing a loved one, to dealing with health issues, to trying to sell a house that just won’t sell, to so many other life events, it can all feel overwhelming.
While a balloon sword won’t actually help you battle anything really (well, maybe perhaps it could relieve some stress by using it to hit a pillow, lol!), looking at it sitting in your home can spark joy which can help you battle a life event with maybe a little more ease. The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation has some more ideas on how to spark joy in your life.
The blue balloon sword
What Do You Surround Yourself with That Brings You Joy?
I surround myself with good, kind people. People that fill your cup instead of draining it are very helpful in your life! I also surround myself with my fur babies, which always make me smile. My Sanibel Island, Florida home is peaceful and I decorated it accordingly. We went through a devastating hurricane in 2022 and I am thankful to still have a house standing that still feels peaceful despite what it went through.
When I look at my single Million Roses everlasting rose sitting on my vanity, I remember my husband and how he gifted me one (he knows I love flowers and this one has lasted years!) when I was battling a life event. No, the rose doesn’t bring me joy itself, but his sweet gesture sparked a memory of supportive love that we have for each other and I love it.
My Balloon Puppy Tutorial
I’ve given balloon puppy dogs to people’s children and they sparked joy in their life….that’s why I do it. To see a kid’s or adult’s face light up when they are given something they didn’t know they needed is just pure joy to me. Nothing you gift needs to cost a lot and balloon creations are cheap but super cute. See me create the balloon puppy here on my website or on my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
See my 1-minute balloon necklace garland below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
How Long Do the Balloon Creations Last?
Mine got tiny after week 1. When I wake up and see my balloon creations, it just makes me smile. Those little happy moments, especially when you first wake up, can make your whole day better.
How to Make Someone’s Day Better
Try making a balloon creation and leave it on the nightstand next to your sleeping child or grandchild, husband, wife, spouse or roommate. Or give one to a neighbor. If they like these little things, you’ll make their day get off to a great start! You can even use a permanent marker (my kit came with one) to add details.
Balloon swords in Star Wars colors
Now for the tutorial. Here’s what you need:
Balloon animal kit (I used this one from Amazon, by Dan&Darci, which came with instructions, balloons and the pump and it’s a really well thought out “workshop”)
Notes: I tested other balloons (some metallic ones I tried were pretty terrible and I sent them back) too but the ones in my kit were really, really good. Funny thing is that not all balloons are created equal. The ones in my kit were very durable, stretchy and easy to work with. The booklet was pretty good that came with the kit and takes you through many tutorials with codes to watch videos. Also note that practice makes perfect! The first one you create may not be exactly the way you want it, but keep trying!
There are many other kits online and in stores and here’s some to try if you want:
Learn & Climb Balloon Sculpting Kit for Beginners, Amazon, $17
Deluxe Balloon Animal Kit with Web App, Amazon, $20
How to Make Balloon Animals Kit, Walmart, $15
Way to Celebrate! Twist and Shape Party Balloon Kit, Walmart, $4
100 piece Vibrant Balloons Kit, $5, Temu (If you are a new Temu app user, use code afe55197 or my link here for 30% off)
Just need the balloons? Target has them here.
Start by pumping up the balloon with air
See my 1-minute video tutorial for the balloon sword below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
How-To:
Select the balloon color and place it on the pump. I held onto the balloon at the pump tip and pumped air into the balloon. If you don’t hold it on the end, it may fly off when you start pumping.
Pump up your balloon all the way, then let out a tiny bit of air to make sure it stays flexible. Knot the balloon.
Inflate the balloon all the way
By the balloon knot, make a “bubble” that is around 1 1/4 inches in length. You basically pinch the balloon where you want to make the bubble, twist it around 3 times to make a “knot” BUT HOLD THE BUBBLE in your hands while you make the next bubble to make sure it stays twisted.
The first “bubble”
Make a loop of about 10 inches (large enough to put your hand through it) and twist with the bubble twist (it’ll look like a tiny head with a big ear from the side).
Swing the long end of the balloon (the sword) through the loop, which makes it become the handle with the sword sticking out the other end.
The second loop is for sliding the sword end through
Use your hands to gently twist on the sword portion to straighten it. This sounds terrible (so much squeaking!) but it works.
Straightening the sword
Lastly, you can tuck the tiny bubble in between the sword handle to make the knot not visible.
As I said above, the balloon will deflate about 50% in the first week, so your sword will gradually get smaller.
The completed sword
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Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.