See below for discussion on Inflatables

See below for discussion on inflatables

See below for discussion on inflatables

See below for discussion on inflatables

One economist said that the reset button was pushed on stocks and housing, which pretty much explains it. It is a major setback for those who don't have time before retirement to reclaim the losses. I had a sister and brother in law who lost jobs they had held for 15 years or more. The hard part is the replacement of income.

During the last "near recession" the local supplier for inflatable jump houses advertised for a driver to deliver the inflatables. After 50 resumes came in right away he pulled the ad. He couldn't believe the number of people willing to do the part time work.

Now here's an idea. Inflatable houses for homeless people hit by this economy. The tubes of air would provide insulation. It's probably being done. If they made them they would need all 50 drivers just to support the deliveries....instead they pull the ad. Think different.

I'm glad you are paying attention and noticed the colors.
Ax

Sounds like a lot of hot air.

They are not as colorful as I would make them, but...

http://www.inhabitat.com/2006/05/19/prefab-friday-inflate-at-mobile-living/

You got me, Steve! I thought you were being a wind bag as you spoke of inflatable homes. Folks, you better get one now before inflation goes up!

I once considered having an inflatable backdrop made. Wouldn't that be great! Roll it in and plug it in and POOF! Instant semi 3-D scenery! For my winter shows I often bring a giant Frosty the Snowman (8 feet tall) with two little snowmen. The kids get their photo taken after the show in front of the inflatables. Inflatables are a quick way to fill a stage but themes are limited.

What will the neighbors say when you tell them you just blew up your new house?

Gazoonheit?

The skating rink/hockey stadium in Sidney, MT was an inflatable building until '96 when the severe winds finally brought it down and they built a real structure.

Now that you mention it, there is a large structure in Anchorage that is used to create indoor soccer.

Getting back to Axtell products, I must say that I love the inflatable beach ball idea for the bear, snowman, and I assume the ostrich. Why? I can keep my bear inflated while using him at home, but when I fly somewhere I don't have to pay as much excess baggage fee. I'm thinking about taking my kangaroo to a seamstress to have her stomach stuffing replaced (I started to say "to rip her guts out" but decided that might offend some readers) with an inflatable beach ball.

Good job Tony...saving the thread with forum targeted content. I was just about to delete the thread. Good save.

We can't claim originality with the beach ball belly. Maher had a large bird puppet that had a beach ball in the belly.

Other puppet related inflatables??

My mother used to tie inflated polybags to use as shipping box fillers with our puppets back when she helped us shipping in the 70s.

Remember the Lovik "Balloon Clown" puppet back in the late 80s? It had a pole you tied a balloon to, and it inflated into a head with a moving mouth inside. We used to sell it.

Another one... we are hopefully going to be building 18 foot tall African animal puppets for the 2010 FIFA World Cup (soccer) in Durban South Africa. If we get the job, the main body and leg sections will be inflatables.... tehy will include jointed arms and legs puppetted by a team with poles, and some remote control elements like blinking eyes and swishing tails.

Then there are the balloon twisters who can twist balloons into a hand puppet with a moving mouth.


Ax

Ax, you might considr a three-piece snowman (using three different sizes of inflatable balls) and connected by velcro... that way, the vent could "build" a snowman before starting a routine.

Yes we discussed this earlier in the year... something to consider!

Ax

You could also make the eyes, nose, mouth, etc attach by velcro so a vent could basically start rolling "snowballs" on to the set and build a snowman before the audience's very eyes.