I’ve been having so much fun with balloons lately…they’re so festive, inexpensive, and perfect for more than just birthday parties! While preparing for some Cinco De Mayo merry making, I created a colorful, hanging balloon centerpiece for our little celebration. And though May 5th is a week away, I wanted to share this decoration now since a whimsical balloon chandelier could work for any event! It’s really easy to assemble and will last for days…maybe even weeks…so you can make it ahead and check one thing off the party to-do list! So if you’ve got an occasion that could use some easy festivity…take a peek at how simple it can be to make
a colorful & festive chandelier…
i’ve always wanted to celebrate Cinco De Mayo but it seems like there’s so much going on in the beginning of May that i never find the time! it’s so disappointing too because it’s such a colorful and festive occasion…and who doesn’t like a little Mexican food? a little research taught me that Cinco De Mayo is a celebration of Mexico’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862…not Mexico’s Independence Day which is on September 16. it’s fun to actually understand what celebrations are about…somehow giving permission to participate even though this holiday isn’t part of my family’s historical roots! something with so much flair is just too hard to resist…so this year i’m making the time! today i want to share this colorful balloon “chandelier” that i’m making for my mini party on the 5th. all you need to get started is a hoop and twine! my ring is actually a bridal headband…i love working with these because they’re cute, not too big, and they’re light.
and since my chandelier will be for Cinco De Mayo, i found these fiesta leis at Party City to use in my design. at 99 cents for a 3-pack…i can get creative and not worry about mistakes!
i simply tied 2 equal pieces of twine to the hoop so that i can hang it over a table. then i cut one of the leis and loosely wrapped the hoop, securing the ends with a dot of hot glue. this will make the framework of the chandelier…
now for the whimsy…balloons! just partially blow up the balloon colors of your choice. keeping them smaller will allow you to put more on a little hoop.
tie a small piece of twine to the knot of the balloon. this is what will hold it to the hoop so make it long enough that you can tie it–then cut the strands off afterward!
it’s SO much easier if you can hang the hoop while tying on the little balloons!! i temporarily hung mine from the light in my sun room…and don’t worry–it’ll look all wonky until you get the balloons evenly placed!
you can add as few or as many as the ring will hold. i wanted this one to look pretty full so i used 8. and once i got them all tied on, i used some short pieces of the remaining leis to twist around the hoop. i didn’t even use more glue…the ring of balloons hold the pieces tight without additional securing! and it’s okay if they aren’t perfect…it’s supposed to be whimsical!
i’m loving the way some balloons hang low and some almost project straight from the ring! it’s so whimsical and fun! if you’re feeling ambitious, you could make a much larger one…how cute it might be on a hula hoop!
i can’t wait to use it for part of my Cinco De Mayo decorations! now, where will i put it…
happy, fun, colorful…balloon chandelier!
check in next week…i’ll share more DIY projects leading up to the little fiesta!