Ways to spiff up simple balloon designs?

I've recently started adding wavy strands of ribbon to fairy wings, princess wands, butterflies...basically any girly design. I like the effect so now I'm trying to think of more ways to give simpler balloon designs something extra.

I've read some other suggestions here, like putting sprinkles or glitter into clear balloons, or sticking a glow stick in them.

Are there any other ways to add something different to a balloon?

I try to find a way to make all the standard one balloon designs into a two or three balloon design, if I can.... put the poodle on a leash, the monkey in a tree, the teddy bear holding a heart or flower, give the fish big googly eyes by twisting an underinflated round in half...

I don't personally like putting glitter into balloons because when it pops, it goes everywhere (including possibly into someone's eye or all over mom's carpet).

Oh,but Perry...my face painting glitter is already all over the house by that time.... (but I never thought about the eye factor...now I am going to hve to switch to cosmetic glitter, hehe)

Salt or sugar rattles nicely...and is great for a rattlesnake...

yes well, they don't call me a scaredy clown for nothing.... YOU MIGHT TAKE OUT SOMEONE'S EYE!!!!!!!

Thanks for the suggestion, Perry...and that's a good point about the glitter. I generally hate glitter anyway, so I'm happy to do away with that idea

Anniel, I love the salt/sugar idea for rattlesnakes. Of course, Perry Noia has made me paranoid (perrynoid perhaps?) that I might take out some eyeballs, so I'll have to think about it.

Can you add curling ribbon to balloons? Or would that pop them?
I am in desperate need of simple to make but impressive to look at balloons.

I add curling ribbon all the time, it's one of my favorite little things to add. Looks really nice and I haven't noticed a popping issue.

I'm with Perry. Gently falling glitter is completely different than projectile explosion glitter from a balloon popping. I like to use unusual balloons to spiff up the usual stuff. I find the Super Agates are totally amazing and people love the way the latex looks tie-dyed. I can use them for the turtle or snail shell, in an octopus, or even a mushroom for a lady bug. I also make a princess wand with a double stuffed gold inside a clear star print. Double stuffing is high impact also. I always put the alien head inside a clear for his helmet. It does cost a little extra but the value is definitely there.

15 years and not one's ever brought me an eye I took out...darn, it would've been soo good for Halloween...(But it's a good point probably).

Tamaroshka or anyone else: I would love to see some pictures of the balloons with added riboon. Especially the wands, what a great idea!