Balloon Chat
Uncategorized Boards => Balloon Chit Chat => Topic started by: Popsie on March 08, 2009, 09:20:31 PM
I know twisters are now saying that twisting has become an art form, but did anyone have any other art related jobs in a former life?
When i was at school, I always wanted to be an artist, but got rejected from Art College for not having a big enough portfolio. So I became a draughtsman, mainly working for architects. During the last recession of the early ninties, I was out of work and so bummed around doing a number of art related work. I was a tattooist and worked for Jock of Kings Cross, I painted murals and paint effects in houses and even got involved with English folk art, painting the traditional roses that you see on the old canal boats.
It was when the draughting worked moved to computers that I became interested in web design, then had a part time business screen printing and air brushing clothing.
However, balloons have so far been the most enjoyable, and business terms (remember I am part time) there are no overheads, just a stock of balloons.
So what is your background and do you consider yourself an artist?
Well in my life before children I was training to become a solicitor :shock: I got my degree (2:1 LLB (Hons)) and started the post grad course (LPC) I needed to qualify but dropped out to get married. I then started doing ILEX (Legal Executive) completed it and lost all enthusiasm for it.
So when my daughter was about 1 I saw a face painting course advertised and thought it sounded fun and perhaps I could do that for Rachel's parties when she got a little older.
Well for someone that was rubbish at art at school I soon took to face painting and quickly started my own business once my Son was born. Then trying to get over my fear of popping balloons and wanting to expand my business I stumbled onto balloons.
Have to say I am so much happier now than I ever was working in an office with loads of stuffed shirts!
I'm a legal advisor by day for the transport industry which can be a bit dry.
My job involves quite a bit of public speaking too and my performance experience comes in useful there although the subjects are usually quite serious I always put a little humour in to my presentation which seems to work because I usually get good feedback.
Art / Arts wise I do paint - although I'm not brilliant - I'll put a couple of pictures up later. I've also acted in a few things including pantomime which is huge fun, I do a radio show every week and I love to write, I've done a few scripts for sketches and some short stories.
I love the ballooning because you get to perform a little whilst you produce something that amazes and puts a smile on peoples faces, balloons are highly portable and comparatively low cost too.
I love doing magic for similar reasons, I'm not a sleight of hand merchant - I'm far too clumsy for that so I do some simple card stuff and mental magic, I did some on a cruise ship both at our dinner table and on a passenger talent night and got really good reactions so I wouldn't mind pushing that out a little more than I currently do
I was a Police Officer for 11 years then Benefit Fraud Inspector then got into social housing (Anti Social Behaviour and all that) Did a degree in Neighbourhood Management/ Housing Studies and am Corporate member of Chartered Institute of Housing.
(//http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/fairby24/DSC03205.jpg)
Me and MrsFairby on graduation day 2007
The good thing is though I get to do alot of twisting at work as they are always having events for one thing or another, open days, and as we have alot of sheltered schemes i go in and do a bit for 'the old dears' and as such am building up confidence and knowledge to twist more.
I have always done a little bit of magic but Art wise Im ok (I have an 'O' level in it!!!)
I started doing a bit of face painting and balloons for my kids parties too. (I have 3 under 6).
I had given up work to look after my son but then the other two came along quite quickly! :lol:
I have a 2.1 degree in biochemistry and was working for a manufacturing company who make medical diagnostic kits. It wasn't very exciting so I didn't mind leaving.
I don't have an artistic background but I was ok at art in school but never took it further as I was going down the science route.
I LOVE doing this now. Much better job satisfaction! I'm steadily improving my face painting and my twisting, thanks to you guys here! :D
Glenda
I've never done anything art related prior to now, except the required basic art classes when I was in school.
Actually, before my daughter was born, I was a gravel hauler (drove end dump & belly dump tractor trailers). When my daughter was born, I stayed at home for awhile, then got a job at a convenience store, and took her to work with me. When she started school, I volunteered in her classrooms each year, which led to my becoming the school Librarian. I did that for a couple of years, but it took up too much of my time, so I quit and started working part-time as a school bus monitor on a preschool bus. I've always liked working with kids, and always liked doing craft projects.
It wasn't my intention at the time, but learning how to do balloons was a great combination of both for me, now this is all I do.
I used to work in the Logistics dept in the automotive industry making safety restraints. I travelled around Europe helping sister plants with their stock turnovers etc. Gained a diploma in BPICS (now MIOM). Family life meant it was too much of a strain being away too often so took redundancy to spend more time at home. With the magic and twisting job now it fits in perfectly well. I also got an 'O' level in art at school.
Kev
when i left school I wanted to be a clown but my dad told me stop being silly so I was a painter with him then was a guard working nights then I was in the job center for a bit the went and did alarms and cctv then was a bailiff for NTL then was the balloon twister and now going to be a bingo caller
I was going to be a clown but then decided against it - it was funny hours!!!!!
Cowboy
Bartender
Hired Gun
Graphic Artist
Industrial Printer
Only two jobs that paid good was bartender and killing people. The bar tending is lousy hours
Quote from: "cashmagic"when i left school I wanted to be a clown but my dad told me stop being silly so I was a painter with him then was a guard working nights then I was in the job center for a bit the went and did alarms and cctv then was a bailiff for NTL then was the balloon twister and now going to be a bingo caller
you got your wish ....
I started cleaning houses when I was 12 years old. I got a job as a dishwasher in a nursing home when I was 15. When I turned 16 I started working at a Roller Skating rink in the snack bar. I left home at 16 and tried working for a circus. My parents made me go back to school. Then at 17 I was a drug dealer for awhile and got put in a drug re-hab. When I got out, I started working in a bar(although I was under-age to do that)as a waitress. I also worked at as waitress at a Pizza Parlor.
Around that same time I discovered balloons and started my own business doing decor and balloon deliveries. People kept asking me to do strip-o-grams, so I started doing bikini grams at 17 years old too.
When I turned 22, my husband challenged me to try to hold a "real job" for a year. I took a job at a bank and got promoted 3 times in a year. I did various things there with customer service and 10-Key operating. I also got pregnant with Dustin and quit as soon as my year was up.
I ran my delivery business and did some decor along with being a clown, balloon twister and check artist the whole time I worked at the bank. Oh, and I did children's magic shows.
I went back to work as a children's entertainer when Dustin was 2 days old. I was mouth inflating back then, and after that day, I decided I wanted a pump!!!!!
After Alayna was born in 1991, I actually was kind-of bored with balloons and kids parties. In 1992 some of my other friends who worked at different talent agencies thought I should become a stripper. So when I was 25 and Alayna was 6 months old, I started dancing at private parties. The money was incredible. I hated it though, and my husband didn't like me doing it. (That is probably why I did do it for 6 months, just to piss him off! LOL)
Sometime in 1992 I worked at Hooters for about 2 months as a waitress. I didn't like it at all.
In 1992 I moved to Germany. When we got there, Rob told me he didn't want me to work at all. He wanted me to stay home and be a mommy. I decided I would, and it was the best thing in the world for me. I basicly only did balloons/magic/face painting as a hobby and for the kids in orphanges occasionally.
In 1996 Dustin told his teacher I did magic and could do a show for his class. Before I knew it, the school had decided I would do a show for the school. I started doing educational magic shows for the next few years.
I finally started doing balloons as my main job in 2005 after my husband quit his job and I had no choice but to do something to support the family. (Dancing was no longer an option!LOL)
I am very happy doing balloons, but I want to start doing more magic again. Boy, I just gave you all a lot of personal information!LOL
Simply Shonna
Quote from: "Simply Shonna"I did various things there with customer service and 10-Key operating. I also got pregnant with Dustin and quit as soon as my year was up.
Boy, I just gave you all a lot of personal information!LOL
Simply Shonna
Shonna,
Blimey that bank took customer satisfaction to a new level :D :lol: :lol:
You did give away a lot of personal info but it did make for an interesting read, and you can get up off the couch now if you like :lol:
Quote from: "Bad to the Balloon"Cowboy
Bartender
Hired Gun
Graphic Artist
Industrial Printer
Only two jobs that paid good was bartender and killing people. The bar tending is lousy hours
This is the most interesting CV so far, hehehe only in America!!!
Thanks everyone for sharing, like Graham said, it has been very interesting and never knew how varied your backgrounds would be. Again, it is nice to see so many of you from different backgrounds all coming together in the world of balloons.
It has only been in the last year or two that I could comfortably refer to myself as "an artist" even though art has always played a large role in my life.
I won my first award for art in the 1st grade (Got a check for $1, which I still have! :lol: ) I've done so many different kinds of crafting that it would take pages just to list them all. I'm a seamstress (can make every thing from stuffed animals to wedding dresses), still quilt from time to time, still make beaded jewelry, and miss that I can no longer crochet (used to make doilies and baby blankets). I really enjoy all aspects of woodworking, everything from carving wood to just making cabinets.
I taught myself to paint about 10 years ago. Before then all my drawings were done in pencil. After learning to paint, I kept a booth in a store where I sold my paintings and crafts. That lasted about a year before burnout took over. I've been hired to paint large advertising signs and murals. Oh, and I can do face painting too. If you want to see some of the murals I've painted just follow this link: http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/db/comp ... p?id=60759 (http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/db/complete.php?id=60759)
I can do computer graphics and from time to time get hired to use those skills to make business cards, flyers, and restaurant menus (food menus not balloon ones. lol)
Balloons however are the true love of my life. I never get tired of twisting them, creating with them, or working with them... and once in a while when I look at something I've created I think "Now this is art!"
Enjoy the pics.
Bonnie, The Balloon Lady
Bonnie, I absolutely love your paintings. You are definately an all around artist. Most people find only one, or maybe two mediums that they are truely good at. You have been blessed with so many. I am very lucky that you are my friend.
btw... I want to be like you when I grow up...lol.
Bonnie, that's amazing,....whish I could paint like that!
I was a nurse and still am, working on a childres ward now.
Balooning is just extra for me.
I always said that I was the only not creative person in the family. My mother and sister were always making cards, knitting, sewing....and other stuff. I did nothing.
Now I'm making balloons and I love it, finely I think that I can be creative also!
When I show something new to my famely, they always refer to the words I always said about not being creative. Now I know, I just didn't found the right thing for me, and now I have.
Petra
Quote from: "Bonnie"I've been hired to paint large advertising signs and murals.
Bonnie, love the murals. I think I enjoyed do murals best, as the scale of them just realing brings them to life, photos don't always do them justice.
Quote from: "Petra"When I show something new to my famely, they always refer to the words I always said about not being creative. Now I know, I just didn't found the right thing for me, and now I have.
It is amazing to think how many people are talented artists, but never use it, as they have a "normal" job or never been encouraged to let it out.
When I left school I went strait to work for the bakery that I had been working for at weekends and after school. It was a very traditional small family owned business. (Worked from 11pm till 12 midday yes 13 hours a day 6 days a week and 15mins for breakfast did get to go to college and it was a proper apprenticeship) I was largely on the bread side at first but moved on to confectionery. I have made wedding cakes birthday cakes and all sorts of other cakes. (Thinking of starting from home after seeing this //http://www.thecakestore.co.uk/acatalog/Strawberry_Chocolate_Cupcake_Tower.html could be a nice add on for parties) may be Graham would like to order one for the next Care & share I will nock a £10 of the price ;) :D :D :D
Had enough of the hours walked out got a job working for Dixons plc delivering white goods, then got an internal transfer to work as a service engineer went to college got a electronics qualification, went on to work for Commodore UK then a merchant bank for 14 years then Reuters news agency.
And now the best job working with balloons.
The most creative part was the cakes and I did enjoy it.
Before we took up Balloon Twisting we would tell everyone we where not Artistic in any way shape or form: Then later followed Balloon Decor and Sculptures - now we can no longer deny the artistic and creative talent we have:
Before all this took place - My last full time Job was a Company Management Accountant by after taking my accountancy exams and working up the ranks in the accounts offices from clerk for various companies over the years ( including being company cashier for Amstrad Computers and Sir Allan Sugar in Brentwood) - My last boss in Tamworth when we started entertaining as a business took great delight in commenting a 'Clown' was doing his books, My answer doesnt everyone have one, after informing him we where not clowns.
Paul was in a similar position as Export Sales Manager of used Equipment for Clark Equipment Fork Lift Trucks: He starting many years before as the sales office junior, worked through the ranks of sales office to manager and beyond - most of this time he also ran a part time Mobile Disco - which he loved and excelled at being an entertainer with music - something we still do.
When made redundant he decided he would try and make it a full time job, then we added twisting, then decor, then sculptures, now after taking teaching qualifications has become a NABAS approved teacher, teaching the balloon art to others. Whats next???
Although not earning anything like we used to earn - we are enjoying every minute, which makes all the difference to life and ARTISTIC - of course we are we cannot deny it.
Pam
Their not particularly good pictures of the pictures :roll: but, as promised, here's a couple of my paintings
I signed up for the navy before I left School, but had a 6 monmth wait before i got in so I worked at a local builders merchant, I then did 23 years as a stoker in the royal leaving with the rank of Petty Officer.
I started children's entertaing 7 years before I left, which worked out perfeectly as I had a good customer database and went full time as soon as I came out the mob.
As I allays say if you can handle drunken satokers, kids are easy.
With you on that one Clive and loving the art work pictures being posted - well done you artistic ones
Pam
*wonders how many drunken stokers Pam has handled* :D :D
I share a common profession with Roger in that I too made celebration cakes.
At first, I worked for a bakery but after one year I got made redundant. I set up on my own as "Iced Delights wedding and celebration cakes" in 1986. I was just a one woman band working from home and did this for 19 years. I finally gave up after the balloon twisting entered my life and gave me a creative outlet that got me out and about rather than stuck indoors. I enjoyed the cakes for many years but the time was right for a change. I finally hung up my icing nozzles in 2005. I sold all my equipment on Ebay as I was sure that I never wanted to make another cake again! Also as I knew they would, former customers and friends kept pleading with me to make "just one" for them. With no equipment, I could have no problem in saying no. I can honestly say that I have not missed making the cakes at all. I still get enquiries for cake orders from former customers and others. I am still listed on some websites that I never gave permission to be on in the first place. (I have tried to track these down and get the listing removed without success ). If you set up doing cakes Roger, shall I pass these enquires on to you?!!!
I will see if I can find some photos of a couple of cakes.
Twistina
Have you seen Ace of cakes? wow the work they do.
I have and it is awesome. Whenever I watch that I want to go and bake but mine are nowhere near presentable let alone that standard :roll:
I have never seen Ace of Cakes. Is it on cable/satelite? I only have freeview. :(
The cakes were incredibly time consuming especially the ones with hand made sugar flowers as here. The marzipan people also are very labour intensive! I would get a description or photograph of the guests so that they were characatures.
Twistina
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wow - they are amazing!
Here's a link http://www.foodnetwork.com/ace-of-cakes/index.html (http://www.foodnetwork.com/ace-of-cakes/index.html)
But you cakes are fantastic.
Twistina,
Your cakes are stunning! I can see why you are still getting calls from previous customers! Love the humor in the second cake (kids peeking out from under the table.)
Smiggle, love the balance of colors in your first painting. What kind of paint did you use if you don't mind be asking?
Bonnie, The Balloon Lady
Smiggle, those are beautiful pictures. I wish I had that kind of talent also.
The cakes are just amazing! I've never seen anything quite like them.
Amazing what you can do with a little frosting huh? :lol:
Bonnie
Both of those paintings are water colours - I Like using them but I seem to be using acrylics more these days although I haven't had much time to paint recently
Ian
sorry Clive - quick explanation - May have been soft accountant but born on the docklands in Liverpool 8 -Uncles and other members of the family where either Dockers or mechant seamen (Mum was one of 16 kids) and Yes Grandad was Irish.
Pam
Quote from: "Pam Pearce"sorry Clive - quick explanation - May have been soft accountant but born on the docklands in Liverpool 8 -Uncles and other members of the family where either Dockers or mechant seamen (Mum was one of 16 kids) and Yes Grandad was Irish.
Pam
a fellow scouser !!!!! :D 8-)