Neil (Fairby) 23/29th Nov

Started by Graham Lee, November 15, 2009, 11:33:20 PM

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Graham Lee

Neil has kindly volunteered to answer any questions you may have, I met Neil and his lovely other half Carol at one of the care and share days only a little while ago, he is very enthusiastic and Lyn and Carol got on like a house on fire due to their passion for card making.

I'm not sure if Neil has a website?
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Graham Lee

#1
Neil, Can I ask how you stop someone that is mad on crafting buying things on craft day from qvc.
Any help appreciated  ;)
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

fairby

#2
Quote from: "Graham Lee"Neil, Can I ask how you stop someone that is mad on crafting buying things on craft day from qvc.
Any help appreciated  ;)
Take them out for the day and let them record QVC so when you get home the items have sold out.  :D

Professor T Wist

#3
Quote from: "fairby"
Quote from: "Graham Lee"Neil, Can I ask how you stop someone that is mad on crafting buying things on craft day from qvc.
Any help appreciated  ;)
Take them out for the day and let them record QVC so when you get home the items have sold out.  :D


Fantastic piece of advice, now all I have to do is make sure I take my wife out on those days and forget to record it so she doesn't know what she missed  :D
Yes my wife is onto card making and crafting and QVC is the first channel to be assigned as a favourite when new things set up  :o

fairby

#4
1, What road led you into balloon modelling?

A long long time ago in a galaxy far far away  
My older brother, it's a long story but here we go. We went through a phase of buying each other unusual presents for Christmas and birthdays so that we could learn some extra skills. (Prior to that I think we exchanged the same Lynx Amazon gift set about 5 times) So after learning to play the Harmonica, a bit of juggling, Diablo, speaking Spanish, playing the guitar, magic tricks, and twisting a few basic balloon animals I suddenly became more confident in taking on challenges and if you listened to me playing the guitar that's a challenge in itself!!!
I made him do a plumbing course, keep chickens, do a stand up routine at a comedy club (although he has got me back on that one) and be a Father Christmas for charity. (He is a police inspector)

2, When did you get started with balloons?
About 8 years ago

3, What's your best twisting experience?
At a wedding anniversary I was twisting away, a little girl called Mia (she was about 7yrs) sat there and watched me for ages then said can she have a go. She then blew a balloon up (I was using a pump) tied it and then made a 'doggie', she was then co-opted to be my helper and she was taking orders and delivering them to other tables. I then saw at the end of the night that she had stashed about 20 models for herself to take home. (Typical scouser starting young)

4, What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you during a ballooning/entertaining session?
I was doing an event in a marquee and I suffered terribly with 'extreme poppage' I looked as though I did not know what I was doing and the more they popped the more frustrating it became. Having read on balloonchat all the theories I'm putting it down to damp warm air!!!!

5, What do you most enjoy about twisting & why?
Simple. It makes me feel good. Its such a basic thing a Balloon yet it conjours up childhood memories, makes people laugh, lets your artistic juices flow and its only limited by imagination.

6, What's your favourite age to entertain?
Adults

7, Do you have the same act but vary the presentation for all ages or do you have set acts for different ages?
I don't have act as such but have an array of tales, jokes and ways to interact with the audience.

8, What's your favourite thing to make at the moment?
From Don Caldwell Mad Hatz DVD, monkey in palm tree, it just looks good.

9, What is the most asked for model?
The bigger stuff, so I learned very quickly start small and then if you have time do the bigger more complicated stuff.

fairby

#5
10, What do you tend to do more of if stuck in the 'balloon production line' model?
Did a Halloween party and was told there was going to be about 50 kids there, so 3 hours, a few minutes per balloon, easy I thought. 200 turned up so I got into quick mode, doing ghosts floating on ectoplasm (er that's ghost on a clear 260), flying draculas, (er that's a Dracula on a clear 260)

11, Who is your market aimed at?
Varied

12, What kind of work do you do mostly - parties? Corporate? Etc
I've been very fortunate as I've done a lot for my employer. They are always having open days, events for the community so I get roped into that.(Great for confidence building, trying new things, and doing it works time) I did an impromptu team building event (Courtesy of what I learned on Danny's performance day) and have done over 30 of them since throughout the company.

13, What is your favourite/ideal gig to do?
Because I've not done hundreds of gigs its hard to say, however I do like table hopping at weddings/anniversaries when the formula of loads of adults, some kids and plenty of alcohol seems to work for me.

14, What irritates you most at a gig?
Greedy Parents !!!!!!!.  Who will stand there and say this balloon for my daughter, this for my son, this one for cousin, and 4 for the grandkids, when you know that they have one kid.

15, How do you book yourself?
Don't know how ethical it is but I've been to many pubs with my balloons and just started twisting, a few biggies for the bar staff, loads of balloons given out to customers who in turn buy me and my wife a few drinks, I then whack them with business cards and all the spiel. I've had quite a few bookings like that. The advantage for me is that I am practising in a live situation, people can see what I actually do, and either like me or don't like me.

16, What's the biggest thing you've ever made?
Not really made any big showy pieces as I've not had the opportunity.

17, What has been your proudest achievement in our wonderful world of twisted latex?
Went to Paris for a week with my balloons and didn't buy a drink. Plus sat on the steps of Sacre Coere for 4 nights twisting away with the locals.




fairby

#6
18, What advice would you give to someone starting out, or wanting to increase their business?
Practice and do what works for you as we are all different.
19, What road in latex do you see yourself taking in the future
Would love to go full time but it's a massive step from regular paid employment to Balloon artist. Although watch this space.

20, What is your personal goal when you set off to work? Is it money or to entertain etc?
Definitely Entertain.

21, What are your balloon goals for the future?
To learn more, to share more and to laugh even more.

22, If you could start all over again, would you change anything?
Start earlier cos I feel as though I have missed out.

23, How would you like the future of balloon modelling to develop?
For organisations and people to appreciate the Art-form more and to pay what we are truly worth.

24, Who's the most famous person you have made a balloon creation for?
Sir Jackie Stewart but not got a photo argghhhhhh.

25, How do you keep the enthusiasm going & what still excites you about our great world of latex
I want to learn and am dedicated to learning. I like most of the people I twist for and no two situations are ever the same. You have to be on the ball.

26, What inspires or is your thought process in coming up with a new design
Not got to that stage of looking at a balloon and turning it into a NEW design.

27, Who would you like to work with dead or alive?
Tommy Cooper

28, What makes you laugh?
Bank statements and Evertons defence.

Dave

#7
I like your answer for 15. how do you book yourself, i have worked in pubs and night clubs but never thought about marketing there
A load of hot air
http://www.davehickory.co.uk

Graham Lee

#8
Thanks Neil, now we will have to try and come up with a few more questions.
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk

Professor T Wist

#9
Hi Neil, I would ask who you would most like to make a model for and why (past or present) and what would you make them?

Krazy Kev

#10
Fab answers! especially the one about Everton's defence! (and that's coming from a Sunderland supporter??)

fairby

#11
Quote from: "Professor T Wist"Hi Neil, I would ask who you would most like to make a model for and why (past or present) and what would you make them?

I would of loved Tommy cooper to do a bit of balloon twisting, that would of been fun. (he probably did but I have not seen any clips)

As for making a balloon model, the Queen would look good in a balloon crown. It would certainly been in the papers.
 :D