Is this the interview Graham? Only a relative newby to balloons ...
1, What road led you into balloon modelling?
It's my son's fault ... we went to a facepainting/balloon jam. My son took to it like a duck to water and we started to learn more and more models. He's not so interested anymore, but I still twist sometimes.
2, when did you get started with balloons?
About 3 years ago at a facepainting/balloon jam at Pinkmich's house!
3, What's your best twisting experience?
I don't have one yet, I still get the jitters when I'm asked to do balloons ...
4, What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you during a ballooning/entertaining session?
The worst thing is still grabby children....my balloon apron is going to have to be retired as having them all on display at their eye level is just too tempting for them.
5, What do you most enjoy about twisting & why?
I always love the smiles and the way kids (and adults) are just so fascinated by the process of transforming a bit of latex into something special.
6, What's your favourite age to entertain?
Any age...don't have a preference, the little ones are quite funny tho
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 an act, mostly I face paint and balloons are an add on for a smaller party, so I mostly just chat to the children while twisting. If I had an act it would need modifying for different age groups.
8, What's your favourite thing to make at the moment?
Thelma's Penguin!
9, What is the most asked for model?
Sword/dog .... It's nice to surprise them with something different
10, What do you tend to do more of if stuck in the 'balloon production line' model?
I find a kid who looks like they don't have their mind made up and twist something different to the production line... makes the rest want that instead. To be honest though, my balloon modelling is not terribly advanced yet so I'm still comfortable producing the same thing over and over. Perhaps it's time to get out of the comfort zone and extend the skills a little!
I did a job once which was all cows...cow after cow after cow after cow .... Was pleased to finish that one.
11, Who is your market aimed at?
I usually offer balloons as an add on to a face painting party so I mostly twist for children.
12, What kind of work do you do mostly - parties? Corporate? Etc
Balloon work is usually at a party
13, What is your favourite/ideal gig to do?
Don't know yet.
14, What irritates you most at a gig?
Pushy children and grownups ....
15, How do you book yourself?
Website/telephone
16, What's the biggest thing you've ever made?
A ride in helicopter at a care and share day
17, What has been your proudest achievement in our wonderful world of twisted latex?
I made a duck riding a motorbike for a friend... the expression on his face was priceless
18, What advice would you give to someone starting out, or wanting to increase their business?
Practice as much as you can, talk/network with others in the field and keep practicing!
19, What road in latex do you see yourself taking in the future
I'm not sure, probably still parties and the odd corporate event
20, What is your personal goal when you set off to work? Is it money or to entertain etc?
To have fun, the money helps...
21, What are your balloon goals for the future?
I'd like to make a giant motorcycle for a custom bike show I am involved with.
22, If you could start all over again, would you change anything?
No, happy muddling along
23, How would you like the future of balloon modelling to develop?
Not a clue really ...
24, Who's the most famous person you have made a balloon creation for?
If I've made a balloon for a famous person, more than likely I wouldn't know ... I am terrible at recognising celebrities!
25, How do you keep the enthusiasm going & what still excites you about our great world of latex
26, What inspires or is your thought process in coming up with a new design
I am still learning and look at models to try and work out how they might have been built ... baffling sometimes
27, Who would you like to work with dead or alive?
People who like fun and laughter.
28, What makes you laugh?
People, mayhem and general silliness...
1, What road led you into balloon modelling?
It's my son's fault ... we went to a facepainting/balloon jam. My son took to it like a duck to water and we started to learn more and more models. He's not so interested anymore, but I still twist sometimes.
2, when did you get started with balloons?
About 3 years ago at a facepainting/balloon jam at Pinkmich's house!
3, What's your best twisting experience?
I don't have one yet, I still get the jitters when I'm asked to do balloons ...
4, What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you during a ballooning/entertaining session?
The worst thing is still grabby children....my balloon apron is going to have to be retired as having them all on display at their eye level is just too tempting for them.
5, What do you most enjoy about twisting & why?
I always love the smiles and the way kids (and adults) are just so fascinated by the process of transforming a bit of latex into something special.
6, What's your favourite age to entertain?
Any age...don't have a preference, the little ones are quite funny tho
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 an act, mostly I face paint and balloons are an add on for a smaller party, so I mostly just chat to the children while twisting. If I had an act it would need modifying for different age groups.
8, What's your favourite thing to make at the moment?
Thelma's Penguin!
9, What is the most asked for model?
Sword/dog .... It's nice to surprise them with something different
10, What do you tend to do more of if stuck in the 'balloon production line' model?
I find a kid who looks like they don't have their mind made up and twist something different to the production line... makes the rest want that instead. To be honest though, my balloon modelling is not terribly advanced yet so I'm still comfortable producing the same thing over and over. Perhaps it's time to get out of the comfort zone and extend the skills a little!
I did a job once which was all cows...cow after cow after cow after cow .... Was pleased to finish that one.
11, Who is your market aimed at?
I usually offer balloons as an add on to a face painting party so I mostly twist for children.
12, What kind of work do you do mostly - parties? Corporate? Etc
Balloon work is usually at a party
13, What is your favourite/ideal gig to do?
Don't know yet.
14, What irritates you most at a gig?
Pushy children and grownups ....
15, How do you book yourself?
Website/telephone
16, What's the biggest thing you've ever made?
A ride in helicopter at a care and share day
17, What has been your proudest achievement in our wonderful world of twisted latex?
I made a duck riding a motorbike for a friend... the expression on his face was priceless
18, What advice would you give to someone starting out, or wanting to increase their business?
Practice as much as you can, talk/network with others in the field and keep practicing!
19, What road in latex do you see yourself taking in the future
I'm not sure, probably still parties and the odd corporate event
20, What is your personal goal when you set off to work? Is it money or to entertain etc?
To have fun, the money helps...
21, What are your balloon goals for the future?
I'd like to make a giant motorcycle for a custom bike show I am involved with.
22, If you could start all over again, would you change anything?
No, happy muddling along
23, How would you like the future of balloon modelling to develop?
Not a clue really ...
24, Who's the most famous person you have made a balloon creation for?
If I've made a balloon for a famous person, more than likely I wouldn't know ... I am terrible at recognising celebrities!
25, How do you keep the enthusiasm going & what still excites you about our great world of latex
26, What inspires or is your thought process in coming up with a new design
I am still learning and look at models to try and work out how they might have been built ... baffling sometimes
27, Who would you like to work with dead or alive?
People who like fun and laughter.
28, What makes you laugh?
People, mayhem and general silliness...
.... colleague at work is turning 50 and the pranksters would like to see some on her desk in the morning lol
