1, What road led you into balloon modelling?
Watched a guy work in Windsor and was amazed at the reaction of the crowd. Then was given some old balloons for my daughter's birthday, but managed to do a dog and a butterfly, but bought some new balloons from ebay and got into from there.
2, when did you get started with balloons?
July 2008 - Still a newbie!
3, What's your best twisting experience?
Anytime working with the public, I love doing line work but the reaction you get from children is the best. You can do your worse creation ever, but the kids still see it for what it is and are so happy to get a balloon.
4, What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you during a ballooning/entertaining session?
Upsetting local traders when I went busking. Not my fault, they got the hump because I was on their turf, so they asked me to leave. I left, but their attitude towards busking and ballooning as an art form was just plain rude.
5, What do you most enjoy about twisting & why?
Learning new designs, especially after buying a new CD and sitting down following it twist by twist. Also seeing other people's work just blows me away and shows I have so much to learn, which makes me feel I have a hobby for life.
6, What's your favourite age to entertain?
3-6 year olds, they are happy with just swords! Easy for newbies like me!
7, Do you have the same act but vary the presentation for all ages or do you have set acts for different ages?
I like to dress as a clown, but not the traditional kind. lets just say Popsie is in development and watch this space. As for an act, I'm still learning how to patter with the crowd, have had good and bad days. One thing I have noticed, and that is the cold can make you grumpy and interact less with the crowd.
8, What's your favourite thing to make at the moment?
Thanks to Tony twist who showed me this classic... The Alien Hitch Hiker! Nice and easy but looks great!
9, What is the most asked for model?
Boys ask for swords and guns, the girls like the wands and ladybird bracelet.
10, What do you tend to do more of if stuck in the 'balloon production line' model?
I haven't been able to break out of that mode yet and I'm still asking people what they would like. When I do manage to do something different and better than the basics, for the next 15mins you get "can I have what that person just had". I know, I know, I need to toughen up!
11, Who is your market aimed at?
I balloon part time and currently just for fun. I work full time in IT Health & Safety for BAA's seven UK airports. I have not become serious enough to set goals, targets or start pitching for work. So far the work I have got has been through word of mouth.
12, What kind of work do you do mostly - parties? Corporate? Etc
Started by doing birthday freebies, but recently done some work for an events company, where I even got to work along side the fantastic Graham Lee!
13, What is your favourite/ideal gig to do?
I find the birthday parties easier. Shorter times and a chance to act real silly with the kids too. Kids tend to be shy with their parents when doing line work, but at their friends birthday party, in a gang of 10, they can be a bit mental. That's when a good balloon game goes down well and you can claw back some control.
14, What irritates you most at a gig?
Teenagers!!! I can never work them out. They can be moody but then polite. Or really chummy, only to pop your balloon seconds after they get round the corner!
15, How do you book yourself?
I don't - yet.
16, What's the biggest thing you've ever made?
Inspired by Tony Twist's gigantic models, I had a go at making some wearables... I'm still working on them.
17, What has been your proudest achievement in our wonderful world of twisted latex?
Apart from getting paid for your hobby! It was meeting some of the great people from this forum, when I went to the Care and Share last year. I found it intimidating to be with so many skillful twisters, but found everyone to be so friendly, helpful and encouraging.
18, What advice would you give to someone starting out, or wanting to increase their business?
If starting out, throw yourself in at the deep end and try busking. There you will face all your fears and get the much needed experience of dealing with strangers/public. For business, keep working on your business plan. I am a qualified project manager and fully understand that plans need to change to fit around current situations. Having a plan keeps you one step ahead of the game.
19, What road in latex do you see yourself taking in the future
Wow that's a tuffy! I really don't know. Not sure if full time would ever suit me, yet then early retirement from Heathrow sounds good! I would like to get more involved with charity work. I really admire people like Billy Whiz, who gives so much and really gets involved.
20, What is your personal goal when you set off to work? Is it money or to entertain etc?
I never knew how much I would enjoy entertaining until I started twisting. I do get a buzz from it, so for me I want to improve the entertainment. I feel the better I get, the more work and money I can make for next time.
21, What are your balloon goals for the future?
Weaving. I keep putting it off, as it looks so complicated, but I'm gonna have to bite the bullet soon.
22, If you could start all over again, would you change anything?
No, still only a newbie.
23, How would you like the future of balloon modelling to develop?
I haven't a clue, still so much for me to learn right now.
24, Who's the most famous person you have made a balloon creation for?
Have not reached that scene yet.
25, How do you keep the enthusiasm going & what still excites you about our great world of latex
This forum and the internet. I can't imagine I would still be interested if I have never seen photos, talked to people and shopped for books and DVDs on the net. You can find some amazing inspiration, which makes you have a go yourself and keep up the enthusiasm.
26, What inspires or is your thought process in coming up with a new design
LOL - I hope one day to be good enough to come up with something new! I got some ideas for my act but not designs.
27, Who would you like to work with dead or alive?
Lord Geoffrey, when he worked at Disney. It sounded like he had the best apprentiship around!
28, What makes you laugh?
I am a twister who plays a clown, so most stupid things make me laugh. However, what I have found to be most rewarding is getting that smile when you least expect it, you know the sort that chokes you up and makes you feel all gooey. Who would have thought that a bit of rubber with some air in it, could touch people's heart in that way!
Thanks for taking the time to read my interview, if you have any further questions, please fire away!
Watched a guy work in Windsor and was amazed at the reaction of the crowd. Then was given some old balloons for my daughter's birthday, but managed to do a dog and a butterfly, but bought some new balloons from ebay and got into from there.
2, when did you get started with balloons?
July 2008 - Still a newbie!
3, What's your best twisting experience?
Anytime working with the public, I love doing line work but the reaction you get from children is the best. You can do your worse creation ever, but the kids still see it for what it is and are so happy to get a balloon.
4, What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you during a ballooning/entertaining session?
Upsetting local traders when I went busking. Not my fault, they got the hump because I was on their turf, so they asked me to leave. I left, but their attitude towards busking and ballooning as an art form was just plain rude.
5, What do you most enjoy about twisting & why?
Learning new designs, especially after buying a new CD and sitting down following it twist by twist. Also seeing other people's work just blows me away and shows I have so much to learn, which makes me feel I have a hobby for life.
6, What's your favourite age to entertain?
3-6 year olds, they are happy with just swords! Easy for newbies like me!
7, Do you have the same act but vary the presentation for all ages or do you have set acts for different ages?
I like to dress as a clown, but not the traditional kind. lets just say Popsie is in development and watch this space. As for an act, I'm still learning how to patter with the crowd, have had good and bad days. One thing I have noticed, and that is the cold can make you grumpy and interact less with the crowd.
8, What's your favourite thing to make at the moment?
Thanks to Tony twist who showed me this classic... The Alien Hitch Hiker! Nice and easy but looks great!
9, What is the most asked for model?
Boys ask for swords and guns, the girls like the wands and ladybird bracelet.
10, What do you tend to do more of if stuck in the 'balloon production line' model?
I haven't been able to break out of that mode yet and I'm still asking people what they would like. When I do manage to do something different and better than the basics, for the next 15mins you get "can I have what that person just had". I know, I know, I need to toughen up!
11, Who is your market aimed at?
I balloon part time and currently just for fun. I work full time in IT Health & Safety for BAA's seven UK airports. I have not become serious enough to set goals, targets or start pitching for work. So far the work I have got has been through word of mouth.
12, What kind of work do you do mostly - parties? Corporate? Etc
Started by doing birthday freebies, but recently done some work for an events company, where I even got to work along side the fantastic Graham Lee!
13, What is your favourite/ideal gig to do?
I find the birthday parties easier. Shorter times and a chance to act real silly with the kids too. Kids tend to be shy with their parents when doing line work, but at their friends birthday party, in a gang of 10, they can be a bit mental. That's when a good balloon game goes down well and you can claw back some control.
14, What irritates you most at a gig?
Teenagers!!! I can never work them out. They can be moody but then polite. Or really chummy, only to pop your balloon seconds after they get round the corner!
15, How do you book yourself?
I don't - yet.
16, What's the biggest thing you've ever made?
Inspired by Tony Twist's gigantic models, I had a go at making some wearables... I'm still working on them.
17, What has been your proudest achievement in our wonderful world of twisted latex?
Apart from getting paid for your hobby! It was meeting some of the great people from this forum, when I went to the Care and Share last year. I found it intimidating to be with so many skillful twisters, but found everyone to be so friendly, helpful and encouraging.
18, What advice would you give to someone starting out, or wanting to increase their business?
If starting out, throw yourself in at the deep end and try busking. There you will face all your fears and get the much needed experience of dealing with strangers/public. For business, keep working on your business plan. I am a qualified project manager and fully understand that plans need to change to fit around current situations. Having a plan keeps you one step ahead of the game.
19, What road in latex do you see yourself taking in the future
Wow that's a tuffy! I really don't know. Not sure if full time would ever suit me, yet then early retirement from Heathrow sounds good! I would like to get more involved with charity work. I really admire people like Billy Whiz, who gives so much and really gets involved.
20, What is your personal goal when you set off to work? Is it money or to entertain etc?
I never knew how much I would enjoy entertaining until I started twisting. I do get a buzz from it, so for me I want to improve the entertainment. I feel the better I get, the more work and money I can make for next time.
21, What are your balloon goals for the future?
Weaving. I keep putting it off, as it looks so complicated, but I'm gonna have to bite the bullet soon.
22, If you could start all over again, would you change anything?
No, still only a newbie.
23, How would you like the future of balloon modelling to develop?
I haven't a clue, still so much for me to learn right now.
24, Who's the most famous person you have made a balloon creation for?
Have not reached that scene yet.
25, How do you keep the enthusiasm going & what still excites you about our great world of latex
This forum and the internet. I can't imagine I would still be interested if I have never seen photos, talked to people and shopped for books and DVDs on the net. You can find some amazing inspiration, which makes you have a go yourself and keep up the enthusiasm.
26, What inspires or is your thought process in coming up with a new design
LOL - I hope one day to be good enough to come up with something new! I got some ideas for my act but not designs.
27, Who would you like to work with dead or alive?
Lord Geoffrey, when he worked at Disney. It sounded like he had the best apprentiship around!
28, What makes you laugh?
I am a twister who plays a clown, so most stupid things make me laugh. However, what I have found to be most rewarding is getting that smile when you least expect it, you know the sort that chokes you up and makes you feel all gooey. Who would have thought that a bit of rubber with some air in it, could touch people's heart in that way!
Thanks for taking the time to read my interview, if you have any further questions, please fire away!