15, How do you book yourself?

We started by going to a few car boot sales.  We didn't do very well at them in terms of sales, but the suggestions and recommendations that came from being at those has led us to all sorts of events.  Every time we hand over a balloon, we also give a business card.  We find that being seen and the resulting word of mouth is our best publicity.

16, What's the biggest thing you've ever made?

I've made a few 5 foot penguins, and also similar size Santa and Snowman.


17, What has been your proudest achievement in our wonderful world of twisted latex?

The moment when Graham announced I had become an award winner.... :-P


18, What advice would you give to someone starting out, or wanting to increase their business?

Be seen with your balloons.  Your product is your best advert.


19, What road in latex do you see yourself taking in the future

More of the same hopefully.  I would love to be able to attend more Care n Share Days, Jams and eventually a big convention as I have learned so much from the ones I have managed to get to.  Work wise, I have been approached a few times regarding potential Corporate and Team Building bookings which look like they could be a good way forward.

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

For me, it's a bit of both.  I am aware that I need to earn money to pay the bills.  That said, however, if someone gave me enough money that I never had to work again, I would keep on twisting!

10, What do you tend to do more of if stuck in the 'balloon production line' model?

It can vary depending on the event.  I have spent days where it felt like I only made monkeys and other days where it was penguins!


11, Who is your market aimed at?

Anyone who will pay me!


12, What kind of work do you do mostly - parties? Corporate? Etc

At the moment, we mainly do events.  We turn up, set up the gazebo and either sell our models, or give them out depending on what has been organised/paid for.
We have also taken some party bookings and have contacts with potential corporate clients


13, What is your favourite/ideal gig to do?

I love it when we are giving away the models.  It is great to be able to let anybody who wants one have one, no matter what age or social/financial situation they may be in.  If you can forgive the corny-ness... It's giving away smiles!


14, What irritates you most at a gig?

The Cumbrian weather!  I had to drop everything and grab hold of the Gazebo last month!

5, What do you most enjoy about twisting & why?

I love seeing the reaction to the models.  When people are amazed that you can make that out of balloons! I was booked for a party on Sunday at a soft play centre.  For the first hour, I didn't see the kids as they were off playing, so I just stood there making whatever I felt like (but making sure I'd have enough models for them all by the end of the party).  The number of adults, not there for the party, that were sat around watching me with stunned looks was quite amazing!


6, What's your favourite age to entertain?

As I said for the previous question, I don't currently 'do' entertainment as such.  That said, however, while I like making balloons for anyone, my favorite ages are probably the 4-8 year olds that are very excited about their balloons and also those adults that are just as excited!


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.


8, What's your favourite thing to make at the moment?

The Chainsaw always gets a great reaction!  It also won me my Second award! (Thanks Paul/Graham!)


9, What is the most asked for model?

Probably the monkey on a palm tree, but it is a close run thing with the ladybird/bumblebee bracelet and penguin.  I had one booking for a shopping centre birthday where we must have made over 80 penguins in 4 hours!

I've just googled him and I don't think it was.

1, What road led you into balloon modelling?

The M55 to Blackpool!  We had a family day out in Blackpool and we saw someone stood in the shopping centre selling balloon models.  We bought a couple for our daughter and I thought I could probably manage to make something like that so bought some balloons and had a go!

After a few months of inactivity, I  picked up the balloon pump again and made some models for my daughters 3rd birthday party.  The reaction from the other kids and parents was great and convinced me to go for it!


2, when did you get started with balloons?

The Blackpool trip was in August 2012, the Party was February 2013, I started trading properly in April and won my first award in May! (Thanks Graham :-P)


3, What's your best twisting experience?

I can't remember when or where it happened, but seeing a little boy being so excited while I was making his monkey on a tree that he couldn't stand still and was jiggling all over the place!


4, What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you during a ballooning/entertaining session?

I had a short spell where I'd finish a model and be drawing on the artwork, but for some reason still unknown the pen kept popping the balloons!

I had a request for a cigarette hat yesterday. this is what I came up with.



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//http://www.Facebook.com/BongoBalloons
//http://www.BongoBalloons.co.uk
//http://www.Twitter.com/BongoBalloons

There is a whole thread of them here: //http://balloonchat.co.uk/big-bear-head-designs-t4714.html

There is a whole thread of them here: //http://balloonchat.co.uk/big-bear-head-designs-t4714.html

My daughter Megan took quite a liking to Dan... she has now started phoning him on her toy phone!

I had made my Christmas tree and had been asking Graham advice on improving the top with some sort of star effect.  Suddenly there were trees everywhere!

Gemma (our host) demonstrated a wearable Reindeer that jingled!

Some pics

Quote from: "cashmagic"

Quote from: "Kattitude"I certainly didnt expect sarcasm in response! i thought the balloon community was supposed to be nice to one another?

When I first started out every one was nice and every one would help every one now it's cut throat now the only way you get help or praise is to be In The in crowd


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I would disagree with that. I have only been twisting for about a year and have found the vast majority of people encouraging and willing to advise and share advice freely. Even as a very new twister myself I was helping people and showing them my designs at the Jam yesterday.

 However I think many twisters regularly get asked to work for free or very cheaply. It is our job and we need to pay bills and look after our families.

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Quote from: "Graham Lee"

Quote from: "Normski"damm, i wish i was available    

   
The fee is a little low for the time required and it's also a very busy time of year.

Of course it depends on how much you claim for 3 bags of balloons!

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