Im wanting to start doing fairs and similar events for this and sell balloons on a per balloon basis.

At the moment though most of the models i am doing im taking 8 - 12 minutes to do.  I prefer not to do simple designs as such

Could this be a big problem? how can i learn to be faster?

Bigger designs can theoretically be sold for more, so just work out the maths.


How much do you think your designs are worth? Times that by the 5 to 7 you can make per hour.

Smaller designs may work better, if they are cheaper you are likely to sell more. I think it boils down to your audience, maybe a bit of trial and error to start with.

When I am selling the longest I spend on a design is about 7 or 8 mins, I do not think it is a problem to be longer but I do think you need to put some thought into entertaining your crowd while you are twisting, this will stop your audience/customers getting bored while you are working.

When I say entertaining your audience I don't mean getting a unicycle and twisting while riding it across a cavernous ravine, no, it can be as simple as chatting to your audience and making a few jokes, but it would be worth putting some thought into it

Thanks guys for your comments. Very useful information.I suppose thats the bit i was bothered about, the 'customer' getting bored. Thinking of them more as an audience i can accept in my head and that changes it a little.  Ive never thought of myself as much of a performer, nows the time to learn it i think.

Plus i suppose over time i would naturally speed up a little anyway

you know, i would be very interested in seeing examples of some models and how much people charge for them.  I think it could be a great study of what different people do

Which part of the UK are you in?

I mainly twist at parties or corporate bookings along with my partner (face painter), and charge per hour. Although I recently attended a charity night and charged £2 per balloon model (mostly 3 to 5 balloons model, taking around 4/5 mins each) but I really think if they were £3 I would have still been busy.

Maybe you could try a few busking events and ask for tips?

Hi Jay,

The first thing I would say is that you have the awesome attitude that you want to make nice things, and that will separate you from the one balloon swords and dogs that a lot of chancers turn up at events and do. Quality will always win, and if you are making nice things, people will wait for them.

As Rob says, you do have to keep an eye on your crowd, and keep them engaged, just by talking, and throwing a few comments out. Just be nice and talk to people. They will be fascinated watching you anyway, and silly stuff like handing the balloon that flies off is entertaining, but don't give it to the person you are making the balloon for, hand it to someone a bit further down the line. that spreads your entertainment aura that much wider.

As far as balloons you make, I love that you are making quality balloons, but make sure you can make them confidently, and efficiently. It is far better, in my opinion, to have a small range of models that you can do well, and add to them as your confidence grows.

I do wish you well, and there is nothing like getting out there and doing it. Go for it !!!!

Just a little update. You asked to see some models, so I put some of the main ones I do in a thread on the pictures gallery.

I have a board on a stand when I am out, and I find it best works if I have the board about six feet further down the line than I am. This means that I am entertaining my little group, and further down the line, they are entertaining themselves looking at the pics and choosing what they want.

This means when they get to me, they know what they want, and it keeps the line flowing, and if the line flows well, everyone is happy
 

Woblee
wow guys, thanks for the awesome replies.  I live in the north east and where i live, we dont get many balloon artists round here. in fact, in the past 10 years ive seen 2, and they did childrens parties.

I mainly am doing 2 - 4 balloon models myself.

I had considered busking for tips, it may be where i start at least a couple of times.

Phoenix  Thank you for your awesome reply.  my own feeling is if im selling a model, even just for £1,it has to have at least a little character. So, no basic dogs for example. No 'flower petal' basic swords etc. im proud of what i have learned and want to try and do the art justice.

Thank you as well for your kind words of encouragement, and im loving your list and thank you for sharing.  Its nice to see what other people do because as ive said, i dont often come across other artists to compare against.

oh, and this one i personally like