Twisty (Andy) Interview 21st/27th June

Started by Graham Lee, June 12, 2010, 09:37:07 AM

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Graham Lee

Andy has kindly agreed to answer the questions for the 21st/27th and is looking to build a website soon so perhaps we can all encourage him or point him in the direction of someone who can sort him one out.
"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

Twisty

#1
Hi all.

Looking forward to the interview, and yes by all means, please any help or tips you have on how to do a web site, on a small budget, would be great.

thanks

Graham Lee

#2
I think Danny & Yvonne read the books and have done their own websites, I even started to do a free one, I think I've posted on here before about it as it only took me two hours to get a half decent front page and if I can do it then anyone can. I think it was with freewebs?

Just found this thread but I'm sure there are better ones if you have a few minutes to search, help-t445.html?hilit=build your own 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

Danny the Idiot

#3
Hi Andy

Yes Graham is correct I do my own website and use Moonfruit. There are free versions of this but you get adverts. I pay 50 odd quid per year and I'm very happy. Plus the domain name.

Moonfruit needs no HTML language skills - its an online thing where you have a few tools and can up load photos, video to then arrange how you want on your site.

my site is //http://www.circoridiculoso.com

It will be upgraded soon. Which is the beauty of this system. You can update it wherever you are in the world as it is online. I regularly update my dates page and news.

any questions - ask away.

Danny   :ugeek:
Danny Schlesinger
Balloon Excellence Award Winner
https://dannytheidiot.com
https://www.CircoRidiculoso.com
Follow me on Twitter at @danny_the_idiot

Twisty

#4
1: What road led you into balloon modeling?

Hi
So you know where I'm coming from, I live in Vancouver Canada.
I play with balloons as a hobby.
I have done a few parties but not that many.
I have a full time job as an equipment maintenance supervisor which I enjoy.

2: When did you get started with balloons?

I have had two starts. First time was many years ago, well learning to ride a unicycle, I got the idea that maybe I should become a clown. I bought a simple balloon kit, and then learned a few basic animals. Well I lost interest as there was no internet, and not a lot of examples to fallow to become a clown. I was young and not much drive.
Second start was between two to three years ago. I was walking through the dollar store with my kids.  When I came across some balloons, and bought them to make for the kids on a rain Sunday afternoon. We had a great time.
My wife told her friend who is a clown, that I knew a few balloon animals; she asked if I would help at a school fund raiser. I said yes, she taught me a few more designs and with web sites like this one and utube. I became hooked.


3: What's your best twisting experience?

I have two that I remember the most; the first was the school fund raiser I just talk about. There was a little girl crying because she didn't want to go home. I made a butterfly and took it over to her. She stopped crying and was then happy to leave. Her dad was very thankful.

The second and my favorite was, my daughter's 5th birthday. I made a rainbow and attached it to her bed. When she woke up she was so happy she ran into our bedroom and gave me the best hug ever.

These two time and others are when I realized a simple balloon can make someone day.


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

It was my first paid event. It was a doctor's and nurses Christmas party. I was asked to walk from table to table and make balloon animals before dinner.
I was very nervous.
My first balloon was a flower and the lady loved it. The second table I walked over to and asked if I could make them something. They all said no and kept talking. Then I thought I would just make something and give it to someone at the next table. I made a monkey on a palm tree.
Being nervous I popped a lot of balloons, but it worked out and looked great.
 I gave it to a lady who took it and throw it on the table; she said nothing and kept talking to the other people. So as you can imagine my nervousness went up. I was thinking I want out of here!
I started two make a motor cycle and kept popping the balloon.
Luckily two little girl showed up and came running over. I made simple balloons for them and there parents. (A hat for dad)They loved it and were running around laughing. I went to the table watching this all happen and made them a center piece for there table. They all asked if I would make some balloons for them to take home for there kids.
Then other tables started to call me over. The rest of the night was a lot of fun. And yes the motor cycle worked out after I started to relax.

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

I love the smiles and the look of amazement, I get from a balloon figure that I have made, and I also find twisting is a great stress relief.


6: What's your favourite age to entertain?

Any age as long as there show some interest.

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 a set act, but have made notes on what has worked in the few parties that I have done.

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

I'm looking at a penguin that is sitting on my desk; I made based on the Twister Sister's youTube video. I love it. I also just learned how to make a cake. So I want to make more of them.  But my favorite changes all the time.

9: What is the most asked for model?

It's sad but, the girls all want dogs on a leash and the boys want swords.

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

I have never really done a balloon production line yet, I always ask what the boy or girl would like. Then try and make that.


11: Who is your market aimed at?

I have not marketed my self yet, so far it is all word of mouth.

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

Most of the time lately, people just want a few balloons as decoration, so I make them before the event. Not much money, most of the time it's for free, but I still love it.

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

Right now, I prefer to be a support to a party, not the key and only piece.  


14: What irritates you most at a gig?

Grumpy rude people!!

15: How do you book yourself?

Word of mouth and a phone call.
But as Graham said at the start, I'm looking into getting a web site.


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

The big Hello Kitty I made for my daughter's 6th Birthday party.
Post subject: Advice please

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

All of it, to take a piece of flat latex. Blow it up, then twist it and make someone smile!!!

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

Practice, practice, practice, its easy when you are at home. It is A lot harder to remember, when people are waiting and watching. Also on your first few events keep it simple, it is hard to twist balloons when you are nervous as they keep popping.

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

I have no idea; I would love to do more parties. But if this is it,
I would be happy.

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

To have fun and entertain people, being it not my job, money does not come into it.

21: What are your balloon goals for the future?

To go to a balloon twisting conference, where I would like to meet and learn from pros.

22: If you could start all over again, would you change anything?

Yes I wish I never quit twisting when I first started, years and years ago. Who know where my twisting ability would have been now.

23: How would you like the future of balloon modeling to develop?

I have no idea, what I have seen from some other balloon modelers is way beyond what I can do. So who know where it is going.

24: Who's the most famous person you have made a balloon creation for?

My mom!
I made Balloon flowers for my mom on mother's day, and of course she loved them.


25: How do you keep the enthusiasm going & what still excites you about our great world of latex

The wow factor, I still amaze my self on what I can make. Now I'm starting to look at pictures, of other balloons and being able to make them.

26: What inspires or is your thought process in coming up with a new design

Pictures inspire me, as does trying to make something and having it not work out, then wanting to make it better.

27: Who would you like to work with dead or alive?

Not to sound like a cop out, but anyone that would like to teach me!

28: What makes you laugh?

The fact that I'm in my mid 40's and playing with balloons. Who would of thought?


Thanks for taking the time to read my story.

Twisty (Andy)

jase

#5
Hi Andy,

if it is helpful - I have a friend who does websites and is very reasonable. He designs and hosts the sites himself and so it is just one cost. If you are looking for someone to do it for you, I would be happy to pass on his details.

good luck with it

Jase