I just got my first line work and I am not sure what to practice AND I also was wondering if anyone would like to share any pictures or ideas of what you have been asked to make?
How about any good dvd to buy for line work
I am alittle nervous for the kind of work

For very basic line stuff I think the 1st David Grist video is an absolute must have. There must be 25-30 quick usable models on there that would certainly get you through it.

My advice is don't do requests, do "Surprises" and do what you have practised.

Hats are good, wristy things and things on candy twirls.
Look at the tutorials here on balloon chat and also on Youtube. Buster Balloon amoungst many here is the link http://www.youtube.com/user/BusterBalloon, start at the earlier videos. Its all good stuff.

If you really want DVD's a certain Mr Graham Lee has produced some excellent DVDs available at either online emporium - see top right of screen (Qualatex or Sempertex balloons).

I hope this helps. Good luck and let us know how it went!

Danny

I would recommend making a list of creations you know how to make so when you are twisting if you start getting a little to repetitive in creations you can refer to the list to know how to mix it up a little. My first time twisting last year in ages, I totally forgot some of the most basic creations as I hadn't been twisting for so long. It wasn't that I didn't know how to make them, I simply forgot what I could make when I was put on the spot.

Odd tips... bring hand lotion (fragrence free) and a small bottle of drinking water. Take care of yourself as it will make the day more enjoyable. If you are there all day, make sure to take a break and eat. I am horrible at taking time to eat - my wife thankfully won't let me twist myself thin.

Have a good day and enjoy your twisting!

I have a different view to line work. I don't do long complicated models when doing balloons for general public at fetes etc except for the odd mad moment when it is quiet but I dont just do super simple models either. I make models that are nice but realistic timewise. I don't worry too much about getting them out in one minute. I work in different ways depending on how I think the day will run and sometimes change the way I am working part way through. Taking a break and doing it different when I come back is best.

One suggestion if there are a lot of people Do something that was suggested in a workshop in Germany:

Make the people stand in a semi circle instead of a long queue and pick four of the children out. Make them a nice model one bit at a time. Make the first part of the model for one child and then make the first part for the second child and so on. You can chat to the children whilst doing this, make jokes to the people watching. All the children get their balloon finished about the same time. Get them to hold them up to show the "Audience" Thank them for being such good helpers. Everyone has stopped thinking of it as a queue and sees it as a show of sorts. They come and watch to try to figure out what you are making each child and know only the children who have been picked get a balloon. After you have thanked the children and sent them back to mum and dad you can either pick another four children out or go for a break saying what time I will be back. I have only done this a couple of times but it worked nicely both times.

I also have a board that says what time I finish. It has a clock and the writing above says I finish at.... and I put the hands of the clock to that time.

If you are getting near to the finishing time and you have a queue that is too big to finish on time because people suddenly lose the power of sight and don't notice the sign. Just tell them that you will be finishing soon so it is time for a game of statuest. The last four children who stand still get a balloon. You can just chuck anyone out you like. Keep the ones you want to make a balloon for and make sure you pick the child who should have been next in the queue or you will have problems. Then do as I said above. Make them all a balloon at the same time. Everyone knows they are the last ones to get a balloon and if anyone came along after the game they can't complain. Just make the four balloons and take a bow saying "Thank you for watching I hope you enjoyed the show." Saying this you underline the fact that you are no longer doing line work and that you have finished.

The reason I don't do very simple balloons is because I want to stand out and be remembered. I want the public to ask for my card because I am better than the person doing just dogs and swords and I want the client who booked me to ask me back.

Just practice the balloons you decide to do when working lines and make sure you can run them off quickly. Wait till you feel more confident before doing requests.

I really like the circle idea and thank you so much for all your help!!!

The MEMBERS here are great

Great post Thelma

Pam
xx

Thanks Pam xx

My advice for line work is start off easy. Kids are creatures of social mimicry. Whenever I am out busking I start off my day with a simple yet elegant balloon flower. I can make them as fast as the wind but they look great. If the first girl gets one the next will want one as well 8 out of 10 times. This makes your job easy and avoids the "bad guy scenario" . I have found that if you just make what you think a kid will want they can walk away feeling like they participated less actively in the performance. Sure they may end up with something they like but it may not have been something they really wanted. By setting a standard for balloons early on I can completely avoid this. Here is the full situation.

The child walks up and asks for a flower. In there mind this is 100% their choice. In their subconscious they have been effected by all the other flowers and contribute that the the social norm. Thus they ask for the flower.

Now you get to have the power without them knowing. If there is a line around the corner and you really have to keep it moving, make them the flower and they will be 100% satisfied. If however the line is short or you feel particularly creative you can grandly offer them something other then a flower. Something better! It is still their choice but the odds are stacked highly in your favor.

I always believe in giving the choice of balloon to whatever the child wants but I have dealt the cards in such a way that I am able to control most of the variables. It allows for me to create at the speed I wish and to build better and better sculptures as the day passes. Just as a play begins with the broad strokes of character and builds to its climax, so should our performances as balloon entertainers.


As always,
Dylan