Does anyone know where I can buy David Brenion's Mask DVD? (with resonable postage charges) Have Googled but cant find it.

Many thanks

I think the answer is probably no, but going to ask just in case . . . . . . . Has anyone used the Ikea style stands for a dance floor canopy? Would them be strong/heavy enough to hold it?

The reason I ask is if they do work, rather than use my heavy bases/stands, if the job is further away, I could just leave the Ikea stands there, probably less cost than the fuel and time collecting them would be.

Just a thought!!!!

Has anyone had any dealings with this website http://www.rousematrix.co.uk/

I've ordered some things nearly two weeks ago and heard nothing from them. I've emailed Marc Summers who seems to be part of the site and had no response.

To all of you who have helped over the years with balloon donations etc to my Make A Smile Appeal, this is a short story I'd like to share with you . . . . . . . . . . .

I'd like to inform you of an amazing result of my magical tours of Belarus. For the past five years I have been travelling all over Belarus and Ukraine performing my magic & balloons shows in many orphanages, hospitals and village schools. To date, I have performed approximately 112 shows as well as many  hours making extra balloon models for 1000's of children.

Last year (2010), during my five week tour, I spent four days in Bobrusk. I lived with the family of Dasha, a girl we had previously hosted in Plymouth. Dasha's family attended all the shows I performed in Bobrusk including three orphanage shows. This had been the first time they been to an orphanage, and had obviously been an emotional experience as it is to anyone, especially the first time you visit.

Unknown to me, after I had returned home, the family had discussed among themselves the possibility of adopting a child into their family. I've just returned home again from another short trip to Belarus, and was delighted to see that Dasha, the girl we hosted previously, her brother Dima, and their parents Uri and Sveta now have a beautiful addition to their family. They have adopted a four year old girl called Nadia.  Nadia has settled well with the family, she really is a beautiful cheerful little girl.

It feels so heart warming to know that due to them attending my magic shows, a young child now has the added bonus of a new loving family. A family who have little, but who are willing to share everything they have with this special little girl.  

Graeme Ash (Billy Wiz the Magician)

[ You are not allowed to view this attachment ] Nadia2.jpg[/attachment:2wqglpfy]

If anyone has their balloons/equipment stored away from their home in a unit/store room . . . . which company do you use for your insurence? I haven't looked yet, but I'm guessing my NABAS insurence won't cover it.

Thanks for any advice

I'm buzzing at the moment. I pick up the keys tomorrow to my new unit. It used to be an office joined to a big warehouse. The warehouse has now been converted into five large units and I've got the old office. It has two ajoining rooms, one is about the size of a double garage and the other is a bit than a garage.

I've tripled the size of space I've been working from. Wonder how long before I run out again and need a bigger space?    :roll:

One of my pet hates when making balloons is the static. For example, when curling the ribbons just now for three balloon table decorations, the ribbon sticks to the balloon with the static. I normally keep a water bottle with spray on the top to dampen my hands.

Does anyone have any other tips to help the static?

I've taken a booking tonight for a fair sized balloon décor job. It's for six pearl arches, a cake table arch, table decorations and a balloon heart pictured below.

All is easy enough to make. Regards the heart, I have the framework already so I have no problem making it (done a few before already). The venue is about an hour's drive, and I would have to re-collect it on the Sunday morning.

But I'm wondering if there is any way I can make the heart without a main frame, with something not too expensive that I can leave behind saving me the journey there and back?

Any suggestions please?

[ You are not allowed to view this attachment ] heart.jpg[/attachment:21vey4oz]

Here's a link to my new promo video. I'm well chuffed with it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agh8c0S6 ... r_embedded

Hi all,

I have brought this costume – just waiting for it to arrive now.

I'm asking if you can suggest any one liners I could use while wearing it. I'll be walking around making the occasional simple balloons but would love to have a selection of sayings/jokes/one liners etc ready in advance.

Any suggestions please . . . .

[ You are not allowed to view this attachment ] rabbit and magician costume.jpg[/attachment:ibwaev69]

28th November 2010 - Great Shefford, near Hungerford.

Looking for balloon modelling/magic for a birthday party.

Ladies name is Wendy, Tel: 07733 016633 – If you take this booking, please post on here so she doesn't receive additional unnecessary phone calls. Thanks.

Hi guys,

I know we've discussed this a few times before, but I'm still considering approaching a café/restaurant for regular work. I'd like to be able to go every week throughout the year on the same night. This would give me a chance to practice new models as well as giving my business cards out at the same time.

My concerns are, firstly what I can get away with charging! I'm not sure if it would be beneficial working for tips in the UK, and what sort of café/restaurant to approach. I really don't think I could charge my normal fee, which means I have to give careful consideration about what to charge, not too low but not too much.

I have a list of questions, hoping you might be able to offer some answers please . . . .

Do you work for a restaurant every week?
Do you get paid a fixed wage?
Could you give me an idea of what % of your normal fee you charge?
Do you work for tips?
What type of restaurant do you work for?
What differences do you think there is between the UK and other countries who offer walk-about restaurant work?

Look forward to any replies from those of you who do this type of work.

Many thanks.

Do you use photo organising software? I'm looking for a simple program for just organising my collection of photos. I want to be able to tag photos with different words so when searching, I find them easier.

I'm not interested in editing software, I already have that. Interested to see what you use and how easy/fast it is to use. Many thanks

Does anyone know where you can buy 5" pumpkin balloons? I thought Qualatex sold them but can't find them in their catologue. Done a Google search with no luck! Now I'm wondering if I ever did see them anywhere  :?:  :roll:

If you have a busy day with balloons/shows etc, what's the earliest you would make balloons for an evening event?

I've made balloons up in my work shop and left them all day, they still look not too bad in the evening, but not as fresh looking as I would like, which is why I'm sometimes unsure how early I should make them. Or am I being too picky with what I think looks OK and what doesn't?

At the moment, if I get a call for balloons and it's an evening event and I'm booked up with shows during the day, I tend to say I'm fully booked, where as in reality, I could have made them about 9am in the morning, but I'm too worried about walking away and the balloons looking dull by the evening. I know I could maybe use balloon shine to make them look better for longer, but balloon shine on quite a few table top (the most popular) decorations could take a long time.

Billy

I've received an email enquiry for balloon decor. She said she want's balloons as she has been told they will help reduce background noise. she's asking if this is correct. I've said I don't know and would try and find out for her.

Has anyone else ever heard of this?

Is anyone intending to do to the NABAS Festival of Balloon Art on the 16th / 17th October?

It sounds really good, I'm just a bit disappointed they've held it on a weekend. Surely they must realise that the professional decorators / entertainers all work on a weekend. For me to go, I'll loose out on at least £680 of weekend work before I even buy the entry ticket. Why don't they hold these events during the week?

Still tempted to go though!

Does anyone know who I would contact to use the record 'Over the rainbow' by Eva Cassidy?

I want to use it for my DVD of the Make A Smile tour. On my last DVD, I managed to contact the person who sang the record and got permission without any problems. But after seaching the net, I don't know who to contact regards Eva Cassidy's track.

I did use it once before and Youtube blanked the music so this time, I want to get permission.

Hoping someone can help.  

Good morning all,

Sorry no pics as yet. I have my first show in a few hours. I'm hoping I can get the occasional internet connection while here. My first night is in the capital of Belarus and the hotel has internet. You don't miss it until you haven't got it!!!

Yesterday was eventful, the immigration etc at Belarus airport is not the best around

At customs yesterday when I came into Belarus, I was told to open my magic box, which was full with balloons, (a huge box of balloons had also gone ahead of me) magic and all sorts. They were quite strict at first, but when I explained I was a magician, the mood changed a little, then I showed them a simple sponge ball trick and had them all laughing. Left the customs with 'them' shaking 'my' hand.

For breakfast this morning I had liver, cold fried eggs with fish salad, and prune juice. Always unusual compared with what we're used to.

I'm off now to catch a bus to my first stop, which will be for three days. I have five shows booked here, I WILL TRY and get some photos for you guys as soon as I can, I'm looking forward to showing you where all your donated balloons are going.

Cheers for now,

Graeme (Billy Wiz Magician)

Hi Guys,

I'm sorry I haven't been posting much recently, I'm spending a huge amount of time getting last min details ready for the tour. I spent over an hour on Skype to various contacts again this morning. Also spending a huge amount of time practicing the show in my office, I would say I'm about 90% ready to do it all in Russian.

All your balloons which were donated (MASSIVE THANKS AGAIN TO ALL ) are now in the Minsk (capital of Belarus) office waiting for me. Just hoping the flight situation is sorted as it's only two weeks until I go.

I'll keep you up to date with, hopefully, many photos, it all depends on the internet connections I can get. If I don't manage to get any connections, I'll make sure there's loads of pics when I get back or as soon as I can get any connection. Two years ago, the only internet I could get was in a hotel in the capital, I'm hoping it's improved a little since.

I will try and get on a little more as soon as possible and start offering more feedback regards some of the amazing recent balloon photos.

Regards
Graeme (Billy Wiz)