Bagfull of willies scattered liberally over birthday girls desk .... much appreciated by the recipeint and many giggles while trying to present them creatively ... hats to willy gardens and beyond ... !    :lol:

Nikki

I think I've posted the interview now Graham ... or is it supposed to be by invitation? I notice most of them have been posted by you?

Is this the interview Graham? Only a relative newby to balloons ...

1, What road led you into balloon modelling?

It's my son's fault ... we went to a facepainting/balloon jam. My son took to it like a duck to water and we started to learn more and more models. He's not so interested anymore, but I still twist sometimes.

2, when did you get started with balloons?

About 3 years ago at a facepainting/balloon jam at Pinkmich's house!

3, What's your best twisting experience?

I don't have one yet, I still get the jitters when I'm asked to do balloons ...

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

The worst thing is still grabby children....my balloon apron is going to have to be retired as having them all on display at their eye level is just too tempting for them.

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

I always love the smiles and the way kids (and adults) are just so fascinated by the process of transforming a bit of latex into something special.

6, What's your favourite age to entertain?

Any age...don't have a preference, the little ones are quite funny tho

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, mostly I face paint and balloons are an add on for a smaller party, so I mostly just chat to the children while twisting. If I had an act it would need modifying for different age groups.

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

Thelma's Penguin!

9, What is the most asked for model?

Sword/dog .... It's nice to surprise them with something different

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

I find a kid who looks like they don't have their mind made up and twist something different to the production line... makes the rest want that instead. To be honest though, my balloon modelling is not terribly advanced yet so I'm still comfortable producing the same thing over and over. Perhaps it's time to get out of the comfort zone and extend the skills a little!

I did a job once which was all cows...cow after cow after cow after cow .... Was pleased to finish that one.

11, Who is your market aimed at?

I usually offer balloons as an add on to a face painting party so I mostly twist for children.

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

Balloon work is usually at a party

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

Don't know yet.

14, What irritates you most at a gig?

Pushy children and grownups ....

15, How do you book yourself?

Website/telephone

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

A ride in helicopter at a care and share day

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

I made a duck riding a motorbike for a friend... the expression on his face was priceless 

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

Practice as much as you can, talk/network with others in the field and keep practicing!

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

I'm not sure, probably still parties and the odd corporate event

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

To have fun, the money helps...

21, What are your balloon goals for the future?

I'd like to make a giant motorcycle for a custom bike show I am involved with.

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

No, happy muddling along

23, How would you like the future of balloon modelling to develop?

Not a clue really ...

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

If I've made a balloon for a famous person, more than likely I wouldn't know ... I am terrible at recognising celebrities!

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

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

I am still learning and look at models to try and work out how they might have been built ... baffling sometimes

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

People who like fun and laughter.

28, What makes you laugh?

People, mayhem and general silliness...

Many thanks tangoo

hee hee, 34 posts including this one ... can I manage another 16 and an interview by teatime? lol

Help! Can anyone point me to some instructions for "adult balloons", you know, the rude ones   .... colleague at work is turning 50 and the pranksters would like to see some on her desk in the morning lol

Hello

Just wondering if there is a secret to tying knots? I only twist occassionally and on the odd job where I've been twisting exclusively, my fingers get quite sore from knot making... is it just a case of more practice?

Oh thank goodness for that Mark.... my head is in danger of exploding with the amount of new knowledge I'm trying to force upon it      :lol:    :lol:

I am currently doing the same Yvonne .. completely bamboozled ... and put back in the too hard basket for the moment ... lol ... won't beat me though just gotta learn a bit more about php and sql I think ...

Nikki x

Oh dear! I see I've paid WAY too much for my helium ..... sigh   :roll:

Nikki

Thanks so much for your feedback ... it was not for a client, so to speak, but a special occassion nonetheless ... it is to be held outdoors in the dark and would have been really effective if they had a good glow lol ...  have decided to just use plain balloons

Thanks again
Nikki  

Hi

Wondering if any of you have tried the qualatex balloons with glow in the dark stars on? The blurb says they work well under black light, but I want to use them outdoors, wondering if they will glow under those conditions?

Nikki

Thanks Graham, have just had a look but it's not specific enough .... south east is a big patch...can I refine the search at all?

Hi

Wondering if any of you work the Milton Keynes area?  Been asked to recommend a good balloon twister for a job on the 19th September ...

Thanks
Nikki

What wonderful ideas.  I agree, a shop where he could browse and have a play would be great, but I suspect that they are mostly online these days - I am going to have a search in a minute, along with the Karl Fulves material.  In the meantime, searching for the magic circle has linked me to the Young Magician's Club, I think I shall get him a year's membership, a book with some rope and cards and see how he goes for now - can't afford the DVD's yet though, not a bad price though as you say Graham.  What is the object that you suggested with the scarf though, Twisted Kreations - it's been asterisked!

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

Nikki