I find that no mater how hard you try to be an entertainer as you twist, sooner or later you get into the "conveyer belt" mode, which can turn a fun job into something less than plesant, as you canot police the line. I know it is difficult, but I do stick to my guns in not making anything for kids who are not in the line, i.e if your cousins, brothers, sisters etc  want something, they have to come and get it

Another problem that I have encountered is the kids, usually older, that get a balloon, take great delight in jumping on it, usually not that far from you, and demanding another, while you are still twisting for gthe younger crowd. You just have to be firm, 'cos once one gets away with it you open up the flood gate.

Sorry I canot  give more positive help apart from be firm, but I do have a bit of magic advice that will end lines when you need to finish. I have a sign on display that clearly gives my finish time, and as that time starts approaching, I make it clear that that is when I wll stop.

Anyone asking you to do "only just one more"  I will do so willingly, but I say as you have seen the sign, the organisers have only paid for me to work untill then, but I would be only too willing to stay on, but I must charge you proper money for anything I make.  

The crowd soon diperse when asked for money !

T

Hi Pascal,
These are beautifull, but a bit expensive I would think !!
www.jeffkoons.com

I am sure you have seen these, but others may not have
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GENUINE-TRUTH-BAL...45ef504258

These I don't quite understand. Can you buy them, or are they just pretend ?
http://jpopasia.com/life/store/28/

This is a lot more usefull though
http://www.zazzle.co.uk
When you go to thier website, type Balloon Twisting into the search engine and mugs, shirts, aprons, pin badges, hats and all sorts come up.

I particularly like thier take on Rodin's "The Thinker" and Michaelangelo's "Creation"

Wih kind regards,
Kevin.

Many thanks for your replys.
As Billy Wiz suggested I think I shall have to have a cut off point, when enough is enough.
I am at the moment having a www (wibbly wobbly website) being prepared, and once this is ready that seems the ideal time.
With kind regards,
Kevin.

What a great bit of topical advice, as I am at the moment touting for Valentines day business, and this has given me some ideas as to prices to charge.
The problem I am having now is that I am working through word of mouth at the moment, and I must get out of the "mates rate" and into the real world,as I am finding it difficult to charge friends a comercial rate.
Can anyone please give me advise how to get out of this situation.
With kind regards,
Kevin.

What a wonderfull story  of how a determined lady found success through a medium with such a community spirit such as ours.
I am not sure if anyone knows the story of happy cabby, an American balloon modeller, who contributed so much on you tube.
He fell on hard times, and the balloon comunity in America looked after him so well.
Look him up on you tube, and he has a great story.

With kind regards,
Kevin

Hello Parcival,
May I say your sculptures are some of the most beautively bizarre creations I have had the pleasure to see. The portrait of your mate in the white suit and black face was amazing.
One of my best friends where I live is a great Predator fan, and I tried to replicate your design as best I could, and she was amazed with the result.
When I can show you my try at your design I will, I am a newcomer to this site as a contributer, and I have yet to learn how to post photos.
With best regards,
Kevin.

Hi all you lovely people.

I am writing this at silly hours, so please excuse any spilling mistooks as I introduce myself !

I was a magician and balloon modeller, for a long while, but took a break for a little while, and moved away from London to a more relayed style of life at the seaside, but just recently the balloon side of life has resurected itself, starting as a few things for friends, but escallating now into proper comissions, hence my name Phoenix, starting over again with a new life.

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Graham and Lyn for being such good friends, and to all those on the forum who have shared their creations, and enabled me to create a bit of a portfolio, photos to follow, where I will credit those whose creativity has helped me become known as a bit better than a "flower and sword merchant"

Wishing you good people  all the very best, and I hope to be a usefull contributor to this great forum. I will send my photos to Graham to post.

With kind regards,

Kevin