Jeanine Von Essen, 15th/21st September

Started by Graham Lee, September 02, 2008, 08:26:36 PM

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Graham Lee

Jeanine has kindly agreed to join in with being interviewed, we are sorting out a convenient date at the moment.
The date is now confirmed for the week, September 15th/21st

I have 4 of Jeanine's CD's Vol 1,2,2.5 & 3 and they are very good & well worth having in your collection.

Jeanine's details are;

http://www.croakdesigns.com/Home_Page.html

and the portfolio pages;
 
http://jeanine.balloonhq.com/

be warned there are over 40 pages of designs here to look at so you may be some time away from balloon chat  :D  

Graham Lee
"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

Graham Lee

#1
Jeanine, here are the first few questions from the list we have on balloon chat;

1, What road led you into balloon modelling?

2, when did you get started with balloons?

3, What's your best twisting experience?

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

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

Graham Lee
"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

#2
Hi Jeanine,

could you tell us more about your arm critters?

Are they on a CD Rom yet?

hope your well and busy,

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

HEY Balloon Lady

#3
Hi Everyone!  Thanks for having me!!


1, What road led you into balloon modelling?

I have always been very artsy and crafty.  When my son was small, we would have elaborate birthday parties.  I saw a community class offered for Balloon Animals, and I thought is sounded so silly, I had to try it, and maybe pick up a new skill for my son's birthday parties.  

2, when did you get started with balloons?

In 1996, a friend gave me a balloon art kit that someone had given her.  I played with it a bit, but couldn't do much without everything popping.  The kit went into a closet, and sat there until 1997, after I'd finished the first balloon class at the community center.

3, What's your best twisting experience?

I think I have too many best experiences.  My first balloon convention was a life changing experience.  That was Balloonarama 2004.  That is when I first met Patricia Bunnell and Ralph Dewey and Fabrizio, and soooo many others.  I felt like I had found my family in the balloon community.  

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

I can't think of anything bad that has ever really happened.  I was late for a gig ONCE, I was stuck in traffic, in an unfamiliar area, while on the way to do a gig for Brian Asman.  I was almost 45 minutes late, and I felt terrible about it, but the client didn't even notice, and the party was great.  Now, if I am going to an area I am unfamiliar with, I plan ahead and try to arrive in the area one hour before start time, then I find a nice place to sit and read.

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

I just think it's fun. I always wanted to be an artist....this isn't exactly what I had in mind, but it works for me.  I like playing with kids, they say the funniest things sometimes.

HEY Balloon Lady

#4
Hi Danny,

I have not yet done instructions for my Arm Buddies, however, many of the basic designs, heads, etc. are already available on my CDs.  
The turtle and the dinosaur are on Volume 1, the walrus and octopus on Volume 3.  Pretty much any of my designs can be turned into an Arm Buddy, just by  making the front legs/arms into a loop.

I am currently brain storming ideas for an upcoming, Volume 7.
So any suggestions are welcome.  

You can take a look at all my available Volumes in my webstore
http://www.ToadlyCoolGifts.com

Danny the Idiot

#5
Hi Jeanine,

thanks for your reply,

 just off the top of my head, creatures that are on branches: Jaguar, Camelion,  Bush Baby, Koala, Monkey, woodpecker... I'm sure there are more! I've gone for the arm as a branch theme!!!

Hope that challenges you!!!

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

Graham Lee

#6
Some more questions Jeanine;

6, What's your favourite age to entertain?

7, Do you have the same act but vary the presentation for all ages or do you have set acts for different ages?

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

9, What is the most asked for model?

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

11, Who is your market aimed at?
"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

HEY Balloon Lady

#7
Quote from: "Danny the Idiot"just off the top of my head, creatures that are on branches: Jaguar, Camelion,  Bush Baby, Koala, Monkey, woodpecker... I'm sure there are more! I've gone for the arm as a branch theme!!!

Hope that challenges you!!!

best wishes
Danny

I like those ideas, Danny!
Thanks!

HEY Balloon Lady

#8
6, What's your favourite age to entertain?

I love working with kids of all ages, but my very favorite are teens to adults.  They have more patience, and their requests are more challenging, and I believe they appreciate the artistic aspect more than young children do.  The little kids just want a balloon, quickly.

7, Do you have the same act but vary the presentation for all ages or do you have set acts for different ages?

Hmmmm...... I really don't have an act.  I present myself as an artist, be it balloons or face painting. I tell my prospective clients that "I am more of an artist, than an entertainer, but most everyone finds my art very entertaining."

When working with a younger crowd (3-6 years old), I like to sit them on the floor in front of me, and play guessing games, with what I am making to get them involved and interacting.  I starting doing this when I was hired to come to a pre-kindergarten class.  I was expecting to be doing walk around, or line work while other activities were going on, but as soon as I walked in, the teacher announced, "OK, every one take their seats, the balloon lady is going to do her show now!" I threw in some animal trivia, some guessing games and riddles, and faked my way through a "show."


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

I love making birds.  I like to invent my own species and give them funny names.

9, What is the most asked for model?

That would depend on what the very first thing I make at an event is.  Whatever that first thing is, tends to be the most asked for.  I do think that dogs are probably the most asked for overall, and monkeys on trees.

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

I actually enjoy doing line work. I will make very simple things, but I try to make everything I do have 3 colors. I will put a one balloon dog, on a paw print round (that is just two balloons, but it has 3 colors).  Or I will add details, usually eyes, with scraps.  I make a lot of flowers, frog wands, lady bugs on flowers, motorcycles, mostly one and two balloon creations, with some added details.

11, Who is your market aimed at?

I market mainly to children's parties and family friendly events, but lately I have been doing more adult parties too (NOT "adult parties," but parties for adults, and no children on site) These are really fun.

Graham Lee

#9
Jeanine, Here are a few more questions & could you give people a run down of what is on your CD's incase people are interested in buying them & where to order them from;

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

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

14, What irritates you most at a gig?

15, How do you book yourself?

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

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

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

HEY Balloon Lady

#10
Quote from: "Graham Lee"Jeanine, could you give people a run down of what is on your CD's incase people are interested in buying them & where to order them from;


Jeanine's Stuff, Volume 1, Volume 2 , Volume 2.5, Volume 3, Volume 4, and Volume 5, and Volume 6, are currently available individually, or in any combination together.

These are step by step photo instructions with text. The instructions are available on CD, and are in pdf.doc format, they can be printed out to make into books, complete with cover, and table of contents, or simply viewed on your computer.

Volume 1 - Simple, but Impressive, Restaurant and Party Favorites

Includes instructions for the Hound Dog, Poodle, Bulldog, Chihuahua, Princess, Princess Wand, Baby Sea Turtle, Baby Brontosaurus, and Camel. 46 Pages total, 10 pdf documents.

Volume 2 - Hula Girls, Fairies, and Frogs, and stuff.....

Includes instructions for the Hula Girl, Hula Girl Hat, Fairy, Fairy Hat, A single 160 Frog, a single 260 Frog, a Heart Bodied Frog, a Round Bodied Frog and a Monkey. 51 pages total, 10 pdf documents.

Volume 2.5 – The Bracelet Volume

There are 14 designs, plus a couple pages of ideas. Designs include a frog, mouse, worm, koala, fish, turtle, monkey, octopus, skunk, starfish, chicken, penguin, seal, and butterfly. 84 pages total, 17 pdf documents.

Volume 3 - "Down By and Under the Sea"

This is a collection of sea critters.  There are fish and seals and crabs.  There is a walrus and a lobster, and a whole lot more.  Over 100 pages in this volumes

Volume 4- "Four the Birds"

This is a collection of birds.  Chickens, rooster, turkey, peacock, hummingbird, flamingo, ostrich, owl, eagle and more.

Volume 5- "Merry Twistmas and Other POPular Occasions"

Holiday designs starting with Christmas and ending with Ground Hog's Day.  Reindeer, Santa, Angels, a turkey, witch, spider, skeleton, and much more.   19 designs and 117 pages.

Volume 6-  "2008 Class Notes"
These are designs I taught at conventions in 2008.  These are geared toward beginner to intermediate twisters.  Lots of simple yet impressive stuff.  A few good line work designs here.  There are some bonus designs from Vols 3 and 4, as I taught some of this stuff at these conventions as well.

All these CD are available through my web store:
http://www.ToadlyCoolGifts.com

The shipping is currently not calculating for international orders, but I am currently covering the difference on all international sales.

HEY Balloon Lady

#11
Quote from: "Graham Lee"Jeanine, Here are a few more questions

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

It really depends on what month it is.  Over the summer, it was mostly corporate picnics and such, with a few birthday parties here and there.  Right now, it is mostly birthday parties, with a few corporate picnics here and there.  Coming up in the next few weeks, I have a wedding, a college homecoming game, and some school festivals.  I generally have a good variety of gig types coming in.

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

My favorite would be a birthday party with 12 or fewer  children.  This is a very rare occurrence these days.  Lately most parties have 20-30 kids.  They are getting crazy. I like to be able to make fun detailed designs.  I did have a really fun event a couple months back.  It was an awards dinner for Girl Scout leaders.  There were no children, and about 70-80 people present.  There were eight tables, and I had one hour to visit each table, and make a center piece sculpture for each. I planned ahead and packed only the balloons I would need for these eight sculptures plus a small weight for each. I made eight different, large pieces. I tucked into each sculpture, a tiny envelope with a number between 1-100. The person at the table that guessed the closest to the number got to take the sculpture home.

14, What irritates you most at a gig?

I am most irritated when clients tell me there will be 20 kids, and 45 show up, especially if they expect me to do both balloons and face painting.  I also find it irritating when an adult will come to the front of the line and ask for a particular balloon, and then tell me they will come back for it, and then they keep checking back to see if I've made it yet.  (Of course I never make it, unless they stand and wait their turn... they usually catch on after a few trips back and forth).

15, How do you book yourself?

I'm not sure I understand this question.  When I book an event, I send the client a service agreement, an event questionnaire, and I require a deposit to hold the date and time. They have three days to get their deposit in, otherwise the date is opened up to the next to inquire.  Most of my work comes from word of mouth and repeat clients, and I have a lot of people finding me through BalloonHQ, I also work with several different entertainment companies.  Aside from my BalloonHQ portfolio and web site, I don't pay for any advertising. I have placed myself in several, no cost, online directories, and classified ads and I leave post card sized business cards everywhere I go.

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

I don't make very many large sized sculptures, as miniatures, and 160s are my favorites.  The largest, and most balloons I've ever used, would have been at BalloonTown USA, 2007.  I was invited to be a guest artist, and my featured piece was a pond scene, in the fantasy forest/garden.  I created a pond about 6-8 feet wide with a giant frog leaping out, lilies, fish, and ducks.  It was my first experience with weaving Link-O-Loons, and everything had to be balloon. No Markers.  It was entered into the Betallatex Twister Contest and won third prize.  It was a nice surprise as I didn't know it had been entered.

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

I was thrilled to be awarded a Dewey Award, for Balloon Excellence/Rising Star 2006. It sits on my mantel; I am very proud of it.  Also, just being asked to teach at conventions, is a nice accomplishment.  I have taught at five conventions over the last three years, it still amazes me to see full class rooms.  It is a great feeling when people want to learn from you.

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

First of all, you have to love what you do, in order to be successful. My advice is to practice a lot, collect learning material (books, DVDs, etc.) find locals to jam, and network with, and go to as many conventions as you can. Try to develop your own style. Read and contribute to all the online forums that are available.  There is a lot of great information tucked into all the nooks and crannies.

Graham Lee

#12
I've just ordered Jeanine's CD's vol 4,5 & 6 all at a very sensible price & while I was on the site I noticed that the complete set of 7 CD's as there is a vol 2.5 are only $130 dollars, approx £70/75.
Just over £10 a CD, now that's a bargain. If you are going to order please add on a little extra to cover the postaage to the UK.
I remember sitting in on Jeanine's class at Diamond jam 2007 & coming away thinking that everything that was shown & explained was very usable in the real world ;)  :D

A few more questions;

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

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

21, What are your balloon goals for the future?

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

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

HEY Balloon Lady

#13
Quote from: "Graham Lee"A few more questions;

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

I really like the road I am on.  Every year I get a little bit busier.  This year I have been booking a couple friends into several gigs I've not been available for.  Right now I only have one, maybe two people that I will send out in my place, to represent me, and my company. I didn't really want to get into the "agent" thing, but I can only be in one place at a time, so I am thinking I may need to get another one or two twisters trained to my liking.

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

As a single, self employed mom, my main goal is making sure my kids are fed and my bills are paid.  Of course I want to enjoy myself in the process, and not feel like I am working. I want my clients to be entertained, and I want my balloon creations or face paintings to be the best they've ever seen (in their neighborhood that day, or in their life, whichever   :) )

21, What are your balloon goals for the future?

I want to keep doing what I am doing.  I also would like to do some more decor like work, but NOT arches and columns.  I would like to do more delivery pieces and centerpiece type work.  I really like the work Beating has been posting over on BHQ.  I would like to try my hand at some pieces like that; incorporating more rounds, alongside non rounds.  I also have been contemplating playing around with some of the balloon dress ideas; I just need to practice my weaving, and cultivate some patience.

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

If I could start all over and change things, I think I would start sooner, and go back and attend all the balloon events I missed.

23, How would you like the future of balloon modelling to develop?
I really don't know.  I tend to not look too far ahead.  I am more of a here and now kind of person, but I am certain there are amazing surprises ahead, and I want to continue to be surprised by them and with any luck, maybe I will have a few surprises of my own.

Graham Lee

#14
Jeanine here are the last few questions unless anyone else on the forum would like to ask you anything else?

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

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

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

28, What makes you laugh?
"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