Hi,
  In two weeks I have an event I'm going to attend to twist at. I'm only going to use a few designs so I don't get myself in a mess! Its at a steam rally held on a friends farm. Lots of other fringe activities like archery, falconry, animals to see, music etc. I wanted to take a chalkboard with me so I can write a 'menu'. Is this a good idea? I also thought about writing something like 'balloons are free, contributions welcome' as I'm not getting any money from the organisers to go. Could anyone advise something better/more eloquent to write than what I've thought?

I have a t-shirt with balloons free, tips welcome printed on it.

Nothing wrong with  'balloons are free, contributions welcome', I kind of like that actually.

When I have twisted at a non paid event or when I am busking I tend NOT to advertise the fact that the balloons are free, If they ask then I tell them to make a donation, "what ever you think the balloon is worth". If however they don't ask how much the balloons are but request a balloon anyway I go ahead and make it and then when they say "how much is that" I say "£20 please", Quickly followed by "im only joking, make a donation, whatever you think it is worth"

Could you have a few balloon design pictures rather than just a written list, more colourful.

Good idea Graham.
I'm still puzzling over the money thing. Do people think I should have something written on my board - I like "Take what you like, Leave what you can". However I don't want to feel like I'm stealing that line from someone else. Should I just have balloons on the board and a bucket with some coins in and tell people leave what you think its worth.
What would you do?!!

Hi Ian.

I will take some photos of my balloon "Menu Board" tomorrow, and share some of the designs I use, and the way I price things

Quote from: "phoenix"Hi Ben(!).

I will take some photos of my balloon "Menu Board" tomorrow, and share some of the designs I use, and the way I price things

Thanks, awaiting with anticipation,
Ben

Ah! This all so exciting for you. First of all, congratulations and good luck! You will rock it! I love the menu board with pictures, esp. for the children who can't read yet or have difficulty still, it'll be nice for them to be able to pick by themselves from pictures. Money makes me nervous, even with my own stuff, so I don't know what to tell you there but I do really like the "leave what you can" bit. Whatever you decide to do, do post pictures! Very excited for you!

Thanks, will do. I think I'm going to go for swords, dogs (of course!) snakes, octopuses (that is the correct plural of octopus by the way - it isn't octopi!!), guitars, owl hats, deeply-bopper hats, and ladybird bracelets. Is that enough do you think?! I also thought about taking a bucket full of small balloon roses - what do you think about this idea?

I'm in a similar position, Doing a Village festival. I think I'm just going to sell the balloons rather than a donation as I'm not being payed to be there. I hate the idea of sifting through loads of copper after a busy day twisting. I'm also doing a short street magic style show in between twisting

I'll be doing a similar list of models, I'm hoping to mainly be doing Hitch Hiker hats though, they seem popular. Heart wands and princess tiaras too

Also I accidentally sent this via pm because I haven't had coffee yet!

Thanks Mick - not sure i know what a hitch hiker hat is, might check it out. I have some 6"hearts knocking about so might try and come up with a wand similar to the sword I can do.

A hitchhiker hat is a figure that sits on your shoulders and wraps his arms around your head. Invented by Ken Stillman.

Well my festival was a bit of a bust, Not many children around. The organisers have no idea why but probably competing with too many other local events on such a nice day.

Was a learning experience though, Got a Birthday party next month too which is nice to look forward to.