Balloon Chat

Uncategorized Boards => Interview a "Balloon Chat" Member => Topic started by: Graham Lee on June 15, 2008, 09:50:56 PM

Title: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: Graham Lee on June 15, 2008, 09:50:56 PM
Princess has kindly agreed to answer the questions that we may have for her.
The week of June 23rd/29th.
Website details; http://weblog.xanga.com/MdmTwister (http://weblog.xanga.com/MdmTwister)

Also Princess has posted some videos on you tube;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEGQpqpg9Ew (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEGQpqpg9Ew)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcsWe9eAhRI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcsWe9eAhRI)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVo4b3IlEjI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVo4b3IlEjI)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuLhpaC-VTo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuLhpaC-VTo)

Graham Lee
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: Graham Lee on June 22, 2008, 12:24:31 PM
Princess here are the first lot of compiled questions.

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?

6, What's your favourite age to entertain?

Is it easy to get hold of 260's over in Singapore?
do all the wholesalers stock them & what price do you pay?
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: PrinCeSs on June 23, 2008, 05:18:22 AM
Hi Graham... do i have to ans it now...or wait for all the questions?  :lol:
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: Graham Lee on June 23, 2008, 08:55:36 AM
I thought you'd answer a few at a time then other qustions may come your way from those answers.

Graham Lee
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: PrinCeSs on June 23, 2008, 02:21:28 PM
Quote from: Graham LeePrincess here are the first lot of compiled questions.

1, What road led you into balloon modelling?
My 3 kids... and downgrading of life eversince changing to a lower income job than before.

2, when did you get started with balloons?
May07.. June 07 had my 1st volunteer gig at a childcare with 82 kids, Active only in Nov 07.

3, What's your best twisting experience?
1st time twisting/busking in town with lots of people and received lots of smile from kids and parents. And a young couple bought me a can of drink..auuww.....

4, What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you during a ballooning/entertaining session?
Balloons popped 3 times after one another......

5, What do you most enjoy about twisting & why?
Pleasing kids and received smiles from them. If i can make 1 kid happy..it'll make my day complete.

6, What's your favourite age to entertain?
3 - 10 yrs - girls ..:)

Is it easy to get hold of 260's over in Singapore?
do all the wholesalers stock them & what price do you pay?
YES.. we have wholesaler that carries Sempertex..the only one that i know.. Most balloon twister/entertainer got their supplies here. Price way cheap even if u  not a twister. Balloon twister got cheaper than the selling price...Sempertex is much cheaper..at least half the price of Qualatex.
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: Graham Lee on June 23, 2008, 02:31:02 PM
Does your wholesaler have a website, would like to compare prices with the Uk for both brands or could you email me there price list?
So you only started twisting in November last year? You've certainly been busy practising as you have some nice models.

Where do you mainly twist? I saw the you tube clip of you in the local shopping centre.
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: PrinCeSs on June 24, 2008, 09:43:16 AM
Quote from: "Graham Lee"Does your wholesaler have a website, would like to compare prices with the Uk for both brands or could you email me there price list?
So you only started twisting in November last year? You've certainly been busy practising as you have some nice models.

Where do you mainly twist? I saw the you tube clip of you in the local shopping centre.

Hi Graham.. i do have their web address.. but they don't indicate price on their website. U'll need to contact them or visit the stores. Balloon twisters has special price thou. I only can afford Sempertex not Qualatex. Let me know if u want the web address..

Eversince i got my busking licence, I only busk in Town called Orchard Road, tourist has labeled that place a shopping paradise.. there are shopping centres everywhere along both sides of that road.... U should come down here... I busk during the day before eve of New Year, before eve of X'Mas, and Valentine's Day.. sometime I busk during Saturdays or Sundays. I'm still very shy abt it.
FYI according to the busking scheme, buskers not allowed to busk inside the shopping centre...only certain designated pathway of shopping mall or streets. Certain buildings do have rules and regulations. Break their rules or ur busking licence will be consficated or revoked.
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: Graham Lee on June 24, 2008, 01:41:01 PM
Princess, Yes I would like the web details if you dont mind, here are a few more questions;

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?

12, What kind of work do you do mostly - parties? Corporate? Etc
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: Billy Wiz on June 24, 2008, 01:49:54 PM
Hi Princess,

Your models are fantastic, especially considering how long you've been twisting.

How old are your kids? Do they do any twisting? My son is 21 and has never ever had any interests in balloons as he's been around them his whole life.
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: bickers on June 24, 2008, 01:51:17 PM
Apart from your busking have you started marketing yourself for parties etc or are you just doing the busking at the moment?
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: PrinCeSs on June 24, 2008, 02:12:48 PM
Princess, Yes I would like the web details if you dont mind, here are a few more questions;
Graham, here's the store where i got my balloons  
http://www.balloonbaron.com.sg/ (http://www.balloonbaron.com.sg/)

7, Do you have the same act but vary the presentation for all ages or do you have set acts for different ages?
So far..I've done busking and when the 1st time i did a gig.. I just get the kids to guess wat im gonna do next...and during the Arts Festival..I told them My visit to the zoo and let them guess wat animals I saw and also have competition who coloured the best dog.:) I've been thinking of adding some children's magic into my balloon entertaining ...like..I wanted so much to buy Balloon Changing Bag that i saw from one of the magic store..i think it really can associate magic to balloon animals... i bet this act is fine for children of all ages.. like i said. i prefer 4 - 10 yrs old...

8, What's your favourite thing to make at the moment?
I'm so intio Hello Kitty, Strawberry Shortcake bracelet and Elmo

9, What is the most asked for model?
Flowers for girls, Swords for boys. I'm getting sick of that.. and that is y i created my balloon menu, so the kids has more choices rather than then normal one they always seen. And also..its time for me to show off...here's link to my Menu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RjbRwHtPdQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RjbRwHtPdQ)

10, What do you tend to do more of if stuck in the 'balloon production line' model? I have other hobbies, like caricature, jewellery beading, origami..and all sorts of art & craft. Does that ans ur qn? :)

11, Who is your market aimed at? Kindergarten and childcare kids & school teachers :)

12, What kind of work do you do mostly - parties? Corporate? Etc
Eversince I started I do more of busking and volunteer at kindergartens, library and charity. I did parties for my kids and nieces. And recently I did get some exposure that leads to last week 2-hr family day event. more to come...28 Jun..i'll be volunteering at children's hospital for paediatric patient.
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: PrinCeSs on June 24, 2008, 02:16:30 PM
Quote from: "Billy Wiz"Hi Princess,

Your models are fantastic, especially considering how long you've been twisting.

How old are your kids? Do they do any twisting? My son is 21 and has never ever had any interests in balloons as he's been around them his whole life.

Hi Billy...
My models are based on what i saw and learn thru DVDs and instructions... my passion on balloon twisting are becoming addictive as time goes by :)
My kids are 8, 7 and the 3rd one will be 4...the 1st 2 are very keen on twisting only at the beginning of my twisting :) they get bored and lose interest at times..but sometimes its back again..u know how kids like..:)
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: PrinCeSs on June 24, 2008, 02:24:20 PM
Quote from: "bickers"Apart from your busking have you started marketing yourself for parties etc or are you just doing the busking at the moment?

Hey Bickers.. so nice of u to ask me question knowing that u r always bz... :D

I am so fully involved lately after my Singapore Arts Festival event. Its like a jump start or stepping stone for me after much exposure. I gaveaway lots of namecards and people called to ask my charges. :) I've started marketing myself. I started sending emails to event companies, I approached the libraries, call the hospitals for volunteering.., I talked to my journalist friend who works in local paper and he referred me to his colleague who does a column for kids crafts, which i've got a good response but nothing has happened yet..cross ur finger and i'm praying hard.. I also emailed a guy who owns a production hse who did lots of children's variety shows and just got a positive  reply from him that we might work together in future.. hoping for the best..And like i said earlier.. I'm in a midst of looking for some simple children's magic stuff that i can add to my balloon entertaining business. Wish Me Lots of LUCK!..
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: Danny the Idiot on June 24, 2008, 03:18:02 PM
Hi Princess,

Is there a lot of competition in your area with other balloon modellers?

Can you get together with them and Jam?

Where do you learn new models from?

best wishes
Danny
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: Professor T Wist on June 24, 2008, 05:51:29 PM
Princess
Who would you most like to make a balloon model for and why ? What would you make them ?
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: PrinCeSs on June 25, 2008, 02:37:35 AM
Hi Idiot... I mean Hi Danny..  :D

Is there a lot of competition in your area with other balloon modellers?
I'm not sure ... but i know there are some balloon twisters around.... I don't regard them as competitor.. but they regards me as one.. cuz when i first started.. they wont give me information where to get the cheapest balloons.. u know.. I asked them.. then they'll asked me back.. then i told them.. then they would say.. oh yeah.. i got from the same supplier too.. DUH...

Can you get together with them and Jam? NO... .. maybe they hate me.. I found that there are so many balloon twisters from the balloon store where they put their namecards and flyers there... they are not so friendly thou... maybe i'm a woman.. or my race or something...

Where do you learn new models from? I learn new models mostly from DVDs bought from eBay or from my friends overseas.

Thx Danny...
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: PrinCeSs on June 25, 2008, 02:41:16 AM
Quote from: "Professor T Wist"Princess
Who would you most like to make a balloon model for and why ? What would you make them ?
Mostly girls of 4 - 8 yrs old... cuz i love them ...almost everyday i make balloons for the kids around my working area cos i pass by playground and kindergarten on my way home....so i make them balloons... love to see kids' smile... it makes my day complete... I'm now obssessed with Hello Kitty and Strawberry Shortcake and also Elmo, so i do that most of the time.. cuz they'll get most attention..and they'll get the most WOWs... :D  :lol:
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: Graham Lee on June 25, 2008, 11:00:00 PM
Some more questions from the compiled list for you;

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?
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: PrinCeSs on June 26, 2008, 03:31:37 AM
13, What is your favourite/ideal gig to do?
I love to do balloon workshop, teaching and sharing gives me happiness..

14, What irritates you most at a gig?
When BOYS nvr listen and keep touching my balloons and my pump.

15, How do you book yourself?
Book myself?.. do u mean how i get myself booked?

16, What's the biggest thing you've ever made?
Motorcycle and Basket of Balloon Flowers

17, What has been your proudest achievement in our wonderful world of twisted latex?
Getting paid while having ballooniful time with kids during Singapore Arts Festival where i got lots of exposure.

18, What advice would you give to someone starting out, or wanting to increase their business?
Practice, dont be selfish to share ur ideas, learn the hard way, marketing yourself right.
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: Graham Lee on June 27, 2008, 10:24:44 AM
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?

24, Who's the most famous person you have made a balloon creation for?
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: PrinCeSs on June 27, 2008, 04:43:58 PM
19, What road in latex do you see yourself taking in the future? More serious business..in TV exposure.....

20, What is your personal goal when you set off to work? Is it money or to entertain etc? Both... beginning more to entertain...now entertain & money.. :)

21, What are your balloon goals for the future? to be able to do antyhing with balloons...almost anything...

22, If you could start all over again, would you change anything?yup..more serious abt marketing myself rather than being a hobby twister.

23, How would you like the future of balloon modelling to develop? More different types of balloons to be used.

24, Who's the most famous person you have made a balloon creation for? None/Never
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: cashmagic on June 28, 2008, 06:57:55 PM
Hi princess

when I was starting out making balloons my wife couldnt stand all the twisting, So how does mr princess cope with all the twisting?
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: Graham Lee on June 29, 2008, 12:45:42 AM
Princess, here are the last of the questions, thanks for taking the time to answer them :D

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?
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: PrinCeSs on June 29, 2008, 08:23:40 AM
25, How do you keep the enthusiasm going & what still excites you about our great world of latex.
I just did volunteer gig at hospital..after seeing a big wide smile from the kids...the enthusiasm really escalated my excitement. Now, almost all kind of balloons excite me.Discovered how many things can be done with just balloons really excites me.

26, What inspires or is your thought process in coming up with a new design.
The girls keep giving ideas of new designs.. Like what's the latest girl's favourite ...cartoons or toys or superheroes...of cos, i'm putting an effort to do something w/o instruction.

27, Who would you like to work with dead or alive?
Bonnie Davis, Patricia Bunnell, Thelma Levett, Twistina..all women twisters.

28, What makes you laugh?
Anything funny...kids laughter, monkey peeing.. hahah....
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: Graham Lee on June 30, 2008, 10:17:34 AM
Princess thanks for taking the time to answer the questions from the members, much appreciated :D  :D

Graham Lee
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: PrinCeSs on June 30, 2008, 03:07:16 PM
u welcome....it's my pleasure...... :D
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: magicseb on June 30, 2008, 07:39:00 PM
I haven't read all this interview for the moment but I've watched your videos and i just want to say that I love your basket of flowers, it's really wonderfull.

 :oops:  I've got a problem with the word "busking", does somebody can explain me by MP, because "Google is your friend" but he doesn't know what "busking" means  :D
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: PrinCeSs on July 01, 2008, 01:50:10 AM
Hi Seb...Bonjour... i'll take that as compliment  ;)  ...
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: Danny the Idiot on July 01, 2008, 07:58:14 AM
Hi Seb,

"busking" in my French dictionary is musicien / ambulant.  :roll:

But to explain further ... someone who performs on the street and asks for money from the public. They are not paid a fee, only paid by the generosity of the passing audience. In balloon modelling, in England anyway, you cannot have a fixed price for balloons as you are seen to be selling them, so you must have more of a show, or ask for donations.

voila!


Danny    :)
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: magicseb on July 01, 2008, 09:37:41 AM
Hi Danny and thanks for the explanation, i see what it means now.
In fact it's what I like to do, street prestation, but I prefer with a contract.
I just bought on an american website 2 busking bags and now I know why they call it "busking bag"
Thanks again

Note for me: I have to buy a french/english dictionnary  ;)  because Google isn't my friend anymore  :D
Title: Re: Princess 23rd/29th June
Post by: PrinCeSs on July 02, 2008, 02:45:04 PM
Quote from: "cashmagic"Hi princess

when I was starting out making balloons my wife couldnt stand all the twisting, So how does mr princess cope with all the twisting?

Hi Craig... I apologise cos i missed your question. As u know I only started actively twisting in November. So far there's no complaint from Mr Princess cos he's a man that hardly talk :) ..... most of the time I practise twisting when he's not around.. so not much of a complaint thou :) ... now after seeing me getting busy with more gigs and volunteer works, he's been supporting like taking care of the kids and taking pictures or videos during my gigs. He helps give out my namecards too. So ..Im happy to have his support.