Hi there, just thought I would post this. I have all the decor equipment and balloons in stock but I am going to university full time in september and combined with the face painting and balloon modelling jobs at the weekends, there will not be time for balloon decor as well without serious mental breakdown.  I will be selling it all on ebay come september, but if anyone wants to get in early, just contact me and we can have a chat about all the items I have.
I am just off the M6, junction 18, Cheshire.
Cheers, Ali.
mailto:facepaintinglady@talktalk.net">facepaintinglady@talktalk.net

Just wanted to gush about my son who is 8. He entered a talent show at school and with 30 acts to compete against, he won the cup for best entertainer!  Obviously it brought a big tear of pride to my eye.
He made an octopus with google eyes and dressed his teacher as a pirate (with a little help from mum).
My point is, other than motherly pride, we forget that what is normal in our houses, balloons everywhere and pumps, balloon apron, fancy dress and the like is not perhaps normal in an average household and we forget the power balloons has on people.
It was a great reminder of the reaction they generate from people.
Well done son!
             

Just thought I would post this as a thought of the day.
I spend every weekend working the party circuit balloon modelling and face painting. It can be quite tiring when you are twisting away and chatting to everyone.
Since I have started the decor, I love going to a venue where I am almost the only person in the room and I have to create my balloon decor for someones special event. You do not have to talk to a soul and your art only does the talking.
I love entertaining but I also value the silence and the creative satisfaction of leaving a job well done.
Happy days.
Ali.

Hi There, just thought I would post this here.
I am thinking about getting a precision air machine but I am sure you will understand, it is a considerable investment at £1000 new.
If anyone would consider selling one they have second had for a reasonable price please get in touch and we could both be made happy.
Thanks for your time,
Ali.
 

Hi all, a question here about having balloons outside in direct sunlight for a day or two.
I have tried this twice now and they do not last at all and I wondered does it help if you spray them with balloon shine or the car polish stuff or any other tips you may have to make sure they do not go pop in the mid day sun.

Thanks for your help.
Alison.

Okay, this is going to sound a little silly, but in my sleep last night I came up with a silly idea to amuse the kids. The next time the kids have sausages to dinner, I am going to make a sausage dog out of them and present it standing up on the plate !!!!!!
Life would be boring if you had a normal job.
Sorry, just had to share my mad idea.
Ali.
   

Hi guys, a little strange this one, but thought I would ask if other people have issues too.

I have pulled a muscle in my left thumb and it swelled up quite a lot which was disturbing. I think it was the repeated action of tying off balloons as you twist the knot around that did it after a big decor job. It sounds silly, to pull a muscle in a thumb but I was concerned as it could really affect my living. A bit like footballers insuring their legs for £1m, perhaps we should do the same?

So what I am asking is, have other people had similar situations and does anyone have any helpful tips to keep all 10 required fingers and thumbs in top condition?

You will be glad to hear that said thumb is slowly recovering and now! Off to twist this afternoon again.
Cheers,
Ali.
 :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

I watched Night at the Musuem 2 with the kids the other day and was delighted to see a large balloon dog 'come alive' in the museum.
Good to know that balloon modelling pop culture is alive and well.
It can only be good for all of us!
       
Ali.

Hi everyone.
 
I would like to improve my faces on the balloons and I understand that 'Faces Faces, Balloon Faces' by Dale Obrachta is the place to start.
I see it online in the US for $11 plus delivery, but I was wondering, does anyone know where if anywhere, you can order it in the UK to keep the postage down?
If anyone has any good advice or other suggestions, thanks for your time.
Ali.

I was well chuffed. I gave my large balloon bride to a local bridal shop and she was put in the window.
A proud moment.
 :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Hi there. I would like to play around with a 6 foot balloon.
Does anyone know where I can source these from the UK to keep the cost down?
Someone has to have these mad ideas!
You know what I want to try and do, don't you. Yep, climb into it, just to see if I can.
Life would be very boring if you were not a little off your trolley.
 :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Hi there everyone.
I started.........as the name would suggest as a face painter.
I worked as a liability underwriter in insurance for 12 years before having a family and then I took time off to raise our three boys which are aged 6 and under. I started to face paint as a hobby and slowly that grew into a business.  When 2 other painters and I were painting 150 brownies at an event last february, there was a balloon man there and he kindly took the time at the end of the event to show me how to do a balloon dog.  The rest, as they say is history.  I added balloons to my face painting bookings and I have not looked back.
I totally love the balloon work and am beginning to do more and more balloon jobs without the face painting.  
I am enjoying working for myself as every little success if your own and there is nothing like that in terms of satisfaction. When I worked in insurance, it was well paid but there was no real passion there.  Now, I am doing something that I enjoy and I am quite aware that I am at the start of a journey.  It has allowed me to open the door on my creative side which has been latent for so long.  I hope to go to art school next term which is something I never thought I would every be able to do but now seems like a genuine possibility.
So, balloons has opened a new door for me and I love it.  The people I have met are a tribe that are okay by me!   You are an open caring bunch.
The thing I love about balloons most of all, it their ability to make both a child or an adult escape for a while.  They are so very simple and yet so very clever when you are watching them being made.  I love the interaction with the public when you are doing a paid gig.  Its great to talk to people and have a laugh........although my jokes may be the same on a regular basis.
 
The more you learn, the more you want to learn. Thinking of saving up for Belgium later this year!
Alison.

Hi to everyone from Cheshire. I have just found your site Graham.  
Great to have such a resource to use.
I recognise some names.
Cheers,
Alison
The Face Painting Lady