That's great thanks guys - I'll be ordering loads of 660's this month so I'll add the rounds (only looked on the Sempertex bit before).

White pens – I went to Hobby Craft this morning and bought a white pen, I was in there for about half an hour with the assistant trying to figure out which white pen would be best for writing on balloons. I settled on an paint based permanent marker that said it could write on any surface including glass and plastic. I just had a go at making Stewie Griffin (and he was looking good), but when I got to drawing the eyes on with my new white marker the whole thing exploded in my face leaving a white spray paint effect all over the front room!!! Not a happy bunny!

Can anyone tell me what kind of pen I need (if only Sharpie made a white pen) and where I can get one.

I also bought some glue dots so I'm going to try playing around with them, but another thing I'm struggling to find is blush colourer round balloons... Can anyone give ma a cheap UK supplier of rounds, shaped balloons and balloon décor equipment that aren't available on the Sempertex/Qualatex site?

lol – You're lucky I stuck one of my early AirHeadz to a post outside of my house and people stuck their cigarettes into him within 10 minutes! I like your girl design  

My story began three years ago when I watched a TV documentary called Clowns, the program followed the lives of a few children's entertainers and I just remember seeing a middle aged man who clearly hated children standing outside of a London pub smoking a fag and drinking a pint in his clown outfit!!! I remember thinking I could do it much better (entertaining not drinking and smoking)! I had always worked in insurance and I hated my job with a passion, so with the support of my wife I decided to try entertaining children.

Year 1.

I had a clown outfit made, ordered some big shoes, noses and accessories and Milo the Clown was born... in the early days I had no entertaining skills, just the willingness to laugh at myself and keep smiling. It soon became apparent that playing traditional games and dressing up was not enough, so I visited Graham at his home and he taught me to make some basic animals and swords etc.

My second encounter with Graham was at a care and share day where I met a couple of magicians who live close to me and they showed me a few magic basics like the die box and stratosphere etc.

Next came the mobile disco and light show and my two hour party package was born...

Year 2.

My second year was a big gamble! I opened a family bar and party venue, which took up all of my time and money. Unfortunately my landlord trebled my rent and I had to close after about 9 months! But, it helped to establish me and Milo became a household name. I put together a corporate pack with copies of insurance, CRBs, PAT certificates and a bit of background information and hit all of my local businesses, council, children's centres and schools with bunches of balloon flowers for the receptionists to make sure the pack didn't sit in any post trays.

Year 3.

Now the bar's gone so I have no real overheads. I do about 8 bookings a week with four residencies at children's play centres and I do loads of work with children's centres and the council etc. Balloons have played a huge part in my success, but I still don't consider myself to be gifted at twisting as almost all the designs I use are found on Google, youtube and, of course, right here on this forum.

Plans for Year 4.

This year I am planning on launching "AirHeadz by Milo" which is a range of 6ft character greeters for weddings, birthdays and corporate events. I have to give credit to Huff & Puff for the inspiration as I love their design and there's a couple of other designs I've found on the internet that I want to incorporate too. I'm also launching "Super Milo Kart" which will be great kart building and racing parties using the Berg Moov kits. I'm upping my game with the mobile disco by getting projector screens and up lighters and story time with Milo will be coming early 2011 (once I'm better with the guitar).

I now work half the time I used to for double the money and I truly love my work. My son gets to come with me and I can fit work around my family life rather than trying to squeeze family in around work. Anyone reading this who's thinking about taking up a career as an entertainer should defiantly book themselves a session with Graham and go along to some care & share days.

It's ok, my friend took the picture and emailed it to me. She sent me a link to their site today and it is Huff Puff and Away.

They do a whole range of characters - I love them all.

A friend of mine works at a golf club in the midlands somewhere and she sent me some pictures of a balloon creation that I love! I have seen loads of Bride and Groom sculptures, but I really like this one. I'm going to have a crack at it this week, but was wondering a) who did this one b) where the printed heads are from and c) how much do artists charge for these kind of sculptures?

Oh dear... Pinch Twist sent me a message suggesting I join in with a competition. I thought it was only fair that I try and give something back to the balloon community since you've all helped me out and been a great reference point for new designs. Unfortunatly, I'm not too good at coming up with original designs, but I was really quite impressed this morning when my son put on "the suit" ..... Then I went to upload my picture and noticed the restrictions.... Whoops, oh well, here's my Iron Man attempt.

Dragon Hat

Spider

Sea Turtle

lion

tmnt

Scooby Doo

Mickey

Ride ons