Bonnie has been nice to also say yes to being Interviewed between the 16th/22nd June.
I have had Bonnie's 4 CD's for about six months and I've only just got around to viewing the first one last week.
All I can say about the first CD that I viewed is that it's a must buy.
There are 10 things explained on the CD of which for me I will definately be using 8 of them.
Bonnies portfolio & contact details can be found here;
http://www.partypackage.balloonhq.com/

Graham Lee

Hi Bonnie,

Thanks for agreeinng to do the Interview for us on balloon chat, here are the first set of compiled questons by the members. I'm sure they'll be more as we go along.


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?

If anyone else has any questions please post away  

Graham Lee

Bonnie, great to see you on here  

I have always loved everything you have done and continue to do with your balloons. I have always felt quite intimidated by your excellence in innovative designs and creations which over the past 6 months has inspired me to be better so with all this shmoozing  :oops:  let me get on to a few questions

1) How do you come up with your designs?
2) As you are an excellent artist    do you draw out the ideas on paper on what balloons and connections you will use to make the sculpture o b4 trying or is there another way

3) What advice can you give to somebody who is nothing more than a copy cat balloon artist but would like to try and create my own designs?

4) Why arent you coming to teach at Millenium jam?

5) Who has been your biggest inspiration to start you off in balloons?

6) Are you planning on bringing out any dvd`s?

7) I love you.... ooops i meant i love ur balloons  

Norman

Quote from: "Graham Lee"Hi Bonnie,

Thanks for agreeinng to do the Interview for us on balloon chat, here are the first set of compiled questons by the members. I'm sure they'll be more as we go along.

Good morning everyone!  Thanks for inviting me!


1, What road led you into balloon modelling?
A: I used to teach Children's Church and part of my lessons would involve crafts.  One day I was searching for a new craft that I could use for lessons and I saw this bag of twisty balloons and a hand pump.  I took them home and in a matter of minutes 'mastered' all the shapes in the insert and the beginning of my latex addiction took root.

2, when did you get started with balloons?
A: A little over 4 years ago.

3, What's your best twisting experience?
A: When I first read this question I thought it would be an easy one to answer, but as I sit here trying to reply I realize it's not as easy as I thought.  There are many things that spring to mind like when I was handed a tip for $100 by someone I didn't even twist a balloon for just because they 'enjoyed the show', and like the time when a boy begged his parents to dine at one of my restaurants before visiting his dieing grandpa in the hospital so he could get one of my balloons to take to the grandpa, and like Tuesday night while working when a little girl (age 6) pretty much chewed me out for missing my Sunday restaurant shift which meant she had to eat out Tuesday too in order to get a balloon, or the times when I have had an entire restaurant section applaud one of my creations.  

I guess what all these things (plus so many other times) all have in common is that these were the times when I felt that my twisting was valued and appreciated.  So... each time I feel that way, it becomes one of my best twisting experiences always to be treasured and remembered.

4, What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you during a ballooning/entertaining session?
A: I had a 'lady' (and I use that term loosely) yell at me (well it was a bit more than just yelling) for telling her child he couldn't have a second sculpture while I was working a restaurant jam-packed with kids still waiting for a balloon.  Pretty mild for being a 'worst thing' huh?  :lol:

5, What do you most enjoy about twisting & why?
A: The politically correct answer I should give is the one where I say how much I enjoy seeing the smiles on children.  Although that it's true I do enjoy that part a great deal, it's not what brings me the most pleasure.  When I put on my balloon apron it's the only time when I can overcome being painfully shy and act like my true self.  I get to chat, and laugh, and tease, and flirt, and use my own twisted sort of humor, and be creative, all at the same time.

6, What's your favourite age to entertain?
Those so called 'adults'!

If anyone else has any questions please post away  

Graham Lee

Quote from: "Billy  Balloonman"Bonnie, great to see you on here  

I have always loved everything you have done and continue to do with your balloons. I have always felt quite intimidated by your excellence in innovative designs and creations which over the past 6 months has inspired me to be better so with all this shmoozing  :oops:  let me get on to a few questions

Hi there Norman!  It's good to 'see' you again!  I'm flattered that my designs inspire you to get better at twisting but it saddens me a great deal to know that I have made you feel intimidated in any way.    My creations are made just like anyone would make them... one bubble, one twist at a time, and for the most part, I don't even use fancy twisting techniques.  I have every confidence that you can duplicate what I do.  

1) How do you come up with your designs?
A: Sometimes I come up with a design because I have said to a client "sure, I can make that as the special birthday balloon".  So then I have to go and design it.  :lol: But most of the time, one design or concept leads to another.  Like when I was working on my last wearables CD, I tried to come up with as many uses for the same head arrangement as I could that I could make while working.

2) As you are an excellent artist    do you draw out the ideas on paper on what balloons and connections you will use to make the sculpture o b4 trying or is there another way
A: Thank you for the compliment!  No, I don't draw out the ideas before trying them.  I just pull out the balloons and start.  And when I fail, I say a few choice words, throw the sculpture on the floor for the cat to play with, have a cup of coffee, and start again.

3) What advice can you give to somebody who is nothing more than a copy cat balloon artist but would like to try and create my own designs?
A: First let me say that I think of myself as the Queen of Copycats.  .  I copy from just about anyone willing to share a design.  That's how I learned to twist and how I continue to learn today.  The best advice I can think of to give you is to stop depending on exact instructions in order to make something.  I'm not saying to stop using instructional material altogether.  I am saying to try and recreate what you see first on your own.  You may or may not be able to duplicate exactly what you see, but you will find that you learn to look at the process of creating differently.  Instead of thinking "Now how did they do that?" you will find yourself thinking "OH! They just used that series of bubbles to do that!" You will also find yourself looking at bubble groupings and 'seeing' new design possibilities.

4) Why arent you coming to teach at Millenium jam?
A: I haven't been invited?

5) Who has been your biggest inspiration to start you off in balloons?
A: Anyone and everyone that has taken the time to post a pic of their designs on line.  The ones who posted the basic designs which I learned to copy first and those who took it up a few notches and gave me the idea that there was so much more to create than just one balloon dogs.

6) Are you planning on bringing out any dvd`s?
I've been approached several times about making DVDs.  But I have found one insurmountable problem: I live in the Back of Beyond and have no one around me that I know who could film, then edit the DVD to my liking.

7) I love you.... ooops i meant i love ur balloons  
   Thank you!  

Norman

Bonnie,
Enjoyed reading your answers, thanks for taking the time to answer them so thoroughly.
Here are a few more compiled questions for you;

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

Could you also tell everyone about your excellent CD's that you sell, what is on them, the cost & how they can purchase them from you.

Graham Lee

Quote from: "Graham Lee"Bonnie,
Enjoyed reading your answers, thanks for taking the time to answer them so thoroughly.
Here are a few more compiled questions for you;

7, Do you have the same act but vary the presentation for all ages or do you have set acts for different ages?
A: Generally, I don't have an 'act'.  I'm a balloon twister that entertains with balloons and each situation is handled depending on the reactions of the person I'm twisting for at the moment.

8, What's your favourite thing to make at the moment?
A: My favorite item to twist, since the first time I saw it 4 years ago, is the Rolling Stone's hat.  The one I saw was posted on BHq by Magic George.  At the time I couldn't do the stuffing technique used to make the tongue so I just used a 260 loop.  I still use the loop when making it today because that means the tongue sticks out really far and bobs up and down when the person moves their head (always gets lots of laughs).  Using the loop also means that when I present the hat, I can have it 'lick' the side of the person's face which also gets lots of laughs.  :twisted:  

9, What is the most asked for model?
A: Dogs and cats.  But the better question would be "Which model do I make the most."

10, What do you tend to do more of if stuck in the 'balloon production line' model?
A: I try and make as many hats as possible.  Hat's take less effort (but more balloons), only a smidgen more time, don't get the abuse of a handheld (way fewer repairs to make!), and are a great advertisement that The Balloon Lady is there.

11, Who is your market aimed at?
A: The middle class family.  

12, What kind of work do you do mostly - parties? Corporate? Etc
A: You mean besides restaurant work?    I do Bparties (for all ages), corporate events, teaching, church events, and library shows (a.k.a. story-time with balloons).  I also twist at schools for festival type events but have yet to develop a real 'show' that could be presented at a school.

Could you also tell everyone about your excellent CD's that you sell
A: Thanks for the compliment.  Does this mean you have found the time to view all 4 of them?  :lol:  

All 4 of my CDs are geared to the intermediate twister, laid out in a printable PDF format that includes written instructions and full color photos.  

what is on them,
A: Balloon twisting instructions.  :twisted:  :lol:  
Wearables Vol. 1 is a collection of hats.  This was the first instructional CD for me and hit the market in November of 2006.  I use 160s, 260s, 360s (350s), with the occasional eyeball print round and a link-a-loon thrown in for good measure. I still regularly use all the designs. Here's the link to the CD: http://www.partypackage.balloonhq.com/c ... ry=0&idl=0

A Bit of Bling is a collection of bracelets designed to look like jewelry.  This was my second CD and the one where I felt the most excitement while working on it.  On this one I felt like these were really 'my' designs instead of 'my version' of someone else's stuff (The diamond ring being the exception to that statement).  The excitement was short lived because I was criticized soundly for "excessive use of metallics and 160s".   :roll: OK, so this one may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you twist for adult ladies or do princess parties, I feel the designs are a really cool addition to your repertoire.  Here's the link: http://www.partypackage.balloonhq.com/c ... 0&id=44332

MBD2 Bash Notes: The main focus of this CD is on one particular grouping of bubbles... The uneven bird body.   By altering the bubble sizes, both with larger bubbles and/or larger balloons, you can get a huge variety of use out of just that one grouping.  The idea behind this train of thought was that if there was some common element in each sculpture they would be easier to learn and in turn easier to use while working.   So... what I have done, starting with the One Balloon Bunny and ending with the Mallard Duck Hat, is use the uneven bird body in each sculpture. Here is the link: http://www.partypackage.balloonhq.com/c ... 0&id=53806

Wearables Vol 2 (Have you got the idea I like wearables more than handhelds yet?  :lol: ) This CD is actually the continuation of the hats from the MBD2 Bash Notes CD.  When I was designing the hats I found I had too many for one CD, but not quite enough for 2 CDs, so what I did was debut the first 5 hats while teaching.  Here is the link: http://www.partypackage.balloonhq.com/c ... 0&id=53401


the cost & how they can purchase them from you.
A: The ordering info can be found at the bottom of the description of each CD in the links I have provided above.  I prefer purchases made using PayPal (It's fast, easy, and it converts currencies for me so I don't have to.)
Graham Lee

So Bonnie which model do you make the most?

Who would you most like to make a model for and why? and what would you make and why?

Quote from: "Professor T Wist"So Bonnie which model do you make the most?
A: If I'm working on creating a new design, then it becomes the most used model until I'm satisfied that it's either a decent working model or I decide it's too much of a pain in the arse to make while working.  

If I saw a cool new design by someone else and want to try it out, then it becomes the most used design for a while.

Who would you most like to make a model for and why? and what would you make and why?

A: My dad.  He passed away in 1973 before ever learning what sort of person I would turn out to be and I would like him to know that some of his creativeness  and twisted sort of humor was passed on to me and my children.  I would make him a goat to remind him of the billy goat that he carved out of wood for me.

Bonnie,

A few more questions from the compiled list;

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?

and yes I have looked at the CD with the duck on, it's fantastic & well worth buying from you.

Graham Lee

Quote from: "Graham Lee"Bonnie,

A few more questions from the compiled list;

13, What is your favourite/ideal gig to do?
A: I really enjoy restaurant twisting the most.  

14, What irritates you most at a gig?
A: It's not often that I get irritated at a gig but once in a long, long while it happens.  And the thing I seem to have very little tolerance for is rudeness coupled with attitude.  (Like the lady who comes up after you have ended your line and 'demands' a balloon.  Then she gets all huffy and snotty when she is told no.)

15, How do you book yourself?
A: As in what sort of advertising do I do?  I work 3 different restaurants a week.  

16, What's the biggest thing you've ever made?
A: There are 2 that tie for the biggest.  The first was a kamodo dragon.  The second was a stegosaurus.  Both about 6 feet long.

17, What has been your proudest achievement in our wonderful world of twisted latex?
A: Recieving a Dewey award. I don't think it will ever get any better than that.

18, What advice would you give to someone starting out, or wanting to increase their business?
[b A: Find a venue (like a restaurant or a place to busk or a famer's market) and start working even if you don't think you know enough designs yet.  Twist for free if you have to. (Did I just say that?  :shock: ) Volunteer at your youth center, your library,  and/or your church.  Drop off a delivery piece when you get your hair cut.  Twist a balloon for your server that holds your tip when you dine out.  

People want most what they see... If people haven't seen you nor your work how will they know they want to book you?[/b]


and yes I have looked at the CD with the duck on, it's fantastic & well worth buying from you.  
Thanks Graham!  :oops:

Graham Lee

"The first was a kamodo dragon. The second was a stegosaurus. Both about 6 feet long."

Bonnie do you have pictures of these?

Bonnie

Some more questions from the balloon chat members

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?

If anyone has any other questions please fire away to Bonnie

Quote from: "Graham Lee""The first was a kamodo dragon. The second was a stegosaurus. Both about 6 feet long."

Bonnie do you have pictures of these?

Here is the komodo dragon: http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/db/larg ... p?id=26710

Here is the stegosaurus: http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/db/larg ... p?id=36198

Quote from: "Graham Lee"Bonnie

Some more questions from the balloon chat members

19, What road in latex do you see yourself taking in the future
A: As I gain more confidence in my ability to entertain, I see myself working more library gigs and branching out into school shows.  But I will always try and work a couple of restaurants a week.  That's where I have the most fun.

20, What is your personal goal when you set off to work? Is it money or to entertain etc?
A: My personal goal is to have fun and do the best work I can in the time I'm there. Money is important.  You gotta have it to pay the bills, but if I'm not having fun, then any ole job would do.

21, What are your balloon goals for the future?
A: The same goal I had when I started: To be able to support myself by twisting balloons.

22, If you could start all over again, would you change anything?
A: I'm tempted to say 'yes'.  There are many things I wish I could have avoided BUT each failed attempt to entertain, each failed sculpture design, each rejection has taught me something I needed to learn in order to get better.  I'm also tempted to say that I wish I had started twisting earlier in life, but that too wouldn't have been the right road for me.  If I had started earlier, I might not appreciate how lucky I am now.

23, How would you like the future of balloon modelling to develop?
A: I would like to see the time when no balloon twisters would ever hand a child a 3-twist dog.

24, Who's the most famous person you have made a balloon creation for?
I live in the Back of Beyond... There just isn't any famous people here to twist for. lol


If anyone has any other questions please fire away to Bonnie