Tonya McNeill Interview 23rd Fed/1st March

Started by Graham Lee, February 12, 2009, 11:01:28 AM

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Professor T Wist

#15
Who would you most like to make a balloon model for and why? What would you make them ?

Graham Lee

#16
Tonya how long have you had your shop and can you post a picture of it?
Does it bring in lots of foot traffic?
"Lets Improve Our Art"
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Martin

#17
You have the last 3 balloons in the world... what would you make?

Twysted Kreations

#18
I have this one, and LOVE it.  Tonya are you going to be at T&S 2010 -  I am going to that one...

Tonya

#19
okay, Professor T Wist, you asked: Who would you most like to make a balloon model for and why? What would you make them ?

This was a really tough question for me to answer.  I tried to think of a famous actor/actress, a world leader, singer, or anyone that I would really like to make a balloon for, and I came up blank.  The only answer I could come up with is, I would like to make a balloon for any child in any place that has NEVER seen a balloon model before.  I would love to watch their little face light up and watch their expressions while I'm creating something cool for them.  As far as what it would be, I guess it would have to be something from whatever part of the world they were in so they would know what it was...lol.

Graham, you wanted to see a picture of my shop. Please keep in mind I was busy yesterday, and it's kind of a mess please.  It is small, more of just a "work space" anymore, not like the storefront I used to have. But it works for what I need.  I used to have a storefront, but I had to keep the window full of balloons all the time, and in the summer the sun was so hot I had to replace them on a daily basis it seemed.  So I moved into an office space instead.  
And no, I do not get a lot of walk in traffic, I didn't get much in the storefront either, except for people that expected "free balloons".  It drove me crazy.  Being in the office is great because I have a "hair free" place to work (I have 2 dogs at home). I have a place to keep my balloons not at home (I am obsessive about balloons if I have them at home), and it's a convenient place for people to come in and pay me, or pick up sculptures so I don't have to deliver them.
[attachment=0:2atn15p3][/attachment]shop-3.jpg[/attachment:2atn15p3]

Martin, you asked, You have the last 3 balloons in the world... what would you make?

that is another super tough question.  I would probably attempt the "crueller flower" one last time, and then make a simple balloon dog or something with the last one cause the first two popped...lol.

Twysted Kreations you asked if I was going to be at T&S in 2010.  
I am going to do my best to be there, hopefully to teach a class (keep you fingers crossed for me please).
Have a happy day <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=\":-)\" title=\"Smile\" />

Tonya

Danny the Idiot

#20
Hi Tonya,

I have a quick question for you too.

Do you think you will come over for the TMJ 10th convention?

enjoying your posts,

thanks
danny  :lol:
Danny Schlesinger
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https://dannytheidiot.com
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Tonya

#21
Danny, as much as I would love to, I will probably not be able to attend the TMJ convention. (it's not in my budget at this time).
But someday I hope to make it to that side of the world :)
Have a happy day <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=\":-)\" title=\"Smile\" />

Tonya

Twysted Kreations

#22
Tonya.. I love your little shop.... that's my dream -

Tonya

#23
thanks, I like it alot.  If it is your dream, and you can afford to do it, do it.  I couldn't really afford it when I started it, but I had always wanted to give it a try.  I figured, why not.  If it didn't work I could just go back to having a regular job again. What did I have to lose. If I didn't try it, I would have always wondered if I could have made it.
Luckily, my husband has been very supportive of everything I've done, and every time things get tight and I want to quit, he talks me out of it.  There are lots of times I want to just pack it in and forget about it. We'd probably be better off without the shop (we'd have more money that's for sure).  But I really like what I'm doing, and my husband REALLY doesn't want the balloons back in the house, so I'll keep it until I'm totally done with balloons (which isn't likely to happen for a long, long time) lol.
Have a happy day <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=\":-)\" title=\"Smile\" />

Tonya

Daniel M

#24
Hello Tonya,

Nice to hear you get lots of work through word of mouth & giving out business cards ;)    What do you do if you have finished an event and somebody asks you for a business card & a balloon?

Daniel M

Tonya

#25
Well, that depends.  Usually when I close a line or event, that's that. I will give out my cards, but if I've already told everyone no more, that wouldn't be fair to them.
I have once or twice broken that rule, but not in front of the other kids.  I once had a lady wanting a balloon for her "special needs" child after I closed a line.  I explained to her that I couldn't make it in front of everyone since I've already told them no, but if she wanted to follow me out to my car, I would make her child a balloon there.  I try not to do that often though, or I'd have TONS of people follow me out to my car...lol.
Have a happy day <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=\":-)\" title=\"Smile\" />

Tonya

Graham Lee

#26
Tonya,
Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions for everyone on the forum, much appreciated and good luck with all your new adventures that are coming your way. Hope there fun and you enjoy them :D

And a gentle reminder that Tonya's hat CD is available at the totally bargain price of only $15 about £11 and you can have it emailed over to you as well  ;)
"Lets Improve Our Art"
Balloon Excellence 2012 Award Winner
For Services to the Balloon Community.
https://www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk
http://www.sempertexballoons.co.uk