Archive for the ‘Balloon Twisting’ Category

Clown Conventions

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

Almost every time I go to an event to do balloons or face painting, I meet someone who asks where I learned how to make balloons or do face painting. The answer is, I went to clown conventions. There are a few dedicated face painting or balloon twisting conventions, but there are more clown conventions.

Sir Toony making balloons

You don’t need to be a clown to go to a clown convention… Most clown conventions offer a variety of workshops including magic, face painting, skits, balloon twisting, puppets, juggling, and more. They will often have competitions for face painters and balloon twisters or jam sessions. Also, they will have dealers who sell balloons, pumps, face paints, brushes, along with colorful outfits and other supplies.

So, the next time you are thinking that you need to go to a convention to expand your skills be sure to check out the clown conventions and see if they have enough workshops to meet your needs. And you never know, maybe you will discover the clown you were ment to be.

September Chantilly Face Painting and Balloon Jam

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

Mike at Cici's

Mike showing off a balloon flower created during one of the jams at Cici's Pizza in Chantilly


It is almost that time of the month again… Each month, I host a face painting and balloon jam at the Cici’s Pizza in Chantilly. It is normally on the 2nd Monday of the month, and in September, the official jam will be on Monday, September 12th.

This month, we will share ideas on making something special for the birthday child. What do you do to make the balloon of face painting design a little more special for the birthday child. Note: The theme is more a conversation starter for the dinner period of the jam. It is not a lecture but an open opportunity to ask questions of the group or share what has worked in the past. come with your questions and ideas… Bring your ideas and an open mind for the discussion.

Arrive when you can… I try to arrive aroudn 6:00 for dinner. The actual jam portion of the night begins around 7:00 and continues until Cici’s closes at 9:00pm. You can come as early or late as you like. The jam is open to face painters and balloon twisters of all skill levels.

September Face Painting and Balloon Jam in Chantilly
Monday, September 12th

Buffet from 6:00 – 7:00
Jam from 7:00 – Close

CiCi’s Pizza Buffet
14392 Chantilly Crossing Lane
Chantilly, VA 20151
703-961-9100

Looking for pictures from past jams or a place to communicate with the other local face painters and balloon twisters? Check out our group, “Chantilly Face Painting and Balloon Jam” on facebook.

World Balloon Convention 2012

Saturday, September 3rd, 2011

Registration for the World Balloon Convention opened yesterday. The convention is March 21-25 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in Dallas, TX. The convention is hosted by Pioneer Balloon Company, the makers of the Qualatex balloon.

This is their second convention. Their website says that the WBC is designed for business-minded balloon decorators, twisters/entertainers, and party store retailers, as well as ambitious newcomers wanting to explore a rewarding and profitable career in the balloon industry.

Monkey Jokes

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

Monkey balloon

Q: What do you do with a blue monkey?
A: Cheer it up!

Q: What did the banana say to the monkey?
A: Nothing. Bananas don’t talk!

Q. What is smarter than a talking monkey?
A. A spelling bee!

Q. What side of a monkey has more hair?
A. The outside.

Q. What do you call a Monkey in a tree?
A. A Branch Manager!!!

Tis the Season

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

Kids and parents are getting ready for the start of the new school year, but I am already a month ahead and thinking about fall festivals, Halloween, and yes, even Christmas.

Pumpkin Balloon

Orange pumpkin balloon made from two orange 260s and one green 160

I was telling a friend that with my last order of balloons from La Rock’s I picked up the 5 inch Round Dracula Head Lime Green and 5 inch Round Pirate Skull balloons for Halloween. I also mentioned that I need to go back and review my Halloween Balloons.

Believe it or not, it is not too early. Kids are already thinking about Halloween and mention it when they ask to get their faces painted. The other week, I actually had a kid ask me to paint his face to look like a Jack-o-lantern.

My suggestion is to start stocking up on Orange balloons for pumpkins, white balloons for skeletons, black balloons for spiders, brown/orange/goldenrod balloons for Turkeys, and yes, even the red/white balloons for the Santa and candycanes. It might be a good time to go back and review your holiday balloons before kids start asking for things you once remembered how to make.

Kingpin Chairs

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

The other week, I was shopping at BJ’s Wholesale Club and saw the Giant Kingpin Folding Chair. I had seen another oversized chair at a clown convention, and thought it would make a great addition to my Farmer’s Market setup. I happened to be driving my smart car at the time, so it was interesting getting it home, but it fit.

Kingpin Folding Chair

Balloons By Mike with several balloons at the South Riding Farmer's Market in his Kingpin Folding Chair.

One of the local farmer’s markets sets up in an open field and all of the vendors have plenty of room. The first time I brought it to the farmer’s market, I put it in my tent and sat in the chair. At the end of the day, I realized that keeping the chair under my tent didn’t quite have the effect I was hoping for. The next week. I set it up in front of my tent and let other people sit for a while. I think it definitely caught the attention of people and helped draw people over to my tent where I had a chance to offer them a balloon.

The chair stands over five feet tall, has six drink holders, and is supposed to be able to hold two adults. It all folds up and fits in a bag about the same size as the bag for a 10×10 vendor’s tent.

It is a large item to carry around, but if it helps attract customers and increases my sales, I think it was worth it. I am not sure that I will pull it out every week (some weeks I have to leave quickly to get to another event) but think that when I do bring it that it will continue to be a big hit.

August Face Painting and Balloon Jam at Cici’s Pizza in Chantilly, VA

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

Each month, I host a face painting and balloon jam at the Cici’s Pizza in Chantilly. It is normally on the 2nd Monday of the month, and in August, the official jam will be on Monday, August 8th.

Come early and enjoy the buffet and conversation with your friends from 6:00-7:00pm. Bring your ideas and an open mind for casual discussion about topics related to face painting, balloon twisting, and events. The regular Jam will be from 7:00-9:00 pm when the restaurant closes. You can come as early or late as you like. The jam is open to face painters and balloon twisters of all skill levels. Bring your balloons and face painting supplies.

August Face Painting and Balloon Jam in Chantilly
Monday, August 8th, 2011
Buffet from 6:00 – 7:00
Jam from 7:00 – Close

CiCi’s Pizza Buffet
14392 Chantilly Crossing Lane
Chantilly, VA 20151
703-961-9100

Used Book Stores

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

I have never been big on reading books. In school, the only books I ever read, were the books my teachers said I had to read. But, once I decided to become a clown, I realized I needed books to help me learn the skills I needed to succeed. I ordered a few books from the various websites that sell clown, face painting, and balloon supplies. I also got a few books from Amazon.com. It wasn’t until I was bored one weekend and decided to venture into a used book store that I discovered there was a cheaper way to get great books.

I have been visiting the local used book store every month or two and never walk away without finding something interesting. I have found books on juggling, magic, mime, clowning, face painting, balloons, puppets, jokes and a variety of other topics. The best thing is that I rarely have to pay more than $3 for a book. I don’t think I can go wrong spending $10 and coming home with 3 or 4 used books. Actually, it is usually more like $30 and 8 to 10 books.

Used Books

Cow Appreciation Day

Thursday, July 7th, 2011

Friday, July 8th is Cow (Customer) Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A and customers who come dressed head to toe as cows get a free meal. Visit their website http://www.cowappreciationday.com/ for more details.

So, here are some ideas for cow balloons or face painting designs.

July Face Painting and Balloon Jam in Chantilly

Friday, July 1st, 2011

Each month, I host a face painting and balloon jam at the Cici’s Pizza in Chantilly. It is normally on the 2nd Monday of the month, and in July, the official jam will be on Monday, July 11th.

Face paints

This month, we will share ideas for dealing with lines. The theme is only a conversation starter… come with your questions and ideas for dealing with lines of kids (both at birthday parties and larger festivals) and share with others. What do you do when faced with 15 kids who all want to be next? Bring your ideas and an open mind for the discussion. The regular Jam will be from 7:00-9:00 pm when the restaurant closes. Bring your balloons and face painting supplies.

Note: The theme is more a conversation starter for the dinner period of the jam. It is not a lecture but an open opportunity to ask questions of the group or share what has worked in the past.

The actual jam portion of the night begins around 7:00 and continues until Cici’s closes at 9:00pm. You can come as early or late as you like. The jam is open to face painters and balloon twisters of all skill levels.

June Face Painting and Balloon Jam in Chantilly
Monday, July 11th
Buffet from 6:00 – 7:00
Jam from 7:00 – Close

CiCi’s Pizza Buffet
14392 Chantilly Crossing Lane
Chantilly, VA 20151
703-961-9100