Face Painting and Balloon Twisting Blog

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Each year, International Clown Week is celebrated during the first week of August. Clown Week became official in the United States when President Nixon signed Public Law 91-433 and proclaimed August 1-7 as Clown Week.

Thanks to the charitable nature of clowns and clown alleys, many clowns in the United States use the week to give back to their community. Some do it by wearing their clown shoes to their regular day jobs, others donate their time for one or more charity events. To further encourage clown alleys to paricipate in activities during International Clown Week, Clowns of America International (COAI) gives out the Charlie Award. The Charlie Award is a trophy that is given to the COAI Clown Alley which best documents and celebrates International Clown Week (August 1-7).

—————————————————–
Public law 91-443

JOINT RESOLUTION
October 8,1970
91st Congress H. J. Res. 236

Authorizing and requesting the President of the United States to issue a proclamation designating the week of August 1 through August 7, 1971, as “National Clown Week”.

Resolved hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled^ That the President of the United States is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation (1) designating the week of August 1 through August 7,1971, as “National Clown Week”, (2) inviting the Governors of the States and territories of the United States to issue proclamations for like purposes, and (3) urging the people of the United States to give heed to the contributions made oy clowns in their entertainment at children’s hospitals, charitable institutions, institutions for the mentally retarded, and generally helping to lift the spirits and boost the morale of our people, at a time when it is especially desirable and necessary.
_ Approved October 8, 1970.

Source – http://www.internationalclownweek.org/

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.

Friday, July 8th was Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-A and now is the time to vote for your favorite cow. I hope you will vote for me by visiting my page at http://www.cowappreciationday.com/gallery/detail/432

Mike at Chick-Fil-A on Cow Appreciation Day

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.

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.

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

Celebrate the Art of Balloon Sculpture by participating in 12th Annual Balloons Around the World on Wednesday, October 5, 2011. Visit http://www.balloonsaroundtheworld.com/ to sign up or find a group near you.