Kings Dominion (http://www.kingsdominion.com/) in Doswell, VA is looking for vampires to help them make their world record attempt on Friday, September 30th.
Their gates will open at 5:30 pm for FULLY DRESSED Vampires and the official count will begin at 7:30 pm under the Eiffel Tower. FULLY DRESSED Vampires will also get regular general admission for only $19.99 per person!
To be considered a FULLY DRESSED Vampire, you must wear . . .
MEN
Black cape
Black trousers
White shirt
Black, Grey or Red Vest
Black, Grey or Red neck frill or neck tie
Black shoes
Vampire teeth
WOMEN
Black and/or red colored dress
Dark eye make-up
Red lips
Vampire teeth
Black shoes
The current record of 354 people is held by the Loveland Road Runners of Northern Colorado.
Posted in Event | Comments Off on Calling All Vampires
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.
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.
Snakes are a fun design for face painting. You can make them big or small. They can go around the face or up an arm. There are several snake videos on YouTube.
Silly Farm demonstrates a snake using the Arty Cakes.
Silly Farm also demonstrates a snake on a boy’s arm using a double loaded sponge.
Mandi shows how to make a coiled snake on the cheek.
Tag Body Art shows how to make a snake and a frog.
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.
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
Posted in Balloon Twisting, Event, Face Painting | Comments Off on August Face Painting and Balloon Jam at Cici’s Pizza in Chantilly, VA
Looking for a balloon twister for your events? Check out Balloons By Mike, he enjoys making balloons and entertaining kids of all ages in Northern Virginia.
http://www.BalloonsByMike.com/
