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Pre-made sculptures last how long?

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Forum Name: Entertainers Forum
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URL: http://www.mbd2.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=151
Printed Date: 13 April 2005 at 9:04am


Topic: Pre-made sculptures last how long?

Posted By: lukethejuggler
Subject: Pre-made sculptures last how long?
Date Posted: 06 October 2003 at 1:26pm

Hi all,

I've got a big engagement coming up this weekend and I'm planning on getting up VERY early in the AM (3 0r 4 AM?) to create 5 or 6 LARGER sculptures to use as "see me" sculptures while I'm twisting.

If things get very busy, I would like to have a bunch of PRE-MADE animals to pass out in order to save time.

Does anyone have experience or some good tips for keeping the pre-made animals as fresh as possible so that they are pleasing to the eyes and possibly help increase sales and tips?

I'm thinking of using plastic garbage bags to store them in then break them out for the show. Any better ideas?

Or, how many hours in advance should I start to insure they will stick around for a while?

Thanks to everyone!

Luke the Juggler



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Luke the Juggler
614-486-8807
www.LuketheJuggler.com
LKareklas@yahoo.com


Replies:

Posted By: Dale
Date Posted: 07 October 2003 at 9:17am

Hi Luke

I used to do Breakfast for Santa were a 1,000 balloons had to be made and distributed.  Did this for four years and the pay was terrible.  Michelle, Kurt (another entertainer) and I would make teddy bears, poodles, lions, and reindeers two days before the event.  It was tedious, but the event was easy for the performers who entertained.  The entertainers dressed as Elves would passing out balloons, tell jokes, and keep the line moving.

Kurt, who owned a trick shop at the time, had an old hearse which was painted purple.  Real eye catcher… but the biggest problem was transporting the balloons.  We would fill the hearse and my car up with balloons.  We would use big storage bags from ACE Hardware -- nice big bags, but difficult to transport.  A small percentage would deflate or untwist, but nothing that could not be fixed. 

The weather was always on our side, cold… better for transporting the balloons.

That is my experience with pre-made balloons.

Dale



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Walk around entertainment at it's best! www.mbd2.com


Posted By: lukethejuggler
Date Posted: 07 October 2003 at 10:48am

Hey Dale,

Not quite sure if I understand your answer entirely.

By bagging the balloons, did it help keep them from oxidizing and looking "bad?" Or, do they come out of the bag looking relatively new and desireable.

I'm working a "Craft Corner" where others are selling their Crafty wares. I intend to twist for cash for the full six hours, but also wanted to have a supply of pre made stuff available -- larger items, football helmets, hats, looney knock offs, etc -- hanging with a "price tag" already on them. I was thinking of using peg boards for the hanging stuff.

I just don't want to stay up all night twisting to find out in the morning that the one's that I made, say, five hours earlier, look like doo doo.

Thanks again,

Luke

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Luke the Juggler
614-486-8807
www.LuketheJuggler.com
LKareklas@yahoo.com


Posted By: Dale
Date Posted: 07 October 2003 at 12:15pm

Luke

The bags helped, but main reason for oxidizing is temperature change.  If the event is outside, what is the expected temperature?  Cooler the event, the better look the balloons will have.  Try to make the balloons at the same temperature and use a pump.  Blowing the balloons up by mouth adds moisture.  The moisture adds the oxidizing look.

Dale

P.S. Go, CUBS Go!



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Walk around entertainment at it's best! www.mbd2.com


Posted By: danoballoonmano
Date Posted: 09 October 2003 at 12:57pm


Hello all!!,
    I have had the opportunity to "play" with regard to pre-made sculptures. My own experience dictates a balloon that is burped until it is quite soft. I haven't used the pumps to pre-make the sculptures, so I can't comment on that but some of the larger sculptures that I make for display during "busking" gigs seem to do quite well if I make them soft and transport them in garbage bags. I once made a 500 balloon dragon for a Halloween costume, but I was working with Hi-float inside the balloons (liquid latex) and these lasted over a week. This methid works, but is definitely too time consuming for the purposes of just giving the balloons away. Good luck!!!

Dan The Balloon Man


Posted By: tricksr4kids298
Date Posted: 09 October 2003 at 1:04pm

Balloons definately last longer in the cooler months then they do in the summer. There are times that I have pre-made sculptures and put them in hefty bags and they have lasted without a problem. It's the heat that is the the balloons enemy.

Bob H

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Have a great day
Bob H.


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