Q: WHO, WHAT, WHEN AND WHERE?
A: Hello and welcome to my Q & A page. Here you will find helpful tips and answers to some of the most commonly asked questions I've seen... starting with:
Q: ARE YOU AVAILABLE?
A: This of course is the most frequently asked question and unfortunately I'm not often able to respond as quickly as I'd like. Why? Because people don't always remember to include an address when contacting me. I'm Seattle's most affordable balloon artist and understandably demand is high. That means I usually need to schedule more than one appointment in a day and since events can be anywhere between Everett and Tacoma; knowing exactly where you need me to be is essential.
If your in a hurry you can help things go much faster if you include a numbered street address when inquiring about my availability. That way I can check the route & travel-time between events and confirm instantly weather or not I can make it to yours.
Oh and... I am in college. My classes are Monday through Friday so my time during the weekdays is limited. If you don't include all the requested information in your first e-mail then it'll be easy for me to loose track of you.
Q: CAN YOU MAKE ANIMALS?
A: Yes... I have been asked this question before. When I first put this site together I guess I took it for granted that balloon artists make balloon animals. So I never mentioned it specifically or pictured simple creations like balloon dogs on my pictures page. The truth is there's nothing I can't make... lions, tigers, bears, the Eiffel Tower, THE WORLD and everything in it... even the Space Needle.
Q: CAN YOU MAKE A BUNCH OF SWORDS, FLOWERS AND HATS AHEAD OF TIME?
A: This is something most commonly asked by event planers or parents who are worried about time. Of course the answer is "Yes" but there really is no need. Why? Trust me, I'm the fastest balloon twister in the North West. Most creations take me less than a minute to make so there's always plenty of time to make balloons on the spot. Also, kids are happiest when they have a choice. I can make swords and flowers if that's what they ask for but I can also make more than that. Why not let them have something like a favorite animal, a jet-pack or a fairy princess costume? Plus... isn't half the fun watching me work?
Q: HOW FAST ARE YOU?
A: Fast... I started my carrier working as a busker at large festivals like The Fremont Fair, Folk Life and The Bite Of Seattle. I had to be fast just to keep my head above water and very quickly got used to the pace. I've been "clocked" at helping an average of 75-80 kids an hour!
Q: WHAT DO YOU DO AT A BIRTHDAY?
A: At all birthdays I provide the party basics of balloons and face-painting. At most birthdays of 10-25 kids that's enough but at smaller parties (less then 10 kids) I have time to include to few balloon based party games. Games include throwing balloon javelins through targets, balloon juggling, balloon tag, etc.
The standard itinerary is this: I show up and meet the parents, then find a spot that will provide me with visibility and space to accommodate a crowd. I then like to make myself a large balloon hat which will get kids attention and let them know what I'm there to do. Once the hat is on, the heat is on, and kids can ask me for every kind of balloon animal, sword, robot and/or rocket-ship they can think of. I'll make balloons until each kid has two or three then I sit down and switch to face-painting. Every kid gets at least one thing painted on either their cheek or hand then I determine if there's an interest in games.
I don't charge an hourly rate for birthdays, instead I ask a flat fee that includes all of my time and materials. I stay as long as I'm needed; depending on the size & age range of the crowd that's usually an hour to an hour and a half.
I arrive ready to work and don't require any set up time. Please make sure to schedule me 30 minutes after the party starts.
Q: CAN YOU DONATE YOUR TIME?
A: I get asked by school auctions, charity walks and other very worthy causes; but unfortunatly the answer is always "No." I simply can't afford to donate my time and since my rates are already generously low (the lowest in Seattle) I can't give discounts.
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Q: IS THIS AGE APPROPRIATE?
A: This is a very difficult question to answer. Not because I don't know but because I may not have the answer you want to hear.
Put simply, in my experience balloons are inappropriate for toddlers. It's a fantastic irony that so many people contact me to entertain at toddler events but I always need to make sure they understand the following:
Balloon swords, costumes, animals and toys all sound fun but balloons are an abstract medium & most toddlers lack the imagination to appreciate them. Also (as I'm very fond of saying) I make a lot more than balloon dogs. Many of my popular "standards" like a bow & arrow or ray-gun require a level of dexterity to enjoy that is frequently missing in youngsters.
Can I make simple balloons? Of course. But why hire a professional if you're going to ask them to perform beneath there potential?
Lastly... balloons pop. Young kids have a tendency to bite into things. If that happens with a balloon then they've just created a choking hazard and I like to think I'm in the business of making kids smile rather than cry.
So what is an appropriate age? I prefer working with kids who are five and up. I think balloons are enjoyed most by kids age seven and up. I'm comfortable working with children as little as two but if the age range at your party is limited to children who are two or three then I recommend you make plans that don't include a balloon artist or face-painter.
Q: WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO ROAM AT MY EVENT?
A: I don't know what you have in mind but I'd like to suggest that roaming doesn't work. Why? Imagine a bunch of people suddenly finding out that there's a guy giving away free balloons. What they usually do is find that guy; then crowd around him. Since the most efficient way to deal with that crowd is to ask them to form a line, that means that at events where I'm asked to roam, I typically wind up having to stand in one spot. So I recommend setting aside a spot at your venue for me and that in doing so you consider the likely hood of me drawing a crowd and having a line.
Q: WHAT DO WE NEED TO PROVIDE YOU WITH AT OUR EVENT?
A: At a large events I've found that I can get more balloons to more people if I limit choices to items that are both fun and easy to make. I have a sandwich sign with a balloon "menu" on either side... but I always appreciate it when I'm given a table instead. If you have one I could use with some kind of shelter (in-case of inclement weather) that would be great and I'll just tape some balloon menus to it. If not, that's fine, but please tell me so I'll be sure to bring my sign. With the sign my "foot print" is roughly 3'x3' (not including the crowd).
Also... unlike most balloon artists I don't use a pump. I find that it's faster and more impressive when I use my lungs. I've been doing this for several years so I never get lite-headed or winded, but I can get dehydrated and therefore ask that someone on staff make sure I have an ample supply of water. I of course bring a bottle to every event, but depending on the weather conditions I can go through two or three standard sized bottles of water an hour... That's thirsty work!
Finally... I work fast so people never have to wait in line long but there's always a late-comer who wants "just one more" when my time is up. Then after that person it's likely that yet another person will want "just one more" and then another and so on. To prevent disappointing people and to avoid frustration I like to ask someone from the event staff to show up about ten minutes before my scheduled stop time. This person is a major help to me when they stand at the end of my line (if need be) and politely turn people away explaining that I will be leaving soon.
(NOTE: At birthdays I don't bring a menu. Kids just ask me for what they want and I make it.)
Q: WILL YOU WORK ON A FESTIVAL DAY?
A: During Spring & Summer Seattle hosts a number of festivals open to buskers and other performers. Entertainers like me depend on large seasonal functions for our annual income. If you're having a birthday or other private event on a major festival day I'll be happy to entertain for you; but please be prepared to pay more than my usual rate.
To see just some of these Spring & Summer festivals click here for info and dates... Thank you for your understanding.
(NOTE: If you can be flexible about your party's date I.E. have it on a Sunday rather than a Saturday, standard rates will apply.
If you can be flexible about your party's time I.E. have it during the evening rather than the afternoon, standard rates will apply.)
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Q: HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE?
A: For birthdays I ask a flat fee of just 75.oo$(this includes balloons and face-painting). That means that if you hire me for a birthday that's all you'll have to pay. No more and no less. This is not an hourly rate, it is an all inclusive fee that covers all of my time and materials.
For any other event I charge a minimum of 75.oo$ and ask 75.oo$ per each additional hour. So if I'm there 30 minutes... 75.oo$. If I'm there two hours... 150.oo$. Three hours... 225.oo$. It's that simple.
I don't barter and I don't haggle. I encourage you to research the competition; I'm sure you'll find that my rates are very reasonable and highly competitive.
Oh and remember... any event out side Seattle city limits: add a 25.oo$ travel fee to your bill.
(NOTE: I don't split my rate into half hours... half hours will always be rounded up i.e. a booking for 1.5 hours would still total at 150.oo$)
Q: DOES THE 25.oo$TRAVEL FEE APPLY TO MY CITY?
A: I realize that Seattle has some pretty close neighbors but, with gas prices being what they are, the answer is "Yes-" the travel fee applies to all cities outside Seattle with out exception... including Bellevue.
Q: DO MATERIALS OR FACE-PAINTING COST EXTRA?
A: No. All of my services and materials are included at birthdays. The cost for all of my materials are covered by my hourly rate at large events. If you have further questions about face-painting check out the Q & A section on my FACE-PAINTING page.
Q: DO YOU REQUIRE A DEPOSIT?
A: No. I like to keep things as simple as possible... I don't require a deposit and I don't have any contracts for you to sign. I except cash or check the day of the booking. To confirm a booking I just need an e-mail from you with all the appropriate information i.e. date, time and address. If this information is sent to me upfront I can confirm or deny my availability instantly.
(NOTE: If you would like a receipt or an invoice please let me know ahead of time and I'll arrive prepared... But I don't have a fax-machine.)
Q: WHY HAVE YOU RETITLED MY E-MAIL?
A: This is a habit of mine that seems to have caused some dismay. Most of the e-mails I get look very similar "Birthday party" "Balloon inquiry" "Balloons" It's not always easy to tell them apart. Retitling your e-mail is in no way intended to offend and I sincerely apologize if it bothers you... but it helps me keep track of who's who and what's what.
Q: DO YOU DRESS LIKE A CLOWN?
A: I don't. I dress in casual clothes for most events and will be glad to put on a tie for special occasions but the pictures of me seen on this page represent the look you can expect.
Q: CAN YOU HOLD A DATE FOR ME?
A: I understand that some events are planned by committee and that in such cases the planning process can take time; but it's important to me that I'm fair to all of my customers regardless of the event size. I therefore make my appointments on a first come, first served basis.
If you're undecided on your location, date or time I will not make a booking. The booking process isn't finished until you recive an e-mail from me stating that I have all the info I need & that you're on my calendar.
Q: CAN I ASK YOU ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL?
A: Of course you can. There's no way I can anticipate every question people might have and I hope this page wont deter you from asking. But there is an easy way to do it. Lines like "information please" or "send details" don't help me to understand what it is you'd like to know; you'll save yourself time in the long run if you contact me with a list of specific questions, that way I can get straight to them |
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