Ohh, pretty! Balloons!

I AM the QUEEN!

From movies to carnivals to birthday parties, people have always loved the festive sight of colorful balloons. Popular with children of all ages everywhere, balloon twisting is yet another party entertainment option. There's just something fun and fascinating about watching a "Twister" manipulate a long (or round) balloon into everything from a simple "dog", to a huge "monster truck", or more!  Admit it now...you cringe, expecting them to "pop" any second.  Actually, although they can -and sometimes do- pop, the balloons that Twisters use are thicker than the ones you buy at the store. They have been specially designed to withstand the rigors of being "pinch and bubble twisted."  Trust me, if they weren't, I'd never have survived my first day of training! Oh, and in case you were wondering, the Twister is always as startled as everyone else when it a balloon pops, but they'll never admit it. "The show must go on! Never let 'em see you sweat!"

Want to be my 4th or July Sweetheart?
 I actually resisted adding balloon twisting to my business for years. I honestly didn't think I'd be able to do it! I knew it was one of those skills when they make it LOOK so easy, and you know darn well it's NOT! They're hard to resist, though, and I eventually decided to give them a try.  I think the hardest part was getting over my OWN fear of popping balloons! Once I did that, I really started having fun learning all the different things you can make. I'm the first to admit I'm a long way from being a "Master Twister"-something that takes years of dedicated learning and practice- but I'm pretty good at the most popular items people request and I'm learning more all the time. You never stop learning a skill like twisting. It's FUN!  Even my 7 year-old Grand-Daughter twists a pretty mean "butterfly"...and she's pretty proud of how fast she can do it.  She got a career ahead of her, if she keeps it up!

They've won HER heart!

So the next time you're thinking about entertainment options for your next event, think balloons! There's a Twister just waiting to surprise you with their amazing skills!

Can I tell you your fortune?

Thomas the MONSTER TRAIN??
It's almost as big as HE is!!

    

Thinking Outside the Pumpkin!

This year I decided to try something new, and worked at a local Pumpkin Patch. My shifts were generally from 5 - 8 pm, which may have been ideal for selling pumpkins, but not for kids to get their faces painted.  Parents made the comment, when their child begged to be painted, that they would be going to bed when they got home, and it would be a waste of money to get painted. Rather disheartening to hear, when that's what you're there to do.

I sold several "Day of the Dead" designs.

The manager at the Patch said his assistant had a suggestion; why not paint PUMPKINS when I'm not busy?  Why not indeed? I selected a couple of smallish pumpkins, and went to town.  It was fun, and kept me busy.

While I didn't get very many face paintings from this activity, parents were watching what I was doing. I suddenly was getting requests to paint the pumpkins they'd just bought!

This was done for baby's first Halloween.

SURE! Kids sat in the client chair and gave me directions on what they wanted painted on their pumpkins.  I painted everything from Happy Faces (3 in one night), to a Princess on one side of the pumpkin and "something spooky" on the back of the pumpkin.   

The ones I painted during idle time didn't go to waste, either.  They were placed by the register where people paid for their pumpkins, both to show parents what could be done, and to be sold outright.  

The painted pumpkins were placed for sale by the register.

"Witch Flying Over the Haunted House" 

The Grim Reaper was another favorite!
(In fact, skulls in general, were popular)

It was fun, and allowed a little more creativity than straight face painting.  My favorite was one of a witch flying her broom across a full moon above a haunted spooky house.   I painted -and sold- two of this one.  Parents liked them, as it gave them an "out" to having to do the messy business of carving a pumpkin, and kids liked them because they often got to pick what got painted.  Gotta love a "win-win" scenario! 

"I SEE YOU!"
This one got a reaction every time!

I think next year I'm going to buy some of those pumpkins they sell in the craft stores and try my hand at painting pumpkins to sell online or directly to a Pumpkin Patch.  It's fun knowing I've now got one more "niche" to add to my holiday marketing.

.

Maternity Belly Painting

Mothers-to-Be are discovering a new experience to celebrate the coming arrival of their babies.  Today Body Painters, who specializes in Maternity Belly Painting, are showing women how they can have a beautiful body painting on their tummies -with baby sometimes being an "active" participant of the process.  The Artist works together with the Mother, in a private setting, creating a design that gives a unique expression of the intimate way she sees her child and this time awaiting baby's arrival.  The painting medium is a safe, water-based makeup, that washes off with just soap and warm water.

Mothers are showing that they're not shy about being very creative, often incorporating the seasons or holidays when the baby is due to arrive.  Other family members can take part in the experience, too.  It's not unusual for Dad's and siblings to get painted, as well.  

She was actually having
contractions during the painting!
It turned out to be a false labor, but gave her
doctor a chuckle when she arrived with her colorful artwork.
This was her second painting, and was done the day of her
baby shower, with her closest friends in attendance.

Doctors are discovering this art in often amusing ways.  A recent Mom came to be painted prior to her monthly check-up, and kept the painting hidden until the exam started.  When her painting was revealed, the Doctor burst out laughing, saying that in 40 years of delivering babies, this was definitely a first for him! He heartily endorsed Maternity Belly Painting, and said he looked forward to what she'd surprise him with next!

This young woman's baby
was born in October, so a
Halloween Design was a
natural choice. The baby
was born just a few days
after this painting  was done.

This Mom wanted to match her baby's
nursery theme of Owls.

Designs can be used for Baby Showers or Birth Announcements, or just special Pamper Time for Mom, as she nears the end of the long wait. But, don't wait too long! I've had more than one Mom tell me to paint faster, because they were having contractions! Most Mom's chose to be painted between 7 to 8 1/2 months, and have even had multiple paintings done.  


It's fun, it's safe, it's Mommy pamper-time -and even the babies seem to enjoy it, sometimes shifting around as if the brush stroke tickle!

Any Party Theme is a Design Wonderland!

What will be the Theme of your party? Use your imagination! Children love to get "into character" when they see themselves in the mirror!

Whether it's Fairy Princesses, Butterflies or Pirates, seeing the fun that happens when a child is "transformed" is precious!

Glitter Tattoos are a popular item at parties, too! They have the advantage of being water-proof, and longer lasting - from 3-5 days on average. Perfect for pool or beach parties! I carry more than a hundred designs to choose from, and I offer a wide variety of colors to decorate each design! Tattoos are popular with all ages!

It doesn't matter if you're a child or an adult, Face Painting offers the opportunity to be free to be whimsical, mysterious, elegant and sometimes just a bit silly... With a pat of the sponge, a flourish of the brush, perhaps a sprinkling of sparkling glitter, as soon as the mirror comes up...

The Imagination is engaged, the Smile grows, and the Magic begins!

Once I hold up the mirror, and witness the ear-to-ear grin reflected back, I can't help but feel privilaged to be able to bring joy to so many.

The occasion could be birthdays, carnivals, corporate events, grand openings, picnics, holiday fests, class parties, fund raisers, or maybe "just because," Face Painting is the perfect entertainment!

If you have an event coming up soon in the Southern California area, the following are some face painting positive points to consider:

• Face painting appeals to all ages


• All supplies are provided by the artist, and require relatively little set-up space.


• Face painting can be done indoors or out -suiting every venue.


• No two designs are ever exactly alike, giving everyone a creation uniquely their own!


• Designs can be done in minutes, giving everyone time to participate.
  
• Colorful temporary tattoo's are offered as an alternative to face painting for those too young to be painted.

Secure the Magic for YOUR next event, contact

Just Imagine It! Face Painting

Just.Imagine.It.Facepainting[at]gmail.com

(714) 395-8030