Face Painter, Balloon Twister & Magician

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. I am a Mom and an entertainer. I know as a Mom we have to deal with our child's prefrences and indecision on their birthday, but as an entertainer, I often must turn down birthday requests due to previos bookings.
Many children request that Berry Merry make their party special, but I can only be at one place at noon on a Saturday.
If you are considering live entertainment, please check availability before the invitations are sent out. An adjustment in the time or date is much easier before you invite your guests.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Clients should know their budget, the date, location, ages range and number of guests at their event before looking for live entertainment.
As a clown or magician, I have different shows for tweens and adults than for toddlers.
Many times hiring only one entertainer could cause more disgruntled customers than it would be worth. If a corporate client has a budget for one face painter, but has over 100 guests to entertain, a roving magician may be a better choice. No lines and everyone gets some entertainment.
Face painting is a popular fun addition to events, but having guests stand in line for hours or not be painted at all, because the budget doesn't warrent more painters is ineffective.
Let the professional help you plan a memorable event.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Training and Experience.
I have been in business 17,have performed magic shows at summer camps and Libraries for over 10 years.
Face painted at both Super Bowls when in Tampa
Worked at same restaurant for past 11 years balloon twisting and face painting
Attended many advanced training classes in theatre, clowning, face painting, magic, and balloon twisting.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Bringing smiles to faces and making happy memories for families and all my clients.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. Recently I was asked to stimulate a group of disabled toddlers. This will be an ongoing event for me and I got way more reward out of clowning and bringing smiles to these little guys than I could ever bring.
I adore children, seeing any suffer breaks my heart.
These little ones were not aware of their disabilities, and they responded so positively to my puppets, squeakers, kazoo and other colorful props I brought.
One little guy in a walker just loved letting my skirt and crinolyn flip air on his face as he lifted it up like a parachute. The giggles were unforgetable.
I proudly look forward to returning and doing my best to bring smiles to these adorable children.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. It takes time to train for all the skills involved in clowning, face painting, or balloon twisting.
Just attending aclown school and having a cute costume doesn't make you a clown. You must feel it in your heart and be funny.
A face painter needs to know what types of professional make-up are available and how to apply them properly, including ways to avoid infection.
My best advise would be to go to a professional school, learn the trade, invest in quality equipment, and be prepared as in any business to operate at a loss for several years.
I see many people assuming it is a quick way to earn money. It is a fun way to earn a living, or make some extra income, but it takes a lot of time and prepraration to become a full time business.
Get a mentor to direct you to the stores that sell the equipment, paints, balloons, make-up, props. Then practice, practice, practice, going out to a job unprepared makes you and everyone in our profession look bad. The client and guests will refrain from hiring any entertainment in the future if they have a bad experience.
Also remember if going to a birtday party--it isn' "oh he's just a kid--it doesn't matter"
It is this child's only 3rd, 4th, or 5th birthday--memories and photo's last a lifetime, ALWAYS, make them happy, not something the child will regret forever.