Motorcycle Dude

This Motorcycle Dude was created for a Fenton Area Chamber of Commerce Member Luncheon as an attendence prize. So many people asked about it, I thought I answer some of the questions.

How did you come up with the idea?
Like so many things, inspiration comes from many sources. I have a facsination with motorcycles, so I like playing with diffferent designs. Many elements were lifted from the DVDs of Stretch the Balloon Dude. The "rider" was taught by Ralph Dewey for his motorcycle. I made some minor adjustments.

How many balloons did you use?

That's the question all Balloon Twisters get. I never keep track. Suppose I should. About thirty balloons total.

How long did it take?

A little over two hours because I was designing as I built it. There's always a process of trial and error. If I made it again it would take about an hour and fifteen minutes.

The motorcycle is three-feet long and over twenty-eight inches tall to the top of the rider. The frame is made mostly of 360's, the rider's body is 260's and the rear wheel is a 16" Geo. The gastank is a gold Link-O-Loon. The rider's head is two 6" blush hearts for the head and chin. The cheeks and nose are a 360 with a pinch twist in the back of the head to hold everything in place. The eyebrows are made from a 160 that also acts as the neck. The shirt and pants are made with a two-balloon flat weave.

I always enjoy creating new designs. Its one of the best parts of my business.

Thad James

SAMMY J Balloon Creations

http://www.sammyjballoons.com/

A great day at the fair!

I had a wonderful time at the Jefferson County Fair today. This is the fourth year that SAMMY J Balloon Creations has been invited to entertain on Kid's Day at the fair. While the entertainment budget was cut, the organizer was determined to keep balloon twisting on the schedule. For the last three years, a national touring magician did two 1-hour shows. This year, a local magician was hired for one 45-minute show. Previously, all the kid games included prizes for all participants. This year the games were just for fun. The only constant is the balloon twister.

This added a little more pressure on me to be the main attraction. There were even more people sitting in the shade of the tent watching the balloon guy have fun with the kids and adults. What a great time! Many fair-goers were happy to see the balloon guy again this year. And I was happy that the organizer understands the positive attraction of my balloon sculptures and entertainment.

Thanks to the staff of the Jefferson County Fairgrounds and the organizers of the Jefferson County Fair. See you next year!


Thad James
SAMMY J Balloon Creations

Giving It Away for Free

A recent discussion about "freebies" allowed me to examine my own policies. Of course, my thinking has changed over the years. Influenced by my experiences and by many wise sages of the balloon world. There seem to be two extreme schools of thought.

On one side: Those that never give away any balloons. Don't work for free for any reason. This would diminish the artist's value, destroy the chance to get paid for future events and plant a seed in people's mind that "balloons are just free".

On the other side: Balloons bring joy to everyone, so everyone should get a balloon. Take balloons with you wherever you go and make something for everyone you meet. This spreads the joy of balloons, expands your potential customer base and is a lot of fun.

I believe most ballooners are somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. But finding a comfortable compromise can be tricky. I have always run my ballooning as a business. Whether, as I first started, I was a part-timer or later when I became a full-time company. I learned from those that came before me to handle the business as a professional. While I don't always have a bag of balloons on my shoulder and I don't sit at the park just making balloons for fun, I have discovered some very strategic ways to promote my business providing "free samples".

When I first joined my Chamber of Commerce, I didn't have a lot of money for advertisements or sponsorships. But each meeting/luncheon/event offered the opportunity for promotion. The Chamber had a table that allowed members to display business cards, flyers or coupons. I brought a balloon sculpture with a stack of business cards. I spent the entire meeting talking about balloons, twisting, entertaining and the services I offered. At the end of the meeting, I offered the sculpture to be given away as an attendance prize. To this day, my sculptures are highly sought after prizes, discussed for months afterward and have brought be a significant amount of business.
I have created a buzz about my business with a unique "freebie". Nobody is discussing the coupons from the local pizzeria. They make take one, but people are not pointing at the pizza guy and saying "That's the guy who makes pizza". The insurance agent gives away an umbrella at every monthly membership luncheon. It may be a good way to promote the agency but next month nobody will talk about who won the umbrella. Many people will discuss who took home the giant balloon penguin family sculpture.

Connie Iden-Monds, one of the smartest business minds period, offered an excellent promotional idea a few years ago at Twist & Shout. She talked about using her non-balloon corporate friends as marketing tools. She would call several contacts at large offices and told them she would be delivering large balloons sculptures to their offices on a certain day. She asked her friends to leave the sculpture at the reception desk for as long a possible. A stack of business cards accompanied each sculpture. Once the friend picked up the sculpture, they were asked to place it somewhere very conspicuous: lunchroom, meeting room, coffee machine or just leave it at the front desk. Somewhere that a lot of co-workers and customers would see it. Of course, the business cards stayed with the sculpture. The deliveries were made early in the morning for the most impact.

I will always support organizations that are important to me. Some people write donations. My donation is one of time and talent. I offer the most unique of support: balloon entertainment. The organization gets extraordinary balloon creations for their event. I get to know that I supported a great non-profit. The added benefit of promoting my business is a bonus. Potential customers get to see me in action and they know I have a heart by supporting the same group that they do.

Of course, I must balance the "non-profit" work with the "profit" work. I get two or three calls a week asking for my "support" or a "donation of time" for a "really good cause". I don't doubt they have a good cause, I can't donate to all of them. Even if it would mean "excellent exposure" and an "opportunity to give away my cards". (These are commonly used words used by non-profit event organizers) I don't blame them for trying. Their job is to call anybody and everybody who will help make their event a success.

This is a business and the bills can't be paid with balloon sculptures. Or can they? Maybe I should try to send the electric company a woven bucket truck next to a utility pole....



Thad James
SAMMY J Balloon Creations

My Biggest Influences

A couple weeks ago, I was meeting with a potential client discussing their event over lunch. I learned everything about the event and the client's expectations for balloon entertainment. He then asked me about my balloon business. Why did I start? Who were my influences? That go me to thinking about the people and events that have shaped my balloon career.

I started making balloons about ten years ago when I wanted to be the "cool uncle" to my nephew, Cody. I was in a book store when I found "Captain Visual's Big Book of Balloons". This book taught me how to inflate a balloon, how much to inflate, how to tie a knot, how to twist and fold and pinch. It turns out that buying the Big Book of Balloons was the first of many very important events in my first decade of balloon entertainment.

The single most important and longest lasting influence has been Balloon HQ. This website was launch by Larry Moss, (more on him later), as a way to bring together balloon artists from around the world using a relatively new invention: the Internet. I read BHQ multiple times every day. I enjoy the pictures and the comments and the articles. Visit the website to be blown away! Through Balloon HQ, I discovered many people and events that have continued to inspire me over the years.

Ken Stillman - The first famous balloon twister I ever met. He is the nicest person in the world and has invented some of the greatest balloon techniques ever, not the least of which is the Hitchhiker Hat. Ken's original works include the 7-Stem Balloon Bouquet, Hitchhiker Hats, Cartoon Balloon Encyclopedia, Super Heroes and Fantasy Princesses. Ken's work is not about a single creation but rather a system that incorporates a base design that can be adapted to dozens of possibilities. Ken has always opened my eyes to the possibilities of balloons and entertainment.

Mark Verge - Even though he is Canadian, Mark has influenced the way I see balloon sculptures. He was one of the first artists to use larger balloons. While we were playing with 260's, Mark was building bigger stuff out of 350's. When many people began experimenting with three-inch balloons, Mark was already a master with 646 and 660 sizes. His unique view of the art has inspired me to re-think, re-examine and re-build.

Twist & Shout - My introduction to balloon conventions was the first Twist & Shout in 2000. A couple hundred balloon twisters from around the world crammed into a hotel north of Boston, MA. I don't think I was able to breath for the three days I was there. I attend Twist & Shout every year and I'm never disappointed. I learn about balloons, business, marketing, showmanship, entertaining and I get to reacquaint with some really great friends.

Larry Moss - I am proud to know Larry. One of the most innovative, creative, entertaining, intelligent and awe-inspiring members of the balloon community. If you have inflated a balloon, you owe something to Larry. You can see Larry's skill in the world's largest balloon sculpture, the first piloted flying latex sculpture and the all-balloon larger-than-life Balloon Manor. I am honored and thrilled to be a member of the Balloon Manor crew.

Balloon Manor - Speaking of Balloon Manor; I was a crew member on the very first Balloon Manor in 2004. This experience was the greatest single balloon adventure of my life. We were young! We were inspired! We created from our imaginations! We were wild and crazy! The subsequent Balloon Manors have been fantastic and awesome. The future Balloon Manors will continue to grow and be bigger than previous versions. Of everything I have done and will do with this art form, the first balloon haunted house will always hold a special place in my heart.

John & Johnna Perry - They invited me to my first balloon jam and talked me into entering my first balloon sculpture contest. I WON! (I still have the balloon-print coffee mug.) John and I once worked an event together, side-by-side. It was at that moment that I realized the definition of symbioses. John & Johnna have been fantastic friends, wonderful inspirations, great information sources, excellent roommates, conduits to the famous and owners of cool cars.


Over the years, I have met and worked with many talented artists; Ralph D, David G, Jill S, Randy J, Royal, Pat D, Stretch, Don C, Laura D/C, Suzanne L, Donna W, Bob K, Suzanne H, Brian A, Connie I-M and too many others to list. I have been to conventions, balloon jams, classes and seminars. I have twisted balloons side-by-side with hundreds of twisters. I can safely say that each encounter has added something to my life's repertoire. I appreciate every opportunity to interact with other balloon-mind folk. This community is the most sharing, caring group I can imagine. If I've ever met you: Thanks, you have touched and influenced me. If not, we should get together and twist!



Thad James
SAMMY J Balloon Creations

Micro Business

I've been a member of my local Chamber of Commerce for nearly four years. Meeting representatives from different sized companies and various industries has been very interesting. I've belonged of different committees, worked on various projects and was elected to the Board of Directors. Currently, I'm Second Vice President. Early on, I notice that many businesses didn't fit into the categories of "small, medium, large" companies.

The sponsorship levels were divided by number of employees. The "small" business category was for companies with 50 or fewer employees. I have one employee: ME. Many of my fellow businesses were in the same situation. Five or fewer total employees.

I am a Microbusiness. I fit most of the criteria: Sole proprietorship, less than five employees, service business with little inventory and I started my business out of a love for what I do. There are dozens of definitions for what constitutes a "microbusiness", but there are also dozens of online resources. I can list of few but Google will make this job easier. (Some GREAT resources for microbuisnesses)

Whether we are entertainers, plumbers, massage therapists, dog walkers; microbusiness owners are similar in many ways. Marketing, budgeting, selling, paperwork, correspondence. And of course doing the actual work, which is why we do what we do!

Above all, the entrepreneurial spirit lives in us. We want to answer the questions, solve the problems, invent the ideas and smile with pride at the surceases.

By the way, my Chamber of Commerce created a new sponsorship category for microbuisness members. I am proud to be the first Committed Member!


Thad James
Owner, operator and chief bottle washer
SAMMY J Balloon Creations

A wide and varied weekend

As I prepared for this weekend's work, I realized the Job Sheets included entertaining at a company picnic, decorating for a high school prom and twisting at a trade show booth. Each job requires a completely different mindset, approach, preparation and execution.


While I'm thrilled to be able to handle a variety of events, it has taken years to develop the ability to switch hats for so many different tasks. Each of these clients required different techniques to sell and each has different expectations of my talents.


The company picnic expects a fun-loving, wise-cracking balloon guy who jokes with the employee's children while impressing everyone with great creations. Since this is a re-book event for last few years, the client knows what to expect. The kids look forward to the balloon entertainment every year. I just have to be hilarious, engaging, creative and fun. But only for a few hours.


The trade show client hired me to bring new customers to his booth and entice them to listen to his pitch, take a brochure or even sign up for his service. The client gets the advantage of having a unique draw for his booth that the other exhibitors can't match. I have to not only be entertaining and creative but I have the added benefit of a tangible result: more potential customers drawn to the client's booth without the bottleneck of a long line. I have no doubt I can bring traffic to the booth. I understand the power of the balloon. I had to sell the client on the idea and now I have to deliver. (No problem!)


The high school prom committee contacted me months ago to discuss their prom decorations. This was after they saw my decor for a dinner/auction. They thought the idea of balloons at their prom would be very unique. I met with the committee, emailed bids, received proposals, mailed a contract. The clients (committee) expect the most beautiful, unique ballroom that will inspire memories for a life time. Quite a bit of pressure for a bunch of air-filled bags of latex.


Juggling the different jobs is easy. I have the confidence to entertain the kids, bring in customers and enthrall the prom dates. Managing the different expectations takes a lot of work and finesse. But it makes for a very interesting and tiring weekend.

My first BLOG

So, I'm a little behind the times. I have started this Web Log as a way of cataloging some of my thoughts about my balloon business, some of my balloon jobs, balloon people I know, balloon events I attend and all things balloon in my life.

Some of these postings will be of interest to some people. Other posts will be of little interest to some people. My only promise is that I will always be as honest as possible. The thoughts and ideas I write about will reflect my opinions, my experiences, my reflections. Sometimes I will have a lot to say. Sometimes, very little. I will try to write as often as possible or when circumstances warrant a posting. Who knows; some pictures may be needed to explain a particular concept.

Of course, comments are welcome. (But I won't publish criticisms. I'll read them, but nobody else will...) If you enjoy any of this, let me know. If you don't, that's fine. I'll keep writing as long as I have something to say.

Thad James
SAMMY J Balloon Creations