Out of my comfort zone this weekend.

[Sherry]

I had a two hour event this weekend.  My customer was having a housewarming party and it was a last minute booking.  She originally booked me to do face painting and balloons, and later, as almost an afterthought, requested I also bring along glitter tattoos.  Since this was tacked on like that, I really expected to be painting away most of the time.

 Instead, after the first girl only wanted a glitter tattoo, then everyone else followed suit and nobody wanted face painting, which I was rather looking forward to doing.  I ended up doing tons of glitter tattoos and some balloons.  I guess I needed the practice, but other than that, it wasn't most enjoyable.  Oh well.

I think a big part of why I took up face painting as a profession, is because I enjoy it.  I added on the extra services to make it more profitable.  What about others on the board.  Why did you take up face painting?  Are there parts of it that you find more enjoyable than others?

[MandiIlene]

I am sorry you had that experience, I kinda feel like that too with glitter tattoos. Not much od my talent is being used, and I still seem to get glitter all over EVERYTHING, so I don't feel comfortable doing it indoors as much. I would rather paint, anyday. The other option is if people want glitter tattoos, try to jazz them up a bit by painting a design around them, teardrops, swirls etc. Tell them it's part of the design, then some more kids would be amped to maybe get something painted on their arm with a little glitter added, instead of a straight tattoo.

Just an idea?!?

~*~Mandi~*~
(I am so cold right now)

[Sherry]

Good idea, Mandi!  Have you actually tried that?  The jazzing it up & telling them it's part of the design?  For some reason, picturing myself doing and saying that is cracking me up right now.     But it really is how I feel that face painting is much more enjoyable.   

[Alison]

I haven't really developed the glitter tattoos yet - so I don't know what the experience is.  
But I have had that experience with Balloons.  The 'how many can you do per hour' turned into making me a balloon-machine for demanding kids ordering me around.  To make another basic heart wand, another basic sword.  Maybe a dog or 2 thrown in there.  It was actually Insulting.

[mrsito]

i learned how to twist balloons before learning how to face paint, and i must say, i hardly ever tell people i can do balloon twisting for events too...

something about how the children i was able to work with at an event turned me off...i don't know if it was the balloons or the kids, or me...but they were not very nice...

[Alison]

i learned how to twist balloons before learning how to face paint, and i must say, i hardly ever tell people i can do balloon twisting for events too...something about how the children i was able to work with at an event turned me off...i don't know if it was the balloons or the kids, or me...but they were not very nice...

You bring up a good point here.  If we don't want to do it, don't tell people that we do it.

If you only want the extras to bring in more money, Sherry, perhaps you'll only want to mention it during slow-times? 

[Sherry]

I don't think I'd want to risk cutting back on my services, in fact last month I was busy brainstorming new ideas to add our services.  When I'm keeping busy, that's great, but I feel like I can't assume it'll stay like that or for how long.   I may complain a bit to vent, but I know it's much better to be cranking out glitter tattoos for a few hours than working an 8 - 5 p.m. job 5 days a week and not having as much time with my kids.   

[Alison]

Oh yes - I can relate to that Sherry.
The way I describe it is that - I gotta keep paddling to stay afloat.

But I'm such a busy person that I usually don't get time to develop the extras.
When there's down time, I end up focusing on personal things (like making lists to pay my taxes or figuring out how to stop a leak in my house or or - how about getting my car fixed.....).  Then things just sort of fill in until it's super-busy again, and I'm saying - Why didn't I try that sand tattoo when I could?