Years later our paths would cross again.  I was a newlywed fresh out of college and had started doing entertainment “on the side.”  I would do an occassional birthday party here and there and knew how to make a dozen or so balloon animals. But again, performing full time was not on my radar at that time.   On New Year’s Eve, Ric was doing his magic act in downtown Greenville.   After he finished and the crowd was slowly leaving I went and talked to Ric.  We bonded over our shared love of bringing laughter and joy to people of all ages.   And for the first time, I realized that it was possible to make a living AND do what you loved.   The first time that I truly felt like a professional was when Ric actually hired me to perform at one of the numerous festivals that he helped plan.

Our paths continued to criss cross over the next several years.  Often I would be doing balloons and face painting at a corporate event where he had set up balloon decor and games.   We would occassionally share dreams and thoughts over lunch.  Ric was always brutally honest with me.  He would tell me when my ideas were good or just plain “boneheaded.”    We would both be booked for the same festival and be pleasantly surprised at seeing each other again.  And things came full circle when I was able to hire Ric to help me out at some sporting events and  larger parties.

The last time I saw Ric perform was for a group of clowns.  No really, literal clowns!  We were hosting the Ringling Brothers clowns at a dinner in Greer, SC  and both Ric and were asked to entertain the entertainers.   I watched the audience that night.  I saw their eyes light up and heard the laughter (and occassional groans) at Ric’s jokes.    And then my eyes turned to Ric.  He had the biggest smile on his face in that moment.  And once again I thought this guy has a really cool job!

I count it a blessing that I am able to share this here in this blog.  But even better, I was able to tell this personally to Ric just two years ago.  Ric’s passing was sudden and unexpected.  There are many other things that I wish I had taken the time to tell him, but he knew that I considered him a mentor. 

So thank you Ric for encouraging me to step out and dream big.  Thank you for showing me what being a real performer was all about.  Thank you for your professionalism and courtesy that you always extended to other artists whether they were clowns, magicians, balloon artists, face painters, or watermelon queens.  And above all,  thank you for for being a friend.   You will be missed.  And now I am going to go put on my clown nose for a while. 

But I also can think of several hundred balloon creations that I have made that I don’t have photographs.  Many times when I am doing balloon twisting at one of my regular restaurants in Greenville or Spartanburg I have people that like to “challenge” me.  I have been asked to make a BBQ possum, a weedeater, a three eyed drooling monster, a double headed dragon, Barak Husein Obama, a three toed sloth, a roller coaster, and all kinds of other requests.  So, if I have the time, I will usually attempt almost any balloon creation.  My motto is “most anything within the realms of time and taste.”    Unfortunately I don’t usually have an opportunity to get any photos of these creations.  So if anyone out there has taken some photos of some of my balloon animals, balloon hats, or other balloon art please take a moment to post the picture on Joy Set Entertainment’s  Facebook page.

Also please take the time to check out my balloon pictures.   Enjoy those photos and those memories!

A great alternative to flower delivery for Valentine's Day

Joy Set is gearing up for Valentine’s Day.  We are pleased to offer a special on our popular balloon delivery and singing telegram options.  From now until Valentine’s Day, you can purchase the “Sweetheart Special”  For only $99 here is what you will receive:

• A customized singing / novelty telegram for your loved one.  Check out the many options available on our Singing Telegrams Page
• A deluxe balloon creation.  Popular choices are giant flowers, monkey (see picture), big bear, and flowers in a vase.  And of course we are able to accomodate many requests as well with our balloon art.
• A gift certificate for $50 off any of our services of $100 or more.

This is a fantastic deal and there are limited delivery times and delivery areas available.  Contact us today (864) 299 1949 to schedule your Sweetheart Special!

Happy New Year and welcome to 2012. 2011 was the best year that Joy Set Enertainment has had to date. We did hundreds of birthday parties in Greenville, Anderson, Spartanburg, and Laurens, SC.  In addition to providing top notch birthday entertainers, Joy Set also taught balloon twisting and face painting at numerous events and places such as camps, schools, and conventions. 

Focused Excellence  Now it is time to focus on what changes are in store for Joy Set Entertainment this coming year. We will be expanding some of what we do and more narrowly focusing other areas. You see, we don’t want to be a jack of all trades and master of none.  Instead we want to maintain excellence in key areas.   We will continue to train our entertainers to be the best magicians, the best balloon artists, the best face painters, and the best clowns.  We will attend face painting classes, balloon jams, and clown conventions.  We will invest in new magic tricks, face painting equipment, clown props, and balloon pumps to improve our effeciency.   We are grateful that so many have trusted Joy Set Entertainment for their special events.  And it does not matter whether that event is a birthday party for a little boy and eight of his friends or for the President of the United States and 2000 members of the armed forces and their families, we will always do our very best!

Geographical Expansion  Joy Set loves being in the Greenville, SC area.  We have no plans of changing our home base.  In 2012 we have events planned in Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and all parts of South Carolina.  And we are working on doing balloon twisting, face painting, and clowning in different countries throughout the world.  Joy Set has been invited to attend and host events in other countries, but we have not yet been able to do that.  We are hoping that 2012 will be the year that we get to go and see more of this fantastic planet.

Teamwork  In order to achieve our first two goals, Joy Set Entertainment will be more closely working with great entertainers in the Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson areas.  We hope to bring more people onto our team that are commited to excellence.  Rest assured that anyone that becomes part of Joy Set will abide by our Triple Guarantee. 

It is going to be a great year.  I for one don’t care that the Mayans didn’t finish the calendar for this year, or what some people think that Nostradamus might have meant to say if it could be interpreted to mean ….. I am walking boldly and confidently into 2012 and beyond!

Now wait a minute.  I am the balloon twister here!  But I decided to put my own artistic pride aside and have a bit of fatherly pride.  Yup, the kid had done good, and she had the cuteness factor working for her.   Of course ten dollars was a small fortune to a kindergartner.  Cherie was amazed by this.  “You mean people PAY MONEY for balloons.” she exclaimed.  I explained the concept of tipping as best as I could to a six year old.  And I somewhat reluctantly allowed her to keep the money. 

A few days later I was going to take her to the store so she could spend her money.  “Go get your ten dollars Cherie.” I said.

“Its gone.” Cherie said.

I was upset.  My daughter has lost this money, or wasted it on candy, or who knows what.  As calmly as I could, I asked “What happened to your money?”

She said “There was a lot of water in Asia.  And my class collected money to help people.”  This was right after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in December of 2004.  Cherie attended a private Christian school that sent money in to help with the relief efforts.  So when Cherie learned that hurting people needed money, she happily gave all she had.  Here I was worried that my girl had squandered a few dollars when she had actually been very loving and giving.

I softly said “I am proud of you Cherie.”  My daughter taught me that money was a tool, just like my balloons.  Money can be useful for caring for the needs of my family.  And at the end of my day my family is more important than the money. 

I am grateful that all three of my children have shown an interest in carrying on the family business.  Sure our business consists of being a clown, or being a face painter, or a magician, or a balloon twister.  But I am even more grateful that they all have giving hearts.  They have donated their time and efforts into feeding the homeless in Greenville.  They give to our church.  They put aside their allowance to give Christmas presents for needy children.  Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

We found out on June 15 that we would be able to go to the White House this year to twist balloons.  The coordinator had asked us in 2010, but we were booked already when he was notified, so we kept it in the back of our minds all year. We had events start to be booked, and with each one, we made sure one of our entertainment friends would be able to cover them.  So, Saturday afternoon, we were all packed & headed north. We only traveled halfway (to Roanoke) and spent the night. Sunday morning, we drove on into DC.  I have a cousin who lives in MD, just north of DC, and she & her family was gracious to let us stay with her for a couple of nights. She gave us advice on travel & parking. I told her the coordinator needed my vehicle information to which she replied that it was rare to get to actually drive onto the grounds.  Now I knew we were “special” folk. Meanwhile, we loaded our balloon bags & aprons & “showed off” a little for the family.

Monday morning, we got our things together & waited until it was close enough to leave. We drove into DC & arrived at the bus blocking E St. This is where the first security gate is located. Showing ID & having the van searched was interesting, but quick. (We had left all our stuff except balloons at my cousin’s.) We then drove through the next gate & found a parking space. We walked through a 3rd, and final, security gate & we were officially on the White House lawn!  SO COOL!  WE HAD ARRIVED!

Now, we arrived at 2PM at the first gate. We were inside by 2:30. Guests weren’t scheduled to arrive until 5PM. So, we found where we wanted to be & some made balloons for picture purposes. We walked around looking at everything, absorbing where we were. I was studying decor centerpieces (most of which were recyclable). We saw Bo, the first dog, being taken for a walk. We walked up to the rose garden, but weren’t allowed to enter, chatted with Secret Service agents. Just getting a feel for the location. Food was being prepared, drinks were being delivered, games were set up, and photo booths were energized for all to get their picture taken to prove they too had been on the lawn.

 At 5PM, the crowds started trickling in … and we almost immediately had a line … 7 balloon twisters, 7 lines, all in a row … pretty much non-stop until 8PM. In that respect, this event was pretty much like any other event we do. Get in a zone & twist to get the balloons to the guests. Around 6PM, the Military Marching Band lined up & marched through playing “Semper Fi” (we saw the rehearsal as well). They marched up toward the White House & when they arrived there, the President stepped out on the balcony and gave a speech about our appreciation of our military. With him were representatives from each branch, as he gave specifics of some of their courageous acts. He then stepped down into the crowd & greeted some of the families. He never made it over to where we were, though.

 Then leading up to 8PM, one Secret Service agent and several interns did the hardest thing anyone ever does .. they ended our balloon lines.  We packed up our things at 8 & were offered the opportunity to stay & watch the show & fireworks.  Carl & I left anyway.  We didn’t know the bands, fireworks are fireworks, and we knew if we left then, there wouldn’t be as much traffic. It was actually more difficult to leave the grounds than it had been to get in. (directions were not given, so trying to get out was confusing)

   So, now we are back in SC & we had a lifetime experience.  If we were invited back, we’d go.  Meanwhile, we have pictures to prove we were there.    Paula

Over the years I have watched NUMEROUS balloon videos.  I have watched all of John Michael Holmes VHS (remember those) tapes.  And I own several balloon videos that are now out of print.  Actually I just counted my video collection.  I have over 127 different balloon videos on both DVD and VHS.  Most of my balloon videos are about twisting balloon animals, balloon planes, and other balloon creations.  A few of them are all about balloon decoration or balloon decor.  I even have one that teaches how to make tie dye balloons (and the “Tie Dye Balloon Guy” likes it very much, thank you).

At the end of this blog, I will provide some links to some of my favorite balloon videos.  I won’t get anything out of it if you do purchase some videos except the satisfaction of knowing I have helped out another aspiring balloon twister.  But right now, I want to do a review on two recent DVD’s from one of my favorite balloon artist, Dave Bartlett.  Dave (aka Mr. Rainbow) has been a professional clown and balloon twister since shortly after the world began (or maybe it just seems that way).  I owned most of his VHS until I replaced them with his remixed DVDs.  Dave was kind enough to combine two VHS tapes onto each DVD that he “re-released”

I had been planning to purchase Dave Bartlett’s DVD “E Unum Pluribus” for many months.  When I went to Mr. Rainbow’s web site to order, I happily discovered yet another DVD that he has just recently released, “Eat, Play, Twist.”  I ordered both and in just two short days, I had my newest balloon videos.  “E Unum Pluribus” showcases many different character creations.  He makes an Astronaut, Frankenstein, Leprechaun, Elf, Dracula, Darth Vader, Pirate Skeleton, Shrek, and a Clown.  Each one is quick enough that I could make them at any of the restaurants where I twist balloons.  And each one is able to be tweaked enough to be a special birthday creation for a birthday child.  I particularly liked “Eat, Play, Twist”.  This DVD contains mostly variation of bird designs (including some Angry Birds) with some dinosaurs tossed into the mix just to keep things interesting.  The Angry Birds were a huge hit at my twisting gigs.  I even added a green pig to make it a more interactive game. 

Pros:  These video moves along at a nice clip.  Dave carefully shows the basics of a design and then shows variations with that design.  I have other videos that about half of the time is taken up with making the same body structure over and over and over again.  Dave is lighthearted and conversational in his style.  He shares jokes  and bits of entertainment here and there.  And as mentioned above the balloons shown are impressive but can still be made fairly quickly by a good balloon twister.  Cons:  Part of “Eat, Play, Twist” is filmed outdoors.  This is not the best thing for someone with ADD to try to watch (oh look a butterfly just went by).  Bottom line: Both of these new DVDs have one or two creations that more than make them worth the price of admission.  Get them.

Other DVD links

Aeradeco Video:  Despite having a name that few can spell and fewer still can pronounce, Aeradeco Video has some top notch balloon videos for balloon decorators.

Diamondstorm:  is where to find some of the great balloon twisters and their fabulous videos.

Balloon art so beautiful it will make you cry

Learning that face painting isn’t always on the face.

There are some truly great balloon twisters in Greenville, SC (and Anderson and Spartanburg … and Newberry  too).    And Greenville has its share of talented face painters as well.  But finding artists that do BOTH balloon twisting and facepainting is pretty hard.  That is why I am truly blessed to have Paula as my wife (and 70% owner of Joy Set Entertainment).   Joy Set is one of the very few companies in the Upstate of SC that has an entertainer capable of doing both balloon twisting and face painting.

Many people do not realize that it was Paula that taught me how to twist balloons.  I already knew the simple basic shapes like poodles and swords.  But I wanted to venture into some more elaborate balloon art.  She was able to read the balloon twisting books that I bought or borrowed from the library and explain it to me.  She continues to impress me by coming up with her own balloon creations.  I know that I would not be the balloon twister … or balloon artist if you will, if it were not for my lovely wife.

Not long after Joy Set Entertainment first started, we were helping some clowns with their restaurant entertainment.  On this particular occassion they were doing cheek art.  Paula picked up some brushes and was quickly doing hearts, flowers, butterflies and more on the faces of boys and girls.  I remarked “Well I guess we know who the face painter is for our company.”  When we would go to conventions, I would take the balloon twisting classes, and Paula would take the face painting classes.  Of course today, she is teaching face painting classes and I am teaching balloon twisting classes.

It is time for me to face paint as well.  That’s right folks, the Tie Dye Balloon Guy is going to be the Tie Dye Face Paint Guy too.  You see Joy Set does several birthday parties all over the Upstate of SC almost every weekend.   And more and more parents in Greenville, Anderson, and Spartanburg are wanting our complete party packages where we offer a comedy show, balloon twisting, face painting, and goody bags.   So it is time for me to step up to the plate … er paintbrush and take some of the load off of my busy wife.   Admittedly I have done face painting before, but I have to take it up a notch.  And Paula is helping me.  An unusual but effective piece of advice she gave me was “When you are painting a design, imagine how the balloon sculpture would look.”  I am finding that doing full face designs are actually easier than doing the small cheek art.   And now our kids are taking an interest in juggling.  Wonder where I put those fire torches? 

Carl “The Tie Dye Balloon Guy”