Window Displays

This doesn't really fit in this forum, but I know some of you twist, too!

I got an email from a lovely woman who has just opened a family-friendly cafe in the high-end part of our downtown - she said she'd seen my work and thought we'd be a great fit! I went and spoke with her - she's very sweet, and the cafe has tables, a play area and a display window downstairs, and a "party space" upstairs.

She wants to book me for their NYE event (the ball drops at 7pm for the kiddies, haha) - yay! And also, she wants me to design and do a balloon display in their window. So excited! Off the top of my head, it measures about 7X4X3, and one of my ideas is a giant (6'?) palm tree with 2 or 3 multi-balloon monkeys, among some other things. I've never done something so big before, and am not sure what to charge...I'm guesstimating 3-5 hours, and 300-500 balloons. I also want to take into consideration the fact that this would also be major advertising for me (she's very into having a sign/banner in the window, and cards at the till, etc), for both parties booked at the cafe and at homes, as well as bringing in clients to their events that I'd be at, so we'd both be majorly winning - especially since they're planning on doing things for the Olympics!

We've decided that a flat rate per display is preferable to individual pieces bunched in a window together, but now I need to figure out what is fair, considering time, skill, materials, and the advertising.

Ideas? My hourly rate right now is $90/hour for private parties, and sculptures range from $3 (hippos) to $20 (birthday cakes) to $60 for a carousel with 5 horses, with pick up at my house. I know it's hard to put a price on something when you don't know what it looks like, but what would you think is appropriate/reasonable/ridiculous for a full out window display?

(Also, she'd asked about window painting - masks on the window so kids could put their faces up to them. I said maybe in the future...but I wouldn't want hands/faces on the acrylics, and them walking around the balloon displays...thoughts? Who window paints?)

Honestly is sounds like you will be there all day. I would figure out the cost of the balloons and supplies and then come up with a flat day rate. Seems like you'll be there for at least 8 hours working, setting up and then painting.

I would think around $600 + costs of supplies. Just keep close track of how much each thing really takes you and jot it down as you start and finish each task she wants. Then you will know for the future.

But build in an additional amount per hour over the 8 hours that you can both agree on will be charged if it goes over the hours of the estimate.

Please make sure to share pictures also. I just got my filbert pump in the mail and am super excited about my own balloon adventures!

Pictures = definitely! I'm very stoked to get more into big display pieces.

(I don't have a filbert, but I do have a floor pump - and I LOVE it! I'll try post a pic of that, too. It was white, but I've covered it with purple paper, and Bedazzled the top with purple, red and white gems )

And I've passed on the window painting idea - for now, anyway. I don't have the time (or, honestly, the inclination, right now) to practice and get the proper paints etc. So this will be balloons only.

Would you not adjust your price with the consideration of an advertising swap? To get a display like that for myself otherwise would probably cost a ridiculous amount, and I know it'll be an eye catcher...I am thinking I'll tell her it'll be a flat $____ this time, and once I have an idea of the time/balloons needed for something of this size, I'll adjust the price accordingly for the next one(s)...what do you think?

I will keep track of time and # of balloons per piece in this - good idea!

While I understand you wanting to give her a break, remember that your services for her are guaranteed, while the return in business is not. Just don't cut your nose off to spite your face because of what you "might" get.

Get paid well for your services and get the business based on doing a good job, not on what busines this one might bring in. I have been at jobs and fairs that I just KNEW was going to get me a ton of business and it brought ziltch. Then I have done parties in the now where land that reaped several jobs. You just never know.

-Metina

I get that. I do! She is already booking me for NYE, though, and wants me around for the Olympics in Feb.

It's true. You do never know, and sometimes events are a crap shoot.

I went to my balloon wholesaler's yesterday, and spoke with the super amazing, talented twister who owns it. I told him the situation, and what I wanted to do. He showed me a WAY easier, just as effective way of doing the palm tree, that is quicker and uses fewer balloons. Time cut down, just like that! I went home and tried it out - it was SO FAST compared to what I'd originally planned on doing! And it's going to be faster still on Saturday, since I've already done it.

(I'm going to make the leaves bigger, but other than that I'm pretty happy with this...)



The entire display is probably going to take just over 100 balloons, instead of the 300-500 I quoted her. And while I totally understand everything you're saying, Metina, I do have a good feeling about this - touch wood! - and the fact that I'm already booked for 2 things with her within the space of a week, is, I hope, a good sign! The twister I spoke with suggested this, and so I told the client that if someone else wanted this particular display, I'd be charging them in the neighbourhood of $400, but because I feel like this would be super advertising for me, and we'd both be in winning situations, I offered it to her for $200. (She later mentioned wanting some extra pieces to hang in the other windows, and I said that would be more, but for the future, I'd take the other windows into consideration when giving her a quote.)

In this situation for her specifically, I see this as a combo of getting paid to advertise, instead of paying, and the fact that to go downtown for a party, I would need a 2 hour minimum, and this is like getting hired to twist for 2 hours, but one large display instead of 40 or so small ones. Now that I know to do this faster tree, I don't see this taking more than 2 hours, and if I am doing extra pieces for the other windows, then I'd be compensated for that anyway.

I know it sounds like I'm justifying why I'm charging so little - and I guess I am - but even though I may very well be able to charge 3X the amount (and hopefully will at some point!), this relationship has major potential to help bring in clients. That area of town is pricey, and the people who live there A) have money and B) want the best!

I'll let you know how it all goes down - and if nothing else, I've gotten 2 jobs and an amazing display piece to add to my repertoire!

Hey,

If you are happy with it, go for it. Just try and track like crazy how much business you get from it to so you'll know for the future. It is all a learning experience really.

The only thing I might mention is to make sure that she knows that she is getting a super big discount so that she doesn't go telling everyone that asks that those are your normal rates. Sometimes those with the big money can be the most thrifty.

I really hope you don't think I am wagging my finger at you. I just want you to get what your worth especially since you are working on a holiday and all and a super twister!

FINALLY had the chance to upload the pix from this! Slideshow progression and final display below! (Didn't get the best t pictures because of all of the windows reflecting all over the street, but...they'll do.)

Very nice. Do you use an electric pump to get your balloons to curl or some other method? I like the effect, but just don't want to invest just yet.

I think I might have to make a balloon twisting section just because I am LOVING it so much myself!

Wonderful job Kristal!

Pretty doggone cool! How long will the monkey tree live?

Kristal!!! I am loving the colors and the scale of the display!! Looks very nice!!! Way to Go!!! It is nice to branch out and see your "art" in public!!! I hope you get tons of business and exposure!!! Props Girl!!

Awesome work!

Metina!! Do give us a Twisty Fun section!!! That would be cool!!!

Thanks, guys! Definitely took longer than I thought it would (also, I have a tendency to slog along if I don't have a deadline....haha. Should 'fix' that.), but it was fun and the client loved it!

I concur with the Balloon Section!

Metina, nope, no electric pump. I have a standing Pump O which I LOVE (I don't take it to birthdays if I have fp gear to lug around, too, only events/balloon only birthdays), and I make the curls like that! I blow them up all the way once, let the air out, then loosely wrap the balloon around two or 3 fingers, and inflate it again - more often than not, they'll make pretty fun curls like that!

My pump:

Close-up of the gems:

The case!


Jennifer - I went back the week after and it was still going pretty strong! I don't know how long it lasted, but I think I'll email the client and ask her...I'm curious too!

Fantastic display, Kristal. I'm saving for my filbert at the moment and I'd be lovin' a twisty bit of chat too!