Bringing bubbles to parties

I use a bubble machine but it makes big bubbles....really big ones so the kids chase it instead of hundreds of them popping everywhere. I have found that it's a pain in the rear to keep having to stop painting to put stuff in it when it runs out- and the kids complain if I don't. Also If I leave it on the ground some kid who's mum isn't watching picks up a handfull of grass and dirt and dumps it in it - not good and if I put it on my table for some unknown reason no matter which way the wind is blowing they still float over and pop on my head while I'm painting!

I will still use it for events to attract attention, but not offer for birthday's anymore as I find it hard to watch it and paint.
You can see it in this pic - just- on the end of the table on the right. I had to move it there because it stopped the kids touching it.
Sorry it's not such a great shot.

Thanks for letting me know all the pros and cons, Tash!

I may think on this a while. I don't have anymore major festivals until fall (it's just too hot here to be out of the a/c during the summer) so I have some time to consider it. I was thinking of putting it up high on one of my towers and face it in to the entrance so the bubbles would fall over their heads as they walked in. But if it's too high up, then it might be too hard to refill with the bubble liquid. I do have a line manager working during festivals so if we put it on the table with the cash register that might work. Here is a picture of our booth at night so you can see the towers and the table.

wow the lights look amazing!
How long does it take you to set up?
I guess you have to plug into power so do you use this for outdoor events?
My daughter looking over my shoulder just asked me why I don't have a fairy light castle! I could just see her hassling the hell out of me to get in there.
Fantastic. Great work Squiggle I hope you are really proud of yourself!

me too. i tried to contact her a couple of times with no luck. she just may have gotten really busy.

try pm'ing her.

Thanks, Tash!

For this setup, it usually takes around an hour and a half, including unloading, and we usually have 3-4 people helping. The towers are 10' tall and have to be strapped to the luggage rack on our mini-van and they're the most cumbersome thing, but are perfect for the "castle" look, for holding our big banner up high so it can be seen from a long way, and for holding our outer displays. They also 'light up' so they stand out, especially at a night-time festival! We strap the towers to the front two legs of the canopy, along with our weights that we made out of PVC pipe and concrete, and then spray-painted gold. You can see the edge of them (standing up) in the picture at the bottom of the towers. For the festival in the picture, we didn't have the top on our canopy, because we were under the overhang of the Coast Coliseum and didn't need it. Definitely felt more open and nice! We usually do have to have the top for street fairs and other festivals.

Yes, we do pay extra for power for the lights, the cash register, the small fans, etc. And we definitely only use this setup for large festivals! Too much work to setup for anything small like birthday parties. The lights are actually just Christmas icicle lights that we run along the "X" of the EZ-up and along the outer edges. A friend who was moving gave me 20 boxes of them so she wouldn't have to pack them

I would never do this kind of thing if I knew I wouldn't have a lot of help loading, unloading, and then breaking everything down and loading and unloading again! But it sure does get alot of attention

I've been researching them for years too and just haven't bought one...thought of the idea too when I was painting at another party where they had rented one on their own. It really is a great way to draw attention! I found the hum of the machine weirdly relaxing too. ;-) I think $15-$20/hr sounds good, after having looked into the cost of the bubble solution. I'd love to hear your update if you're still out there, Angie!

Bubbles would be a great addition! I like this idea!

Was wondering if anyone else has added this to their services offered and what your experience was?