One of the most frequently asked questions I receive while performing as a Balloon Artist is “How did you become a Balloon Man?” It is almost as frequent as “Did you have to go to school for this?” I have always liked balloon animals. I used to play with balloons when I was a kid.

I don’t remember the first time I saw a balloon animal, but I do remember when I first tried to twist one. I was seven at the time. Believe it or not, in a laundry mat near my house there was a vending machine that, for fifty cents, would provide you with a small box that contained a single balloon and instructions on how to twist a dog.

While the graphics on the outside of machine sported images of many other balloon animals and boasted that information to create such wondrous creations was with in your grasp for two mere quarters, that only instructions that seemed to be forth coming were those on the balloon dog. I remember doubting the existence of instructions for any other animal, mainly because I would empty the machine of its content on a regular basis. Yet with antiquate instructions lacking, I stilled attempted to make the other balloon animals that appeared on the outside of the machine.

I stopped twisting balloons though when the machine was removed form the laundry mat, and promptly forgot all about my endeavors until I was seventeen.

At the age of seventeen, while eating dinner with my sisters at a local Chevy’s on Sunday afternoon I observed a balloon twister twisting balloons at a near by table. I was currently looking for a part time job that would provide me with the funds to afford a car and this is when I had a grand notion. I asked the nice balloon twister for a card, telling them that I was interested in learning how to twist balloon animals and performing at a restaurant as well.

They informed me that they worked with a booking agency that was always looking for new people to work the restaurants that they had under contract. The next day I called the agency, took three fifteen minute lessons, and was placed in the very same Chevy’s that I first meet the balloon twister.

It was a rocky couple of first months. I worked mostly weekend nights. The job deprived me of a social life, but provided me with the means to a ’96 ford mustang after only a year.

This is how I became a Balloon Twister. I have loved and hated this job. But the wisdom that I have gained from it is unmatched.

First and foremost, a funny face is not as funny if your face is already funny looking. It is better just to smile and show them the gap between you front teeth.

Second, it is hard to offer a balloon animal to a blind person, but it can be done if you are tactful yet persistent.

Never tell anyone how much money you make. Whether it is more or less than what they think it is, you’ll definitely see a drop in your tips later.

And the most important thing is that everyone likes shiny objects. The more thing shine the more they are willing to give you to acquire one. This is probably why fishing lures and sports cars are so expensive.

Michael Floyd Balloon Twister for 6 years Free Balloon Animal Instructions at http://www.art-of-balloon-animals.ask-the-monkey.com/instructions/

• 10 Incredible Ways To Keep Your Sales Soaring


• Reading Minds - What Is Mentalism, and How Can You Perform It?


• A Bawdy House Gets Saved


• A Man Named Hollister


• Californias Last Dry Town


• The Rape of Monterey


• Tangor and the Banshees! (Chapter Two)


• Tangor: A Nightmare Complete! (Chapter Three)


• Easy Does It! Small-Scale Tricks to Dazzle Your Audience


• Tangors Quest!