Red Bicycle Parties

Dollar Store Magic Basics

2011-09-03T08:26:00.001-07:00

I sometimes do comedy magic shows and the Dollar Tree is a great place for do-it-yourself magic props. Here's some of my great finds:

Cups and Balls

The knitted balls were $4 at a magic store and the rest is from Dollar Tree. The plastic tumblers nestle perfectly and came in packs of three. I like how the blue contrasts with the red balls. The clown nose and glassescame in a kit in the kids section. I used the clown nose as a ball that grew bigger and the glasses to help locate the invisible fourth ball. The fake apple is for the surprise finish! Coffee cups and other glasses will work too. Change the fake fruit to a lemon or lime to fit under smaller cups.

Total Cost: $7

The Svengali Deck

I suggest buying two and using the second one for disposable force cards that you can make appear in oranges or rip up or sign a name on etc.

Total Cost $2

Manilla Envelopes

The half sheet size are perfect for mental predictions, producing colored silks or cut and restored tricks.

Cost 3-6 for $1 (depending on size)

Jumbo Coins and Bills

I use the jumbo quarter in my magic change bag with a regular quarter and kids are amazed to see the quarter grow in size. The bills and coins can also be used to do stage size money magic. I am trying to learn how to do coin juggling like this guy below too. And here's a cute riddle/gag about coins that you can use the jumbo coins with:

For the Penny, Nicholas and Dime Routine you’ll need a penny, a nickel and a dime.
Present your left hand palm up, fingers together, to create a table for your effect.
Spread the coins out in your palm, heads up, in a line. Place the penny nearest your finger tips, the nickel in the middle, and the dime nearest your wrist. This ordering will move the energy of the game directed toward you as you do the pointing.
Now say and do the following:
“Ben’s mother had three children: Penny, Nicholas, and …”
When you say “Penny”, point at the penny.
When you say “Nicholas”, point at the nickel.
Then point at the dime and keep quiet. She’ll feel the conversational lead and attempt to fill in the verbal blank.
They might say something like, “Dime-o”, or “Dime-us” or some other name that isn’t correct.
Go ahead and stop reading this passage for a moment, and figure out the right answer for yourself.
Got it?
The third child’s name is Ben because this whole game started by saying “Ben’s mother had three children…”

Total $2

Kids Magic Kits

These kits contain cheap magic tricks made of paper and plastic but it you are well versed in magic tricks, you know which ones can be recreated to create stage size illusions (like cups and balls!). Simple instructions are included. Check out the little kits and start making props. You can use dollar store stuff to create large versions. One of my kits had a tiny purple plastic vase that you emptied of water and it kept refilling itself. I'm thinking I can make an excellent version of this for adult magic shows using a martini shaker! Not all the tricks in the kits are good. Most are childish or just lame but there's gems in there! Nice quality ones like the metal rings can be used for pocket magic. (Caution: one of my kits had no instructions!) The kids section also has great magic item every so often like these magic tutorial DVDs and this magic appearing top hat. The hat is cheap and would be better for your young assistant than yourself but the concept is great and can be adapted to a wire rimmed witch hat for Halloween too.

Total $1 each

Magic Wands

I have lots of magic wands. I have a regular wands, breakaway wand, appearing wand, rising wand, etc. But sometimes I like having special magic wands for themed parties. Dollar tree has princess wands for princess parties (party favor section) fairy wands (dress up section) and glow stick wands (kids section or halloween). Replace the handles with more durable or longer ones if desired or give one to each child to wave during tricks. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for something like a wizards or Harry Potter wand and a Mad Scientists wand. I also made a paper magic wand that rolls up to look like a black wand with white tips. There's magic tricks inside for the children to do. I use little black hair binders from the hair and beauty section to keep them rolled up.

Total $1 each or 6 for $1

Bandanas and Scarves

Perfect as is for any scarf tricks you want to do or for covering things up during a trick. Get fancy and make your own Color Changing Hankies, Haunted Hanky or other.

Total $1 each or 2 for $1

Decks of Cards

I've bought lots of decks of cards from the dollar store. I use some as is for card tricks. One became a fortune telling deck. One got stapled together for a gag electric deck. There's a two pack of red backed and blue backed cards. Use this for a color changing card trick. Keep your eyes open for mini and jumbo playing cards too for other card illusions. I got a jumbo deck at the magic store for $5 and I think Party City has 4 packs of mini decks of card in their favors section. I used three of my jumbo cards for a mind reading trick and saved the jumbo version of my Svengalli Deck's force card for future use.

Total $1 each or 2 for $1

Gag Bag Dog Routine.

The dollar store had all these great props to use for the Gag Bag routine where you're trying to find your dog in the bag (it keeps squeaking) but each time you turn the bag inside out, you only find another one of his belongings. At the end you find him in the zippered pocket as a deflated twisting balloon that you twist into a....dog of course. I chose the rubber bone but the raw hide ones would work too. I just thought it might get icky.

Themed Props

Lots of small favor items can be used in conjunction with other illusions to make it thematic. I use gold rings from a pack of 50 wedding ring favors with one of my rope tricks. I can use plastic pacifiers for a baby shower or pirate compasses for a Pirate party.

Total $1 each

Magician's Assistant

My kitty loves the little bunny I found at the dollar store but I planned on using him as my little assistant and make him appear and disappear during the show.

Total $1

With a bit of creativity a magician can have a lot of fun at the dollar store!

Vodka Pops

2011-07-02T17:26:00.000-07:00

What's better than entertaining by the poolside? Entertaining by the poolside while enjoying a Vodka popsicle!

I have been dying for a (grown-up justified) reason to buy these excellent popsicle molds at the Dollar Tree:

Here is one recipe from Grey Goose Vodka:

Grey Goose Le Citron Frozen Fresh Berry Lemonad

.75 oz. Grey Goose Le Citron

5 Raspberries Muddled

4 oz. Simply Lemonade

Click here for more popsicle recipes from Grey Goose!

Just For Fun

2011-06-30T16:55:00.001-07:00

Just for Fun

2011-06-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

Dollar Store Clowing

2011-03-03T19:34:00.000-08:00

As many a wise Clown already know, the dollar store can be a great location for cheap clowning and gag props. Put together a play box for the kids, entertain at a community event or birthday party, visit a sick friend in the hospital, or make an entertaining Clown costume for Halloween. Here's some great Clown things I found at the dollar store today:

COSTUMING:

This jumbo tie had a matching felt top hat at one time

Snazz up any shoe with these glitter shoelaces. Converse work particularly well on Clowns.

I also got a pair of nerd glasses with a sponge clown nose in the toy section. I use the glasses and nose to make kids "funnier" right before a photo. I also pull out the glasses to 'examine' things like face painting or cool t-shirts or to find invisible things.

Stick the nose in an empty baby food jar or similar and you've got yourself an Emergency Clown Nose

Note: The sponge nose does not stay on kids tiny noses but worked great on me!

JUMBO PROPS:

Everything's funnier when it's jumbo or mini

NOISE MAKERS:

Grab a variety of noise makers such as these razzer whistles. Also look in the party favor section for kazoos, siren whistles, and regular whistles. The toy section has recorder flutes if you think you can learn a song or two. And dismantle a squeaking pet toy for the little squeaker inside. these are awesome 'cause they are kinda hidden in your hand and you can squeak you nose or a kids nose.

GET AN ASSISTANT:

The toy section has these little bears in different colors and a whole slew of outfits and props (mostly profession like fire fighter or cop).

I thought this bear would make a great Nurse Bearnadette. She's a great assistant for a Caring Clown (A clown that does hospital and nursing home visits).

You don't need to pick a bear though. Try another stuffed animal or a baby doll or use the outfits or props on a toy of your own or a puppet. Puppets also make great assistants for doing clown magic.

FOAM LETTERS:

These a ton of gags you can do with some foam letters and I was thrilled when I saw this pack of craft foam at dollar store! The foam sheets are really thin and easy to cut.

Print out the letters E, I, X, and B in a large thick font on your computer and use it as a stencil. You'll get Free Bs (Freebies) to hand out. Pink Es (pinkies) that you can ask a child to hold on to extending your pinky and then passing them one of these instead. Cut a full sheet into a J and you have a baby Blue J (bluejay). And for the Caring Clown (or during cold season) you've got Pink Is (Pink Eyes) to diagnose and Clean Xs (Kleenex) to pass out for sniffles. Don't forget to dust off those Clean Xs with a feather duster before passing them out.

GAG PROPS:

Equipe your clown pockets with a variety of little gag and pun props such as these:

This mini butterfly net from a bug catching kit can be great for hunting for germs or fleas for your circus. Or for chasing wind up teeth and "running" noses.

These rubber sea creatures (or another pack of little fishies) can be used for a couple of food jokes. Pop one in a small ziplock bag with a handfull of poker chips and you've got Fish and Chips. Or glue one to the end of a popsicle stick. Put three of these in a small box and you've got yourself a Fish Stick Dinner to go.

Grab a small cheese grater from the kitchen section and you can pull it out for lines like "If you think that was great, THIS is a little grater!"

(Photo from Clown Antics)

Or make clown presents like this Jack-in-the-Box. Give as gifts or carry it around to show off as your favorite toy.

(Photo from Clown Antics)

If you find these mini rubber duckies string them together between two pieces of clear packing tape (or better yet, just glue the bases to 2 pieces of duct tape that have beed stuck together. That's more durable and less likely to stick to other things in your bag.) Use the Duck Tape to fix things or to get all your ducks in a row.

(Photo from Clown Antics)

BONUS:

And finally you need a tote to carry it all around in. I like the pockets on this little garden tote. The back side does not have pockets so you can add your clown logo, name or turn it into a Caring Clown bag by adding a red cross.

Get creative! Walk around and look at things. Think of puns and jokes that you could use with that item or google jokes on the net. Soon your clown bag will be full of little surprises!

Have Fun!

Good Things

2011-02-23T15:56:00.000-08:00

Balloon Delivery Guy waits for the Subaway...

(photo credit)

Fantasy Hair-Dos

2011-02-19T17:12:00.000-08:00

A popular addition to fairs and princess parties, Fantasy Hair-Dos will transform your little princesses with colorful puffs of glittered up-dos, complete with tiaras, at no extra charge.

For mixed groups, boys and girls will receive colorful Mohawks, up-dos and other funky styles complete with glitter.

We come complete with all necessary materials including colored hair spray, smock, glitter, hair binders and bobby pins, hairspray, combs etc. All you need to bring is your group with clean unattached hair.

Great for fairs, carnivals, Princess, Fairy, or Rock Star Parties!

This type of entertainment works great outside or in large open spaces due to the aerosol sprays used but works well inside as well.

If time allows, balloon sculptures or face painting can be added to the end of the party for even more fun!

Don’t forget the camera! This is truly a moment not to be missed!

Good Things

2011-02-19T11:50:00.000-08:00

http://weheartit.com/entry/244107

Balloon Fabulous Wedding

2011-01-29T16:34:00.000-08:00

When it comes to Balloons and Weddings, most people imagine white balloon arches with tulle and twinkle lights. But it can be so much more playful and glamourous than that! Not only are balloons extremely affordable but they pack a lot of punch. First pick a color scheme. My favorites are Playful Rainbow, Classic White or Elegant Red.

Here's a bit of inspiration for a fun balloon filled wedding day:

A handfull of colorful rounds, or two large red ones, make a great photo prop:

Photos from Green Wedding Shoes

Photo from Wedding Bee

Giant 3 foot rounds make stunning pew decoartions:

Photos also from Green Wedding Shoes

Daily Wedding Planning Tip shows us how some of those great 3 foot rounds and some curling ribbon make a beautiful balloon canopy:

FPO designed these awesome balloon 'Save the Date' cards.

You can save money by custom printing the balloons

and home printing your own cards:

For the table seating "cards", 100 Layer Cake shows us a

balloon dart game inspired seating chart:

Their Inspiration: A store front display.

The Outcome. Add a few darts and have guests pop balloons

when they've found their seats tuck a lightweight prize inside like a paper fortune!

Punch balloons and balloon car racers make great favors for the kids at your wedding.

It will keep them entertained too. And of course, a Balloon Artist can make custom balloon sculptures for guests young and old:

Balloon tulips in assorted colors make fun boutonnieres for the Groom and Groomsmen:

Smaller 160 balloons can be twisted into elegant and fun bouquets for the Bride:

And for the Bridesmaids, a single mylar balloon or a bouquet of helium balloons (photo from The Knot):

An elegant prop for the favor, guest book, cake or dessert table:

Photo from Bridal Buzz

And for indoor weddings, the famous balloon drop on the dance floor.

Let's not forget the table centerpieces like this balloon pumpkin carriage:

Craft Elf shows us how to make balloon noise makers with jingle bells.

Tie with a ribbon that says "Ring for a Kiss":

And here's a cute idea for the favors:

For the Bachelorette Party, The bride would don one of these adorable balloon inspired camis:

http://www.spreadshirt.com/light-pink-bride-with-party-balloon-labe-C3384A6410979

So there you have it! You can now fire your Florist, Decorator, and Wedding Planner, and your Friends and Family are off the hook for making favors and invitations. (Did I mention we do Bachelor and Bachelorette Rude Balloon Comedy Shows too?) Hire Red Bicycle Parties for you Wedding today!

The Amazing Scott!

2011-01-29T14:59:00.000-08:00

The Amazing Scott is...well...amazing! From complex balloon sculptures to stage performances with live doves, to walk around magic and character birthday parties, Scott does it all!

I often get asked for male performers for birthday parties and from Pirate to Darth Vader, Scott is your man! He can do a one hour birthday party in costume with balloon twisting followed by a mini magic show.

He has performed at numerous venues as a Stage Magician and his live dove, large scale magic show will delight people of all ages. Try him out at your next company picnic, holiday event or school carnival.

Scott also does fire twirling and juggling and has a slew of talented performers at his disposal that do stilt walking and juggling, fire twirling and poi, and impressive stilted characters. Excellent for outdoor fairs and festivals and parades!

For booking and pricing please contact Red Bicycle Parties or The Amazing Scott directly. Don't wait! Amazing opportunities like this don't happen everyday!

The Balloon Mailing Experiment

2011-01-16T07:53:00.000-08:00

On November 13 2010, I put out the notion on Facebook that I wanted to try mailing balloon sculptures to get an ideas of the costs involved, the shipping and the durability of the balloons during transport. Four people responded to my post, and I was able to mail out four sculptures to Minneapolis, Apple Valley, Texas and France.

Here is the breakdown:

Date Packages Mailed: Dec 9th

Type and Size of Boxes: USPS Ready Post 12"x 10"x 8"

Cost of Box (empty): $1.98

Total Cost of mailing 4 boxes: $23.99

Total Cost of 4 Boxes (empty): $7.92

Sculptures cushioned with: Small round balloon (water balloon size)

Sculpture to Minneapolis, MN:

Photos before Mailing: (Duck in the Shower)

Price of Mailing : USPS Priority Mail $4.80 ($6.78 with box)

Date package arrived: Dec 15th

Delivery Time: 6 days

Did you have to sign for it? No
Did you have to go pick it up? No
Did the contents shift?
Was the sculpture distorted when you took it out?
Did you have to adjust it to make it look right?
Did any part of it pop as far as you can tell? No
Did anything deflate? No
Do you like the size of the sculpture?
How did you feel when you opened the box?
Anything else I should know? Thanks!!!

Photo upon Arrival:

Sculpture to Apple Valley, MN:

Photos before Mailing: (Seated Purple-Haired Fairy)

Sushi is very interested ; )

Price of Mailing : USPS Priority Mail $4.80 ($6.78 with box)

Date package arrived: Dec 15th or Sooner

Delivery Time: 6 days or less

Photo upon Arrival:

Sculpture to Amarillo, TX:

Photos before Mailing: (Purple Monkey with Tulips)

Price of Mailing : USPS Priority Mail $4.80 ($6.78 with box)

Date package arrived: Dec 13th

Delivery Time: 4 days

Did you have to sign for it? No
Did you have to go pick it up? No
Did the contents shift? Yes, but Sculpture held together
Was the sculpture distorted when you took it out? No
Did you have to adjust it to make it look right? No
Did any part of it pop as far as you can tell? No
Did anything deflate? No
Do you like the size of the sculpture? Very Good
How did you feel when you opened the box? I felt very excited opening up the package knowing it was a balloon sculpture.
Anything else I should know? I think this was a wonderful experience. The only thing I would suggest is using priority mail boxes instead of ready post, because you can get the priority mail boxes the same size from except they are free. You can get them from anybody that works at the post office. I am so glad I was able to be part of this experience.

Photo upon Arrival:

Sculpture to Versailles, FRANCE:

Photos before Mailing: (Circus Elephant)

Price of Mailing : USPS First Class International $9.59 ($11.57 with box)

Date package arrived: Jan 12th

Delivery Time: 34 days (almost 5 weeks)

Did you have to sign for it? No
Did you have to go pick it up? No
Did the contents shift? No
Was the sculpture distorted when you took it out? No
Did you have to adjust it to make it look right? A Bit
Did any part of it pop as far as you can tell? No
Did anything deflate? A little bit but really nice as well
Do you like the size of the sculpture? YES!!!!
How did you feel when you opened the box? Really excited! I had a bad day at work

and you make me feel better with the box :-))))
Anything else I should know? You are the BEST !!!!!!!

Photo upon Arrival:

Conclusion: I was really impressed with the durability of the Qualatex balloons to hold up through the mailing (even to France where I'm sure travel conditions ranged into freezing temps!). The local packages arrived within a week or so with no damages and the average cost was about $5-$7 for the box and delivery. Driving to the the post office was a bit of a pain since I needed to go get the box, go home and stuff it, then return that day to mail it. So sculpting and mailing would need to be done on the same day and on a day I don't work so I have enough time to sculpt and mail before they close for the day. Other than that it was pretty simple! If I were to decide to offer mailed balloon sculptures regularly, I would:

-Recommend domestic mailings only, but International can be done!

-Could not guarantee condition on delivery but damage is highly unlikely

-Would choose to send all sculptures at the flat rate of $25 (Better than most floral deliveries!)

-Would choose a regular day for mailing sculptures (Say Wednesdays) to assure enough time for sculpting and mailing without conflicts

-Could not guarantee delivery date, but can assume 3-6 days for domestic deliveries

-Could offer guaranteed delivery dates in person on a regular day (like Wednesdays) within a 3 hour time limit (good for work deliveries) with signature upon reception.

Thanks Everyone for helping me with this experiment!

I hope you had fun!

A Pony for Christmas

2010-12-22T17:33:00.000-08:00

At a home daycare holiday party as an Elf, an adorable red headed 7-year-old passed me this request for Santa:

Here is my response, mailed to the daycare and in an envelope addressed to Faith and sealed with wax and a Christmas Bells stamp:

Dear Faith,

Santa and I looked into your request for a pony and though you were very high on the ‘NICE’ list, I’m afraid that a pony does not qualify as a house pet according to Minnesota Animal Ordinance Laws.

Santa did not want you to be disappointed, so he has picked out a special wild pony for you that lives on Chincoteague Island off the coast of Virginia. I’ve enclosed a photo of him. He is your very own pony and you should pick a good name for him!

You can read about your pony and others like him in "Misty of Chincoteague" by M. Henry, a popular children’s book.

Have a Wonderful Christmas and Santa and I hope you enjoy your other gifts as well!

Merry Christmas,

Elf

I have the best job in the world!!

Merry Christmas !!

Good Things

2010-12-22T16:47:00.000-08:00

Good Things

2010-12-19T11:10:00.001-08:00

New Year's Fortune Telling Party

2010-11-10T07:05:00.000-08:00

Looking for a theme for your New Year's Eve Party this year? What better way to celebrate the upcoming year than with a glimpse into it with a Fortune Telling Party! Here's three fun variations on the fortune telling theme:

Traditional Gypsy Style:

(text extracted from PartyPop)

My husband and I usually stay home on New Year's Eve. We like to curl up by the fire and watch rented movies. But last year we ventured out to a friends house for a New Year's Eve Fortune Telling Party. It was so much fun that we're thinking of hosting one at our house this year. Let me tell you about it…

from Halloween Howl

We received a party invitation in the mail about a month before New Year's. It was a flyer with images of psychics, tarot cards, astrological symbols, stars, and celestial bodies. It's headline read, We Predict Good Fortune For You in the New Year! The invitation forecasted fortune-telling and special surprises, and included a lottery ticket.

Guests were asked to dress like Gypsies. My husband and I went to a few thrift stores and found some great out-of-fashion clothes. I wore a long paisley skirt, loose blouse, big hoop earrings and a scarf around my neck. My husband wore a loose white button downed shirt only partially tucked into his jeans, beat up brown leather boots and a bandanna around his head.

When we arrived at the holiday party we were immediately impressed by the decorations. On the front door was a sign that read “Psychic Readings Inside.” The porch light bulb had been replaced with a red light. Inside, lots of large and small pillows were scattered around the house. Oriental rugs covered flooring and every corner of the house was illuminated by candlelight. The furniture and tables were covered with bright purple, orange, red and green top sheets. On the tables were fake coins and chain necklaces. Tarot cards were spread around the coffee tables. The walls were decorated with zodiac posters and playing cards. And 60's-style beaded door hangings were hung in every doorway. In the family room the television was on a channel with people advertising their psychic services.

The house was divided into sections for activities. This assured the hosts that not everyone would congregate in one area. In the corner of the living room was a skirted round table with a “crystal ball.” An elderly gypsy woman sat beside the table offering her fortune telling services. She would look into the crystal ball and forecast your future.
She took our palms into hers, traced the lines of our hands with her finger and then made a few predictions. When she was through, she handed us each a fortune cookie. Of course, only good fortune was disclosed so it was fun.

In another area of the house were lots of pillows surrounding a low table. On the table was a Ouija board, Magic Eight ball, playing cards and books on palm reading, numerology and tarot card reading for guests to refer to and try on one another. My husband and I really enjoyed laying back and listening to others tap into their forecasting abilities. There were lots of laughs and this was a good area to meet new people and have something to talk about.

A hired fortune-teller sat at a skirted round table in the kitchen and gave horoscopes based on numerology. She sat with a deck of cards, face down, and asked guests to pick three cards at random. After they made their selection, she added up their values and foretold their meaning. She had a chart with a list of numbers from 3 to 30. Next to each number was a fortune. For example, if your cards totaled 10, your fortune read: A happy week is ahead of you.

In the family room was a poker table and dealer for guests to indulge in a little friendly wagering and card playing. Guests had to buy in for ten dollars to receive chips and could sit and play for as long as they liked (or until they lost all their money.) A friend of ours was the big winner of the night, winning thirty-two dollars.

Music played all evening, filling the home with just the right nuance. Songs about gypsies, instrumental folksy music, and music by the Gypsy Kings continuously played. I think I even heard something by Sonny and Cher (“I Got You Babe” sticks in my mind.)

There was a wonderful buffet set up in the dining room. Silver stars dangled down from the chandelier over the dining table and lots of confetti stars adorned the table. We ate on black paper plates, used bright purple paper napkins and red plastic silverware. There were meatballs, pesto pasta, salads, chicken dumplings and vegetables and dip. Also, placed around the house were baskets of flavorful nibbles, such as bread sticks, cheese and crackers, grapes, and nuts. Dessert included chocolate dipped fortune cookies and chocolate cupcakes decorated like Magic Eight balls.

When it came time to yell Happy New Year, everyone shouted with joy and felt this party was the beginning of a great new year. The vibe was positive, our futures sure to be full of fun, and predictions for the next year bright.

Grand Masked Ball:

For teens and singles what better way to usher in the New Year than with an intimate Victorian style Masked Ball with a peek into the romantic future.

Invitations from Better Homes and Gardens

Fold a simple mask into a piece of textured paper. Close with a strip of paper or ribbon. In a nice calligraphy print instruct your guests to come in formal attire with a mask. Enlist a silence rule, remind guests that we are to remain anonymous until the stroke of midnight when all masks are removed. Therefore, no details to other guests about what you will be wearing or what your mask looks like. Guests are encouraged to wear the masks enclosed or get one of their own. Keep several in a bowl near the door in case guests forget theirs.

Decorate tables with elegant ostrich feathers in tall vases. Turn off all the lights in the rooms being used and light it all with candles. (real or battery operated) Candle light is very flattering and will induce intimacy. You don't have to rent a venue. Your home will be just as elegant with candle light. Set tables with cloth tablecloths and real plates and silverware. No disposables!

If you can arrange for cocktail servers, do! Otherwise, a simple buffet will do. In vintage fashion, set your buffet with whole foods and pastries. Think giant platters of strawberries, blueberries, sugared grapes, starfuit slices and blackberries, bowls of clementines and small apples, Unshelled nuts to crack, Small sugared doughnuts and doughnut holes, macaroons (coconut or pastry style), a basket of assorted sliced artisan breads with several spreads, mini tarts and pies et. Set your buffet as a bountiful overflowing harvest. Set with rustic baskets and wooden bowls, platters and cutting boards. Set some baskets and bowls at an angle and let contents spill out onto the table. Use upturned wooden wine crates for levels, Or set the table in the same layout but with brass platters and bowls. Candelabras will add needed light and elegance.

One of your main activities should be dancing, so leave plenty of room to dance. Hire a DJ or get someone to man the Cd player. At midnight, a balloon drop or confetti pop looks fabulous while guests remove their masks!

In the meantime, keep guests entertained with palm readings and charm pulls. Since the guests are anonymous, group readings will be more entertaining. If you have a large venue, set up a small tent with a round table and chairs inside. It should be in a quiet area away from the dance floor and should be closed off for intimacy. A 4 foot pop up tent hung with velveteen curtain sides and decorated with fringe and sparkly fabric is a wink to roaming circus style fortune telling. Palms can be read around the table, followed by a group charm pull or tea leaf readings. Or, instead of a charm pull, small fortunes on rolled slips of

paper can be poked out of a box with a pencil and read aloud. This type of group fortune telling encourages interactions with the other people at the table and is entertaining for even those not having their fortune told at the moment.

Play Victorian Parlor Games meant usually to predict the future and lead to romance and interactions between the male and female guests. This Halloween party link has several fortune games that predict romance. This donuts on a string game from Martha Stewart is also brings guests lips dangerously close.

Favors are a must at classy events such as these. Have a small table set up at the exit with a sign saying " Thank You for Coming, Please Take Home Good Fortune. Fill small paper bags with favors such as mini bottles of booze and individual aspirins (for adults), those fun red plastic fortune telling fish, chocolate kisses, fortune cookies, custom printed paper fortune tellers (cootie catchers), Vintage fortune telling cards with secret message that revel when you hold them to a mirror (below) by artist Dwig, small compact mirrors, good luck charms, silver charm necklaces or keychains... close bags and wrap vertically with red ribbon securing at the to with a feather and a staple.

Elegant Dinner Party:

If you choose to spend NewYear's among couples or a small group of friends, an elegant dinner party is a great idea.

I love these invitations by Bit-O-Me. Make your own with pretty origami paper and hand-write the information inside or get savvy with the computer. Remind your guests to dress casual and to think of questions they've been mulling over.

Pick an elegant color scheme like purple and black with silver or gold and mauve. Place several garden globes down the center of the table with candelabras for an elegant table. Mark each place setting with a silver fortune cookie place card holder, available on Amazon.

Start the evening with fortune telling over drinks and appetizers. This will give you plenty of interesting conversation starters during dinner.

Hire a fortune teller that uses the kind of fortune telling medium that you like the best or ask for several options for variety. Red Bicycle Parties offers playing card and tarot card fortunes, palm reading, stone casting, pendulum, dice casting and charm pulls among our options. set up a small table with two chairs in a more discreet area of the room for one-on-one fortunes. Go for elegance with a velveteen table drape (purple is a very mystical color). Low lighting is nice and you can add a few votives on the fortune teller's table.

Serve assorted appetizers including chocolate covered fortune cookies for starters. Look for appetizers with star, moon or orb shapes like fruit bites including sliced star fruit served with fruit dip, cheese filled mini croissants, and round crackers served with a cheese ball. For the main dish consider a soup broth filled with carrot and zucchinis cut into stars, moons and triangles. You can buy mini vegetable cutters on Amazon. Or buy Campbell's chicken and stars soup and add veggie shapes to it.

Finish the evening with a cake charm pull. Buy or bake a simple bundt cake. Glaze. buy a set of cake charms with meanings or make your own. Attach them to colored ribbons (purple and black are very elegant.) Set the charms in the center of the cake and spread out the ribbons. cover the hole of the cake with a few cut flowers. When it's dessert and coffee time, remove the flowers and have each person choose a ribbon. Reveal the meanings, cut the cake and enjoy.

Serve tea with your cake in Cups of Destiny, available on Amazon. use loose tea leaves to brew, let settle. drink the tea and then pass your cup to your neighbor to read your fortune. The book that comes along with the cup will explain it all. Keep the set for yourself or let your guests take theirs home as a favor.

What-ever your party style,

Red Bicycle Parties

can help you host the most unforgettable New Year's Party Ever!

Also Known As II

2010-11-07T09:38:00.000-08:00

Snow White

Belle

Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Clown

Witch with Balloons

Pumpkin

Christmas Elf

Vogue China April 2009

2010-09-18T20:43:00.000-07:00

Balloons never looked so good!

Also Known As

2010-09-10T19:23:00.000-07:00

The Pirate

I thought that it would be fun to start an ongoing photo catalogue of my aliases. Please excuse the quality of the pictures. I often snapped them right before heading out to a job with the help of a mirror or by placing the camera on the desk or something. Some of the characters suit me well, other...well, you'll see. Enjoy!

Jessie from Toy Story

The Queen of Hearts

Tinkerbell

Alice in Wonderland

The Little Mermaid

The Clown

The Fortune Teller

Check back from time to time for more great characters!

Family Fest at the Nest

2010-08-31T05:25:00.000-07:00

Red Bicycle Parties volunteered at Family Fest at the Nest last weekend. It's at Lil' Newton's Nest ( My weekday occupation ; ). Balloons and face painting from 10-1. They also had a petting zoo and pony rides. It was a blast! Check out these great photos they snapped:

Hmong Art and Music Festival 2010

2010-08-24T20:35:00.000-07:00

A few photos from the Hmong Art and Music Festival in St Paul from last Saturday. Big thanks to The Amazing Scott and Sue from Fun Characters for helping me run my booth. I had a lot of fun and handed out lots of business cards. Thanks!

Balloon Sculpting 101

2010-08-23T17:01:00.000-07:00

While working at an event as a balloon twister, I was asked for a straight ballon for the child to twist themself. This caught on and soon all the kids there were asking for straight balloons to twist. I taught a few simple twists and the three twist balloon dog and the kids were having a blast. One little girl named Haley, about 3 years old, made me this:

"It's a bracelet," she said and asked me for the marker so she could draw the face on. I think it's adorable! Her parents walked up just as she was giving it to me and I told them how proud they should be to have a future balloon artist on their hands. Here I am wearing my new balloon bracelet:

If you or your children would like to host a Balloon Sculpture Workshop, call now to book your party.

Balloon Sculpture Workshop- Ever wanted to know how it’s done? Enroll your party group in Balloon Twisting University! Best suited for small groups, party goers will be furnished with a hand pump and a pile of balloons to practice their twisting skills. Attendees will learn basic twists and techniques that will enable them to create a variety of balloon sculptures such as the basic dog or parrot in a hoop. The last moments of this party are reserved for open creation time to create custom designed sculptures. All partygoers will receive a Twister’s diploma, a balloon twisting explanation sheet, so they can remember what they learned, and their creations to take home! While this party can be suited to almost any age, it works best in similarly aged groups and can even be done one-on one. (Make ballooning YOUR retirement plan!)

Or for the adults only crowd, try Rude Balloon Sculpture Workshop:

Rude Balloon Sculpture Workshop- This adults only hands on balloon twisting workshop is a hilarious addition to any Bachelor/Bachelorette or adult birthday party! Learn how to create balloon sculpture that you won’t see at fairs or restaurants. Best suited for small groups, party goers will be furnished with a hand pump and a pile of balloons to practice their twisting skills. Attendees will learn basic twists and techniques that will enable them to create a variety of impolite and rude balloon sculptures that will leave you in stitches! The last moments of this party are reserved for open creation time to create custom designed sculptures. This part can get really ridiculous so be sure to have a camera ready! All partygoers will be able to take home their creations and a basic instruction sheet for the next time they need to be a little rude.

Meet KoKo!

2010-08-12T11:02:00.001-07:00

Price List

2010-07-11T20:30:00.000-07:00

I've had several requests for a price list lately.

Businesses in this field don't often post a price list as each event is different and each type of entertainment is different including Specialty Entertainment. Event location also plays a part in pricing as well as the length of an event.

But I too, am someone who won't even start looking until I know the base price so with that in mind, please find below a basic price list for our services. The prices are just starting prices but should help for a basis. Discounts are available. Please contact us for more information.

* Balloon Deliveries (sculptures, bouquets and centerpieces)

-from $10 for pick-ups and from $25 for deliveries or mailings

* Basic Party Package (balloons, face painting or both)

-from $130 for the first hour and from $100 for each additional hour

* Fortune Telling (cards, stones, dice and more)

-from $130 for the first hour and from $100 for each additional hour

* Mardi Gras Bead Twisting (twisted party beads)

-from $130 for the first hour and from $100 for each additional hour

* Comedy Magic Show (magic, juggling, balloons and silliness)

-from $160 for the first hour and from $130 for each additional hour

* Balloon Sculpture Workshops (pumps and balloons for all to try)

-from $160 for the first hour and from $130 for each additional hour

* Magic Show (By The Amazing Scott and his doves)

-from $160

Good Byes

2010-06-13T09:27:00.000-07:00

This week was full of good-byes. I wished my current day care kids good bye as I head off to another preschool on the other side of town. I brought cupcakes, as is customary for all events at a daycare, but the kids were even more happy with their personalized balloon sculptures on a stick that they got to take home as a gift from me:

Here they are all hung up on their coat hooks. Too cute huh?

Bye Townview Montessori! I will miss you all!

I also wished another friend good-bye as she parted for Spain for the summer. She's an awesome World Languages teacher and she's hoping to firm up her Spanish with a couple of months abroad.

I made her a going away gift too. Her's was a bull and a Spanish guitar on a base of the colors of Spain's flag. Rising above is a little airplane with "Bon Voyage" on the tail. It was a big hit with the little ones at her going away party. But despite all the handling, it held up well!

Good Luck Elissa and take lots of pictures!!

2010-06-12T07:43:00.000-07:00

Check out this awesome Balloon BBQ byBalloonatics in Denver!

Way to go guys! This is an awesome welcome to Summer!

Behind the Scenes

2010-06-05T13:56:00.000-07:00

I've been putting a lot of time and energy into Red Bicycle Parties lately, trying to make it one of the best party entertainment companies out there and I thought I'd share some of the behind the scenes projects with you:

When I started getting into Fortune Telling and Magic, I realized that my regular party tote just didn't fit the look I was going for. So after many stops, I found this small brown suitcase at a Goodwill:

It's more of a large briefcase than a suitcase. I loved the gold plaque glued inside that some adorable kids had dedicated to their dad. It was roomy enough and had flaps for holding things that shouldn't bend like papers and my Magic Coloring Book. But it was a bit plain so I jazzed up one side with a bit of craft paint and now I have this:

Hand painted by your truly. I'm going to do the other side with a magic logo as the briefcase sits on a table with the Fortune Teller side down and the other side stays open by itself providing me with an awesome logo space.

One of my first projects was a Balloon Apron that I threw together one morning before a job. A Balloon apron is like a server apron that Twisters use to carry all their balloons and supplies. They have expensive models available online but I thought I could make something similar with my husband's old long server apron and a bit of sew on velcro. Here's what I got:

There's plenty of small pockets for specialty balloons, business cards, balloon scraps, a sharpie, scissors, and a ton of balloons sorted by color. In this picture, there are 500 balloons in the apron. The front pocket fold down for access to the balloons and easy loading. I even added two tabs to the sides for bungee cords so I don't loose my balloon pump or scissors. (The picture also has a bag of balloon sticks in it that I'm eager to try out at my next event. All-in-all I spent less than half of the price of the internet ones and it turned out great!

Attention Twisters! Interested in a balloon apron? Contact me, I'd love to make you one. I'm open to trades if you've got something cool to share.

Another project I finished recently is my Balloon Look Book. Most people can choose a balloon animal with a little prompting and a little imagination but there's always a few who are just stuck. Or maybe they just need to know all their options before making a choice? Whatever the reason, for those people, I created this:

It should fit right into my balloon apron pocket for easy access. This one is one-balloon creations only for birthday and line work but I'm working on a second one with multible balloon sculptures including Wild Hats, Balloon Costumes and Wearables, and Complex Sculptures and Centerpieces. Should be a lot of fun to photograph it all. Let me know if you would like any of the leftovers!

My last project is thanks to Sue at Fun Characters who was kind enough to make me some tip buttons on her button machine. The designs are my own and the ideas come from a Balloon HQ forum. I think they turned out nice!

Again, I love to trade ideas so if you need a copy of these designs sized for 2 1/4 inch buttons, let me know!

I leave you with a sneak peak of my custom made Magician's Top Hat. (Final picture to follow):

New Balloon Bouquets

2010-05-29T20:32:00.000-07:00

Here are some new Balloon Bouquets, Centerpieces and Deliveries:

Tropical Flower Bouquet

Smiley Guy

Customize: Choose body and collar color. Choose smily face or alien head. Choose props: tulips, small printed mylar balloon, diploma, ray gun, large helium mylar balloon, small gift bag, balloon animal...the options are endless.

Mylar Centerpiece

Customize: Choose your design or sentiment. Coordinate your round balloon colors. Choose your accents: flowers, spiders, ladybugs, crabs, twists, smily faces, pacifiers, turtles, butterflies, etc. Or just pick the event and we'll do the rest! We don't stock mylars so please call ahead for this one.

Sea Turtle with Coral Twist

"Things are Going Swimmingly! Congrats!"

"As the ocean is never full of water, so is the heart never full of love"

"It's a Shell-ebration! Happy Birthday!"

"Dive into Fun! Happy Retirement!"

Crab with Palm Tree

"Sorry I've been crabby!"

"Snappy Birthday!"

"Pinch me! That's great News!"

Monkey Lottery Ticket or Gift Card Holder

Can also be done as a Bear or Wiener Dog.

Balloon Deliveries

2010-05-10T13:06:00.000-07:00

For Mother's Day, I practiced my balloon bouquets and delivered them to some of my favorite moms, including of course, my own! Here's a picture of the backseat of my car before I started delivering them:

Everyone really seemed to enjoy them, especially my boss. Since she wasn't home when I stopped by, I slipped it between her side door and the screen door. She didn't find it till a day later and it held up perfectly! Thanks ladies for letting me visit, I had a great day and I hope you did too!

Balloon Deliveries- For big impact on a little budget, try balloon deliveries! These custom designed balloon bouquets and sculptures will be delivered to home or office on the date and time of choice. Bouquets and Sculptures make great centerpieces and can be delivered during the day to be used at a party that night! Or the centerpieces can be done table to table at restaurants and sit down dinners. Deliveries come in all shapes and sizes to fit any theme or budget and make an interesting variation on flower bouquets.

More designs to come!

Clown

2010-04-25T17:37:00.000-07:00

Meet JoJo the Clown

Balloon Show, Sculptures and Face Painting- The classic Birthday party package which starts with an interactive balloon show where guests will join a balloon band and sing “Happy Birthday” to the birthday boy or girl. Then partygoers make special requests for single balloon animals or sculptures that are customized with faces, details and the children’s names. The children are then free to play with their new balloon pets and toys as the face painting is going on. Children are chosen one at a time so no one has to wait in line! This part of the party also works well during the opening of presents or a craft activity. Or if the children prefer, they are invited to watch their friends being painted. If desired, the last moments of the party can be reserved for blowing out the candles on the cake or a group photo. Many people also take individual photos with each child and their balloon animal after being face painted. These make great mementos and thank you cards.

Magic Comedy Show- A great idea for large groups and stage presentations, this child-friendly magic show was amaze and have you rolling on the floor with laughter. This clowny approach to a traditional magic show includes a wealth of acts including the Even/Uneven Spaghetti Act, The Magic Coloring Book with Vanishing Crayons, and Growing Money with the Magic Change Bag. Volunteers will don special balloon costumes and humorous props and play roles in these story-telling-style illusions. The audience will work together to shout out magic words and help to perform the tricks. There will be jokes and buffoonery along the way that will delight young spectators and adults alike. This show can be done in any character including Clown, Your Child's Favorite Character or Traditional Magician wear with a twist. Book your Magic Comedy Show now!

Magic Birthday Show- Similar to the Magic Comedy Show, this abridged version allows time for the balloon show from our popular birthday party package. Children will be entertained by the interactive magic comedy show portion of the show that leads smoothly into the Balloon Band routine and special balloon gifts for each child to take home. This type of entertainment can be done as any character including Clown, Your Child's Favorite Character or Traditional Magician wear with a twist. Want more? Add basic face painting to the end of the show for a complete birthday party event that your guests will be talking about all year! Don't forget to save time for a photo session!

Fortune Teller

2010-04-11T06:48:00.000-07:00

I'd like to introduce you to the newest Red Bicycle Parties character, Madame Jo Jo the Fortune Teller.

Fortune Telling- What better way to celebrate your next New Year's Eve, Halloween, Slumber Party or Bachelorette party than with a Fortune Teller?

Guests will be entertained with positive glimpses into their future done as a group or one-on-one.

Fortune telling can be done in a variety of ways catered to your group, ages, and theme of your party. Children will enjoy round table group fortune telling done with special stones tossed onto a fortune telling mat.

Adults may prefer one-on one fortunes done with tarot and fortune telling cards. Your bachelorette party will delight in a hint at their future love life with a red ribbon 'love charm pull' predicting the qualities of their future love followed by pendulum child predictions.

Use the charm pull at Baby Showers to predict what lies in store for our young ones and what waits for us.

You can request a Witch Fortune Teller for a Halloween Party. Whatever your needs, we will cater to your event. Amaze your guests with this unique party experience!

Balloons Balloons Balloons!

2010-04-04T11:52:00.000-07:00

Here's a couple photos taken after photographing all my balloon creations for my menu board. Aren't balloons wonderful?!

Invite a balloon twister to your next event! Balloon Animals and Sculptures- People of all ages will be delighted with a variety of balloon animals, sculptures, hats and accessories made from single twisted balloons.

This type of entertainment works well with a large group both with a line, like at a fair or carnival booth, or as a walk around, like in a parade or restaurant.

Balloon Games- Need a way to entertain a large multi aged group at a company picnic or a group of squirmy 5 year olds with energy to burn? Try Balloon Games! Round and twisting balloons are transformed into a variety of balloon games such as darts, ring toss, relay and popping games that can be catered to fit any age group.

And here's the after-math. A work of art!

2010-03-29T19:30:00.000-07:00

"A Light Breakfast" by artist Davis Sykes

2010-03-29T19:12:00.000-07:00

I want to float away in this fantastic tribute to the Basic Balloon Dog from Worth 1000.com.