Sunday, November 30, 2008
Keep Smiling with Ali
So I was lucky enough to be a part of the Keep Smiling with Ali benefit last week. Ali is a remarkable young woman who suffered a spinal cord injury last year. Her website can tell you a bit more: http://www.keepsmilingwithali.com/
I made balloon caricatures and donated a birthday party to help raise money. Here's some great shots by an up and coming photographer, Leah Laliccia: (www.leahlariccia.com)
Thursday, November 13, 2008
New Craigslist Ad
So I was looking for a new way to get attention for my balloon artistry ad on Craigslist last night. Craigslist has actually been a decent source of referrals for me. I try to present as professional as possible. This ad I wrote injects a bit of humor. What do you think?
Title: Do you know the power of the balloon?
Location:
Message:
I know why you’re reading this. YOU have a balloon emergency! And you don’t know where to turn. No worries. I’m Jungle Jim. And I’m a balloon professional. I control the power of the balloon. Right now you are thinking ‘balloon artist? Aren’t they all just dogs and swords?’ But that is not the case. Have you ever seen a 4-foot tall penguin… made out of balloons? You will. How about a ladybug bracelet so cute that most large men cry when they see it? Get the Kleenex ready. I can turn your daughter into a princess and your son into Jedi Master Yoda, complete with green lightsaber. May the Force be with… the balloon.
Keep in mind, too, that the holidays lend to even more creativity. You may have thought Santa couldn’t shimmy all the way up a candy cane. But he can… with balloons. I will turn the most introverted child into Rudolph-the-Red-Balloon-Nosed-Reindeer with my reindeer hat. I will create a Star of David that will make all of us say l'chaim! A kinara for kwanzaa? Kool!
So call. Or email. Or check out the blog, which in our completely biased opinion is amazing. Talk to you soon.
Jungle Jim's
617-223-1700
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Restaurant work is an important part of my business. I help build clientèle for the venue while marketing myself at the same time. It allows me to practice my balloon work and solidify what I do.
Hey, I came across this blog entry in a Google search. Its about a balloon artist in Miami from Russia. Check it out:
http://www.moneysavingmom.com/money_saving_mom/2008/11/title-is-there.html
Sunday, October 26, 2008
May the Force be with you!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Balloon Manor - A Boo-o-o-tiful Experience!
Balloon Manor 2008 was fantastic! Its hard to believe we used over 100,000 balloons in less than a week, but we did! I was grateful to work with an awesome crew. Included were Smarty Pants (www.SmartyPantsWorld.com), Swifty (www.SwiftytheClown.com) and my good friend Julie from Qualatex Balloons (www.Qualatex.com). I was battling a cold the whole project (my annual tradition), but I was still able to contribute and learn a lot.
Balloon Manor is what helped me get my start with the balloons. Two years ago I was invited to be a part of the event, knowing only simple balloons. Balloon Manor 2006 showed me what could be done with the medium, and introduced me to a lot of great people. I’m very grateful to Larry Moss and all who run the show. Its helped my life tremendously.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Press Release - Balloon Manor, 2008
For Immediate Release Contact: Jim Manning
617-223-1700
Jim@JungleJimBoston.com
JIM MANNING, LOCAL BALLOON ARTIST, TO PARTICIPATE IN BUILDING WORLD’S
-Fundraiser Attracts International Balloon Artists-
This will be Jungle Jim's third annual participation in Balloon Manor, which gave him his start in the world of professional balloon artistry two years ago. Balloon Manor is the world’s largest balloon project, and raises money for different charities. This year, the Manor is partnering exclusively with one local health organization, Teens Living with Cancer (TLC), which will underwrite the event as well as benefit from sales of all tour tickets and concessions. The previous three Manors combined donated more than $90,000 to
“I’m thrilled to be recognized for my balloon artistry and creativity. It’s truly an honor to be back for the third time among the top balloon artists in the country creating the Manor for a good cause.” says Jim Manning. “When it comes to balloons, my goal is to show people of all ages things they’ve never seen before with a medium they didn’t really know existed. In this case, a full-scale Haunted House will display inflated ingenuity and creativity. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to surprise and delight with my balloons.”
The artists, along with several hundred community volunteers, will build the 10,000-square-foot, 10-room, walk-through haunted house in just six-and-a-half days, starting on Saturday, October 11. BALLOON MANOR 2008 will be open to the public on Friday, October 17 through Sunday, October 26. The Manor will be closed Monday and Tuesday, October 20 and 21 for updates and repairs. Please visit www.balloonmanor.com for more information.
The previous three Manors (2004, 2006 and 2007) have attracted more than 20,000 visitors and many millions more have seen or heard about it through international press coverage. The Manor was the subject of an Associated Press story as well as a nationwide PBS feature, and has been featured multiple times on CNN Headline News. Artists from as far away as
-more-
Jim Manning, new to
Please note: High resolution photos and broadcast-quality footage are available. Interviews and photo/footage opportunities can also be arranged. Email Jim@JungleJimBoston.com for more information.
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Thursday, September 4, 2008
The Hen Party!
You'll have to bear with me, but I can't stop thinking about how much fun Sonya and I had while in Europe for Nils' wedding. This was a true vacation, but somehow the balloons came out anyway. We were having dinner with our new friends from Australia in a wonderful Italian restaurant in Lubeck. I made a few balloons and much to our surprise a "Hen Party" came along. As you may know, the hen party in Europe is the bachelorette party over here. Check it out!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Mariella's Birthday Party
Yesterday was terrific! 14 hours off the plane from Germany, and I had a show. Andra, Mariella's mom, had seen me busking in the Boston Common and asked if I would visit Mariella and her friends for her birthday party. They live in a beautiful home right next to the State House. We all had such a good time!
Andra was smart enough to request "all the big stuff." When I make balloons on the Common, I want people to see balloons they never have before. The motto I use in BNI is: "Whatever the mind can imagine, the balloon can achieve."
The children were two and three years old, so we focused on bigger, simpler balloons. I have a balloon mentor, Allen Stay, (aka Swifty the Clown), out of Novelty OH. Allen's taught me a lot about ballooning, and his motto is bigger's better, smaller's cuter. I try and keep that as a focus as well.
Yesterday we did giraffes, a four-foot monkey on a tree (Don Caldwell's recipe), ladybugs and giant flowers. Leo got a jetpack, but then explained to me that he couldn't really fly. I'd have to say the highlight were the octopi. Andra had these giant helium balloons for the party, so I borrowed a few and made a flying octopus. The weight of the 260's balances out the
helium so the sculptures bounces up and down, much to the delight of my charges. So if you can picture it, giant octopus are flying all over the party!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Jungle Jim's First Entry
Greetings all!
I've just returned from Germany, and am excited to share with you some stories about my travels and my profession, balloon twisting. I am a professional balloon artist and entertainer in Boston. I'm very excited about what I do. I'm great at entertaining children, and I've come a long way in my two years as an artist. I'll be providing pictures of some of my work, and hopefully sharing with you some things you didn't know about the world of balloon art. I'm off to do an early morning show on Beacon Hill this morning, but I'll look forward to chatting with you later. Have a great day!
Jungle Jim