From: LLDiva@aol.com
Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 01:01:54 EDT
Subject: free form hats
To: balloon@balloonhq.com

I do three types of hats:
1.  An animal that is just stuck up there on a balloon, put on the 
one-balloon hat by the nozzle - when the kid wants just a kitty - to get more 
visibility and get this off of the table.

2.  A hat that I've previously made up, and they're usually named silly 
things like "Thank God It's Summer," "Princess Crown," "Swirly-Dirly," or 
whatever I can think of that night.  

3.  A hat that I make up on the spot - these are great because I can really 
adjust this to how much time I've got.  If I'm really busy I make simple but 
big and if I'm not busy, I'll go all out.  This is when I make up some of my 
best new hats that make the cut into my permanent collection (and it gets 
named as well).  

Just a note on the crazy hats - if you make one you will make 30 more - in 
that very same night.  Make sure you have the time to do the more fancy stuff 
if that's where you're going.  Also, try to make up some hats which are your 
"signature" hats, so people get to know you.  I have a birthday hat that I 
just make for birthdays, for example, and I'm also getting known for my 
monkey, because it's slightly different than most of the things they see.  

Someone on this list said (sorry I can't give you credit - jump up and take 
credit if you see this) that hats are your best marketing tool - don't make 
anything that's going to be put in a purse later - get it up there where it's 
advertising for you!  

Laura 
Balloon Divas in Denver