Create a Conversation Piece

I recently attended a small business seminar organized by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and the Small Business Association. It was one of the most inspiring events I have attended in years. When I was in college, I didn’t appreciate the information they were sharing. At that time I couldn’t see how the topics and lessons I was learning could be applied to my real world, but this workshop was different. This workshop was full of valuable information and a networking opportunity that was much needed.

One idea that stuck with me as I walked out of the doors was how to make myself into more of a conversation piece. I am a self proclaimed shy person. When I am teaching or around my fellow painters I am an open book, but when I enter a room full of other entrepreneurs sometimes I tend to clam up. When they ask what I do, I search for words to describe what I do without sounding all over the place. I needed an angel to help jump start the conversation and keep potential customers interested in me.

One of the lecturers flipped a switch in my head. He said your goal should be to make yourself, your artwork, and your business into a conversation piece. As I explained to him what I do, he said, “Stop right there, you are using too many words”. His advice was to show him and not tell him. Too many words sink the interest ship. So I went home and thought about it and really racked my brain to try to come up with something that would show and didn’t force me to tell.

So that night I logged on to Etsy and created a few pins that I could wear to networking functions. The pins say “Got Face Paint?” and another that says “Yes! I Painted my face”. It got me thinking, depending on the function, I would wear either pin with or without face paint. The pin acts as an ice breaker and it introduces me before I say a word. It also engages conversation which is my goal. When I face paint at gigs I always paint a design on my eyes and I get asked, “Did you paint your own face?” every time. If I am attending an art networking event and I have painted my own face and am wearing my pin, I can get the conversation started faster and hopefully win over their attention.

Think about how you can make yourself into a conversation piece.

Wear your business shirt to the supermarket.
Go to the children’s library or museum with your eyes or face painted and make sure to keep business cards in your pocket to hand them out.
Take the time to google small business networking events in your area and get conversation ready.

No matter who you are or where you go, you will meet someone with kids, someone that has attended a birthday party, or someone planning an event and that’s your window to grab business and go!

Happy painting!
-Heather

Resources: Image of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz from Wikipedia Commons.

Posted on May 23, 2012
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One Big Family

As many of you know by now, Silly Farm Supplies, FABAtv, the FABAIC, and My FAB Events are the culmination of a family owned business that keeps expanding. The running joke in our office is that â€œeveryone is heatherâ€™s best friend, and she calls everyone her familyâ€. This is a true statement.

Maybe itâ€™s the Pisces in me or maybe because I am a part of a loving industry, but my friends become my family and I take pleasure in how large my family has become.

The beautiful Kelly Virgona from Australia is in town for the 11th annual FABAIC. She is staying with me and this morning she said â€œCan you believe this Is my 6th year here at the FABAICâ€. I was blown away at how fast time flies and how Kelly is no longer a customer, no longer a friend, now she is my fairy god sister! The same goes for Annie Reynolds, Lynne Jamieson, Kay B, Mark Reid and the entire FAB family.

Over the years we have witnessed each other grow as artists, master new techniques, question our ability to make it as a struggling artist, and lift each other up when we need it the most. For me, that defines what a family is. The face and body art family is made up of a group of people that share a love of art and when we get together and jam, creatively collect our ideas, paint and produce works of art, we become closer.

People often ask me, â€œHow is it working with family?â€. Together with my mother (the CFO), Marcela (CCO), my little sister (OM), best friend (Director of FABAtv), and the rest of my extended family, we operate 4 businesses together. Not only is it stressful, it is the most rewarding career one could ask for. I get to work closely with the people that understand my passion and enable me to do a great job. The same can be said for my extended family of farmers, Silly Farmers.

My rule of thumb in business is to make your customers your friends, so that it is always a pleasure doing business with a friend. My friends become my family and my family continues to bloom. If you are attending the FABAIC, I encourage you to make a friend, introduce yourself, make a connection and grow your own little face painting family.

Posted on May 21, 2012
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How to Politely Tell a Parent to BUZZ OFF!

Nothing irks me more than a parent forcing a screaming child to get painted or when you are trying to paint a child and really give them a special experience, and the parent insists you give them pricing.

I was raised with a lot of manners and I live by the principle treat people as you wish to be treated. Sometimes parents push you to a cliff where you want to remind them that their annoying behavior carries over to their kids and then we all suffer.
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I’ll never forget a party I was hired to do. The family rented the entire Chuckie Cheese restaurant on a Saturday. The manager told me they charged $25,000 just to rent the facility and close it to the public for the three hours. The party planner made custom t-shirts, had goody bags at every place setting, and there were over 75 seats set for children and another 75 for adults. There was face painting, balloons, a caricature artist, and even an ice sculpture with the little boys name on it. This was a PaRtY! When I first arrived the little birthday boy said, “I didn’t hire a stupid face painter”. By the way, he was turning 5. I politely told him that I wasn’t a stupid painter, I was the best painter in the world and that I could paint him like Spiderman. He didn’t seem impressed.

Then I had the pleasure of meeting his parents and at that point I realized kids aren’t the A-holes, it’s their parents that make them that way. Long story short, the parents were terrible. Only seven kids showed up to the party. Based on the turnout of guests, it was clear that the birthday family were not people you want to spend your weekend with.

I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. The parents hired me and I was being paid for a service of face painting, and I wasn’t paid extra to be disrespected or belittled. Should I have walked out? Should I have made a rude comment to the birthday child? My best advice to get pushy parents on your side is to kill them with kindness. Losing your cool, fighting with your customers, and being mean to kids is highly unprofessional.

When a parent hounds me to give them a price or pushes their child to the front of the line, I always smile my brightest and say just give me a few minutes to finish this face and then I can take care of you. When they insist on me giving them a price, I tell them I will send them a special email with pricing as soon as I get home. When a parent holds their child in a vice grip to get face painted… I tell the parent, “The guest in my chair decides what type of face paint they want, and I don’t know how to paint a ‘No, I don’t want my face painted'”.

A good way to deal with parents is to build up several good funny lines that you can say when they treat you unfavorably. Practice those lines with a smile on your face so that you don’t jeopardize future bookings.

Choose your words wisely and don’t hold the actions of a pushy parent against their child. Remember, a child is impressionable and you can be the example they can learn from.

Happy painting

Posted on May 16, 2012
3 Comments

Rainbow Cake Queen

I am not very active on Facebook or internet forums. As my business grew, my window to enjoy staring at gorgeous images on the internet slipped away. Every now and then I get the chance to drool at my screen and get excited about seeing the amazing work my fellow painters are doing. Recently, very colorful images have been filling my inbox. The images were so much fun and exciting, they made me get more excited about the rainbow cakes I spend hours creating. As a special bonus we’re introducing a new contest for you to have your very own rainbow cake combination made by Silly Farm Supplies!

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I spend countless hours creating the perfect color combinations for the Silly Farm rainbow cakes. I take a lot of pride in seeing what other painters create with the combinations I put together. Believe it or not, we hand make each rainbow cake. We have a little factory at Silly Farm where we mold, cut and arrange all the rainbow and arty cakes. You might ask, “Why?” when we can send them overseas to be made for a fraction of the cost. The reason is because we control the quality, colors, and can change them up at any time. Iâ€™m neurotic about giving my customers no less than what I would expect from a retailer. My little rainbow / arty cake factory employs 6 people who love creating something that face painters use to do a great job. Laura Oliver is living proof.

I have been following Laura online and watching her post pictures, using a variety of Silly Farm rainbow and arty cakes, and I was so impressed that I wanted to write a blog about her. I admire her for many reasons.

She shares her work with others to learn and enjoy
She answers questions when asked and gives selfless answers
She creates from the heart. She isnâ€™t paid by Silly Farm, but she genuinely has fun painting and creating those smiles.
She isnâ€™t afraid of putting herself out there and hearing the feedback about her work.

A lot of us fear rejection or disapproval. It is that fear of rejection that prohibits us from sharing our work and growing. Laura takes a chance and by sharing she is able to inspire others, encourage those struggling with cakes to try something new, and opens herself to helping others. That is what made me love our industry so much and that is why I make my YouTube face painting videos. Paying it forward helps build a village, we can always accomplish more when you are willing to G.L.U.E. (Giving Little Unexpected Extras) yourself to our industry.

Thank you Laura for sharing, you inspire me to keep on pumping out rainbow cakes!

Happy Painting!

-Heather

Bonus! Rainbow Cake Creation Contest

We need some help coming up with new rainbow cake designs. Are you a painter that mix n’ matches their cakes, always coming up with the perfect color schemes? Then this contest is for you.
The rules are simple and the submission is straight forward. Send us your own rainbow cake color combinations and if we choose it, we will start manufacturing it and send you a free rainbow cake along with a $25 gift certificate to Silly Farm Supplies![clear]

[button type=”button_solid_dark nocufon” url=”http://www.fabablog.com/rainbow-cake-contest/” target=”on” ]Take me to the Rainbow Cake Creation Contest![/button]

Good Luck and don’t forget to like and share this post!

Posted on May 14, 2012
3 Comments

My Face Painters Rule book

This year marks my 15th year as a face painter. I can’t believe it’s been 15 years, and I couldn’t be more grateful for this amazing art form. Face painting has opened doors, allowed me to travel the world, meet great people, and live by the phrase “life’s a party”. I’m literally at a party every weekend.

Over the years I have had my ups and downs and have learned valuable lessons. So every time I experience a troubling event or situation I create an entry in my rule book and troubleshoot about how to fix it. Luckily, in 15 years I have only filled 2-3 pages in my rule book. So I wanted to share with you my rules that I list in my contract when I am booking a gig. These face painting rules have helped me deflect problems and keep me safe.

Hopefully they can help you or guide you to creating your own rule book. Some of these rules apply to public or free events, where I seem to have the most problems with line control and waiting.

Creating a memorable face painting experience is my ultimate goal. If for any reason parents or kids begin to fight or create a violent atmosphere in my face painting line, I will close the line and will no longer paint. I reserve the right to cease face painting and leave the event without a refund if violence erupts. For events expecting long lines, please arrange for a volunteer to help with crowd control and ending the line.
My goal is to make your event as amazing as possible. To avoid interruption to the flow of the event please have payment ready upon arrival. Unless you prearranged payment on net terms.
Face Paint works best in a cool dry area, if possible please reserve a space in the shade so that your painter and your guests are most comfortable. If your event location has limited shade please let me know so that I can arrange to bring a tent or umbrella.
On average I can paint 10-15 full fantastic faces in one hour. In some cases I may have events before or after your event and may not be able to stay. Please book enough time so that I can make sure everyone leaves happy and painted.

Of course there are more face painting related rules I’d like to include such as;

I won’t force anyone to get painted. The person in the chair gets to choose their face painting design (not you, annoying parent).
If your children puts their fingers in my paint I can chop them off and serve them as finger food.
No, I can’t paint 2 faces at once, but I reserve the really sarcastic answers for my alone time.

Sometimes we leave events pissed and feeling upset. Rather than letting it upset your entire day, the best thing you can do is work on the solution of how not to let it happen again. By listing my rules on my contract, I protect myself from feeling guilty and staying later because the planner didn’t book enough time. I stick to my guns about not letting people fight in my line, painting in the direct sun, and ruining my supplies.

Make your rules, set your boundaries, and you will see how much smoother your events will be. I’d love to hear some of your face painter rules. Share them with us and together we can paint perfect parties.

-Heather xoxoxo

Posted on May 11, 2012
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I-Candy – Free LIVE Class

Take your eye makeup and designs to a whole new level. Join FABAtv LIVE on Wednesday, May 16th at 8:00pm EST/EDT for a free class by Heather Green of Silly Farm Supplies. Heather will show you several funky and sexy eye makeup designs that girls will love and that also go great with a night out.

BONUS

FABAtv and Silly Farm Supplies will be raffling off a free set of brand new, unreleased Bad Ass Mini Stencils by Andrea O’Donnell to one lucky viewer! Don’t miss this class!

[button type=”button_solid_dark nocufon” url=”http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?p1=820&iso=20120516T20&msg=FABAtv+LIVE+May+16th&sort=1″ target=”on” ]Find out when FABAtv LIVE is for your Time Zone.[/button]

This previous youtube video by Heather gives a glimpse of what you can expect in this upcoming FABAtv live class.

I-Candy Makeup Tutorial – Youtube

Posted on May 9, 2012
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Networking

As we seek higher achievements and greater success, others can help us. As a matter of fact, some will take pleasure in doing so as long as they feel that we are trustworthy and deserving of their help. This is why it is important to understand that it is not only having connections, but keeping in contact with them and providing value to them that will make them effective.

The FABAIC offers a unique opportunity to network within your industry. Attending the convention allows you to connect with painters in your area, manufacturers of face and body art supplies, photographers and models.
To make the best of your networking at FABAIC bring with you the following:

Attitude
The twin of friendly is smiley and since most people like to do business with their friends, the most important tool you have is your smile. Remember that we only have one chance to give a good impression. Everything from our hair to our shoes is an indicator of who we are. The way we communicate and the way we are perceived by others depends much on a positive attitude and the ability to look at someone in the eye. Doing so displays confidence.

Business cards
Never leave home without business cards in your pocket. I also carry a business card size portfolio that I can show along with my business cards once the conversation about face and body painting gets going. A picture says a thousand words and because our business is so unique, having them on hand to illustrate our point hooks people into wanting to know more.
Check out this Faba Blog article on Business Cards for more information on making the perfect card for your business.

Enthusiasm
The secret to success in networking is being prepared to engage another person in a way that they will be interested in you and what you do. Whatever you tell people, be proud of it and be enthusiastic about it. It helps to write down a 30 second introductory commercial for yourself and your services that can be used over an over as a key to open the doors that lead to success.

Make a commitment to network and grow your business. At FABAIC we offer an extensive marketing track to help you learn more so you can earn more. Not only are there classes for networking, the whole convention is full of possible new networks and business opportunities. Allow us to help you succeed.
-Marcela

The FABAIC – Face and Body Art International Convention is being held May 23rd-27th, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center and Spa in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Website: http://www.fabaic.com

Posted on May 7, 2012
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Born with Teeth

How many people do you know are born with teeth?

Being born with teeth is creepy and extremely rare, almost as rare as the entrepreneurs that make it big overnight. If you find yourself frustrated that your business has hit a lull or that your business isn’t growing at the speed of success, then it’s time to start counting your teeth.

When our teeth first start to grow in, it’s painful and it seems like they take forever to cut the gums. Once they are through, then you can eat and drool and enjoy the pleasures your teeth provide. Then you start losing some teeth and it’s fun because you get money for the teeth and then you also make way for bigger and better teeth. Then out of the clear blue, you visit a dentist and end up having a cavity and your teeth and wallet take a hit. Then you are back to enjoying the delicacies of life.

Business is just like that. You have to suffer a little, grow a little, loose a little, and it’s not always good, but it can be really great. When your business is bursting through the gums of your mouth (sorry for the pun) use a little whiskey to numb the pain and keep on going. Anything great is worth working hard for.

Businesses grow in stages, having realistic goals will set the stage for success. Rather than expecting the gigs to roll in and the money to rain from trees, take the time to research and do your homework about potential earnings, growth possibilities, man power, and capabilities.

For example:
If you can only do 3-6 parties a weekend because there are only so many hours in a day, and you charge $80 an hour what is the most you can net on a weekend? If you raise your rates to $100 an hour, can you work less hours and make the same thing? What happens if you get sick and have to cancel jobs, do you have a back up? Who answers your phones on the weekend? These are valid questions you will need to answer in order to estimate the direction and growth your company can accomplish.

I encourage each of you to nurture your businesses, don’t just dump them at the first sign of obstacles. Perseverance will pay the bills, not unrealistic hopes of overnight success. Make a plan, write out your goals and set target sales numbers. Take the time to measure your success, because knowing where you started and where you are going will navigate you on your road to entrepreneurial success.

Happy painting!
Heather

Posted on May 4, 2012
1 Comment

Spotlight Artist – Andrea O’Donnell

Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from?

I am a Michigander through and through. I was born here, grew up here, and I now raise my two children here. I love my home state so much, the four seasons, the trees, the hills, the gorgeous great lakes. Michigan is a beautiful state, and I am lucky enough to have a home in Howell where I live and work, and also a cottage in the deep northern woods, where I have appreciated and absorbed Mother Nature’s works of art since I was just a year old. Of all the places I have traveled (and that’s a lot), Northern Michigan is still my favorite place in the world.
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Are you an artist full time or do you have another job?

I am a full time artist (too full sometimes) and I run a very busy studio in Howell, Michigan, which is centrally located between four of Michigan’s largest cities; Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing and Flint. It’s a small town, but a great location, and it keeps my staff and I very busy providing makeup and cosmetic services, event services, photography and so much more. It’s also a retail store for makeup, special fx and face & body art supplies, mainly geared toward the professional market, but open to the public as well.

What type of face and body art do you specialize in?

I have been a professional makeup artist for 23 years, the first 15 years were spent primarily on bridal and special event makeup in the salon/spa environment. For the past 8 years I have gravitated more toward creative editorial, high fashion and couture makeup for commercial makeup shoots and runway events, and face painting for kids parties. Now I would estimate that 80% of what I do consists of body painting both in and outside of my studio, which makes me very happy!

How did you get your start?

I got my start in face & body art after nearly quitting makeup altogether from sheer boredom! After what seemed like a lifetime of brides and prom girls, I was dying to inject more creativity into my work. So I actually stepped away from makeup for a short period, and opened an art store where I taught painting classes and sold art supplies. At some point during that time period, I found myself in Disney World with my kids, mesmerized at the face painting that was being applied to my daughter. I took photos and mental notes, and when I got home I tried my hand at face painting – using all the wrong products of course. Nevertheless, myself and two of my friends set up a face painting table in front of my art store during a Harry Potter festival in my town and made over $1000 charging only $3 per face in about 3-4 hours! The line was wrapped around the block! When the night was over we all looked at each other in shock! The offers started pouring in from parents, schools, and local businesses who saw our work that night, and I started thinking; What the heck was I doing running this art store and barely squeaking by with the bills month after month? I should be painting faces for a living! So when the store closed down the following year in 2005, I went back to what I did best, Makeup, but this time I had a whole new attitude. I did my research and found out what products I should be using, and immediately set out to create a whole new and much more colorful makeup portfolio! A couple years later I became one of the most sought after makeup artists in Michigan and right about that time is when I upgraded my title permanently to Makeup Artist, Face & Body Painter.

What’s the most enjoyable part of what you do?

The most enjoyable part of what I do? Oh there is SO much I love about my job, but I would probably have to say my favorite is the travel. This job has provided me and my family with so much opportunity to see the world. It’s not easy to get to that point. I’m not saying that every face and body painter is going to start flying all over the place. There are a lot of artists who don’t ever leave their immediate area, and that is perfectly fine for them. I suffer from a thing called wanderlust. I have to constantly feed my mind with new experiences and for me that means traveling to new places. So I have specifically “trained” my career in such a way that I am able to do what I love in many places, whether it’s teaching workshops in other states, providing services for films and conventions, selling my product (Bad Ass Stencils) at various trade shows around the globe, or whatever else takes me away. I just love to be on the move, almost as much as I love coming back home.

What would you like to do more of, art or otherwise?

I would love to be able to find more time to take tons of classes in all the other areas and topics that I am interested in, such as art, photography, glass blowing, jewelry design, major special fx makeup courses and more. I also want to learn as many foreign languages as I can, including sign language, so I can travel around the world and explore historical landmarks, castles, villages, and ruins and know how to communicate freely with everyone I come in contact with! Wouldn’t that be awesome?

Outside of art, what do you do for fun?

Outside of my fun job and traveling, fun for me always involves my family. We have a nice big family and many good friends, and we are all very close. We enjoy riding motorcycles and ATV’s in our woods up north, kayaking, paintball, hiking, playing with our dogs, and pretty much anything else as long as we are together.

Do you have any pet peeves?

Pet peeves? Arrogant photographers with over blown egos and underwhelming portfolios, flaky “models” who should really not be modeling, parents who try to force crying kids to get face painted and/or want to choose their design for them, and would-be clients who don’t realize and/or appreciate the value of what we do after wasting our time asking questions and getting quotes, and then hiring someone cheap, especially for high quality body painting. I’m not the same thing as Joe Schmoe with a paint brush that they saw at a Harley Fest last summer… not even close. I think that last one is everyone’s pet peeve.

Where do you see yourself in a couple years?

A couple years from now, I would like to see myself having more time to relax in between jobs. Right now I am a little overwhelmed between the studio work, teaching classes, event jobs, trade shows, and now the Hunger Games Convention Tour, but I’m not complaining… just looking forward to a time when it balances out a bit more for me, hopefully sooner than later. My dream would be to do a few big magazine photo shoot jobs on a tropical island two or three times a year, some fun local jobs in between, and just party and travel the rest of the year!

Do you have any projects going on or in the works?

My current major project is SKINCOGNITO and all that revolves around it. In addition to that, I am super busy designing a load of new Bad Ass Stencils in time for the Face and Body Art International Convention, designing my body paint competition piece, and preparing for the World Body Painting Festival in Austria this July. I am also the exclusive makeup artist for the new Official Hunger Games Tour, which I know will keep me movin’ for the next couple years.

Will you be attending the 2012 Face and Body Art International Convention?

I am SO looking forward to seeing all of my favorite friends and artists at the 2012 FABAIC! I hope everyone comes by to see me at the Bad Ass Stencil booth as well as at the jams. It is such a fun and inspirational event, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

Contact Andrea:
Skincognito Studio
120 State Street
Howell, MI 48843, USA
Phone: (517) 376.6488
Email: SkincognitoStudio@yahoo.com
Website: www.SkincognitoStudio.com
Skincognito’s Facebook Page

www.BadAssStencils.com
Bad Ass Stencils on Facebook

Andrea O’Donnell Artist Facebook Page

Check out Andrea O’Donnell on FABAtv!

Posted on May 2, 2012
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Princess Unicorn – Face Painting Video

In this latest video, Heather of Silly Farm Supplies goes over a great face painting design that girls will love. This great design incorporates three different ideas, a princess, butterfly, and unicorn, into one single face painting design that will leave your audience in wow.

Princess Unicorn Face Painting Tutorial on Youtube

Like, Share, Leave a comment below and tell us what kind of designs you would like to see next!