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R2D2 Veteran user 304 Posts |
Sorry for the newb question, but I'm wondering what the pros and cons are of the Twistemup aprons vs. busking bags.
Is the apron better for restaurant situations where you want to be mobile (and you could always run to the back and get a balloon refill)? And are the busking bags better for when you're in the middle of the park and you can put a bag on the ground next to yourself? Sorry if this is really dumb... |
The Mighty Fool Inner circle I feel like a big-top tent having 2140 Posts |
I definetly prefer (and have) the apron. When I perform in a park, I'm usually on or near a bench, and I can simply place the apron there just LIKE a busking bag, but if I ever need to get mobile, I can strap 'er on! About the only advantage of some bags is simply that they hold more balloons and accessories.
Everybody wants to beleive.....we just help them along.
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R2D2 Veteran user 304 Posts |
Thanks so much for the reply! Makes perfect sense.
Do you prefer the twist em up deluxe or jumbo? |
Karen Climer Veteran user Orlando, Florida 324 Posts |
I use an apron (twist em up) when I'm at a restaurant and a bag (swifty) everywhere else. I prefer the bag for several reasons. First, I can carry more balloons. I'm not concerned so much with quantity as I am variety. You don't need 100 blue 260s for one gig (usually), so the shear number of balloons is not too much of an issue. But the variety is. I carry about 10 640s in my apron. If a kid wants something that requires a 640, he has to pick one of those colors. But in my bag, I can carry many more choices. The other thing I like about my bag is the way I can carry non-pencil balloons such as rounds, hearts, and geos. Yes, I carry those in my apron, but I like the way it works in my bag better than the apron.
The bag is heavy but I only carry it to get to and from my car. The apron you have to carry the whole time for the gig. Lastly, I find it much easier to interact with kids when I'm not wearing the apron. It is difficult to squat down to talk to very small kids when you have an apron and a pump (I wear a Majiloon fanny pack pump). It's not impossible, so I can do it. It's just easier without the apron. For aprons, I think that Twist Em Up are the best. For bags, I'd encourage you to look at Trist and Shout bags. I don't particularly like the velcro system that Twist Em Up uses. It works aprons, but there are much easier ways for busking bags. |
R2D2 Veteran user 304 Posts |
Thanks Karen for the thorough reply. Good point about kneeling down to talk to little kids.
Here's another dumb question: if I wear an apron, can I board an airplane while wearing it and not have it count as a carry-on (like you can usually do with a big camera)? |
R2D2 Veteran user 304 Posts |
Karen, one more thing: Do you have a link to the bag you like? This link (http://www.tristnshout.com/bags) is password-protected, which makes me think I'm looking at the wrong site.
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Karen Climer Veteran user Orlando, Florida 324 Posts |
I don't have a link, but that is the right company. It's Trist N Shout. The people are Rose and Tristen. You might have to email them about it.
There are also a lot of people who use scrapbooking cases, so that might be something to look at. I would not recommend trying to wear an apron on to a plane. I don't know if the airlines allow it or not. My thought is that you will be working while you are waiting for the plane and maybe even while you are on the plane. If you are wearing you apron, kids will definitely ask you to make things. And if you are wearing an apron, everyone has a right to assume you are working. If you weren't you would put your balloons away. |
R2D2 Veteran user 304 Posts |
Thanks, Karen. I'll check out scrapbooking cases too.
Any opinion on the twist em up deluxe vs jumbo? Funny what you said about airplanes. I'm thinking that waiting to board a plane is so boring that maybe I *want* kids gathered around asking for animals! |
Karen Climer Veteran user Orlando, Florida 324 Posts |
I have the largest apron. I forget what it's called. It has three rows of velcro strips that I use for 260s and 350s. I roll my 160s in qualatex bags and put them behind the last row. I just shove them back there. In other words, I use four rows of balloons. I also use two of the extra side pockets that you can add (one on each side). I use one for a 160 pump and a small bottle of water, and the other for my scraps. I wish I could fit another ones so I could keep a few small magic tricks.
If you don't use a lot of 350s, you could probably get by with the size that's smaller. The 350s take up a lot of space. They say that you can fit 50 260s on one velcro strip. But you can only fit about 25-30 350s in each one. I carry several rounds, printed rounds, hearts, etc. I use this organizing gizmo that is made by Diamond Storm. Once you see one, you can easily make your own. I've made several that are different sizes to fit in the pockets. For me personally, I would rather have too much room than not enough. If you can afford it, I'd probably go with the larger one. |
R2D2 Veteran user 304 Posts |
Thanks again Karen. If I get an apron, I'll get the bigger one. Those organizers look cool too.
I think this must be the friendliest and most helpful forum in the whole Café! |
Karen Climer Veteran user Orlando, Florida 324 Posts |
Balloon people are different than magic people. Part of magic is keeping a secret, so some magicians don't like to share things even with other magicians. But there is nothing in balloons about keeping secrets. That's the only reason I can figure. But I've definitely noticed that online and in person, balloon people (as a group) are a different personality than magicians.
I'm glad I could help. |
R2D2 Veteran user 304 Posts |
Yeah, but you didn't go out of your way to insult me even once!
What you said is very consistent with what I saw in the movie Twisted. |
Karen Climer Veteran user Orlando, Florida 324 Posts |
Agree about the insults. There are a few categories on Magic Café where people would rather fight about some nonsense than actually have an intelligent discussion. I'm glad we've kept this category civil and helpful to everyone.
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jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
I used an apron for several years. For me, the best thing that an apron offers is visibility . It's colorful, and easy for kids to pick out their colors. if you want to walk around, it's ideal. The down part is having to load the the thing which I found to be a pain, and everytiime I got real busy, and would forget to tighten the Velcro strips, the balloons would fall into the bottom of the apron. I opted to use a waivers apron with 3 big pockets to stuff the balloons into, along with a bag, most of all, because I hated to load the Velcro strips.
By the way, if you opt for the apron Be sure to buy your balloons single color to the bag. |
R2D2 Veteran user 304 Posts |
Thanks, Jake. Did you mean "waiters'" apron (not waivers)?
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jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 7, 2016, R2D2 wrote: Yes, it should have read 'waiter's'. I'm pretty dopey at 4 AM. |
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