Face painted at a festival today. Last year was swamped so my Dtr did this one with me and Tyme came and did balloons. Had to get up by 6 am to get there and set up. I purposely only have one line so we can get up and leave to go to the restroom or get a drink what ever. But this one was so busy and difficult to get parents to stay in one line. My dtr didn't get a bathroom break til after 2 same with me, no food til after 6 pm. Parents complained when she went for a 5 min break ,, complaining about the line. Guess they want us to wear dippers and eat while we paint their kid, one woman got mad when I went, and told me she didn't have to spend her money with me, I told her that was find she could go some where else.... My line never stopped, if it wasn't for Ty-me being a man and closing me off it would have been extremely difficult as this crowd was not as polite as some . Flower tried to close me off but they'd ignore her. Sorry just wanted to scream at them. Made $$$ but wonder if it's really worth the aggrivation.

Actually if I do that one again next year, I'm considering hiring some one to fill in so we can take sceduled breaks and no one will see a line closed, Won't make as much $$ but won't feel so physically drained afterward, even my 16 yr old was complaining of score knees, butt, and arm. [She thought her arm just might fall off] LOL

Sorry Sue! It really takes the joy out of it when parents have a bad attitude. It spreads to all those around them, too. Why were they complaining; weren't you and your daughter both painting? I don't see why they should complain if somebody's still there painting. Do you think it would work to put up a sign for all to see, stating when you will be taking your breaks? That way you would definitely get what you need, and people would know when you're leaving (if they read the sign). Oy, I don't like situations like that either. Hiring someone to fill in sounds like a good idea.

actually you may make more money if you hire help. may be able to work more people in that wouldve walked away. and you would get a bathroom, drink break in there too.

I do have a sign and ususally this is not a problem, oh you'll always have a few "Can't you do one more before you go" type thing. Honestly this is one of those area's that is more economically depressed and attiudes are a little different there. And it wasn't but a couple but they were loud and vocal. "I can't believes she taking a break now", and after going non stop for hours I was really ticked. When I went to take mine one the others response was "I don't have to spend my money here" sorry I know wrong response but I agreed with her she didn't. She left but the line remained and actually was nicer after that. For some reason the draw was the Tiger and skull and rainbow butterfly. Most were nice but it only takes a few, and I needed to vent. Close also is usally not to much a problem you alway get those late comers, I can't explain it ,you'd have to hear it, it's like they intend to intimitate you into doing what they want. My Dtr they will stand and ignore when she told them the line was closed and passed out stickers, Ty-me would have to be firm and say "She's Closed" then they go.
The really good thing, just about every one wants full face so the money is there.

Quite often ,we develop a a long line wanting in to the circus. When such an event become evident, we have a small sign, about 18x24, that we give to the last person in line to carry with them. The sign reads "Last person for this show.Next show in 2 hrs." This seems to REDUCE the complaints to a low rumble. It's way better than having some one stand in line for 30 minutes or more AND then be denied service when they FINALLY get to be first in line. I really don't think I would like that. Would you ?

Your sign could read " Last customer this session I'll be back in 15 minutes" or whatever.

All and all the amount of people that came through were nice and understandable it was just a couple of people that did that and yes it the type of people that want things their way... Well I feel sorry that their day was not going their way. I'm with Sue on this one no you don't have to spend your money here...please do us a favor.

Depending on the time and the line I do have some one go to the end of the line, I don't just stop at a certain time, and I stay till all those are done, so I usually will close the line around 30 til end of time so I'm close to the last one by the time I should be out. With out some one you trust you can never be to sure they don't stop some one from cutting into line before them, some people can be more intimidating then others, I can't keep my eye up and paint at the same time, short term memory not that quick. Usually it's flower and she passed out stickers, telling people sorry but we were closed, so there was no one waiting and I turned them down. Just making that clear.

Way to stand your ground Sue and Ty-Me! It's great that people WANT to wait in line for your work. I like that you both politely suggested that if they were unhappy about the line then maybe they should go elsewhere. Hopefully they didn't stay in line long and put others in a bad frame of mind.

Seems like you need to charge more. In economics, there is the principal of supply and demand. If you can't increase the suppy, you need to decrease the demand. You can do that by raising the prices. Amusement parks sell fast lane tickets which gets them to the front of the line (for an extra price). I know some events begin slow, it is OK to raise prices after 2:00.

Whenever I talk to someone about a large festival, I try to gauge the number of people expected and do what I can to control either the supply or demand. If possible, I try to have additional face painters or balloon twisters present. I will rarely agree to do an event with 500 kids alone.

I’m sorry Sue, I have absolutely no idea how to help you out of the predicament you have got your self into. This kind of situation is so far away from what I do, I really don't even recognise the problem. At some point I get bored or tired or want a change of scenery and I go. It's just tough if you missed it. My attitude is, I took no money off you, so what’s the problem? All I can tell you about lines is, there is a line most people think they are not meant to cross, well for me, that is often the starting line. Which is exactly why I am going to tell you this next joke. What’s got forty legs, 7 dollars and five teeth? The queue for a balloon in a depressed neighbourhood.

I am sorry I can't be more constructive than that Sue, but I do hope you had a very happy birthday today and that you have many more.:birthday:

Come on Barry, don't all those people get at least one tooth each? How are they supposed to eat?!

Last yr I did this one alone, this yr I had my dtr to help, next yr I already have another lined up. To be honest I'd rather clown than work as face painter, but it's what I get hired more for, for festivals. But I'm am going to take another's advice and put up a new sign that reads .... after ___ time the price per face is now $100. wonder how many will stick around after that and if I get takers .. well that's wouldn't be to bad.

Great idea, Sue! Might copy that one myself!