Begining Costs

[Fast Eddie]

Well here I am again filling your bandwidth with request for your wisdom and understanding.

I was wondering What I can expect to pay starting out to get a solid start in clowning for supplies, props, Tutorial books/videos and such. I am currently unemployed and this is a great concern to me since I am so strongly desiring to do this.

Dartel

[Scruffy]

www.bubbasikes.com
www.mooseburger.com
www.clownantics.com
www.luckysclownsupplies.com
www.indianaclowns.com

These will help you get an idea of what the stuff costs. I am lucky, we have a great costume shop that we frequent. Her prices are inline with what we would pay online for the same thing. She was very helpful when Sassy was looking for a new wig, and helped me find a suitable replacement for the Steins Carmine red that I have used for years. To me, there's a lot to be said for old fashioned service.
There are several good brands out there. Ben Nye, Mehron,Proknows, amd Jim Howle. I do not recommend that you use halloween makeup. The stuff doesn't set properly and isn't really designed to stand up to the wear and tear of clowning. This was something I found out the hard way! I can sweat the stuff right off, and Powder doesn't set it properly.
As far as Local clowns who aren't willing to help you learn. I haven't heard of anyone having a problem in that area. I agree with jamz, look for a Coai or World clown association alley in your area. They are there to help you learn the art. I have heard of those problems, but have not experienced this myself.
You might also search Red Cross. I am a Red Cross Clown, as are Sassy (That would be Mrs. Scruffy) and Doc and Jasper. Whom I have the great priviledge of working with. In fact I hooked up with red cross because of meeting Doc at an event that I decided to work on my own. They actually broke the rules and let me clown with them. He and Buckshot needed the help too. They were swamped! But it's a ghrat group. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
Also a little personal history on me. I became a clown in 1982 at the ripe old age of fourteen through 4-H. I stopped clowning about three years later. In the fall of 2003, I decided it was time to start clowning again. I dusted off the props, found my now 20 year old makeup, and had to recreate my costume ( Pretty close to the original). I also re read all the books on clowning that I had learned from and evern found two newer books that are excellent. I feel that the twenty years I took off really didn't effect my ability to be funny. I feel that It was helpful. In that time I had discovered from personal experience what worked (As far as humor) and what didn't. I also had become a parent. So I had first hand experience in what kids found funny. I guess in my mind, I never stopped clowning. I knew that someday I would take it up again. You are never to old to become a clown.or in my case too old to become a clown again.
As far as others protecting their territory, I believe that competition is a good thing. If nothing else, as a parent, it lets you alternate party entertainment so that the kids get to see a variety. A good clown should not be worried about a little competition for another clown.
Good luck!
Scruffy

[saphireSue]

my personal info is simular to Scruffy's in that I clowned when I was young then quit to go to college, I didn't start back until my oldest was in a small church group and we needed away 2-4 kids could go out and minister so we began going to the Creative Ministry festivals. Now right at 9 yrs [I think could be I'm forgetful] I'm 43.

Long story short I still work in clown ministry but I also do clowning privately.

The great thing about the creative Ministry Festivals many states have them and clowing workshops are usually offered, with market areas to see things first hand.

check out the sites Scruffy listed to get your prices, I order from Bubba and Clown antic alot, with no problems, it you can talk with Bubba he's great about making suggestions, He also travels and does weekend workshops. many of these are not to expensive 40-75.

[ashes]

Scruffy has some great info on costs, and not buying the
Halloween grade makeup and wigs.

You can either buy a cheap wig that _might_ last you a year, and
then have to buy it all over again, and again...
...or buy a well-made good wig right from the start!

The same goes for clown shoes and makeup.

(although I have used over-sized tennis shoes for clown shoes
for years until I got some real clown shoes)

The place to scrimp and save money is on the costume itself.
You _can_ go buy an expensive (!) costume from one of the
clown dealers, but for starters just go spend time in your local
thrift stores. Go in with your "clown eyes" on, and look for
mismatches - stripes, checkers, plaids, etc. Too big? great!
Too small? That works also.

Also, if you know someone who is handy with a sewing machine you
can get them to sew you up some costume bits and pieces as well.

Hope that helps some,

Ashes

[ashes]

Also, I highly recommend Bubba Sikes (the first link that Scruffy
posted, above)

Check his website for prices, but better yet, give him a call direct!

He will help you with picking out the makeup supplies you need
and he also has a GREAT video about makeup technique.

I believe the video is called "You Look Marvelous, Darling" and
teaches a newer way to apply makeup using cream-based makeup.

I use his techniques to apply my makeup, but I still use the old
powder sock for powdering, so I use some but not all his techniques.

Ashes

[saphireSue]

Good Will, Salvation Army and thrift stores are great places, Dollar tree can also yeld some finds. Also look at Ebay, try every worded comb. and you'd be surprised what you can find. Sally's skirt and Crinolin [sp] are made for square dancing [she's country western}. I drew out the rest and same for Sue's [but I plan on changing Sue's soon I hope".
Look in toy isles with your clown eyes, I got my little rubber chicken for less than a dollar, I've bought cheap dollar dog toys to get the squeakers from inside, just look and think what could I do with this?

[Shoq T. Clown]

Hey there friend...

To be comfortable in clown you need to invest in a good pair of shoes, nose, make-up and costume... BUT they dont have to cost you a arm and a leg! here are some tips from me to you!:

costumes can sometimes found at thrift stores (whodathunkit!)! after you have developed you character and know what style and colors you want... try looking for bright colorful patterns in vests, shirts, hats, pants... for cheap shoes i recommend the BIGGEST size canvase high top shoe you can find... i bought me a size 18 at walmart that where white and then i used fabric markers and fabric dye to color them... only cost me $11 for the shoes.... but dont get me wrong, there is NOTHING better than a new pair of 13 inch leather clown shoes but when your funds are low you gotta do what you gotta do! i found thick red suspenders at k-mart for $8 (for my auguste character) the possiblities are endless... remember to be creative.

Make-up how ever you cant be cheap on... i suggest you use a brand like Mehron, Ben Nye, Snazaroo (greasepaint not water based), or ProFace. You need to buy alot of REGULAR baby powder with out cornstarch (cornstarch will crack your make-up). buy a good selection of fiblert and flat brushes, baby oil or baby shampoo to take it off... i use johnson & johnson "Purpose" face cleansing bar... works WONDERFUL!. As of make-up design you will have to work on that and post or e-mail us pictures and we will be glad (iam sure) to help you.

Please let me know if i can help you.... you can personally e-mail me at Shoqtclown@aol.com