| I was at an event this past weekend and ran into | | | | will continue to come even after you leave the jam |
| another entertainer that I've invited to our monthly | | | | and continue to play with the ideas that started |
| balloon jam on several occasions, but she and her | | | | there. Creativity must be fed in order for it to grow |
| husband have never joined us. I extended another | | | | and jams frequently provide a nutrient rich idea soup |
| invitation, which she acknowledged, but quickly | | | | for your brain that will cause your creativity to grow |
| changed the subject without giving an answer. My | | | | and expand in directions that you would never have |
| immediate thought was, "why would someone not | | | | thought of otherwise. |
| want to hang out their peers for an evening of fun, | | | | For those who of you who think you know all you |
| fellowship and sharing of ideas?" The two main | | | | need to know, you are only fooling yourself and |
| reasons for not attending jams are fear of | | | | stifling your growth as an artist and a business. |
| competition and thinking that they know all they | | | | Regardless of how long you've been working at your |
| need to know. But, more importantly, why should | | | | art, how many classes you've attended, or how |
| you attend jams? There are several very good | | | | much you think you know, there is always something |
| reasons to attend jams; sharing of ideas, fellowship, | | | | more to learn. I've been a balloon artist for 20 years |
| and networking. | | | | and have taught numerous classes across the US, |
| The primary reason most people attend jams is to | | | | but I am still always amazed at how the balloon |
| share ideas or concepts. Classes are great for | | | | industry is growing and the new ideas that are |
| learning, but they are usually focused on a particular | | | | constantly coming out. No matter how good you are, |
| lesson or concept and much more rigid of an | | | | there is always someone who knows a little more, or |
| atmosphere. Jams are generally informal gatherings | | | | knows something that you haven't encountered or |
| that may have a theme, but often lead of in many | | | | thought of yet. You can never learn too much, but |
| different directions, often unrelated to the original | | | | you can certainly not learn enough. Jamming is a |
| theme. Nothing fosters creativity more than being | | | | great way to learn new ideas as you watch the |
| around a group of creative people in an atmosphere | | | | creativity of others in you industry share ideas and |
| of free-flowing ideas. A question may be asked, or | | | | concepts. |
| an idea presented that sparks new questions or ideas | | | | The final point that I want to touch on is networking. |
| and then the creative juices start flowing as one idea | | | | Networking is a fantastic way to grow and expand |
| sparks another and multiple concepts begin to fill the | | | | your business. You may think that you'll never need |
| room. All because a few people are willing to get | | | | to hire someone else, but wouldn't it be a good |
| together and share. | | | | problem if your business grew to the point that you |
| But won't my competition steal my ideas and my | | | | needed to hire others to help you? If you need to |
| business? If you are concerned about your | | | | hire another artist to help at a gig, or to fill in for you, |
| competition getting better than you, you probably | | | | how will you know who to hire if you don't know |
| don't need to worry because they most likely already | | | | any others in your area. At a jam you get to meet |
| are. Keeping to yourself and not sharing ideas is a | | | | other artists in an informal environment where they |
| sure way to isolate yourself from new ideas that | | | | are relaxed and open. You will get to see their skill |
| could spark your creativity and open up new | | | | level, get to know them personally and have the |
| possibilities for your art and your business. I regularly | | | | opportunity to discuss business ideas with them. You |
| teach my competition at jams, classes, seminars and | | | | will learn who you can trust and who you would |
| conventions because I want the level of skills in my | | | | never want to hire without them ever knowing. You |
| region to go up with me. The better the balloon | | | | can talk to others in the group and find out their |
| artists in my area are the more people will appreciate | | | | experiences with group members and know who you |
| the "art" in balloon art and the more we will be able | | | | want to fill in for you if you ever needed someone |
| to charge for our services. As we all get better, our | | | | to do so. You will also meet artists who have other |
| market improves and we all have the opportunity to | | | | skills that your clients may be looking for. At balloon |
| do better. Improving the skill of those around me | | | | jams many who attend are also face painters, |
| also encourages me to continue to strive to learn | | | | magicians, jugglers or caricature artists. You can learn |
| more and get better, and thus helps keep me from | | | | not only who does what, but you can get a feel for |
| stagnating and falling into a rut of mediocrity. | | | | their skill level and personality. The next time you get |
| Jamming may expose your competition to some of | | | | a call and someone asks about a form of art that |
| your ideas, but it will also expose you to many new | | | | you don't do, you'll be able to either offer to book |
| ideas as you see what others in your community are | | | | someone for them, or refer them confidently to an |
| doing. Your creativity will be sparked and new ideas | | | | artist who won't make you look bad. |