Events - Face Painting VS Balloons VS Both?

For birthdays, I bring fp and bt stuff, unless they only want one or the other - package deal. For PPF/B, I will bring both kits.

For large paid events, though, what do you do? I'm saying that if I'm at an event by myself, I will only be offering one or the other - not both. I've got tons of stuff to take for events, and re: volume, it's a time waster to be switching back and forth...not to mention each kid will want both so it takes twice as long for your line to move. (I don't mind that at all during PPF/B , but when it's a paid event I just want to move through the line, so the organizer isn't all "oh, she only got through 7 kids an hour?" or something, because each of those 7 got both things done, you know?)

Do you add on a fee if you have to bring both? I'm thinking more of a flat labour/set-up/etc fee than an additional hourly - seeing as I'd probably get through fewer kids that way...haha.

if they are paying me hourly, I will do whatever they ask for... generally, I would think they'd know what they wanted to hire you for? I don't care if I'm switching back and forth. Bringing balloons is certainly not a big deal, it's a bag and a pump... my cutter is attached and my marker is in the pocket. If they expect me to get through X number of kids, then limit the balloons to no more than 2 balloons in the sculpture, and they can only pick one or the other unless they go back in line. I guess I just don't see what the big deal is... but then I've seen some of the set ups you guys have with five million paints and whatnot... I guess it would take more than 5 minutes to set up all that stuff.

The set-up itself doesn't take that long - it's the lugging things around. My rolling tool box has my fp stuff, plus it carries my makeup chair and display board(s). Adding my floor pump (saved my arms SO much pain! Those hand pumps for 6 hours at a time render my arms useless for the rest of the day...haha) and my balloon bag...I'm not a fan.

I told the client that it was more time-efficient (for them - in the interest of getting as many kids done per hour) to pick one or the other, and I gave the option of a discount for another artist - one to twist while I paint - so we'll see...

I don't like to do both in the same line, makes for more time taking to decide and I get in a speedier zone when I'm not switching back and forth.
This weekend I have one of my dream set-ups. I start at 10:30 twist balloons for 1 hour, at 11:30 I have a 1/2 hour performance, followed by face art until 2:30 ending with another 1/2 hour performance. The performances mean I have a good excuse to cut the line and I'm done on time. It's lots of fun because I get to do everything and I can actually go to the bathroom or get a water between things. It also means I'm showing off more than one talent.
Now to pray for sunshine!

When it used to be just me, I'd face paint for a set amount of time & then balloon twist for a set amount of time. When I 1st started I offered to make the balloons ahead of time & bring them. The parents got the bag & got to hand them out at the end. I didn't like doing this as I thought it was cheesy, but it was what the company I was working for said to do. Now, I just bring my daughter(YEAH! She rocks!)

I have balloon twisting as an incentive for smaller parties. During the nicer months I have a minimum of 2 hours unless they are within 5 miles of me, so if they have a party of like 10 kids adding a second service at no additional charge is great. I do offer the balloons for an additional charge for bigger parties, if they aren't too big and they pay extra. I would never do it all in one line. I start with the face art, it's what I do best and what they pay the most for, then balloon twisting.

Charge them more and hire me to paint while you twist

If only one entertainer is present, they should do either balloons or face painting. When we do both, we have two people. If, however, the options are face painting vs tattoos, that can be offered together by one artist.