Things I wish I'd known...

So maybe some of the seasoned forum'ers will pipe in here...keep it clean..this is for the newbies and we were all there once. It just seems that the same things kinda come up again and again... so the number 1 thing I wish I'd known was:

1. how to search the forum for answers.. What works for me is to go to google and type "face paint forum" AND "............." whatever I want - it works better than the forum search box. Especially with the inverted comas.

2. People like to see you've tried or are working towards a goal before asking for help, as they've probably offered that advice or help tonnes of times before and are happy to do it again for a genuine request but not for some of the people that have floated in and out and just taken the money and run so to speak..which leads me to the next one..they like to know you a bit before dishing the goods...

3. It is sooo rewarding to get out of lurkerdom. Yes it may be scary but I've met up with people across the country after meeting them on the forum and it is nice to have face painter friends around the place. Even if you don't feel you have much to offer paint wise getting involved will actually drag your painting up a level and it's addictive.

4. Actually this is probably the first thing I wish I'd know..THIS FORUM IS EXTREMELY ADDICTIVE!!!

5. It can be fascinating to go to the memberlist and search by date joined and by number of posts..kinda gives you an idea of whos who in the FPF community xxx

there is soo much more I wish I'd known but I found most of it out eventually by staying up all night on FPF but the searching thing is a big one... even if you revive an old thread it I reckon it doesn't matter cause then all the info is in the one spot for future searches...

hopefully that helps someone

To get even BETTER results on Google, type the following:

site:facepaintforum.com what you're searching for

That way, ONLY content from the forum will come up. It's super helpful!

PerfectlyPaintedFaces wrote:To get even BETTER results on Google, type the following:

site:facepaintforum.com what you're searching for

That way, ONLY content from the forum will come up. It's super helpful!

I totally agree, I never use the search box any more!
I think this is a great thread, especially for new comers!

Great post Riana and Awesome advice!

This is a very helpful tread - as a "newbie" I want to say thanks! Often I feel like some of the posts are "exclusive" to the pros and artists that are higher up on the food chain. This has made me feel much more welcome!!!

HaHa! I'm not a newbie & I found this info very helpful too. I've always tried w/ the search box & have always had poor results.

it would be great if you could search members by location to see who is in your hood.

Never seen an exclusive post here...a few disagreements is a whole different story. Riana is so right with the getting involved thing. I mean who else but Linda (Psalmbook) is gonna challenge you to start painting with your "off" hand or Denise Cold getting folks to do a tiger on themselves without a mirror (and nearly poke your eye out in the process).

HaHa! Someone did a butterfly challenge once where you painted on yourself w/ no mirror

Tons of fun on here...

I also wish I could search by location. I'll be traveling next month & would love to jam if anyone was in that area.

I love the little 'no mirror' challenges, I think we should make it a monthly thing!

PerfectlyPaintedFaces wrote:To get even BETTER results on Google, type the following:

site:facepaintforum.com what you're searching for

That way, ONLY content from the forum will come up. It's super helpful!

oh I wish I knew this yesterday! I always search the fpf and google for my needs and usually can find it, but not yesterday... tried this today and lotsa results - who knew finding reptiles could be so easy!! Thanks for always being willing to help us newbs

Wow, I think I learn something every time I check in here.
Here's my 2 cents worth:

* Everyone can contribute something.

* This forum helped me to rediscover my artistic self, and my appreciation for other forms of art

* Painting can be very relaxing, at least it is when I don't have a long line ;p

* Belly painting is even more enjoyable than I imagined it might be.

* I've been inspired and learned many things from the people who share their talents here. I can't imagine being a face painter without their help.

* When I see another face painter in action, I can usually tell if they are using the forum, or NOT. lol.

* It's great to make a little money doing something that's enjoyable

WHEW! I thought I would NEVER find this thread! Do you know how frustrating it is to look for a specific thread that tells you how to look for specific info??
Imma keep this thread in my "watch" box, just in case I need it again!

Thanks for saying something about watching a topic - I NEVER even thought about that. There have been a few topics that I haven't posted in, and now that I go back and try to find them, I can't.

(I am such a newbie - both to the forum and to fp)

Thx to you, this thread is very helpful for us, newbies !
I have discovered this forum for 3 days ago and I have read so much, spent so much time already ! I think I'm going to love this place, really !