Silly Jilly can be at your party any length of time from a half hour to the whole party. One way to look at figuring out how long she should be there is decide what you want (small or large balloon animals, simple or fancy face painting), and multiply the time it will take per kid by the number of kids at the party.
Balloon Sculptures:
Big and fancy balloon animals take about three or four minutes to make, so if you had about thirty-five kids at your event and all you wanted was big and fancy balloon sculptures, you would have Silly Jilly at the party for two hours (3.5 minutes X 35 kids = 120 minutes). Small balloon animals and hats using about two balloons per sculpture take a little over a minute. Big and fancy balloon costumes take about four or five minutes to make and put on.
Face Painting:
The face painting Silly Jilly likes to do takes about three minutes per child; however, if she takes the more complicated designs off her board, the face painting will take about two minutes per child. With both the fancy and simpler face painting, kids will choose between full-face designs and small designs. Example of full-face: tiger, pirate, or princess. Examples of small designs: flower, snake, or ladybug. The small designs are for cheeks, hands, arms, ankles and the occasional baldhead.
Magic:
Silly Jilly can have the magic show last ten to thirty minutes. She usually has it last twenty to twenty-five minutes.
Event Types
Here are some types of parties Silly Jilly has performed at. Of course Silly Jilly can perform an additional types of events and for any age.
· Birthday Parties Located at a Home, Backyard, Fitz's Restaurant, Lady Bug Beads Party Room, Park, Skating Rink, Chucky Cheese, Community Center, Brentwood YMCA's Party Room, Webster YMCA's Kids' Gym, JCCA Meeting Room, Paint-Me-Pottery, Demolition Ball, Pre-School, Bowling Alley, Little Gym, Swing-Around-Funtown Party Room, and More.
You can visit Silly Jilly and the dentist at the same time. Once a month Silly Jilly the Clown twists balloon animals at Pediatric Dentistry of Sunset Hills. Call (314) 822-2764 to make an appointment with Dr. Hollander, Dr. Fernandez, Dr. Brown or Dr. Autry.
Pricing
If your event is located in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, or Northern Jefferson County, Silly Jilly charges the below pricing, and most other St. Louis metro area locations (for example St. Charles County) are $10 more. Parties located in Webster Groves school district receive a $30 discount. Parties in Kirkwood school district, Brentwood, and Maplewood receive a $20 discount. Silly Jilly will almost travel anywhere.
· $120 First Half-Hour On weekdays she has a $30 discount for plain-clothes performances.
· $25 Each Additional Fifteen Minutes
For example a one-hour performance is $170, and a two-hour performance is $270.
If Silly Jilly doesn't expect to have any other parties that day, she has an hour minimum when dressed as a clown; meaning most weekends she can perform for as little as a half hour and most weekdays she needs to perform for at least an hour, if you want Silly Jilly the Clown.
Sometimes Silly Jilly will charge more for events with over fifty kids.
Things Silly Jilly Has Heard Party Hosts Say, and Things Silly Jilly Has Noticed Help a Party Run Smoother
· "The ice cream cake won't fit in our freezer, so the kids are going to have to eat as soon as they get here."
· Noisemakers are a problem. "I wish I hadn't bought those noisemakers. I was going to put them in the goodie bags, but I threw them away so the kids wouldn't torture their parents." If you give the guests noisemakers, they are all going to blow them at once, and they will keep blowing them and keep blowing them.
· "We couldn't get the boys to stop running around the house. It took me two days to recover from the party. I should have just invited the girls in her class." (She had fifteen kids at the five-year-old's party.) Parties with more kids have the advantage of often being more fun, but can create more headaches for the host especially if the party is inside. Usually the more kids at a party, the more likely the kids are to run around the house and be noisy. Running is less of a problem if the party is all girls or if the guests' parents are there. (A disadvantage to having parents there is you'll have to cater to their needs, for example asking them if they want cake and drink. A second disadvantage to having parents there is many times the adults will be talking with other parents during the magic show and the kids have a hard time hearing Silly Jilly.)
· If you don't know the names of all the kids, you may want to give them name tags. It is easier to ask a kid to behave or ask him what he wants to drink if you know his name. When the kids arrive, you could have them decorate their nametags with stickers or crayons.
· Very occasionally there will be a child at a party who is afraid of clowns. You may want to tell the parent of the scared child to please have their child stay at the party. The scared child can watch Silly Jilly from the back of the room, and once he sees how much the other kids like Silly Jilly he'll like her too. Please give Silly Jilly at least a five minute chance to entertain the scared child. Silly Jilly has had kids cry when they first see her, and at the end of the party they want to give her a hug or are inviting her to their birthday party.
· In twelve years, only once has a birthday child been afraid of Silly Jilly for the entire party, and he watched Silly Jilly the whole time, but from the stairs; just didn't want to come close to her. And only once has a non-birthday child been afraid of Silly Jilly for the whole time she was at the party.
· Increase the birthday child's self-esteem by not letting him or her see you pay Silly Jilly. This way he or she may think Silly Jilly came to the birthday party just because Silly Jilly likes the birthday child.
· Consider making things easy on you, and don't serve a meal. Most of the birthday parties Silly Jilly does only serve cake, ice cream, and drinks.
· You may want to hide your toys because it is sometimes hard to get the kids away from the toys to participate in your planned activities.
· Kids like DJs better than bands. Although most thirteen-year-old birthday parties Silly Jilly does do have a band, if you have a DJ the kids will not be able to stay off the dance floor. Instead of standing in line for a balloon animal, kids will place their balloon order and run back out to the dance floor. As opposed to a band, the DJ should have all the latest songs from the most popular teen idols, for example, One Direction. (Silly Jilly can perform at parties in plain-clothes.)
· For pinatas you don't need to blindfold the kids especially if most kids are under 8-years-old. The pinata is still challenging without the blindfold. Make sure kids don't run towards the candy when the hitter is swinging. So tell the children if it is their turn and candy comes out, don't hit it again. You may want to have two adults hold onto a rope. Ask the kids to line up behind the rope, and only hand the hitter the bat or stick after all the other kids are behind the rope. One good way to hang a pinata inside is to put a large vice in the doorway between your living and dining room.
· If you have a backyard pool party, consider hiring a professional lifeguard. This way you don't have to always watch the kids, and you won't be worried.
· If you provide disposable cameras, you may want put a label on the camera saying something like, "Only take a photo if you are looking through viewfinder. Do not take more photos than your age, for example, if you are 5 years old, only take 5 photos." I'm amazed at the number people who just hold the disposable camera out in front of them and take a photo without looking through the viewfinder; I guess they're in the habit of using digital cameras. Little kids sometimes treat the camera like a toy, and after they have taken all the photos on one camera, they'll find another one to use up.
What Silly Jilly Does at the Greatest Percentage of
Her Birthday Parties
At about half of Silly Jilly's birthday parties she'll do balloon hats, a magic show, and big and fancy balloon animals. Here are more details on this scenario:
When she first gets to the party she'll make wild and crazy balloon hats for all the kids. The kids love to see their friends in the silly hats, and the hats make really cute pictures. Also the hats serve as an icebreaker before the magic show because Silly Jilly has talked with each of the kids.
After the hats, she'll do an audience participation show consisting mainly of comedy story telling magic. This will be a self-esteem building magic show because the magic happens because the kids said the magic words or waved the magic chicken, etc. In addition to magic Silly Jilly might also tell a story or sing a song. The birthday child will be the star of at least one of the activities. (If the birthday child is not shy, Silly Jilly will have him or her on stage and helping Silly Jilly with all of the tricks, songs, or stories Silly Jilly needs helpers for.) Kids age three to seven enjoy the show most.
After the magic show Silly Jilly will start making big and fancy balloon animals, including cartoons. She'll turn the balloon twisting into a game by asking the kids to try and guess what kind of balloon animal she is making and whoever guesses right will get to keep that balloon if they want it. This usually keeps everyone's attention for about fifteen minutes, and then Silly Jilly will start taking requests. As Silly Jilly is finishing up the balloons you can either serve
This page was last updated on: May 9, 2013
References
Would like to talk with others who hired Silly Jilly? Call Jill, (314) 968-8597, or email her, Jill@SillyJilly.com. She'll give you names and numbers of people in charge of parties Silly Jilly has preformed at recently.
Silly Jilly Celebrates Tim Ezell's Birthday
Reporter Tim Ezell from the Fox 2 Morning News invited Silly Jilly to his on-air thirty-third birthday party. Silly Jilly made balloon costumes for everyone including a mermaid costume for Tim.
Fox 2 Morning Newsbroadcasted from Kartoons restaurant. Silly Jilly spent the morning twisting balloons for the kids and did an interview with Tim Ezell. Silly Jilly turned Mariah into a fairy by making her a tiara, wings, and a flower bracelet.
How Can I Become a Clown?
Silly Jilly started clowning by taking a clowning class through Florissant Valley Community College Continuing Education Department. So you may want to call a community college continuing education department and ask if they offer a class in clowning, or you could wait until you receive the class schedule in the mail.
You may want to join of one of the local or international clown clubs:
Local:
· St. Louis Clowns of America International
Meets the third Thursday of the month. For more information, contact members Dan and Karen Lake at 314-355-0220 DanoDClwn@aol.com
· Christian Clown Club
Meets once a month on a Tuesday. Contact Past President Barbara Carter at 314-423-8700, or Curt and Diana Patty 314-853-5912, www.clowngadgetstore.com.
· Balloon Twisting "Club"
Meets at Denny's at 270 and Dorset once a month. If you would like to attend go to www.stlballoonjam.com and at the bottom of the page there is a little form you can fill out to get e-mailed monthly reminders.
A second balloon twisting "club" meets the fourth Tuesday of the month, 6:00, at Incredible Pizza on S. Lindbergh. To be sent e-mail reminders, introduce yourself to Linda Rhode, ljrhode@yahoo.com. Read newspaper article here.
By joining one of these international clubs you will receive the club magazine every other month. In addition to telling you all about clowning, these magazines also advertise clown conventions where you will learn a lot about clowning. Almost every weekend there is a clown convention somewhere in the United States.
food, or Silly Jilly can pass out coloring pages, or the kids may be interested in watching Silly Jilly twist balloons the whole time.
This scenario will take about:
· Forty-five minutes if five kids or less
· One hour if six to nine kids
· One hour fifteen minutes if ten to
fourteen kids
Silly Jilly could stay a shorter time if she skipped the hats or made smaller balloon animals. Silly Jilly can stay longer and do face painting, or she can stay the above amount of time and do face painting instead of balloon animals.
Would Silly Jilly Do My Party for a Cheaper Price?
People sometimes try to talk Silly Jilly down on her price. The answer is no, because Silly Jilly wants everyone to get an equal deal. Silly Jilly never negotiates her prices. She would make more money if she did, but it is not fair for you to pay one price and then find out your neighbor hired Silly Jilly for less because the neighbor complained about the price. You are getting the lowest price Silly Jilly will do a party for (not including some schools, charities or Silly Jilly’s relatives who sometimes get a discount, and Silly Jilly does two free charitable parties a year.)
If you want a discount you could donate to one of Silly Jilly’s favorite charities the amount Silly Jilly is charging you for the party, and if you itemize your taxes, in a way you will be paying a discounted price because the donation is tax deductible; I think. Charities Silly Jilly will accept are Girls on the Run St. Louis and Heifer Project.
Invite Silly Jilly to your child's princess party, and she can make everyone a tiara and princess magic wand. Then she'll have all the kids sit down, and she'll turn her balloon twisting into a game as she twists mermaids, fairies, and other princesses.
On average Silly Jilly has the most party requests for: · Saturdays of non-three day weekends in September, · Saturdays of non-three day weekends in May, · Saturdays in June, and · Saturdays in October, in that order. The second weekend in December is also busy. Silly Jilly's busiest day of the year is often the Saturday after Labor Day or Saturday after Memorial Day. She gets the least requests for parties in January.
Payment
Payment is due before Silly Jilly leaves your party. You may either have the payment go to Jill Schmidt, or you could donate to one of Silly Jilly’s favorite charities. Pick a one of the below charities and donate the price of Silly Jilly’s performance.
Forward your on-line receipt/confirmation to jill@sillyjilly.com, or hand a hard copy receipt to Silly Jilly at the party. Your child may find it fun to pick out a heiferproject animal (for example a goat) to buy.
For Girls on the Run you can either make the donation on the Girls on the Run website or just hand Silly Jilly a check made out to Girls on the Run, and Silly Jilly will bring the check to the office. For Heifer project, please only make the donation on-line.
Availability
Weekdays:
Silly Jilly is available almost every weekday, except for Tuesday evenings because she's twisting balloons at Syberg's Chesterfield, Monday evenings May 20 to August 12 because she's twisting balloons at Serendipity, and she is busy Fridays evenings June 7 to July 12.
Here Is Silly Jilly's Weekend Availability:
· May 11: Available Before 10:16, From 1:45 to 2:30, and After 8:59
· Mothers' Day: Not Available
· May 18: Available Before 9:16 and After 12:44
· May 19: Available Anytime
· May 25 & 26: Not Available
· Memorial Day: Available Before 5:16 Plain-Clothes Only
· June 1: Available Before 10:16 and After 3:44
· June 2: Available Before 11:46 and After 4:14
· June 8: Available Before 11:01, 1:45 to 3:00, and After 6:14
· June 9: Not Available
· June 15: Available After 2:44
· June 16: Not Available
· June 22 to July 8: Not Available
· July 13: Available After 4:44
· July 14: Not Available
· July 20: Probably Available Anytime
· July 21: Available Before 5:16
· July 27 & 28: Not Available
· August 3 & 4: Available Anytime
· August 10: Available Anytime
· August 11: Probably Available Anytime
· August 15 to 18: Not Available (STL Magic Convention)
· August 24: Probably Not Available
· August 25: Available Anytime
· Labor Day Weekend: Maybe Available
· September 7: Available Before 6:16
· September 8: Not Available
· September 14: Available Before 11:01 and After 5:59
· September 15: Not Available
If you don't see your date, Silly Jilly is probably available all day that day.
· September 21: Available After 6:44
· September 22: Available Before 11:01 and After 5:59
· September 28: Available Before 10:16 and After 12:59
· September 29: Available Before 11:01 and After 5:59
· October 5: Available Before 11:01 and After 5:59
· October 6: Not Available
· October 12: Not Available
· October 13: Available Before 11:01 and After 5:59
· October 19: Not Available
· October 20: Available Before 11:01 and After 5:59
· October 26: Available Before 11:01 and After 5:59
· October 27: Not Available
· November 2 & 3: Probably Available Anytime
· November 9-17: Not Available (STL Face Painting Convention)
Silly Jilly only updates this list about twice a month,
so it may not be accurate, and if you have seen Silly
Jilly, you might be able to talk her into performing in
plain-clothes on a day she was planning to take off.
If Silly Jilly is not available when you need her,
you may want to e-mail her (Jill@SillyJilly.com),
and she can give you a list of names and numbers
of other good clowns. Or call her (314-968-8597.)
Made in USA
Silly Jilly uses Qualetex brand balloons made in Texas and Canada.
Her Sharpie markers are made in the USA.
What are some good places in St. Louis to have my party?
degradable. They are made from the sap of rubber trees. It doesn't hurt trees; it's a harmless tapping process similar to collecting maple sap for syrup.
"Silly Jilly is top of the line! She's always busy serving St. Louis with her finest, funniest performances. She is cool, delightful, brimming with joy, and makes everyone smile. I'm so glad to know her and be her colleague. If you need a family entertainer, look no further. She rocks!"
10/14/10
Patch.com Article
Click here for a an informative 2011 article on Silly Jilly the Clown.
Could Silly Jilly Perform at My Party in Plain-Clothes?
As long as Silly Jilly does not already have a clown party that day, she can come to your party dressed in plain-clothes. She'll probably wear colorful clothes, silly glasses and a balloon hat. About 10% of her parties are done in plain-clothes especially from clients who know her from restaurant balloon twisting.
Does Silly Jilly Have a Minimum or Maximum Number of Guests?
No. She has had at least one party where there was only one child between the age of 2 and 16, and at this party she did her silly magic show. Silly Jilly has made balloons at events with thousands of kids such as the St. Louis County Fair and Air Show. She also performs a stage show for an audience of hundreds can bring her a microphone and speaker that reaches an audience of 300.
My party is located over an hour from St. Louis. Do your travel that far?
Yes. For example, Silly Jilly the Clown has performed at a Columbia, Missouri art fair, a Columbia, Missouri RV park, the Ste. Genevieve county fair, and birthday parties in Greenville, IL, Carlyle, IL and Gerald, MO. She could even fly to your town. Call for pricing.
Public
Appearances
Click here for a list of where you can see Silly Jilly perform.
What If My Party Is Rained Out?
If your party is rained out, Silly Jilly won't charge you if you call before she starts to put on her make up, or if she has another party right before yours, please call before she leaves for that first party. If she is performing in plain-clothes, just call before she leaves her house.
If weather.com says there is a 30% or less chance of rain at the time of your party, you cancel your party, it does not rain, and Silly Jilly has turned down another party for that time, she would appreciate a partial payment.
Sometimes clients will cancel parties when there is a 30% chance of rain, and thus it usually does rain. Silly Jilly doesn't mind this on a weekday, but not on a weekend when she had turned down parties. Are you debating weather to cancel your party? For most of the parties who cancel Silly Jilly because they think it will rain, it does not rain if it is not raining when they decide to cancel, and they regret canceling or postponing their party.
Caterer
Helper
Are you having a caterer bring in food and need some help serving? Hire Kim Lane, 314-277-6691, klane434@
yahoo.com. She can offer drinks, clear finished plates, and more. With her over 10 years of restaurant experience, you can count on Kim to do the things the party host doesn't have time to deal with.
Red Fiat
Keep an eye out for Silly Jilly's red Fiat 500 with yellow flowers zipping around St. Louis.
Pre-School Performance
Magic and/or Balloons
Daycares sometimes just hire Silly Jilly for a half hour to do a magic show. Or you could have her do small balloons consisting of two balloons per sculpture which take about 1.5 minutes, but allow 2 minutes for time for Silly Jilly to introduce herself and pass out balloons and stickers. If, for example, you would like Silly Jilly to visit 3 of classrooms of 20 kids, hire Silly Jilly for two hours. Smaller daycares of 15 to 20 kids may want to hire Silly Jilly for an hour to make big and fancy balloon animals or an hour and a half for big balloons and a magic show.
Example of Silly Jilly's Medium Sized Balloons
The below video from September 2012 illustrates the size of balloons Silly Jilly usually makes at large events. The balloons in the video take less than two minutes to make.
Silly Jilly's favorite radio station, KWMU, visited her at Dr. Jazz restaurant. Click below to hear.
Free Balloon Animals
You can receive one of Silly Jilly's big and fancy balloon animals or wild and crazy balloon hats. Silly Jilly knows over two hundred balloon sculptures including monkey climbing a palm tree, penguin, ladybug, octopus, Spiderman, Angry Birds, dolphin, fish on a pole, and butterfly costume.
