In search of the perfect liquid sphere?
I've learned a lot and share some here!
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BUBBLE FUN ANSWERS
Common Questions Asked of Casey Carle
Special note from Casey: "Thank you to everyone who has helped me become a nationally recognized and award winning performer. Your enthusiastic recommendations and repeat bookings are greatly appreciated. Thanks for not bursting my .... um ... my .... what's that word again? I'm pretty sure it starts with a 'b'... Oh well - thanks a lot anyway!"
The solution I use in performance took me 2 years to perfect and is indeed a guarded secret (just try and get past my cat!) In fact, I use three variations on my formula to have consistency with different tricks. Since you do not need your bubbles to perform "on cue" I offer very good solutions for people to try at home or school. Check out the simple recipes and helpful hints on my "secret solutions" page.
Ah Ha! I say, "Ah Ha" because this may be the most important "secret" to manipulating these spherical beauties. Bubbles pop when something dry touches them (the dry object absorbs water and makes a hole). But something wet (soapy wet is even better) can touch the wall of a bubble without creating a hole. Using a wet straw you can blow bubbles into, onto and around another bubble. Start with a good solution and then practice, practice, practice. Good luck. (Did I mention practicing?)
As a performer it is necessary that my bubble tricks happen when I need them to happen. The cotton string absorbs more solution than the wand alone which allows me to create bigger and longer lasting bubbles on cue, with less dipping. Try it. It helps but is not necessary for good bubbling.
Nope. Breezes are a big problem for someone who specializes in manipulating bubbles. It is great fun to make bubbles float around outside. But to control and build them into fascinating sculptures and expect them to be where I need them for the bigger tricks they must not be blown away. A lot of the skills you may want to practice should be done in a windless environment.
My list of Public Show Dates and Locations is right here on my website, and is updated monthly. (*This list does not include hundreds of programs a year that are closed to the public, such as school assemblies, banquets, corporate events, etc.)
It's the big "E" word again! Evaporation is happening all the time. I tend to use the same solution for many days. Those few minutes in the show add up to many minutes in a day and a few hours in a week. That amount of evaporation of water from my solution will affect the ratio of ingredients and change the formula. Especially under hot stage lights!
First let me make this clear: YOU do not need to wear any gloves to be a successful bubble manipulator and artist. In 2006 and after 18 years of professional bare-handed bubbling, I experimented with and then decided to continue wearing nitrile gloves. (They are not latex or vinyl). The reasons: 1. Human skin exudes natural oils. Oil and water do not mix. I'm keeping these oils out of my formula as they can negatively effect a solution that is used for multiple shows. 2. When handled a lot, dish detergent and, therefore, soap bubble solution will dry out the skin on bare hands, i.e. "dish pan hands"!. For me this can become quite severe, especially in dry winter air. The gloves help a great deal. And when I'm happier the bubbles are happier!
The best bubble makers are those made or found around the house. All you need is something that can get wet and has some sort of opening in it. I use some simple store bought wands and hoops in my show but the rest I made or had made. Explore. At the very least try using old shoe laces, cardboard tubes, plastic soda can holders, little green produce baskets and wire coat hangers stretched open. But of course the messiest and therefore most fun bubble makers can be found at the end of your arms! Your hands can be used as some awesome bubble makers. Roll those sleeves up and stand by with towels! [And hand lotion for that "skin-so-dry-it's-gonna-crack" feeling a few hours later - Yowza!]
Casey is not available for birthday parties and other such private family affairs, however Seth is available for many such events in and around Greater NYC. Fun and easy activity (ages 5 and up): Wet down a table or counter surface with bubble mixture (use cookie sheets if you like) and use wet straws to blow bubble domes onto the surface . Create bubble sculptures by blowing and sticking different size bubble domes together until they look like something recognizable, i.e. mickey mouse, snowman, lady bug, caterpillar, flowers, etc. Keep any part of the straw that touches the bubbles wet! They still eventually pop (the evaporation factor!) but you can have some fun for awhile.
Oh yea! I love science! Anyone who's seen my school show can attest to that! There are tons of bubble-ology ideas to explore for educational purposes. And you'll have so much fun you may forget you're learning! Search your library or book store index for general books on "soap bubbles", "bubbles" and "science". Also check out my book list here. Here are some places to start and some hints to get you started:
Well, since you ask, I'm hoping to have a book out soon (if not already). Check here for my book info. For a list of other titles go here.
Well, sort of.... I am also the creator of a fascinating piece of Video Art entitled "Soap Bubble Artistry". As rewarding as my work is on stage I felt an overwhelming desire to bring the viewer much closer to my handiwork. So I produced what I believe to be a one-of-a-kind video highlighting the artistic qualities of soap bubbles. In other words: I stop goofing around and focus on the incredible beauty of the bubbles, manipulating them into fascinating shapes and handling them like the precious natural wonders they are. The video has been called beautiful, awesome, cool, mesmerizing and tranquil. I've even been given awards for it! This video was professionally shot and edited. I'm very proud of it. It is only available to museums, art & science centers and other organizations or corporations interested in displaying video art as public display, waiting room entertainment, artistic appreciation, etc. If you are one of these groups and want to learn more, call or email me. I'll fill you in on where it's been exhibited.
I've discovered quite a few resources on line. Take a look at my Links Page, but don't forget to bookmark this site first!
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