`BUBBLES' CLOWNING AROUND IN JACKSON

One of the services that Mindy will offer as Bubbles the clown is story telling using puppets. (Photos by Scott Moyers)

Self will also offer games such as this one, Pin the Nose on the Clown.

Magic is a big part of any clown show. Here, Mindy demonstrates one of her tricks, which involves putting a torn handkerchief back together in her "magic bag."

Balloon sculpturing is one of children's favorite parts of having a clown around.

All the world loves a clown, at least that's what Mindy Self of Jackson is banking on. Self recently began a clown service that she hopes will appeal to people throughout the area.

"I'm really excited," Self said. "There are so many neat things about being a clown."

Self, whose clown persona is named "Bubbles," began her clown career by enrolling in a clown course called "The Art of Clowning" at Florissent Valley Community College.

She drove there from Jackson for eight weeks to attend the weekly two-hour class.

The class emphasized story telling, arts and crafts, face painting, skits and make-up application.

Self said when she took the class, she didn't know what to expect, but she said she learned a lot.

"It's basically the personality that makes a clown," Self said. "All the people I met in the class are really sharing."

She said the most important thing she learned in the class was to not get tied down to one particular routine.

"If there's something about the routine you don't like go ahead and change it," Self said. "It doesn't have to stay the same.

Self said that as a clown, she will come to the event -- which she anticipates will mostly be children's birthday parties -- and perform for 45 minutes for around $30. Self says you get a lot for that $30.

Face painting, puppets, story telling, games, magic, are some of the activities "Bubbles" will provide. And what clown show is complete without balloon sculpturing?

But she's not limiting herself to just those things.

"I'm hoping to keep adding to it," Self said. "The more I can add to it, the more variety I can offer."

Self feels that a clown is a perfect addition to any birthday party.

"Anything that comes from a clown is fascinating to a child," Self said. "If a picture comes from Mom and Dad, it's just a picture, but if it comes from a clown, they really cherish it and hold on to it."

Self and her husband Phil are the parents of two children, Courtney, 6, and Chad, 3, and Self says she knows how difficult it can be to keep children entertained at a birthday party.

"You want it to be perfect," Self said. "You want the kids to have a good time. Why not a clown?"

Clowns can keep children occupied, Self said, while at the same time ensure that they have a good time.

Self says "Bubbles" doesn't exclusively do birthday parties, though.

"If a business wants to have a clown for a family night, I'd be available for that, too," Self said. "Or if a daycare wanted a clown to celebrate birthdays, that would be neat."

Self originally got the idea to be a clown from her mother, Marilyn Nitsch, a St. Louis school teacher. Nitsch announced one day that she was going to attend clown school.

"We just all rolled our eyes at her," Self said. But a year didn't even go by before Self had enrolled in the course.

"It really sounded like something I'd like to try," Self said.

Self said there were several reasons she wanted to be a clown and money was only one of them.

Self got a degree in marketing at Southeast Missouri State University and she loves children.

"In a way, this is letting me use my business degree and allowing me to work with children," Self said.

Self said it isn't just about making money.

"Part of being a clown is to bring happiness to people -- to bring a smile to their face," Self said. So, on the days she does a paid performance, she will try to volunteer some time as well.

"I want to have a balance, so since I'll have my make-up on anyway, I'll try to go to a hospital or a nursing home and volunteer some time," Self said.

Self says she's open to suggestions and if anyone has an idea or a function, they can give her (or Bubbles) a call at 243-9041.

Mindy Self, of Jackson, as "Bubbles" the clown. (Photo courtesy Mindy Self)

One of the services that Mindy will offer as Bubbles the clown is story telling using puppets. (Photos by Scott Moyers)

Self will also offer games such as this one, Pin the Nose on the Clown.

Magic is a big part of any clown show. Here, Mindy demonstrates one of her tricks, which involves putting a torn handkerchief back together in her "magic bag."

Balloon sculpturing is one of children's favorite parts of having a clown around.