One of the largest challenges I've faced in my approach to balloon busking is that I've ignored the tradition of the balloon artist on the street handing out balloons. Let's look at it from the audience perspective. For years, most people have only witnessed balloon artists pumping out balloons as fast as possible. They have been conditioned to expect just that. By exhibiting a different style, you're up against their pre-conceived notions of your job as an entertainer. This means that the first thing you need to do is educate your audience about what you offer.
One such approach is a simple and direct description as you begin:
Good afternoon everyone. My name is Larry. What I'm going to do for you today is demonstrate an unusual artform that I refer to as airigami. That is, the ancient art of folding air in specially prepared latex containers. You'll note that the things I do with balloons are far different from what you'll see elsewhere. While others make simple dogs and cats and giraffes and monkeys and hand them to each individual they can reach as a toy to take home, I view the balloon as my paint brush and create artwork that will be remembered and treasured.Because of the unusual approach that I take to my artwork, each creation requires more time to make than those simple dogs and cats. For that reason, I wish to entertain, amaze, and dazzle all of you with my sculpture, but I can't guarantee that every one of you will carry away something I've made. Instead I ask everyone of you to walk away with the memory of what you've witnessed. If you aren't one of those that gets to take away one of my creations, I'm sure you'll still smile at each unusual balloon figure you see in other people's hands throughout the day as you realize that my artwork is brightening up the festival grounds.
It's possible that not everyone will like this speech. Some people will still insist that they need to get something. I just look at it and point out to myself that I can't please everyone. When I look back at trying to make 200 figures in 40 minutes, I realize that even if a few people are disappointed, I'm way ahead of where I'd be if I were trying to make figures for everyone. If you decide to try my approach, stand your ground. Don't let it bother you when people insist they need a balloon to go home. It's your show. You decide what you're going to do.