Search found 472 matches

by Spellbinder
October 19th, 2022, 4:26 pm
Forum: Children's Entertainment
Topic: There's An Egg In Your Hat
Replies: 3
Views: 13338

Re: There's An Egg In Your Hat

Jim's "Egg In Your Hat" can go beyond eggs to other objects that can be pulled out of a child's "watch hat" or "soft knit hat". Baseballs are fun, as are Shiny Christmas Bulbs, small live animals (mice, hamsters, guinea pigs) or their puppet duplicates, various fruits a...
by Spellbinder
September 24th, 2022, 10:37 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Magical Production of Props
Replies: 36
Views: 4053

Re: Magical Production of Props

I've always felt uneasy with the panel board trick because most users only use it for the one trick with a coin and it seems to have no other purpose. Most magicians should have no difficulty using a playing card (or two) to make a coin appear when needed, or if using paper billets have the coin dro...
by Spellbinder
September 7th, 2022, 2:29 pm
Forum: Children's Entertainment
Topic: Reading Kid's Minds
Replies: 3
Views: 5404

Re: Reading Kid's Minds

An important part of any mental magic trick performed for kids is the magical revelation of what they were thinking of. One of my favorite revelations that gets great reactions from kids is what I call the "Phantom Artist Reveal." The kid whose mind you are reading hands you a blank sheet ...
by Spellbinder
August 22nd, 2022, 8:45 am
Forum: Children's Entertainment
Topic: Reading Kid's Minds
Replies: 3
Views: 5404

Re: Reading Kid's Minds

Jim Gerrish added a collection of mentalist effects designed for audiences of kids for The Wizards' Journal #47-09. He states: "To young kids, all magic is mental magic." We start with a “Guess What I Am Thinking” game. You show a book (or several books) with pictures of objects that kids ...
by Spellbinder
August 6th, 2022, 9:52 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Loki's Locket instructions?
Replies: 1
Views: 1184

Re: Loki's Locket instructions?

I used to teach The Wiz Kids to make those for themselves. It's just what it seems to be, a block of wood with two long holes drilled through it from top to bottom for the string to be threaded, and two grooves top and bottom running from side to side. I'd tell you how it works, but I'm a magician, ...
by Spellbinder
June 26th, 2022, 11:22 pm
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
Replies: 16
Views: 9121

Re: Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)

In 2019, Jim Gerrish designed and began using five additional designs to be used with the original Zener designs. He calls them "Zen-Ten" and it increases the uses for ESP tricks as described in his e-Book in The Wizards' Journal # 41: https://www.magicnook.com/WizJournal/WJ-41ALL.htm#zen-...
by Spellbinder
June 22nd, 2022, 1:07 pm
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: Think of a card
Replies: 43
Views: 25696

Re: Think of a card

To MagicbyAlfred: I'm glad you were finally able to get the PDF file downloaded to your computer. Now the fun begins. I love performing this, and I have discovered that you don't need to work with an up-to-date journal. I am still using the journal I put together in 2018 and claiming that it was a s...
by Spellbinder
June 21st, 2022, 11:32 pm
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: Think of a card
Replies: 43
Views: 25696

Re: Think of a card

What is your favorite "think of a card" ? Direct mindreading, No deck involved. Just you and the spectator's mind ? Jim Gerrish's The Cardless Card Trick - Psychic vs. Skeptics found in The Wizards' Journal #34-05: Based on a concept by mentalist Ford Kross, adapted by mentalist Bob Cassi...
by Spellbinder
June 13th, 2022, 6:28 pm
Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
Topic: Silk to egg, no jacket handling
Replies: 13
Views: 4989

Re: Silk to egg, no jacket handling

Jim Gerrish recently published his "Sunny Up" in The Wizards' Journal #46-09. No jacket is needed. https://www.magicnook.com/WizJournal/WJ-46ALL.htm#SunnyUp In addition, his "There's an Egg in Your Hat" from our Mini-Mysteries Magic Book 4 contains his methods for using an ordina...
by Spellbinder
March 16th, 2022, 7:41 am
Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
Topic: Wiztax - Sam Berland
Replies: 11
Views: 4989

Re: Wiztax - Sam Berland

It was a sticky wax that didn't leave a residue. We have all sorts of sticky globs to choose from today, given away free by those who use them to stick advertisements closed in the mail. I peel them off and save them under my desk in case I ever need to use one for magic.
by Spellbinder
March 12th, 2022, 11:24 pm
Forum: Convention Reports
Topic: Conventions are Back!
Replies: 2
Views: 3901

Re: Conventions are Back!

I just added the return of the AbraCORNdabra Convention in Iowa to the calendar, from April 1 to April 3, 2022.

https://www.magicnook.com/calendar/calendar.htm
by Spellbinder
January 26th, 2022, 10:39 pm
Forum: Children's Entertainment
Topic: Reading Kid's Minds
Replies: 3
Views: 5404

Reading Kid's Minds

Mentalism generally isn't considered magic for children, but there are a few times when you can play "I know what you're thinking" with a child and amaze not only the child, but get a clamor of "Tell me what I'm thinking!" from the other kids in your audience. Some examples of th...
by Spellbinder
January 8th, 2022, 7:29 pm
Forum: Children's Entertainment
Topic: Easy to Make Children's Magic Props
Replies: 13
Views: 4529

Re: Easy to Make Children's Magic Props

Good points, Tom the pseudo lawyer et al, but none of the tricks we are making involve that level of legal liability. If you decorated the kind of stage illusions your business company produces at https://thomasmoorecreative with Mickey mouse images, you would be opening yourself up to legal liabili...
by Spellbinder
January 8th, 2022, 1:06 am
Forum: Children's Entertainment
Topic: Easy to Make Children's Magic Props
Replies: 13
Views: 4529

Easy to Make Children's Magic Props

Using Themed Coloring Books from the Dollar Store, you will find all the illustrations you need to make a variety of Kid's Magic on paper and cardboard... a version of Instant Art, Two Card Monte, Four Card Monte, D'Lite-ful Cards, Forgetful Santa or other characters ... and more. New methods of per...
by Spellbinder
January 5th, 2022, 4:11 pm
Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
Topic: Phoenix Watch - Egg Bag presentation
Replies: 8
Views: 5311

Re: Phoenix Watch - Egg Bag presentation

Check out Jim Gerrish's inexpensive version with ANY pocket watch, including a $25 Mickey Mouse Watch which has pieces of Mickey dangling from the watch-works before it gets restored. Then once the watch is restored, you can use the same watch to perform the prediction when a spectator randomly turn...
by Spellbinder
January 1st, 2022, 10:50 am
Forum: Convention Reports
Topic: Conventions are Back!
Replies: 2
Views: 3901

Re: Conventions are Back!

I just added Masters of Magic, in Torino, Italy, to the calendar for May 26 - May 29.

https://www.magicnook.com/calendar/calendar.htm
by Spellbinder
December 28th, 2021, 4:51 am
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: magic set as a Christmas gift
Replies: 36
Views: 4385

Re: magic set as a Christmas gift

There is a different kind of "hooking" that comes from early exposure to magic and magicians. Some decide they want to try performing magic and they become an amateur magician for a time and then drop it. Others are hooked into becoming a practicing magician, whether professional (earn mon...
by Spellbinder
December 27th, 2021, 7:01 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: magic set as a Christmas gift
Replies: 36
Views: 4385

Re: magic set as a Christmas gift

It's more than about cutting rope- the Electrician's scissors still have sharp points, which are almost useless to magicians cutting ropes. Compare the weight and the cutting power of Medical/ Trauma scissors - https://www.amazon.com/Madison-Supply-Premium-Fluoride-Scissors/dp/B084KX2TC1 and a blun...
by Spellbinder
December 27th, 2021, 2:35 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: magic set as a Christmas gift
Replies: 36
Views: 4385

Re: magic set as a Christmas gift

...about 50 years ago, what percentage of the people who are now magicians got into the world of magic as a trigger when they got the magic set. What percentage do you think it was? There's no way to tell. A great many I am sure, but what counts more is the human follow up and mentoring from a magi...
by Spellbinder
December 27th, 2021, 2:29 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: magic set as a Christmas gift
Replies: 36
Views: 4385

Re: magic set as a Christmas gift

Electrician's scissors are also great. Designed to cut wire, so rope is no obstacle. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-Electrician-s-Scissors-Nickel-Plated-21007/100038995?mtc=Shopping-VF-F_D27E-G-D27E-027_011_TOOLS_ACC-NA-NA-Feed-SMART-2181312-WF-New_Engen+PL3&cm_mmc=Shopping-VF-F_D27E-G...
by Spellbinder
December 26th, 2021, 12:52 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: magic set as a Christmas gift
Replies: 36
Views: 4385

Re: magic set as a Christmas gift

Depending on the age of the child, I think this is a wonderful book: https://www.amazon.com/Book-Magic-Young-Magicians-Secrets/dp/048627134X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9V8B2T3ZM7J3&keywords=the+magic+of+alkazar&qid=1640532716&sprefix=the+magic+of+alkazar%2Caps%2C261&sr=8-1 . As I recall, I sen...
by Spellbinder
December 26th, 2021, 9:34 am
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: magic set as a Christmas gift
Replies: 36
Views: 4385

Re: magic set as a Christmas gift

For Christmas and Birthday presents I like to give a promising young magician a book and some props to go with it. For example, J.B. Bobo's Modern Coin Magic and coins that can't be spent but are good for using with the book - for example a coin with a shell, a double-face coin, some plastic coins, ...
by Spellbinder
December 10th, 2021, 10:00 pm
Forum: Convention Room Mate Finder
Topic: New Magi fest THIS YEAR!
Replies: 6
Views: 7017

Re: New Magi fest THIS YEAR!

For those who don't know anything about Magi Fest:

https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/magic-conventions/magifest/
by Spellbinder
December 7th, 2021, 3:20 am
Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
Topic: Phoenix Watch - Egg Bag presentation
Replies: 8
Views: 5311

Re: Phoenix Watch - Egg Bag presentation

Try it with a small paper lunch bag - ungimmicked. At the end, tear up the bag then remember you still need the bag for your sandwich and restore it for that use and end. The watch is restored to your pocket and all's well with the world.
by Spellbinder
December 1st, 2021, 12:07 pm
Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
Topic: Sealed Milk Pitcher
Replies: 8
Views: 7589

Re: Sealed Milk Pitcher

If you aren't confined to using a sealed pitcher and prefer to be able to change and refreshen liquids, including using real milk or other drinkable fluids, you'll find instructions for building your own magic pitcher from Dollar Store (or "Cheapo" Store) parts in our "Dollar Store Ma...
by Spellbinder
November 30th, 2021, 12:29 am
Forum: Children's Entertainment
Topic: Portable Rabbit Hole
Replies: 5
Views: 10286

Re: Portable Rabbit Hole

The Geezer Wizards that run The Magic Nook are very close to shoving off from this life, and when that happens the entire Magic Nook Website will be gone and the only magicians who will remember it are the ones who actually made use of our magic e-Books and built the props for their own use. The Por...
by Spellbinder
November 29th, 2021, 1:19 pm
Forum: Children's Entertainment
Topic: Portable Rabbit Hole
Replies: 5
Views: 10286

Re: Portable Rabbit Hole

No. The interested magicians who have built it from our instructions did not need photos, so we don't provide them, and we further ask that those who build and perform with this prop not provide photos or video recordings to others in order to keep the secrets ...secret.
by Spellbinder
November 29th, 2021, 10:07 am
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Al Mann's Glass Box
Replies: 7
Views: 2020

Re: Al Mann's Glass Box

Just for your information, Jim Gerrish made a variation of the Glass Box Prediction and it is published in The Wizards' Journal #44 https://www.magicnook.com/WizJ44/wizj44-06-GlassBoxRevisited.htm . It uses five different color notepad papers to increase the number of predictions made to include the...
by Spellbinder
November 9th, 2021, 10:25 pm
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: Hypnotism Magic
Replies: 32
Views: 8279

Re: Hypnotism Magic

Magic is a performing art. Hypnotism, if it exists, is not. When someone turns Hypnotism into a performing art, it is about as real as magic is.
by Spellbinder
November 8th, 2021, 11:32 am
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: Hypnotism Magic
Replies: 32
Views: 8279

Hypnotism Magic

Rats! Just as I got ready to express my opinion of Hypnotism and Mentalism, the topic got locked. I hope this topic doesn't suffer the same fate. https://www.magicnook.com/WizJ30/Hypno-TrixAD2LG.jpg Notice that the wheels only spin when you are NOT looking at them directly. As soon as you focus on o...
by Spellbinder
November 3rd, 2021, 12:41 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Head drop magic/prank
Replies: 23
Views: 2306

Re: Head drop magic/prank

In 2012, Wiz Kid Qua-Fiki got the idea of turning U.F. Grant's "Visible Ribbon through Body" into a quick "Ribbon Thru Neck", as described in The Wizards' Journal #22 - item 11. We helped him get permission to make his own version of Kawakami Ikuko's 1995 head drop illusion which...
by Spellbinder
November 2nd, 2021, 2:17 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Happy Halloween from the Folks at Genii
Replies: 13
Views: 1455

Re: Happy Halloween from the Folks at Genii

I went to the door wearing a special Halloween-Vax mask. I took a regular hospital mask and cut two eye holes in it, and outlined them with marking pen so they were noticeable. I wore the mask over my eyes when I first opened the door, stared at them until they looked up at me, then slowly pulled th...
by Spellbinder
October 31st, 2021, 6:35 pm
Forum: Convention Reports
Topic: Conventions are Back!
Replies: 2
Views: 3901

Conventions are Back!

Check my Calendar of Events for 2021-2022 and you'll see that most (if not all) conventions are back, hopefully to stay. https://www.magicnook.com/calendar/calendar.htm If you see anything missing, hit me up with the URL (Web Address) so I can list it. Spellbinder https://www.magicnook.com
by Spellbinder
October 26th, 2021, 8:46 am
Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
Topic: Bossie Cow
Replies: 19
Views: 7174

Re: Bossie Cow

Jim Gerrish revisited U.F. Grant's "Cow and Milk Trick" from 1955 to add some new touches, like the vanishing cow and transformation into a toy plastic cow, etc. If you are still doing the old version of the trick, you might want to check out Jim's improvements: https://www.magicnook.com/h...
by Spellbinder
August 10th, 2021, 5:58 am
Forum: General
Topic: Sub Trunk
Replies: 2
Views: 8320

Re: Sub Trunk

If anyone wants an easier build on a Sub Trunk, with a different approach to hiding the secret so the trunk can be on display before and after, take a look at our Sub Cube in The Wizards' Journal #18- 05 ( https://www.magicnook.com/WIZJ18/wizj18-05SubCube.htm ). The box is easily constructed of pine...
by Spellbinder
August 8th, 2021, 7:11 pm
Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
Topic: Instructions for Paul Fox candy bowl
Replies: 15
Views: 5468

Re: Instructions for Paul Fox candy bowl

Jim Gerrish has been working on an updated variation of the Candy Bowl trick, and in doing so he dug back into the history of the trick to its origin in the Ball Box (which turns out to be everyone's first trick - the ball and vase). But you can find all its predecessors in Hoffman's 1879 "Mode...
by Spellbinder
May 6th, 2021, 12:31 am
Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
Topic: Silk Trick I.D. Required
Replies: 7
Views: 6294

Re: Silk Trick I.D. Required

In 2010, I released my 21st Century Silk routine, which allows the spectators to freely choose which one of three different color silks they want to vanish and reappear. Then the same spectator that chose the silk to make disappear causes the disappearance himself or herself while the silk is tucked...
by Spellbinder
February 12th, 2021, 4:41 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Cups & Balls with different colored balls
Replies: 32
Views: 7232

Re: Cups & Balls with different colored balls

Jim Gerrish's "Colorful Cups and Balls" uses different color balls to match different color cups. It's described in The Wizards' Journal #29-03. https://www.magicnook.com/WizJ29/WIZJ29-03ColorfulCupsBalls.htm https://www.magicnook.com/WizJ29/ColorCupsADlg.jpg . Wiz Kid Qua-Fiki also contri...
by Spellbinder
February 6th, 2021, 9:54 pm
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: Spirit bell
Replies: 12
Views: 14960

Re: Spirit bell

My personal favorite Spirit Bell routine is my own "Santa's Magic Jingle Bell." No electronics to break down or make your toes cramp up. https://www.magicnook.com/WizJ22/wizj22-02SantasMagicJingleBell.htm Great for use with kids at Christmas time, but the same principle could also be inclu...

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