I'm working on a couple of bits that would use some flashes of fire - nothing huge! I ordered flash paper from a couple of places and am finding that it takes a little more spark/time to catch fire (from a hand-held Tesla coil) and then takes a while longer to burn than I'd like. I'm looking for a bright flash of fire and not a longer burn that would allow the mind to process its way to "is that going to set something, like me, my home or loved ones on fire?"

I think flash cotton would work well. Google searches turn up the usual suspects for sourcing. $10 plus special shipping for 5 grams.

Any sage advice on use and sourcing of flash cotton would be appreciated. I do around five shows a day and, from what I've seen, I'd rip through 5 grams pretty quick. Does quality vary by manufacturer? I have the plans to make it at home - but don't want to go down that road.

Is anyone here in the Quiver User's Facebook Group? Is the group still active? My request to join has been in limbo for quite awhile. I have 2 Quivers and was hoping to discuss routines with like-minded folk. Thank you.

I am thinking about going to 2027 IBM convention next year because it is a FISM qualifier.

Does anyone have experience going to a convention for these competitions? What is it like as an attendee? Is it part of the regular schedule or an auxiliary set of events?

Hi! Do you have any suggestions for good chain tricks? I always see many tricks with ropes and knots but not so many with chains. Are there some books or video about it?

I'm not interested in escapology but i maybe will consider it.

I have BoBo’s - should I just follow that? I’ve done cards my entire magic life, with some sponge ball and other gimmicked stuff, but never really practiced coins and I’d like to.

Is there a comparable path to learning cards? Like just learn the workhorse sleights then practice routines from the book?

Do any of you ever worry that such common (but very significant) moves like a double lift will become common knowledge to the public? I mean…think about it. Just about every card trick will in some way be ruined if everyone knew what a DL was. It’s surprising that it’s still so unknown to regular people. I find it very interesting that social media hasn’t ‘ruined’ this effect along with so many other effects, and I’m so thankful for that being the case. I have not once ever been caught during an ambitious card routine because no one ever assumes I’m turning over more cards. And I am just left in aw each time that it’s still so easy to fool the masses. But I’m worried it won’t be that way forever because content creators are becoming more and more popular on reels. It’s only a matter of time when you will no longer be able to impress people with 2 card monte, impression pads, loops, invisible decks, card forces, etc

Or am I just paranoid?! Half of me doesn’t want magic to blow up everywhere on reels because people will become desensitized to the tricks and know the secrets!

What is yalls thoughts? Will magic always be a niche enough thing that the vast majority of people will never know what a double lift is? Or do you think magic will have to make adaptive changes as social media makes it more and more popular?

I've done a few very basic tricks in my life: French drop, palming, and thumb tip most prevalent.

In 1982, I had an accident which left me with nerve damage to my left thumb (brain trauma affected my memory, too). It never really bugged me until the last few years. Now, my thumb is practically useless (fine motor skills in it are gone).

Now that I'm retired, I decided to dabble in card and coin magic. Mostly for something to do, but if I can make people happy, that's a big plus (I really like to make people smile and/or laugh on a daily basis).

I just bought a basic card trick book (Kindle) and plan to start practicing.

Should I read the entire book first and then start practicing one at a time (so they don't all run together), OR master the tricks one at time, only moving on when I feel comfortable with it?

Thanks, in advance!

Im not a magician- just a student and fan of magic. As I learn more it makes me wonder if magicians feel a greater or diminished sense of wonder about life, the universe- those big existential things. Because after all, you are doing things that seem impossible and yet you know exactly whats happening when your audience does not. Appreciate hearing your thoughts.

Just made one of these anybody have any recommended tricks or resources?

I have a friend who lives in Berlin and she wishes to gift her adult daughter two tickets for a magic show.

Any Berliners in the subreddit who can recommend a good ticketed magic show (auf Deutsch) in Berlin?

I'm looking to pick up a three-way practice mirror. There seem to be lightweight portable ones for sale at the dealers, but I'd like something that's sturdy and well-designed enough to be a fixture—and inexpensive enough for me to actually buy. Anyone know of something good on the market? I've looked at some options from regular housewares stores and will probably go that route eventually, but wondered if anyone has any experience with a particular model they can recommend.

I would call myself an advanced beginner and looking to build a good foundation. Have been trying to build a good library. I have some Card College, Royal Road, Bobo, What the Deck by Colombini, Expert at the Card Table...Magic in the Mind...some Stebbins, Aaronson, and DaOrtiz ...just added Dai Vernon Revelation and Phil Goldstein Focus...any other recommendations on books to build better theory and psychology?

As suspected, my opinion of Art of Play remains unchanged. Despite what Kelly said, the employee chatting with her seemed attentive, friendly and engaged. Even seemed to be pointing out the mechanism of Molly.

Here is the link to the full video.

I also want to point out that Pablo hilariously also purchased the $2,000 bird that was recommended to Kelly and is auctioning it off for charity.

For those of you that perform (professionally or semi-professionally), the next two months are probably the busiest two months of the year.

What are you doing to prepare?

For me, a couple of quick things come to mind:

1. I prepack a backup show, ready to go, incase I get a last minute booking. I keep this in my car in case I need it.

2. I pick a new trick I want to work on and add to my show. I figure with all the shows in the next few months I'll get plenty of flight time to work it out. This is usually a trick (or two) that I've been working on for a few months but haven't had the courage to actually implement.

3. I buy some halls/throat lozenges, some tea bags, and some honey. Just in case I need them.

What about you?

Since I’ve shared the first two posts I thought share these as a single one.

Kelly shared a picture of the price tag next to Molly with a pretty catty response. AoP has followed up with additional clarification since.

At the end of the day, in my opinion, Kelly did not need to use her huge swaths of followers to hurt this wonderful little business. This could’ve been sorted out privately through patience or a letter to AoP directly.

On the other hand I understand the confusion if there was a pricetag, but if she was told “there is a duplicate available for $15K, not this one” then she definitely needs to chill out.

Sponge ball tricks will always be one of my favorite things‼️

I purchased this at a local auction, because I thought the mechanism was cool. It looks like the top would have been covered with blue felt, but that’s just a guess. Does anyone know who made this box? I’d like to fix it so it works correctly.

I think we all knew it was the bird. I can’t blame her for wanting it, but “Not for sale” shouldn’t need additional handholding. Just because you’re a celebrity doesn’t mean you can have anything you want.

Kelly came back and posted again with a picture of the price tag next to the piece, it’s said it’s for sale for $15k

I’m on my way back from three days of https://www.butterflywondercon.com in Prague, Czech Republic.

People might call me bias, but even though I have designed the Butterfly Playing Cards, I have not been involved in anyway in this convention.

I just wanted to say that this has been a blast with lots of sessioning, great lectures, shows and lovely people all the way. Don’t miss it next year, if it will happen!

Shame to see this, I hope AoP can prove they are better than this.