Where do you get your supplies?

Alareth · 20th September 2006, 12:53 AM

I'm something of a dabbler in magic and illusion. There is no local shop that I'm aware of so I get my supplies online, mostly through penguinmagic.com

Where do the rest of you get your tricks?

deBergerac · 20th September 2006, 05:49 AM

I get most of my stuff from this place

http://www.elmagicshop.com

Stray Cat · 20th September 2006, 06:00 AM

I get most of mine from B&Q (home depot), or various craft shops... there's a lot to be said for making your own props.

Infact it's virtually impossible for me to go looking round regular shops without my mind turning to 'how can I use or abuse that to make it magic?'

Failing that, the Annual Convention in Blackpool has two massive dealer's rooms.

Bob Klase · 20th September 2006, 07:46 AM

There's a list of places I'll look if I need something, but it depends on what you need. For cards I'll check Haines House of Cards first. For actual tricks/props (which I don't buy much any more) I've used Hank Lee, Brad Burt, Magic Inc and a few other major dealers that also have websites. For rope in particular I use Magic Inc now (used to get it from Tannen's because they were the only place I knew that sold pure white rope).

I've probably got at least 50 other places bookmarked for various type of magic stuff.

Josh Redstone · 20th September 2006, 10:14 AM

There's no magic stores where I live, so I learn from a lot of online message boards. I've also got a few DVDs from www.ellusionist.com. They can be a little pricey but so far I've not been dissapointed by them.

StewartP · 20th September 2006, 10:30 AM

I've just bought my first prop. (online, it hasn't arrived yet)
A thumb tip.

I'm not into magic, but I've always liked seeing simple slight of hand at the fool-your-kids level. I hope the thumb tip will have them bamboozled for a while.

Brown · 20th September 2006, 11:58 AM

I get my playing cards at Wal-Mart and Walgreens. I have yet to find a good source of cored (or core-able rope), but I don't do that many rope tricks.

I've made a few of my own props. When time permits, I plan to make a gimmick that was recently demonstrated to me. It's a nice gimmick that can be worn most of the time and can be readily available to perform impromptu "psychic" feats in full view of an audience. I have all the raw materials for the gimmick at my disposal, but I have to spend the time putting the thing together, measuring it for size, adjusting it to fit, and the like.

For instructional DVDs, I've enjoyed many from L&L Publishing, especially the Michael Ammar series. Michael is a very good instructor, although some of his earlier instructional videos are heavily scripted and Michael follows the script uncomfortably. In later videos, he is more at ease. Another good instructor is Richard Osterlind, whose speciality is mentalism. In addition to explaining the secrets of the effects (which are often ridiculously simple), Richard devotes considerable time to the psychology of the effects and the presentation, which is what makes these ridiculously simple secrets appear to be freakin' miracles.

firecoins · 25th September 2006, 12:54 PM

my favorite online magic shop for general magic supplies, books and dvds is Denny & Lee's magic shop. http://www.dennymagic.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi

Ellusionist was mentioned earlier. I get some stuff from there. www.ellusionist.com No complaints.

Windom · 30th September 2006, 03:16 PM

Quote:

There's no magic stores where I live, so I learn from a lot of online message boards

I'd like to learn something more advanced than simple card tricks with double lift and stuff I currently do, but I never knew where to start. Could you please give me some URL's or suggestions or so? Thanks

Josh Redstone · 30th September 2006, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Windom

I'd like to learn something more advanced than simple card tricks with double lift and stuff I currently do, but I never knew where to start. Could you please give me some URL's or suggestions or so? Thanks

I enjoy reading and posting here from time to time

Jeff Corey · 30th September 2006, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by StewartP

I've just bought my first prop. (online, it hasn't arrived yet)
A thumb tip.

I'm not into magic, but I've always liked seeing simple slight of hand at the fool-your-kids level. I hope the thumb tip will have them bamboozled for a while.

Now you are fully qualified to practice psychic surgery.

T'ai Chi · 1st October 2006, 06:52 AM

I think Penguin magic for some stuff, the other stuff just local ma and pa magic stores.

Alareth · 1st October 2006, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by T'ai Chi

I think Penguin magic for some stuff, the other stuff just local ma and pa magic stores.

One of the things I like about Penguin is the fact that nearly every trick has a performance video clip with it. There are a couple that I couldn't grasp from a description but a demonstration helped me decide if I wanted to pick it up.

20th September 2006, 12:53 AM	#1
Alareth Sarcasm Distribution System Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mississippi Posts: 3,903	Where do you get your supplies? I'm something of a dabbler in magic and illusion. There is no local shop that I'm aware of so I get my supplies online, mostly through penguinmagic.com Where do the rest of you get your tricks?
	__________________ Stellar Visions \| Stop Sylvia Browne \| Alareth Does Art! Light travels faster than sound, which is why some people appear bright, until you hear them speak "Hi mjd[1982]. Don't worry about breaking any news to us, you're really in very little danger of ever doing that." - Stellafane

20th September 2006, 10:30 AM	#6
StewartP Critical Thinker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Angouleme, France Posts: 449	I've just bought my first prop. (online, it hasn't arrived yet) A thumb tip. I'm not into magic, but I've always liked seeing simple slight of hand at the fool-your-kids level. I hope the thumb tip will have them bamboozled for a while.
	__________________ A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. Groucho Marx

25th September 2006, 12:54 PM	#8
firecoins Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nyack, NY Posts: 3,054	my favorite online magic shop for general magic supplies, books and dvds is Denny & Lee's magic shop. http://www.dennymagic.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi Ellusionist was mentioned earlier. I get some stuff from there. www.ellusionist.com No complaints.
	__________________ NY Paramedic, skeptic, 9/11/01 Reality-ist. I am both right wing nut and left wing lunatic. Deal with it.

30th September 2006, 03:33 PM	#10
Josh Redstone Thinker Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 205	Originally Posted by Windom I'd like to learn something more advanced than simple card tricks with double lift and stuff I currently do, but I never knew where to start. Could you please give me some URL's or suggestions or so? Thanks I enjoy reading and posting here from time to time
	__________________ The Abecedarian Philosopher Watch me

1st October 2006, 06:52 AM	#12
T'ai Chi Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 11,233	I think Penguin magic for some stuff, the other stuff just local ma and pa magic stores.
	__________________ http://www.statisticool.com

20th September 2006, 05:49 AM	#2
deBergerac New Doc on the Block Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Uppsala (Sweden) Posts: 445	I get most of my stuff from this place http://www.elmagicshop.com

20th September 2006, 06:00 AM	#3
Stray Cat Muse Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: The Land That Time Forgot Posts: 542	I get most of mine from B&Q (home depot), or various craft shops... there's a lot to be said for making your own props. Infact it's virtually impossible for me to go looking round regular shops without my mind turning to 'how can I use or abuse that to make it magic?' Failing that, the Annual Convention in Blackpool has two massive dealer's rooms.

20th September 2006, 07:46 AM	#4
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,389	There's a list of places I'll look if I need something, but it depends on what you need. For cards I'll check Haines House of Cards first. For actual tricks/props (which I don't buy much any more) I've used Hank Lee, Brad Burt, Magic Inc and a few other major dealers that also have websites. For rope in particular I use Magic Inc now (used to get it from Tannen's because they were the only place I knew that sold pure white rope). I've probably got at least 50 other places bookmarked for various type of magic stuff.

20th September 2006, 10:14 AM	#5
Josh Redstone Thinker Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 205	There's no magic stores where I live, so I learn from a lot of online message boards. I've also got a few DVDs from www.ellusionist.com. They can be a little pricey but so far I've not been dissapointed by them.

20th September 2006, 11:58 AM	#7
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,025	I get my playing cards at Wal-Mart and Walgreens. I have yet to find a good source of cored (or core-able rope), but I don't do that many rope tricks. I've made a few of my own props. When time permits, I plan to make a gimmick that was recently demonstrated to me. It's a nice gimmick that can be worn most of the time and can be readily available to perform impromptu "psychic" feats in full view of an audience. I have all the raw materials for the gimmick at my disposal, but I have to spend the time putting the thing together, measuring it for size, adjusting it to fit, and the like. For instructional DVDs, I've enjoyed many from L&L Publishing, especially the Michael Ammar series. Michael is a very good instructor, although some of his earlier instructional videos are heavily scripted and Michael follows the script uncomfortably. In later videos, he is more at ease. Another good instructor is Richard Osterlind, whose speciality is mentalism. In addition to explaining the secrets of the effects (which are often ridiculously simple), Richard devotes considerable time to the psychology of the effects and the presentation, which is what makes these ridiculously simple secrets appear to be freakin' miracles.

30th September 2006, 03:16 PM	#9
Windom Scholar Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lithuania Posts: 92	Quote: There's no magic stores where I live, so I learn from a lot of online message boards I'd like to learn something more advanced than simple card tricks with double lift and stuff I currently do, but I never knew where to start. Could you please give me some URL's or suggestions or so? Thanks

30th September 2006, 07:07 PM	#11
Jeff Corey New York Skeptic Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 9,404	Originally Posted by StewartP I've just bought my first prop. (online, it hasn't arrived yet) A thumb tip. I'm not into magic, but I've always liked seeing simple slight of hand at the fool-your-kids level. I hope the thumb tip will have them bamboozled for a while. Now you are fully qualified to practice psychic surgery.

1st October 2006, 05:31 PM	#13
Alareth Sarcasm Distribution System Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mississippi Posts: 3,903	Originally Posted by T'ai Chi I think Penguin magic for some stuff, the other stuff just local ma and pa magic stores. One of the things I like about Penguin is the fact that nearly every trick has a performance video clip with it. There are a couple that I couldn't grasp from a description but a demonstration helped me decide if I wanted to pick it up.
	__________________ Stellar Visions \| Stop Sylvia Browne \| Alareth Does Art! Light travels faster than sound, which is why some people appear bright, until you hear them speak "Hi mjd[1982]. Don't worry about breaking any news to us, you're really in very little danger of ever doing that." - Stellafane