Andy Martin

Based on the write-up below it appears Mark Stevens really likes this product 🙂

I do too which is why I decided to put it behind the bar at The Porcupine. Although I almost never perform magic to an audience after a few drinks – this is precisely the sort of effect I could see me pulling out after a few beers.  It is very easy to do – once you’ve read the instructions you’ll never forget and you will have an instant hit on your hands.

Great stuff Bill and thanks for featuring it on your site Mark 🙂

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This is a wonderful effect by Joker Magic.  Made very well and easy to do. 

The best video I could find was from Magic Patagonia – Roberto really nails it by adding the 3 colored dice and golden ring for the end.  By watching Magic Patagonia I came up with my variation and created four special colored dice for the effect and the handling could not be simpler. 

I really like this effect 🙂

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What a great Tenyo effect – it doesn’t look like much when you first open the package, but the effect is really clean and really easy to do.  

It is this sort of effect that makes you want to buy more Tenyo items.  🙂

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What a dream prop this is from Milson-Worth.  It looks stunning and unlike many similar props you can clearly see all the way through to the back, and the wagon looks the same from front and back and every part of the design is perfect – even the wheels move.

I’d be the first to admit that you’d never catch me placing any sort of livestock in this device – there really is not a lot of room for doves or otherwise – but it is perfect for these large metallic spring flowers.

The challenge I found was blowing up the balloon big enough so that it would pop but not so big that I could not fit it into the cage.  Luckily I came up with the perfect solution using a Tiny Pump from Amazon that not only solved this problem, but created a fun and interesting routine in the bargain.

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A fine example of the P&L Spirit Bag with P&L Hallmark.  This is such a cute little bag and in most circumstances this would be the one I would use. The final photos show the difference in size with the standard size bag.

If you need to switch something cleanly, smoothly and quietly either bag work perfectly. I have included some number slips to use the bag as a simple number forcing system for multiple prediction effects such as mental epic and others.

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A rare beauty from Alan’s earliest days 🙂  Alan released Alphabet Antics all the way back in 1976 when he was focused on producing both children’s magic and his fledgling mini-magic line.  This is a perfect routine for younger children and it has everything:

• Large clear props with bright colors
• Interactive participation with the Children
• Potential for back and forth fun as they draw the letters.
• Multiple magical moments
• Problem Solving: how do get make Orange from these wands or Green?
• Satisfying conclusion when all the Children’s hard work pays off
• Easy to perform
• Quick to set-up.

The block has a few paint chips but this is in amazing condition and will look great as a center piece of your Alan Warner collection and is also ready to entertain your grand children with 🙂

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It is always a joy to add a new item from the wacky magic master himself: Chance Wolf at Wolf’s Magic. This is Chance’s take on the wonderful Owen’s Rabbit Rising Cards.  As cute as the original Owen’s was, there is no doubt Chance’s new version is even cuter and more adorable.

The method and set-up is very simple, and works perfectly.  As with all of Chance’s creation it is solidly made and with some basic care will last for years of performances.  Chance tries to scare you in the set-up video (don’t do this, don’t do that, and for heaven’s sake don’t press it here!), but I think once you have set this up once or twice you’ll be able to do it in your sleep 🙂

Chance also includes a great routine that will work well with children of all ages.  If I was performing children’s shows today this is precisely the sort of prop and routine I would look for.  Great job Chance.

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I’ve been buying custom close-up mats from Patt’s Matts for ten years and there is no one else who gets close 🙂  In fact I have purchased more than 20 mats from Patt.  I started with a replacement for my Jim Zee table, then a number of close-up tables and most recently I ordered nine different mats (three of each color) for the main tables/locations I use in the Porcupine for my world famous Speed Demos 🙂

The man behind Patt’s Mats is Pattrick Przysiecki.  Patt started in this space c. 1997 with his colleague Walter, and they built a small close-up table as a side business.  Then in 2000 they made their first mats from the Original material (hence the name) and although they stopped the table sideline in 2003, they have been making more and more mats ever since.  Including: custom sizes, folding mats, servantes, hard board mats, laced borders, carry cases, and other features that keen performers have requested.  All mats are 100% handmade in their Toledo workshop.

My early mats used the Original material, but I recently switched to the Plush Material in Burgundy, Forest Green and Deep Black. I much prefer the Plush material.  I also use custom Embroidery on all my mats now, and they look perfect.  I have also had mats with an integrated servante which work well but I found having a permanent servante for my uses in the Porcupine was overkill – so now when I need a servante, I just place one of my old mats with a servante beneath my new mats and they work great.  It is always nice to know you have options and if Patt doesn’t have something you are looking for available, he will often suggest a solution that will work.

What I like about Patt is he is a decent, honest craftsman who knows his trade and stands by everything he makes. His prices are fair and he is very reliable and delivers perfect mats on time, every-time.  Once you get your first mat from Patt’s Matts you’ll never go elsewhere 🙂

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This is another beautiful brass item from the craftsman Terry Roses. And as with Terry’s other brass collectible line it comes in a beautiful inlaid oak carrying case.  I think we’ve all seen these types of device in Professor Hoffmann, however I’m not sure how many of us have actually used one.  It really is a wonderful effect and there is nothing finer than Terry’s version. 

What is particularly neat about Terry’s version is you get to use the beautiful oak presentation case and it makes the routine basically automatic.  It certainly takes the heat off the presentation which is always nice 🙂

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Magiro invented this very clever effect c. 1999 and it was distributed by Eckhard Boettcher as Verbrecher-Würfel  (see the final photo to see one of the originals).  This improved version was released by Joe Long c. 2018 and crafted by his good friend and craftsman Paul Lembo.

Magiro has created a number of completely mind blowing effects where the audience are left wondering how on earth could that happen?  Items such as:

• Hydro Die
• The Witch’s Tunnel
• Babuska
• Anti Matter Generator
• Würfel-Mysterium
• and this item Prisoner Cube

all are very clever ideas that leave no clue as to how they could possibly performed.  Prisoner Cube fits nicely with these other effects and in fact I would say it is one of the easiest to perform.

Joe and Paul removed a few flaws in Magiro’s original design and now you have the perfected version.  It is surprisingly easy to perform too 🙂

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