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Nana’s Necklace by Dean Dill

Where to buy
Dean’s Website $30:00 (9$ postage)

The Advertising.

This is the newest and latest version of the classic trick, "Grandmother's Necklace" Three attractive wooden beads are strung onto the centre of two solid velvet cords. The spectator is asked to put his hand out and grasp the three beads in his fist. The ends of the cords are taken by the Magi and are pulled straight up through the spectator's closed fist and the wooden beads. A perfect penetration.

Difficulty. 1/5
1=Even I can do it, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)
Beautiful and Easy. My sort of trick!

Review.
You know there is something very satisfying about using beautiful and well made props. Satisfying for the magician and the spectators alike, and this is an example of magic engineering at it’s best.

Not only is this beautifully made item completely resetting, it is also a joy to use at tables or in any close up environment.

As far as I know it is only available at the moment from Dean Dill’s website, but when I phoned him I found him to be a very friendly and welcoming guy.

This is going to get a lot of use from me.

History.
I will be honest with you. Many, of you will know the effect (or at least the method) that it is based on. Some will have heard of it as “Grandma’s Necklace”, some as “The Hindu Beads”. I would be surprised if it doesn’t have a mention in Mark Wilson’s Encyclopedia, and I know that Nick Einhorn has a version (with Nick’s own little twist). I have a copy of a 1909 book on conjuring that details the method, and further more, if the Dean Dill’s instructions are anything to go on, it was also published in “The Discouverie of Witchcraft” 1584 (I would so love that to be true).

Now, having said all that, why should you buy this version? Simple. Not just because it is beautiful to use and to be show, but because it is an easier and truly resetting version that can be used at tables over and over again.

I know I am repeating myself, but I feel compelled to get the message across.

Rating.
Effect/item: 10/10, Quality of goods: 10/10, Value for money: 10/10

Bottom Line.
I know. I know, another 10/10/10 rating! But seriously what else could I do?

If truth be told I actually thought long and hard about reviewing this, as frankly I am not sure I want anyone else in the UK performing it.

I knew the method already, but the special “extra” this item has, coupled with the well crafted feel it has, and the fact magic really does happen in the hands of the spectator, makes this one of my favourite effects to date. (I also found the "Nana" part of the name very endearing )

Apologies to everyone with CUPS.

Well, I gotta tell you, with my upcoming trip to the UK, I'm trying to save my pennies. I have Psychological Subtleties slated as my next purchase, so when I see reviews like this, presently, I get pretty peaved. Why? Because I WANT this bad!!

Ah, well, there's another for my wish list...

Mike.

if the Dean Dill’s instructions are anything to go on, it was also published in “The Discouverie of Witchcraft” 1584 (I would so love that to be true).

(Mandrakes dresses as the pantomine Good Fairy (careful!), waves his/her wand and declares)

Your wish is granted, it's certainly true - pages 191 and 200 refer, and a diagram too!

(Exit stage left, tripping over frock)

There abouts are you going to be on your trip over here?

If you let me know, and if your in Yorkshire, we could maybe meet for a cuppa in starbucks!

Cyas

Mark

i received my nana's necklace this week (black cord version)... what can i say? this is AWESOME! i very rarely do anything other than card tricks, but this is so easy, so beautifully constructed and so AMAZING to watch that it is staying in my routine!!!

Ozman wrote:i received my nana's necklace this week (black cord version)... what can i say? this is AWESOME! i very rarely do anything other than card tricks, but this is so easy, so beautifully constructed and so AMAZING to watch that it is staying in my routine!!!

Isn't it just great! My patter revolves around it belonging to my Great Great great grandmother - who I reveal just before the cords are pulled through the hand, was thought to be a witch (which is why the necklace has magic properties in the first place). It has always gone down very well indeed.

as i usually do magic when I'm drunk (!), i always stage the trick as an experiment in removing the BEADS from right under their noses... i go on and on about how secure they are in the spectators hand, and how impossible it would be for me to steal them without anyone noticing... then when i pull the cords and get THEM out of the spectators hand instead of the beads, i look all confused and say something involving swearwords!

i really do love this effect!

After the glowing review & comments on this trick I had to have it, & it came today. Approx I recieved this today & thought I'd add a few comments of my own regarding this trick.
(By the way quality service from Dean Dill, ordered & recieved in 6 days.)

One niggle.
On mine it is possible to see the gimmick on each cords given any kind of close examination, not too much, just a small bit of out of shape cord.
Easy get around with quick movement but it's a shame the gimmick isn't buried slightly deeper. Maybe a thicker cord should have been used? Or maybe this is just a defect with my version?

2 minor points
a) GREAT care must be taken upon threading the first bead.
b) Very slight misdirection required as one "adjusts the cord" prior to threading.

Still a great trick but for my niggle I would give it a healthy 8/10 If niggle didn't exist 10/10.

Hi Johnny.

Did you get the red cords? - as maybe your visual problem is more obvious for the red than it is for the black. I haven't had that problem, but then I don't hand the cords out for examinination either.

I start with the beads on the cords, and ask the spec to take both ends and give it a pull. (I use the cheap and tacky line "Is that the first tim eyou have pulled a magician?" Cheap and Tack it may be - but it always gets a laugh.) For me this is enough to prove that the cords dont come apart. I then take the beads off and hand them out to one or sometimes three different people to examine (whilst I do the business). Depending ion the crowd I will use the cheaper and tackier - "will you examine my balls line" - as I said. It depends on the crowd.

The second problem you have - was initialy an issue for me, but isn't any longer. Once the first ball is threaded, you can slide it down to the near centre quite quickly. At this point I will hold the bead up so that it is above eye level. In fact - the ends of the cords are at eye level. My eyes Never once look at the bead, it is focused firmly at the end of the cords. The business is hidden by the left hand as it pushes. The right hand (holding the bead is a little more open, but remember, I am looking at the ends of the cords as I say something like

"This really should be on the middle of the cords. Does that look about centre?" at which point I will look up into the eyes of the spectator.

Bottom line is that it is easy to know by touch that it is complete, You need no visual confirmation, and because I never look at the bead, after the very initial moment, nor do the specs.

When I know I have finished the business, I will take two of the ends and hold it vertically. The beads will not drop off and it acts as a little convincer. I then hold the cords for the specs (usually) to thread the two remaining beads.

I hope this helps.

Blimey, forgot all about this trick, it's been consigned to the back draw.
By the by mine is black chord [edited by mods - please be careful about exposing too much] but when I first got this & tried it on friends/family no one spotted it.

Once the first ball is threaded, you can slide it down to the near centre quite quickly.

That was my problem, it's fair enough to take your time to thread the beads onto the chord but I can't pull it towards the center quickly & particularly when I get to the gimmick, pulling onto that has to be done very slowly, too slowly to be convincing. Otherwise it all fulls to pieces!

What I need is a drill & a vice & to make the hole in the beads a bit bigger so that it goes over the full chord smoother. However as I don't have a vice it's a bit awkward & will remain in the draw until I do.

What I need is a drill & a vice & to make the hole in the beads a bit bigger so that it goes over the full chord smoother

I wouldn't recommend you do that. I will pm you though with what I do.

Firstly an apology for digging up and old thread but I recently aquired this and have to say that this is very very good indeed.
Really nicely made props, a simple premise, simple execution and instant reset.
Can one ask for more?

Yes the comments made above concerning the threading of the first bead are not unfounded, I have found it a bit knacky myself, but a bit of practice will get this smooth.
I do find it weird when people comment about not liking an effect when a small niggle such as the one here confronts them. 20 minutes of practice will iron it out no worries.
I absolutely love this effect

greedoniz wrote:I do find it weird when people comment about not liking an effect when a small niggle such as the one here confronts them. 20 minutes of practice will iron it out no worries.
I absolutely love this effect

Very true. Very True.