talkmagic.co.uk

It was a day off work for me today and I decided to take a bus trip across to Glasgow for no real reason (I stay near St Andrews and don't much like traveling on buses... so an absurd decision in retrospect).

Anyway, I was wandering around and just generally looking in shops when I passed Tam Shepherds. I'd never been in before... never really been to a non internet magic shop so I wasn't sure what to expect but I'm pretty glad I went in!

I've never really felt like a part of this sites community (if that sounds like a normal thing to say?). Not in a bad way, just, for me magic has always been this thing which I'm interested in and practice from time to time but to no real end. "The magic community" has always been a bit of a distant "thing" for me. I hope that changed today though.

I've been into magic for a while and I'm OK at performing a selection of tricks. I'm aware of a few things which should be considered in performance too but I've never really put any of this to much use. Thinking about it, I'm basically still a beginner who would like to improve alot.

After explaining that I have an interest in magic etc. etc. to the kind shop people, they recommended several books and DVDs which I basically already knew about but they were being so kind and willing to help that I felt I should just go with it. I'm glad I did, since, after shopping and seeing a short performance of the pass and a colour change there, I realised that I've been missing the point a bit.

I ended up buying Royal Road to Card Magic on DVD and hope that this is a new beginning. I'm sure I'll be returning to Tam Shepherds in future too. All in all I'd say today was worthwhile!

Assuming he was in that day, there's a good chance you spoke with Roy Walton. Roy has been nurturing me for twenty years now, and he's responsible for most of the magicians in Glasgow.

He'll never steer you wrong, and if you listen and take his advice it's like gold dust.

Take care, Ian

Roy Walton is an absolute legend...him Pete Duffie, Dave Campbell and Jerry Sadowitz...superb...

glad you've taken the plunge more, but dont put too much pressure on yourself...just enjoy it and see where you go with it eh! good luck with it all...

I remember when I first entered a magic shop, i was nervous as hell! Again I'd never really talked to magcians before then and the only magic I had ever bought previously was from Marvins Magic! If I remember rightly I bought 2 packs of Bikes and scurreyed (sp?) out!

The world of the real magic shop is just .... well....magic!

I discovered Mike Danata in Bournemouth and there are hours of enjoyment to be had in just browsing and talking. Of course I always come out having bought something more than I went in for!

CUPS can be controlled to a certain extent when you are buying over the net, when you are standing watching a performer dem a trcik you are sunk. Get out the plastic!

Mike should buy the launderette next door, knock through from the magic studio and we'd probably all end up living in his studio

if you can't get down to Bournemouth then I would encourage you to buy through his mail order side as keeping the shop running is a big expense in itself.

The thing that amazes me is the level of stock Mike carries. In an age when "stock" is a dirty word to most businesses he always seems to have anything you want, from the smallest cheapest item through to expensive gear.

I went in for a browse and came out with Bang On.

I agree also about using him as an on line source. He found an egg bag and accompanying DVD for me for a smashed and restored watch effect. I phoned him to order on Monday and received my package on Tuesday.

Yes I would have to agree everyone here in saying that magic shops are amazing. If you ever get down bournemouth waygo check out Mike Danatas Magic Studio he is much more of the same.
Actually while saying all this I'm moving up to aberdeen in september and was wondering if there were any magicians who would like to meet up and impart some of their knowledge on me.
Thanks in advance.
Soho

yep Tam shepherds is a fantastic shop, perhaps the prices are a little bit more expensive than your average online dealer but the wealth of knowledge you gain with just a short conversation with Mr Walton is amazing, only yesterday Mr Walton kindly gave me some tips on the elmsly count and if not for him I might have ended up buying expensive packet tricks when I first started this little hobby , instead I left the shop with royal road to card magic and modern coin magic. If you are ever in Glasgow Tam Shepherds is defiantly worth a visit.

Where abouts in Glasgow is Tam Shepherds?

Anubis wrote:Where abouts in Glasgow is Tam Shepherds?

Queens Street.
1 minutes walk from Queens St Station.

Ohhh thank you! Well i know where I'm going next time I'm over from bonny ol Arran!

It was actually really easy to find! Though I didn't know where it was at the time and was just wandering hoping I'd spot it. I remember heading down a street towards a clothes shop (possibly Debenhams) and Tam Shephards sign was sticking out from one of the buildings.

I think it must have been Mr Walton who I saw doing a few tricks there. He was a great guy in personality and so on (and obviously a great magician too!). I'll definitely be heading back there sometime. It was nice to be in a shop where there was genuine interaction with people too. People in the shop just seemed to like being there. I can imagine it would be easy to spend hours in a place like that and not feel like you're "just another customer".