talkmagic.co.uk

I spend a fortune in Smiths now days. Pencils, pens envelopes. note pads.

I must have my stationary the Theo from Dragons Den I tells you. Its true though the more simple a prop the stronger the magic. Take Sol's radical dice routine I saw greedo do that the other day and its mightly impressive.

By far the most 'magical' shops for me currently are Paperway, The Works and the Pound Shop.

Only last week in Poundland I found the most marvellous little device... originally intended as a 'flat torch' I think, but makes a fantastic peeking aid for enveloped tricks... the light is very bright and diffused! And it only cost a quid!

Also, another great bargain from the Quid-O-Rama as I call it were some really handy reel pulls, and some of those 'secret spy' UV pen sets.

Paperway and The Works open up all kinds of doors, with their myriad of envelopes, glues, pens and suchlike.

In fact, inspired by a recent post by one of our most esteemed mentalists, I bought myself a set of scented pens from Paperway.

Oh, how I do love this side of TalkMagic... I could ramble on for hours...

(appended by mods: but seige, you already DO ramble on for hours)

Every where I go now i take a paper clip and a note pad and a biro. Plus a couple of Tomo's ideas and you are set. No need for all this fancy pulls and gadgets really.

Tons of options here for you.....I do recommend the suggestions above - books and/or dvd's - your preference really. However if you want to just get an effect or two (and we are all guilty of having done this at some time or another) that is fine.....in the long run you will come to realize that it isn't the best way to go. I suppose it is like a father and a son - we don't want to see others make the same mistakes that many of us have made - and so we try to steer you away from your curiosity....and the unfortunate truth is that sometimes you just have to let people learn for themselves what the best route is.

To answer your question about price.....well I paid less that $10 for Twisting the aces, cup and ball routine I mentioned is simply sleight based and impromptu so your costs are nothing other than time spent....you simply need to find a book or video (hint hint) that will help you through a routine.....

Please let us know what you decide to do or buy.....I am simply suggesting that the others are right and a book/dvd is the best way to go...however I was guilty of buying the odd single trick when I started and some worked well and others collected dust....you will figure it out as you go......regardless, books, vids, or anyone of the various effects mentioned will work. Not good and bad, simply of a case of someways beeing better than others in my opinion.

Ah yes, my favourite haunt - The Works!! Apart from the occasional gem of a magic book or two, there's always a fine selection of stationery which can be adapted for magical use and the range of Tarot type cards at the moment is excellent at less than £6.00. There's one set which comes with a purple cloth, nice cards but note that the titles of the cards, 'The Moon' 'The Magician' etc are in French. There's also a nice Fortune Telling cards set which uses tarted up standard playing cards but the book with it gives a lot if ideas for reading, then there are Angel Cards (don’t ask me what they are, I haven't read the box yet!). Finally there's 'Titania's Star Tarot' complete with a book of how to read them. Nice plain cards, not the best quality but enough to get the idea, and they look rather good as well.

How about a stationary shop for the magic comunity? Some one would make a killing espically if they sold gaffed envelopes and the likes.

Markdini wrote:How about a stationary shop for the magic comunity? Some one would make a killing espically if they sold gaffed envelopes and the likes.

Keep an eye on NUMS... things are a-changing there... I shall say no more

i got a notebook, sharpie style pen, biro, ink pen and pencil for 50p!! the sharpie style marker still works now!

Oh and don't forget a TT and whatever variation of the 101 Tricks with a TT booklet you get with it.

How about sponge balls? A few quid, some practice and you've got a minor miracle on your hands. Great fun to do and they freak people out. I wouldn't assume that only children enjoy these things as I haven't found this to be the case. Check out the sponge ball thread that's around at the moment to hear from many satisfied customers!

[edit] look at my next post

Allen Tipton wrote:BUY BOOKS. Books encourage creative thought.[/color]

Couldn't agree more.

Ok i think i have made a decision...i think i am going to go with getting royal road..

i started this post wandering for a certain trick with the works.. but along the way i have been posting in other sections questions about certain tricks....i have come to the conclusion that royal road has all of my needs from forces to moving cards...thank you guys for all of the help

if for some reason you think i should not get this...PLEASE let me know....there is nothing worse to me than buying somehting and then hating it or not liking it...

I believe in books. I have bobo, RRTCM, Tarbell course vol. 1 and T. Nelson Down's classic coin tricks.
I started just a couple of weeks ago and I'm not so old (23).
I can't deny that I've ordered today that set of 4 dvd based on bobo's book.

I personally couldn't recommend RRTCM highly enough, it is so clearly written and illustrated. I've seen some more experienced people recommend Card College over Royal Road. I haven't got it so I can't comment but one thing is for sure and that is that the Royal Road is a LOT cheaper!