As has been pointed out, you have a strong enthusiasm to get started in this hobby/profession, so I don't want you to take what I'm about to say poorly...Still, I'm going to be a "wet blanket."
You are moving far too fast. This is the reason that you had problems to begin with when you started doing street magic and were disappointed with the results. Before you spend a shilling on these tricks that you want to get, the first thing you need is a copy of "Complete Course in Magic" by Mark Wilson. Next, pick yourself up "Royal Road to Card Magic" by Hugard and Braue, if you want to start working with cards and "Modern Coin Magic" by J.B. Bobo if you want to get into coins. Not to worry, though, Wilson's book will give you a good starting position for both (and a whole lot more).
Now, let's look at some specific stuff...
I am quite new to magic, I did have a little routine I used to do which involved a lot of the David Blaine type street magic which I used to impress my mates and other people when out on the town but a programme was put on TV that showed how to do most of them, so it wrecked all my attempts as people knew how to do them. This really put me off for ages, but watching some more magic shows on TV ( the non show and tell type!) I have had a renewed intrest!
You need to understand that there is nothing that has been exposed that you can't get past in performance. Too often, those new to magic think that the trick they do is the magic. As a result, their presentation is of a trick, and not of magic. You must entertain your audience, not show them a trick. Yes, we are magicians, and we do tricks to entertain, but the trick in and of itself is nothing more than a puzzle. It is up to each magician to entertain and your personality, your presentation, your choice of patter and how you interact with the spectators is the key to entertaining these people.
Got a few pay for down loads on some vanishes which I really like and need to get some supplies for on monday ( i.e IT, would very fine fishing line work?), also awaiting Cream by Sean Fields ( seen this done on TV and I thought it was well smart) and a floating dollor routine ( I know how its done but it comes with a book of tips for the newby).
Herein lies your problem. You are expecting these tricks to make you a magician. They won't. Only YOU can make you a magician. The tricks will make you a trickster. Understand that floating effects, like the one above, are the most difficult of things to pull off. Let's face it...When you see something floating, what possible means could do such a thing. There is only one answer - string. I strongly suggest that you stay away from these effects until you have a lot more time in magic. I've been performing magic for 30 years and I don't do a single floating effect. Of all the magic that you can perform, this is the hardest for the audience to swallow.
I have enough to keep me busy for a few days but would like some advice on some other stuff, I am looking at getting Real Floating Card by Alex Marcov, Melt by Eric James and a Raven2+money and DVD.
Again, another problem. A few days? You can learn and become proficient with that material after only a few days? You may be able to do those tricks with only a few days of work, but you'll have one of two problems...You will not entertain with those tricks, or you'll expose those tricks. Keep in mind, more magic is exposed by magicians accidentally in a day than all the magic exposed on TV in a year. If you honestly want to become a magician, then spend at least a week on each and every one of those tricks that you have. After you've spent that amount of time, show the trick to a family member or friend that you trust. Get them to tell you what they liked and disliked about your presentation. Have them tell you if they figured out how you did it and what, specifically, gave it away. Then, polish it down from there, re-work the whole thing, and get someone different to watch you do it. Start the process all over again.
Once you've got it down and are prepared to show it to a lay audience, you should be to the point where you can do the whole thing without thinking about it, at all. Almost in your sleep. Now, you can spend less time working your sleights and more time interacting with your audience, where entertainment starts and tricking stops.
I also like some of the Jay Sanky stuff, but it all seems so expensive and I dont want to spend money on a naff trick
There are no "naff" tricks, only naff magicians. You make the magic, not the trick. A good magician can take a naff trick and make it a miracle, and a bad magician can take a miracle and turn it into a naff trick.
So, save your money looking for that trick that will make that young lady buy you a drink. Read Wilson's book and find stuff that fits your personality. Spend your time and effort working through that trick and making it second nature. Once you have it down and entertaining to watch, you'll find that the young lady will buy you a drink - not because you did a trick, but because you are an intriguing person who just performed a miracle for her.
I do hope that this post has not taken away your enthusiasm, but, rather, has given you some important tips on which road to follow.
Best wishes and best of luck to you.
Mike.
