|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3 | ||||||||||
Malakim Loyal user 206 Posts |
I ordered at Denny yesterday and I am really looking forward to these.
I was looking for Spirit Slates and had the same Problem you had (well or they where just too expensive for someone who performs for his Kids and some friends only). These seem perfect! |
|||||||||
Darkness Inner circle 1626 Posts |
I can't imagine all the hard work just to make one set. They really are a beautiful work of art, a true antique reproduction.
The gimmick is undetectable, unlike regular slates. This is a huge design improvement IMO and if they had awards for classic updates, this one would rank very high. I'm extremely happy with them. I have not seen another set that could replace it. Perfect size as well. If you have not bought one, you will be sorry when it's no longer made. Marc my words Smile They are priced at a steal, probably one of the best deals of the year. I'm not on commission, I just call um I see um, and in this case you see nothing... but spirit writing.
THE SUPERNATURAL ILLUSIONIST & EFFECTS CREATOR WWW.MRDARKNESS.COM
|
|||||||||
bartleby Veteran user 361 Posts |
I went overbudget this month on my things magickal (why do I think I am not the first?)
I ordered a set and am waiting in anticipation. |
|||||||||
Malakim Loyal user 206 Posts |
Quote:
On Oct 28, 2014, bartleby wrote: I am also totaly over the budget this month ... do not tell my wife |
|||||||||
MRSharpe Special user Never a dull moment with 940 Posts |
Not trying to deter anyone from doing business with you, but the rise in the last ten years or so in homeschooling has brought a return in the demand for school slates. You can find them at fairly decent prices online. The only thing they need is some distressing to fit in to most routines of a bizarre nature. Yours are very nice looking BTW.
Custom Props Designer and Fabricator as well as Performer from Indiana, USA
|
|||||||||
Darkness Inner circle 1626 Posts |
MRSharpe apple and oranges these are like reproduction antiques and the store ones do not have gimmicks or handmade imperfections.
THE SUPERNATURAL ILLUSIONIST & EFFECTS CREATOR WWW.MRDARKNESS.COM
|
|||||||||
mcharisse Inner circle York. PA 1226 Posts |
MrSharpe,
I agree slates seem to be making a comeback, and I see little cheap ones in the craft stores I haunt. They are popular with brides for place settings, the clerks tell me. That's a great segue into showing the audience "real" school slates made of stone from the past. The iPad of the 19th century. I started out making these for myself, so I don't disagree that anyone reasonably skilled in crafts couldn't make these -- eventually. I spent at least 100 hours on the first set, with experimentation, restarts, botched jobs, etc. tried several materials for the gimmick before settling on what I am currently using. Then there is the matter of how to most effectively and deceptively finish it. If you are like me and find a certain zen satisfaction in that kind of detail work, you might enjoy making these. But you will find it costs nearly as much by the time you assemble the materials and many, many unpaid hours to get a good result. While I'm much more likely these days to attempt to make something myself, it's for the satisfaction, not the money, and certainly not the time. Now that I know what I'm doing, it takes about a week to make a set, but the first ones took two months to get what I wanted. I will never again question the high cost of hand made magic, as long as the resulting prop is made with personal care and attention to detail. Marc |
|||||||||
Winks Special user Arizona 753 Posts |
Well said, Marc. I am a very satisfied customer (through Denny & Lee). I always wonder at the motive of someone like MrSharpe with a post like that.
|
|||||||||
Wizard of Oz Inner circle Most people wish I didn't have 5150 Posts |
MRSharpe, you are a prop designer according to your bio., which is awesome! But that means you are probably a skilled craftsman who could take unfinished mass-produced slates from a craft store and turn them into something quite unique and wonderful. I cannot. Not even close. I find these slates to be an incredible value in price and performance, and I'm apparently not alone. I make a good living and have no problem paying for props of this quality...which by the way, are few and far between. As a prop designer, you, of all people, should appreciate placing a value on your work. Marc has put a value on his. For me, he and I are both richer for it.
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
|
|||||||||
mcharisse Inner circle York. PA 1226 Posts |
Had a great time doing these for the kids on the neighborhood, and it was great confidence builder to let them really look close at the "loaded" one. Even let them rub some of the ghost message off after it appeared. Then the candy out of the dove pan.
By the way, can you tell which slate is tricked? Is it trick or treat? Pm or post in crypt if you think it exposes anything. Marc Click here to view attached image. |
|||||||||
Merlinsmagic Inner circle Daly City, CA 1606 Posts |
Ah Marc you left the twine in the lower right of the pic, now everyone will know how it works......lol
Love my set from you ! |
|||||||||
bartleby Veteran user 361 Posts |
My set arrived today. Just beautiful. Two "antique" slates, each about the size of an ipad, chalk, a handkerchief. Recommended.
|
|||||||||
Malakim Loyal user 206 Posts |
@mcharisse
I have received my set of Slates. They are stunningly beautiful and work very well. I love the routine and I am looking forward to do (a variation) on New Year to a bunch of 3rd Grade kids. Thank you |
|||||||||
Kuroth Veteran user Deep In the Heart of Texas 315 Posts |
Just received mine.. Very Happy.. And great person to do business with.. Goes out of his way for his customers..
Chapter 18 (Member circa 1938)
|
|||||||||
Wizard of Oz Inner circle Most people wish I didn't have 5150 Posts |
Agreed. I own many of Marc's props, and even had a couple of occasions where a repair was needed. The process was completely hassle free.
He's one of the good ones!
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
|
|||||||||
afinemesh Inner circle Senseless gibberish that amounts to 2621 Posts |
Quote:
On Sep 7, 2017, Wizard of Oz wrote: My experience as well. Purchase with total confidence!
"I've always been mental, I'm sure of it" Boris Pocus
"Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny". . .Bruce Springsteen |
|||||||||
mcharisse Inner circle York. PA 1226 Posts |
That was the last of my genuine stone slates, sold through Gemini. I'd like to thank everyone who has supported my work over these last couple of years. When I started making slates, they were relatively plentiful, and I was able to acquire a stock of Portugese slates warehoused since the 1970s. The age of the wood and quality of the stone were excellent and made for the best slates I have ever seen or used. More recently, stone slates have been available through craft stores, but the quality has been more variable and the stone more fragile. Although they were the same amount of work for me, I sold them for considerably less because the quality just wasn't the same.
As a result, I started making slates entirely of wood, using what I've learned about surfacing the gimmicks to create a slate surface that passes for the real thing but is virtually unbreakable. This is what I use in my shows now as they will take the considerable abuse of constant performance. Those are available in two sizes -- stage and busker. These are actually much more work than starting with an unfinished slate, but I continue to make them because I want to provide my fellow performers to have access to quality slates. Their mediumistic history and mystique is hard to beat, and the look of white chalk on a black surface a ghostly visual that can't be beat. In my experience, people still know what they are, though are more likely to call them little chalk boards rather than slates. I still occasionally come across real slates that are of sufficient quality to want to use, and those looking for them can contact me directly. But generally, slates have more than doubled in price the last couple of years, even as they have become popular for wedding place settings and other non-magic uses. And the slates used for the original School Slates sold through Denny are now impossible to find, so if you have a set, hang on to them. Marc |
|||||||||
Wizard of Oz Inner circle Most people wish I didn't have 5150 Posts |
I think these slates will continue to be recognizable for awhile, as they are usually featured in historical villages that have old school houses. Modern school children who tour these sites either with a class or with their families on vacation may see the slates demonstrated by volunteers who work at the site.
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
|
|||||||||
mcharisse Inner circle York. PA 1226 Posts |
I notice that as well, but always explain that they were used by students a century ago. The iPad if the 19 th century, I call them, which always gets a laugh from the adults.
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The spooky, the mysterious...the bizarre! » » School Spirits: Slates that make sense (14 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3 |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |