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docguitarman Special user Thousand Oaks, California 888 Posts |
I'm retired and reviving my childhood interest in magic. I recently purchased a vintage "house of a 1000 mysteries" catalog from 1961 (same that I had back then). In perusing the catalog I ran across the "Chinese Egg Bag" trick that I had when I was just 14. This prop is trivial to construct. Found a wood egg on the big dominating on-line discounter for $2.26. A search revealed I can pick up the mat ready made for a couple of bucks too. For the egg I think I'm going to drill it and use glue rather than use the "vintage" method -- as the egg I purchased does not have a flat bottom. So for less than $5 and little skill I've recreated one of my youthful magic effects.
I'll try to use my imagination and come up with some routines. |
gimpy2 Special user 960 Posts |
Docguitarman,
Of course that's a workshop item worth talking about. Welcome and glad to have you here. Gimpy
Gimpy
www.gimpysmagic.com |
jimgerrish Inner circle East Orange, NJ 3209 Posts |
The fun is in coming up with new ways to use the props after they are built. For example, if you combine the "Chinese Egg Bag" with the "Dove to Silk Mat" from our Dollar Store Magic Book 1, item 1, you can end by tossing the egg up in the air and having it turn into a white silk with a yellow circle in the center, looking like an egg yolk. Or, if you use the "this is a wooden egg, it was laid by a decoy duck" joke, you can turn it into a pile of sawdust for a finale.
These kinds of tricks I classify as "kitchen workshop props" since I can sit in my kitchen and work on them without using power tools, instead of having to mess up the basement woodshop or get covered in sawdust. An intermediate workshop is my spring and summer "outdoor workshop" in the backyard where I can tackle bigger projects and enjoy the company of birds and squirrels and cats. So welcome to the workshop of whatever type and enjoy the art of making magic props before making magic happen.
Jim Gerrish
magicnook@yahoo.com https://www.magicnook.com Home of The Wizards' Journals: https://magicnook.com/wizardsTOC.htm |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Docguitarman,
Welcome to the workshop! The Chinese Egg bag was one of my favorite tricks when I was a kid, although I never tried the "lemon" surprise ending. My hands were not big enough! Ha! ~michael
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
docguitarman Special user Thousand Oaks, California 888 Posts |
Hi guys!
Thanks for the warm welcomes and encouragement! I'll try to post a photo when the egg arrives and is gimmicked! I just noticed it is literally coming on the slow boat, lol ! It has shipped but delivery ETA is December 1! |
docguitarman Special user Thousand Oaks, California 888 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 9, 2017, jimgerrish wrote: Wow! Thanks Jimgerrish. The Dove to Silk sounds great! I'll definitely take a look! |
docguitarman Special user Thousand Oaks, California 888 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 9, 2017, Michael Baker wrote: I was the same. Never had the nerve to try it ! |
jimgerrish Inner circle East Orange, NJ 3209 Posts |
In my e-Book "There's an Egg in your Hat" found in Mini-Mysteries Book 4 on The Magic Nook, there is a bonus effect included that you might want to incorporate into your routine with the Chinese Egg Bag (it also works with the Sucker Silk to Egg trick). The bonus is called: "Broken and Restored Egg". It always used to annoy me that when I ended an egg trick by breaking the egg into a glass, that I had no way to restore the egg. Well, now I do!
Jim Gerrish
magicnook@yahoo.com https://www.magicnook.com Home of The Wizards' Journals: https://magicnook.com/wizardsTOC.htm |
docguitarman Special user Thousand Oaks, California 888 Posts |
While I'm waiting for the egg what is now state-of-the-art for invisible thread material? Back in the day we used thin nylon IIRC. Recommendations appreciated !
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
I performed this at every show as a youngster, and ended with the lemon. I never thought about using the mat to snap the lemon into the air and catch it on it's decent, for an exciting action filled climax.
Gee, it took 60 years to come up with the climax to this trick. Wish I could go back in time and try it out. As for IT, just use the standard sewing thread sold at fabric stores. |
docguitarman Special user Thousand Oaks, California 888 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 10, 2017, Bill Hegbli wrote: I'll have to give the toss a try ! Thanks As to standard thread, since I'm going for a more stealthy attachment (drilling and gluing in a small dowel to secure the thread to the egg) I think I might need a more wear resistant thread than sewing thread. |
Rook Special user I went to the Magic Cafe and all I got were these lousy 834 Posts |
I've always liked nylon monofilament thread, smoke colored, from the upholstery section of the fabric store. Not completely invisible (depending, of course on backdrop and lighting) but fairly sturdy.
Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
-Roald Dahl |
Tap Roniart New user 39 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 10, 2017, docguitarman wrote: Doc... They come in elastic & non-elastic thread, and also clear (or close to clear) monofilament (which isn't technically thread, but is clear and strong. An overlooked use for monofilament is twisting a length to turn movement here into movement over there...
Tap Roniart
# PM me your effects looking for a method! # Please excuse any spelling or grammatical errors-especially ideas that end up being awful-as I am on cell. # Mods: I only break site rules that the "inner circle" themselves break. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The workshop » » Does this qualify as a workshop item? Chinese Egg Bag. (11 Likes) |
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