Here's an idea I use occasionally - torn and restored straw wrapper. It can be done without a thumb, but I prefer using one to ditch the bits and end "clean". Having the spectator tear the paper really kills.

In the oragami mode - it's easy to make a rose with a cocktail napkin. Made one for my wife at dinner with friends one night - and wasn't allowed to do anything else until I'd made one for the other 3 ladies with us! They all wanted one!

Pete

Classic Ball Routine also found in Stars of Magic.

I think that the best effect that you can do impromptu is Phil Goldstiens Psyhic Coffee Shop routine.

It was in a recent Genii, not too sure which one, maybe last months...

Tom Mullica's The HELL Tear from his EXPERT IMPROMPTU MAGIC Tape VOL.17

It is a very strong piece of magic all done with 1 piece of paper and no set up.

Joe

How about "The Quick and the Dead", assuming you can find a pencil? Since it is impromptu, tearing the paper into strips instead of having billets waiting makes more sense than for a prepared show.

-Reg {*}

Have a look at this site for instructions for making a paper napkin rose:

[outdated link]

It makes a good birthday party giveaway - make one for the birthday kid and tell him/her to give it to mum and say: "Thanks, mum, for a wonderful party!"

I've also used it while telling an old Chinese story, 'The Blue Rose'. You can find a precise of the story at: http://www.talesandmusic.de/index.htm

Just use a plain white napkin.

Bill

JamesinLA,
I know it's been a while but here is a link to youtube of Slydini performing Paper balls over the head.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW6oQZc_c80&feature=related

I think you should be able to figure it out ;-P

Jason

Now and then I find my self in the position usual when I am just doing magic for fun for people I ve just meet or like at a mates work do or party. You end up doing a bit of magic and people just want to talk or learn something and the 3 things I use are.

1, Origami (flowers for girls, dinosaurs for boys/ also look at stuff you can make from money)

2, Möbius strip from till rolls ( I do carry till roll on occasion it a great group activity)

3, Puzzles ( on paper verbal with body parts)

The other night I was in a bar with a friend and I showed him and his friend a finger ring and rope trick I am working on they was impressed. Then I guy from a table come other and asked if I could do a trick for him and his group so I did a couple of affects. As I chatted it turned out one of the girls in the group just got a promotion and her colleges were very happy for her, so origami being my new hobby at the moment I pulled out some paper and made a flower for her. Six flowers later and a crane I left with a round of drinks for me and my friends and a possible gig in a couple of weeks.

There's an oldie where a cigar band is placed on your index finger and as you tap your wrist it jumps to your middle finger. The band jumps back and forth.
This can be done with a small, damp piece(s) of paper placed on the fingernail(s).
Anyone recall the trick's name?

I second Tom Mullica's Hell Tear. A great impromptu effect done solely with a piece of paper! I use 8 1/2 by 11 copy machine paper in my office.

I love impromptu paper magic. Here are just a few I like:

Passports to Heaven, Gardner's Encyclopedia of Impromptu Magic.
Various Moebius strip stuff.
Cut and Run, Zenon's 100 Ways to Win a Ten Spot.
The Money Pit, ibid.
Jacob's Ladder (newspaper).
Origami.

If you have a coin or a pencil, the sky's the limit.

Hi airship
what are money pit and jacobs ladder?
Kathy

How about Richard Osterlind's torn and restored paper using a sticky note pad.
TrickyRicky