I went to Home Depot searching for a ring to use for my Ring & Rope routine. I really liked the look of the towel rings in the bathroom fixtures area, until I found they were not solid. The search continued. I needed something that would read well on stage, and look appropriate for my particular routine.

Later that day, I was at Anne's fabrics getting materials for my new table, when I found the perfect thing--handbag handles! They are sold in various sizes, shapes and materials. I got a pair of 6-inch, thick wooden rings that are perfect for what I need.

Where have you found the "perfect thing" unexpectedly?

Check the Howiedidits section in the Secret Sessions forum in the Banquet Rooms - there is some absolutely incredible information in that thread on all sorts of goodies one can find, make and use that are available from strange places called "fabric stores" and "hobby centers" and "dollar stores." all of these places are extremely arcane and bizarre places, yet have some of the most useful items I have ever seen - specialty ropes, odd kinds of material for clothing, miniature furniture - all sorts of interesting goodies and the section on adhesives is priceless in the Howiedidits thread, too!

Hope this helps!

Lee Darrow, C.H.

Totally agree with Lee.
Howiedidits is fun, fun, fun.

The Dollar stores are great places to find all kinds of things you can use for effects. They have cards and dice also. You can find a lot of items at a flea
market. You can find things for $.25 that can be made into good effects.

If you are ever in Milwaukee check out Goldmans Department Store. other cities may have a similar place. it is an old independently owned department store that carries on he most unusual items. I was recently able to pick up men's 10 XL boxer shorts and tiny thong undies for a trick just a few steps from eachother. Kinda makes you miss having Woolworths around. (Though I thought I saw a Woolworth's in Miami on Lincoln Road- anyone know of other Woolworth's still open in the US?). I know in Toronto they have Honest Ed's - love going there as they often have cool weird stuff.

Flea markets are ggreta places to find magic props and ideas.

Nothing beats Archie McPhees as a repository for undiscovered props

I drive my wife crazy with this all the time Most People walk thru a store and see what the store has to offer.... Us Magicians walk thru a store and say that's cool what kind of prop can I make out of that... The strangest expierience I had was at my mother-in-laws house... I walked in and there was this nice old looking chest that I thought would make a real nice snake basket... As I was about to open it to see what kind of room it had inside My wife yelled "Don't open that it is my Grandmothers Ashes" Woops .....

Go to antique shops! I found a 5 inch jumbo coin, many small glass bottles that are perfect for topit work or coin in bottle, other old coins, old genii magazines from the 40s, and cards galore!!! Heck, suits, top hats, canes, cups, shot glasses, opaque metal shot glasses which are perfect for mini cup and ball routines. Silks, hankerchiefs... so many things to see and find!

Cracker Barrel Restaurants have gift shops that sell interesting novelties, including very realistic ceramic eggs that work well in egg bags.

Alan Wheeler

I found a great prop to use to vanish a coin! My shoe! Ha!

The bottom-front is coming apart from the sole just enough that I can scoot a coin into it, in the guise of picking it up from "accidently" dropping it!

I just toss nothing from hand to hand, as if I had the coin...then...well..you know!

My shoe! Who'd a thunk?

Doug

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! OMG that is the funniest thing ever!

I like Dollar Tree.
Peace,
Parson