I don't know if anybody has written this up before, but I was in an arts & crafts store and it occurred to me that an artist's box designed to hold oil paints and brushes would make a nice close-up case. It's perfectly float which means that it would make a nice base for a close up mat, and it has compartments inside. It's too narrow to hold cups, but with a little glue and some felt, it would make a great case for about $20.

I agree. Last time I was in an art store, I looked at the art cases and thought the same thing. They had lots of styles and sizes and would work great for a small close-up show.

Check the Makeup cases at Target or Walmart! These are the alum. cases that look like the ones on CSI and they vary in size and quality! I got a very nice one a couple years ago for around 35!

MMc

I use a old PSP case. Cheap many little compartments. looks like a mini professional briefcase.

Find a Harbor Freight Tools near you. They sell nice aluminum tool cases with a padded interior, dividers, and even comes a customizable block of foam for inside. Cheap too!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/di......er=39196

Small: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/di......er=36870

Larger props: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/di......er=36871

If you don't have a Harbor Freight near you try Home Depot. They have one as well and it is about $30.

TC

Wow thanks, I'm goona have to make a trip to home depot

I love these kind of cases...they are perfect for close up props

I have one of the aluminum cases from HomeDepot and I just recently used it as my carry-on on a flight. No problems from airport security. They actually started laughing when I had to open it and they saw my inflatable bikini duck! Hey, come on guy's it's used for a kids show!

For something you'd be willing to take to a table as opposed to just carring to the gig check out a good smoke shop. Cigars come in some very nice wood boxes.

Also there is this wine gift box:

http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemTy......mID=4560

There is another case that home depot and lowe's sometimes carry it is in the hardware department and it is silver with foam compartments that are removeable. Not a case that is terribly small, but holds more if you are doing a larger set.

I use one of these...I was surprised to see it for only $26. The built in compartments are nice and a flap at the top (meant for tools) holds pens, balls for my C&B routine, and wands...and the insert comes out so that I can store a few larger items like my Jap Box and spare rope in the lid. I believe Michael Ammar was using the same thing when I saw him lecture recently, so if it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me.
Oh, and the best part...it has locks. When I get around kids, they get very excited to see magic props, so when I walk away it's nice to know my stuff isn't going to, ahem, disappear....

I use a poker set case where the top half was padded. I tore out the chips holder section and glued in table hopper close up pad. perfect size for the case. have used it for almost 2 years now.. its perfect!

Office Depot has a nice little case that you can carry C&Bs, Chop Cup, etc. in the file case section. It only costs $20 and is black and aluminum on all the edges. It also has a handle on the top center. Nice looking little case in my opinion.

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=32

I use a pencil box for my thread and waxes. Plus one for a bunch of miscelanious small things that I use on a regular basis so its easy to get my material for the day. For the church trip I am going to today I just grabed that and loaded it into my suitcase after removing a few things I didn't need and I was done.

I just pared down my big leather satchel to a sony cam corder case and am thrilled with it.. a camcorder case might be a bit more masculine than a purse or anythng like that .. it has a movable wall in side.. and three outside pockets with one more that holds my wallet.
I am surprisingly pleased with this solution.. it has caused me to carry less


MARTY

Dr. Jaks had a nice method by I forget what it was. Was it a hollowed out book? And very interesting tasteful small props. I feel like I might have early dementia sometimes. I just remember reading about and admiring Dr. Jaks.

I use an old cigar box for the cork balls I use for my cups.

I use the silver case form Lowe's and love it.
I loved it even more after I went to lecture by Michael Ammar and
saw he has the same case!