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ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
Over the years I have amassed a lot of silks. Some are very nice, such as Rice, P&A, etc., and some just average. I used to seal them in plastic bags, but I read a long time ago that this was bad for them, so I started storing them in kraft paper envelopes, to allow them to "B R E A T H E".
How do you store and protect your silks? Do varmints eat silks? Thanks for your help. Amos McCormick
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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Vincent Loyal user New York Metro Area 270 Posts |
I was storing them in plastic as well. All of the Rice silks are in the original envelopes. My other silks are loosely folded in cardboard boxes. But some are in zip lock bags. Guess I'll have to change that.
Thanks, Vincent |
Magicrma Regular user Arizona 101 Posts |
All my stored silks are hanging in my closet. Some are on nonmetal hangers that prevent wrinkles and creases. Others are in cotton bags. All are covered with a cloth garment bag. I have had bugs eat the envelopes but so far not the silks.
I live in the southwest so they stay dry. MagicRMA
"The art of Illusion is at least 95% applied psychology" Henning Nelms (Magic & Showmanship)
<BR> <BR>MagicRMA <BR>Majicrma@msn.com |
mghia Veteran user Kymystical 387 Posts |
There are two things that destroy any item. Air and light. I guess the third would be bugs if it is organic.
The classic method of storing silks is to roll them on a dowel. Hanging them is a nice idea but takes up space some might not have. Take a dowel (plastic or lucite if you are worried about anything) and roll the first silk tightly on the dowel and before you get to the end overlap the next silk and continue. Store in tube after you have rolled the silks and then then keep in a cool dry place. You can still find silks from ancient china so they can last a long time if they are not over exposed. |
Don Wilson New user 46 Posts |
In addition to using a dowel, try a paper towel tube, or other cardboard tube. You can roll several on each tube, overlapping each one by a couple of inches, then cover them all with another old silk or towel, and make a label of the contents in each tube. Don
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
One idea I have used, similiar to the tube idea is to unroll a standard window shade and lay a few silks down. Roll up the shade and silks then lay a few more down. Roll again. This keeps them pressed as well as preserved. I use one shade for each size of silk and label the shade with it's contents.
Where the magic begins
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Cabrera Special user Seattle 513 Posts |
I've been storing mine in a Rubbemaid type plasic container for use. They're still as good as new. As a matter of fact, new silks are packaged in plastic bags.
"The quilt of life is woven with many different threads"
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DanielGreenWolf Veteran user Waterbury, CT 363 Posts |
Good eve amosmc,
I have found hanging my silks on a clothesline helps keep them fresh. When transporting, I roll them on a hard-cardboard tube, especially the streamers. Also, consider ironing your silks. I may get hammered from people for this, but, after being taught by David Oliver for so long, I learned one rule: "People may not notice that you've ironed your silks, but they'll certainly notice when you haven't." It's a choice I live by and I iron my silks before EVERY show... and I do many shows. If you travel, bring a portable iron, especially silks you'll be showing to the audience by holding them out. It makes a difference. |
Paul Chosse V.I.P. 1955 - 2010 2389 Posts |
Buy some art store craft paper. Stack your silks one on top of another with a piece of paper in between each one. When you have a stack of ten stop. Roll them into a tube and hold the tube closed with rubber bands. This works great, protects the silks and keeps them flat and creaseless.
Best, PSC
"You can't steal a gift..." Dizzy Gillespie
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kingsnqueens New user Oklahoma 77 Posts |
Instead of craft paper, I'd recommend using archival tissue paper. In most paper there is a fairly high acid content. It can weaken the natural silk fabric.
Like my friend Dave, I like using roller shade, but I sandwich my silks between the tissue paper. I have a different shade for each silk size (12",18", 24", 36" etc.) I then put the shade in a postal tube with a dessicant pack (absorbs moisture). When I pack for a show I assemble the silks I'll use, and then return them to there shade when I get home. Silks are so expensive that it pays to use the best you can, and take good care of them. Hope this gives you some ideas. Oh yeah, I buy my archival tissue on eBay, but it's easy to find on the internet. |
El_Lamo Special user Canada 589 Posts |
I followed some advice here. I have a thin cardboard tube that I wrap the silks around. Then I put it inside a pater towel tube. Then I put the tube in a big freezer storage ziplock bag and push the air out before sealing. It seems to work great. Thanks for the advice.
P.S. I drop my scrunched rope from my standup rope into the inner tube. The silk is with the others. Thanks again - El Lamo
Life is a system of circumstance presented coincidently in an illusory way.
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I also use a rubbermade storage unit that has a solid cover on it to prevent direct sunlight form getting on them. If you iron the silks and fold them gently before storage, they should last a long time, stay wrinkle free and retain their color.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
dragonwizard New user West Virginia 2 Posts |
But how would you store them so that they would be ready to use, such as in table and strolling magic?
can i show you something that trancends the mind? -DB
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MichaelSibbernsen Special user Omaha, NE 513 Posts |
Dragon,
A method and apparatus I created some time ago is called the "Silk Hanger". You make one by carefully "unwinding" the neck of a wire hanger, bend the arm out straight, and thread on regular clothespins through their spring hole. About 25 will fit. Bend the arm of the hanger back to its original position, and rewind the neck. Clip your show silks by the very corner, and hang in a closet. Hope you find this useful. Best, Michael |
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