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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
I'm making my own silk fountain because I want custom colors. I'm going to use thirteen 18 inch silks. My question is are thin silks okay or should they be thicker silks? Thanks.
Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Hello again Jim, Well the thickness of the silk all depends on your method of obtaining the bundle. If you are doing Levent's idea, then thin is more desirable than say heavy silks like P&A Silks.
If you want a really nice fountain, consider 26 colors, doubling each color on top of one another. I saw a Canadian magician do his that way once and it does add a lot to the opening of the silks as flowers. I think method determines much in this effect. Method is the most difficult part of this effect. It all depends on your table, chair, costume, and movement on stage. Only you know what you have and how you like to work. Maybe it is time to change your avatar, as I look at it and think, how will a street con man work into is act a Silk Fountain and Billiard Ball routine. Just sayin. |
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Thanks for the info, Bill.
But actually, I was trying to see whether or not thin silks would "perform" "flow" "blossom" as well as thicker silks for the fountain effect itself. I didn't mean to get into the logistics of the steal, etc. I know how I'm going to do that. Jim (BTW, re: my avitar, I may change it when I get some time, but the street table pictured is the one I use when performing at the magic castle and the routine I'm doing there is Dai Vernon's three card monte, but I guess I'm in good company regarding the con man impression, like Whit Hadyn.)
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Jim, as long as you keep your silks ironed and without creases you should not have any problem with the blooming of the silks. That is kind of what the shaking and twisting is for when presenting. I would not use 3mm silks for this effect, myself, as most of the time they very transparent and flimsly with pale colors.
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
That's what I was afraid of, Bill. I thought maybe the very thin silks wouldn't work well for the effect although they would save me some money. Thanks. You're always very helpful.
Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
What we sell the manufacturers (Prop builders for the pros) is 5 momme.
Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Thank you, Bob. Do you think the effect would be compromised by thinner silks?
BTW, I need more of your wonderful ball droppers. I am using them with 2 inch fakini balls and am delighted how well they work! (Bill actually explained how to use them with silicone balls.) Do you have black ones available? Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
I use 8 momme in three full spectra, each series getting progressively smaller toward the center, with a 12' silk streamer at the very center. If you use smaller silks toward the center you will actually see more color for less silk as the smaller silks won't completely cover the colors of the earlier larger silks. I could get more silks in if they were thinner but the 8 momme holds up better and is more brilliant.
I lay the whole thing out flat and fold it into quarters loosely between shows. The corners of the silks are staggered to show more color. This works fine for me. - Mary Mowder |
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JNeal Inner circle I used to have 999 posts, now I have 1616 Posts |
It's personal preference, but when I used to have the effect in the act, I used mostly 6-8 wt silks. They lasted longer and had a greater depth of color. (saturation?)
regards- JNeal
visit me @ JNealShow.com
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hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
JNeal makes a good point on the saturation of color.
I make 8 momme as my standard fountain. They do last longer and have more spring in the silk. In fact, if I pack it tight, I let it rest folded for a couple of days to slow it down. You can slow it down by packing it loose. Dale Salwak has me make his in 6 momme. He uses over 60 silks all in custom colors. I only use 14 silks. You can see mine on the video (downloadable on line) I never iron my fountain for a couple of reasons. First, it is not needed to be iron. The little creases and such add to the texture of the foutain which in this case looks good. I am not talking about huge creases here but little creases. Second, iroing the silks will wear the silks out sooner and add static to the fountain. That static can mess up the opening. This is especially true this time of year when the air is dryer in the homes. I have the corners alternated so they show when open. I store it loosely in a plastic bag unfolded in the case between shows. The color arrangement is most important. I like a natural progression of colors through the rainbow. I hate it when the color hop scotch all over the place. If you are working a theme act and want to take the time, you can make subtle changes in the shades of colors to work the fountain. This is what I have done for Dale Salwak's fountain. Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Great info. Thanks, everyone. My act colors are purple, green, yellow and I used mostly those with additional orange, light blue, dark blue, and red in the center from which I want to produce a red candle.
Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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JNeal Inner circle I used to have 999 posts, now I have 1616 Posts |
Again, Richard has it right!
without question Dale Salewak's fountain is as good as it has ever looked and the color pattern is a large part of it. Also, Richard is right about not ironing! Regards- JNeal
visit me @ JNealShow.com
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Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
5 and/or 6 momme silks will flow fine. As Richard said, the speed greatly depends on how tightly you pack it.
Mister Mystery
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
A problem with 8 momme versus 5 momme for this trick and many other tricks is that it is 160% of the bulk of 5 momme silk! (The same space will only hold 63% as many silks.)
For prints, 8 momme will indeed offer better color saturation due to contrast. For solids, loss of color saturation is more likely a poor dye job. Frankly, there should be very little difference in costs. The difference is in weight and not quality. The bulkier silk will fall easier but not float as well as the more sheer silk. Both do a beautiful job of using the stage lights. Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
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Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Right on Bob! The silks I got from you made wonderful fountains!
Mister Mystery
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Okay, I made my fountain and it works. Looks really pretty. I thank everyone for helping on this thread, also thanks to JNeal who told me how to hem silks one day at Hollywood Magic, to Jeff McBride's DVD on the fountain, on Duane Laflin's DVD on the fountain and his release design with velcro and grow grain ribbon. The next one I make I think I will try out Mary's great idea about smaller silks toward the center so the previous colors show.
I am thinking of adding Levent's idea of weights in the corners of the last silk. Anyone done that? My load is spring flowers from which I am then producing a white candle. I am then going to split the candle into two for the finish. Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
You do not need weights on the last silk if you load it properly. I do not like Velcro in any form or place on silks. It can and does snag the silk. Try a bulldog clip.
Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
The clip is a great idea, Richard. Thank you.
Re: the weights on the last silk, I've tried it twice now and the last silk doesn't seem to fall all the way open, which is why I thought of trying the weights. You say, "If I load it properly;" are there any tips you could offer to ensure I do load it properly? Thank you. Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
First off. I use a 72' 8 momme silk at the end. That gives more bulk and spring to the silk. I pack it trap folded down to about 4" or less square. Then I trap fold the rest on top. All have a loose basting stitch through them.
You can control the speed by kind of clawing on the bottom side. You need to watch the big silk unfold to make sure it does not fall to one side but rather down over all sides. Hope that helps. Put a string on the bulldog clip so you don't drop it. Tie the other end to the fountain handle. Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
I sewed my fountain together on my machine. Maybe I should hand stitch it all together which I think it was you said you do.
I can see having a heavier/springier silk as the last one would do the trick. Re: bulldog clip, I will probably sew it to the ribbon instead of sew the velcro to it. Do you use plastic rings like Duane Laflin? Thanks. Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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