This is an excellent effect wherever you can use fire and uses something you probably have in your kitchen.

" A tiny effigy BURNS to a crisp, RISES to the ceiling, and DESCENDS. You SUCK IT UP and instantly REVEAL A SECRET." says the Penguin blurb and it is true and pretty much bombproof.

See the Penguin site for the video demo. Personally I prefer to use ashes-on-arm as an ending rather than using the straw to suck up the ashes, but to each his own.

Worthwhile just for the the easy and cheap method. I like this one!

Got this one about a week ago, good effect and worth the cash.

I also have this and agree it is a very good effect and worth the cash. However, I really had a problem with sucking up a pile of ashes. So, I thought about it and came up with a really cool solution. If anyone is interested, just pm me.
KJ

Lots of room for presentational ideas with this one.

I have received many inquiries about the solution to the ash problem. I have been using a different solution, and since it doesn't reveal anything about the method, I thought I would just share it here:

I have a fish tank at home, and it has a nylon "sponge" that is very porous. It is used as part of the air filter system to block large particles of dirt from the system. I cut a very small piece and stick in the end of an opaque straw. It acts as a "filter" for the straw and doesn't interfere with sucking the ashes AT ALL. I like the Burger King straws. I hold the straw close to my lips, concealing the "filter" or ashes, should they be at all visible. I then turn the straw over so the "filter" is on the bottom and drop the straw into my shirt pocket. To clean up, I simply blow the ashes into the trash.

Also, another Magic Café member shared a routine involving someone thinking of their favorite birthday gift as a child. I found it to be a nice alternative to the more morbid routine provided. I do both, and I have been thinking about what other routines might work well. If anyone has any ideas, please share.

I think this effect is simply brilliant, and I can't imagine how Rick came up with it. It must have taken months to figure out just what to use to make this work, but it works perfectly EVERY time!

KJ

1KJ I love your idea! I was a little worried about sucking up the ashes mainly because of health concerns. I mean if smoking causes all the problems it does surely sucking up ash couldn't be 100% good for your health if you continue to do it. I don't think you are losing much by using an opaque straw so I may give your idea a try. Thanks!

Ditto, I love the reactions I am getting.

What a great solution! Thanks for sharing this with all of us. You might even keep the small piece of sponge in your mouth and push it into the end of the straw with your tongue right before sucking the ashes, if needed. It looks like I'll be heading to my local pet store soon!

I love the method behind this but the routine doesn't really suite my style. I am having a creative block for some reason, so I am curious... what are some other stories/routines you guys have come up with using this paper? I really want to use it in something, but having a hard time thinking of something that vibes with me. Maybe hearing some different handlings will get the wheels rolling. I was pretty surprised to find out what the paper was. He wasn't kidding, I have a whole bunch of it in my house already! ;-)

Plan to use this for the reveal of the spec's selection with 'A Word in a Million' as suggested by another forum member in that thread. A dynamite combo imho....

Found this on eBay, and ordered it. Cheap solution if it works...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261354440156?_tr......IDX%3AIT

Love this effect. Saw the basics in a science experiments book long ago but would have never thought up this. Wish Rick would do more of these half science half magic effects.

This really is a fantastic, albeit simple, effect. It plays big, and it couldn't pack any smaller! I do love 1KJ's work around, so thank you for that! Rick clearly states that it is not suggested to suck up the ash if you are going to perform this effect regularly, but on occasion should be fine. I side with those that think it's better to be safe than sorry, and with 1KJ's solution, it's instantly a non-issue while maintaining the integrity of the effect.

As far as alternate storylines are concerned, you could go with a wedding theme or kids' wishes, etc. Often, weddings have Chinese sky lanterns that everyone lights and releases together. You can work a story into that idea. You can have a kid (or even an adult) make a wish, and the wish fairy (being the paper), or whatever you decide to call it, can tell you what the wish is. This could be more effective if you can link it to another effect, and the child can make a magical wish that the performer (with help from the wish fairy) could possibly grant. Play around with it. There is plenty to work with. Work on what you want the story to be first; then work the effect into it

Keep in mind, many sponges become less permeable to air when they are wet. 1KJ's recommendation, off hand, seems like the best approach if you want to keep it in your mouth and use it as a filter (those with aquariums at home know these sponges are essentially designed to remain permeable even when they are wet, very different from dish sponges).

Note that many materials can be used as filters (usually only when dry). This includes paper, paper napkins, cotton (fluffed usually), etc. I don't do this trick, so I don't know how stick the ashes are but if you take a straw out of the wrapper then roll up the wrapper (or part of the wrapper) small enough to fit in one end, it's actually a decent filter for many materials.

Best of luck all,
Lem

Another solution to the ash problem would be to use only the filter part from a normal cigarette and hold it between the mouth and the end of the straw.

Last year I tried to buy several different tea brands but could not get anything that would work. Has anyone had luck finding a particular brand that will work for the material needed? The ones I tried SEEMED like the same thing, but they wouldn't lift up.