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DIY, Makers & Builders in Magic & Conjuring

Naturally magicians are good with their hands. This often means they are very good with building and making things. There is a long tradition of magicians building their own props and gimmicks.

In this topic we list products where you will need to roll up your sleeves, prepare your tools, and make something.

related topics: Illusions, Escape & Stage

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Abhinav Bothra
SharPen by Abhinav Bothra

Phase I - Bite off the pen nib and spit it back on. Immediately, open the refill compartment, let the spectator touch the nib.

Phase II - Make the refill rise out of the pen.

Bonus - A Russian Roulette with pens, where spectators select the pens to be smashed. The whole effect is totally under the performer's control.

The video will explain you how to gimmick a pen. No special pen is needed.

1st edition 2013, 12 minutes

★★★★★ $0
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MP4 (video)

Ulysses Frederick Grant
A Table Lamp Floats by Ulysses Frederick Grant

This is included in Grant's Lost Illusion Secrets.

At last, anyone can own a floating lamp. You can have one right in your living room or den with no special lamp to buy. Yes, one of the lamps sitting around your home now can be made into a floating lamp for a few dollars.

EFFECT: Spectators see an ordinary lamp sitting on a table. You produce a covering cloth and place it over the lamp. The lamp then seems to float right up into space, high over their heads or down near the floor in a very strange manner. After its flight, it glides back to the table and once again comes to rest. This is actually what they see,...

★★★★ $2
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PDF

Dr. John D. Bain
Multiplying Golf Balls by Dr. John D. Bain

You will not only learn the classic multiplying ball effect but also how to make the necessary props yourself, and in particular how to make the most important half-shell yourself.

The perfection of the effect does require skill, but the ardent practitioner will achieve success without great difficulty.

Excerpt from the Introduction:

My favorite magic trick involving the use of balls has always been the Multiplying Ball Trick. Here is a tutorial book that will show you how to secure the materials that are needed to make props for the trick and then how to perform the effect. I have...

$2.99
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PDF

Francis B. Martineau
Victory Bouquet by Francis B. Martineau

This is a manual of how to make your own flower bouquets. Sure you can buy a beautiful bouquet, but if you want to save some money and do a little home project, this is the right ebook for you. By doing it yourself your bouquet won't look like the standard one every magician seems to use.

1st edition, 1944, New York; 17 pages.

  1. Introduction
  2. Requirements
  3. Blossoms
  4. Outside leaves or petals (calyx)
  5. Springs
  6. Spring reinforcements
  7. Stems
  8. Stem leaves
  9. Stem wrappings
  10. Folding the blossom
  11. Preparing the stem
  12. Cutting and shaping the spring
  13. Mounting the spring on stem
  14. Fitting the blossom on...
★★★★★ $3
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George Marchese
Super Memory List: print and perform 1 by George Marchese

("Print and Perform" is a new magic series that will enable you to easily build yourself beautiful tricks just printing them.)

EFFECT:

You, the memory-man, demonstrate to really have a super memory. You show to the audience a sheet of paper containing a list of 50 six-digit numbers. You declare that you have committed to memory the full list. The six digit numbers are identified by ciphers from 1 to 50. The identifying ciphers are scrambled to make it more difficult memorizing the associated six digit number. Three or more spectators, in turn, choose and announce one identifying figure...

★★★★★ $4
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PDF

Ralf (Fairmagic) Rudolph
Impossible Foldings Volume 2 (Part 1) by Ralf (Fairmagic) Rudolph

This time Ralf teaches you how to make impossible looking cards. With a few simple cuts and folds you can make beautiful objects which you can hand out as presents or keep for yourself. Once you know the basic method you can start to create your own variations and combine different cuts and folds into new creative designs. Also remember that while Ralf uses playing cards you can do the same designs with many other paper products, be they business cards, bank notes, designer paper, craft paper, etc.

The four impossible cards taught are:

  • Basic Fold: Here you will learn one of the basic folds...
★★★★★ $4
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MP4 (video)

Ralf (Fairmagic) Rudolph
Impossible Foldings Volume 2 (Part 2) by Ralf (Fairmagic) Rudolph

Six more impossible cards taught are:

  • Circled: A particularly beautiful and super easy fold.
  • P'linked
  • Holed
  • Hyper Variation
  • Ezy Fold
  • Interlocked
(Templates are included in a PDF you download from your digital shelf.)

1st edition 2014, length 25 min

★★★★ $4
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MP4 (video)

George Armstrong
Tricks of the Trade by George Armstrong

If you are familiar with Magician's DIY Tips and Tricks then Tricks of the Trade is written with a very similar idea in mind just 60 years prior. It describes a multitude of DIY tips and gimmicks and improvements for the magician.

It describes things like:

  • How to turn a sock into a billiard ball holder.
  • The two ingredients to make fake beer.
  • How to clean cards.
  • How to make a candle shell.
  • How to make coin holders from pins and safety pins.
  • How to make colored flash paper.
  • etc.
It closes with a section on stage make-up.

1st edition 1949, PDF 22 pages.

★★★★ $4
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PDF

Dustin Marks
103 Tips and Resources for Magicians by Dustin Marks

This ebook will save you time and money. It is a quick read and has tips you have not seen. Good resources for professionals and lots of information for beginners. Learn how to use Siri or Alexa for practice. Use Notion to keep a database of your tricks. Learn magic principles, magic utilities, memory tips, links to everyday props on Amazon and more. It's a great reference book to all things magic.

  • Tip #2 Learn the secret to never forget a good idea you have.
  • Tip #7 Learn which database to keep track of your routines and effects.
  • Tips 8, 9 and 10. Learn tricks on how to remember your...
★★★★ $4.95
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Koo Hu
Artifact by Koo Hu

A unique suspension of 1 and 1/2 cards that can be installed anywhere and serves as a great conversation starter. There is absolutely nothing attached to it left, right, up, or down, all around. Make it look regal by placing a glass bowl on top completely isolating it and letting the conversations begin.

1st edition 2024, video 5:13.

★★★★★ $4.95
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MP4 (video)

Devin Knight
Gyrater: Floating and Spinning Deck by Devin Knight

The performer has a card selected, no force, and returned to the deck. The deck is shuffled and 7 or 8 cards are dealt face down into an arc shape. The performer introduces his card case and says this is his pet, CASEY. Casey is well trained and can find selected cards. That is because he is a pointer. (Pun Intended.) The performer holds the card case above his hand and says, "Casey stay." The card case remains suspended in the air. The performer says, "Chase your tail." The deck revolves 360 degrees in the air. Performer says, "Play dead," the card case drops into his hand.

The performer...

★★★ $5
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PDF

Peter Prevos
Say Cheese by Peter Prevos

Effect: The magician shows a piece of cardboard that resembles a cheese wedge: "This is not a piece of cheese, it is the cardboard cut-out of a piece of cheese". "It is a piece of Dutch cheese. You can recognise this as the holes run horizontally". The magician shows the card on both sides. "What is the difference between Dutch and Swiss cheese?", she asks the audience. She places the card in her fist, indicates the moment of magic, and reveals the card again. "Dutch cheese has horizontal holes, and Swiss cheese has vertical holes". The magician displays the card on both sides to show that...

★★★★★ $5
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PDF

Sandeep
Loo'Pen' by Sandeep

Loo'Pen' is an elastic loop holder that is disguised as a normal pen. Loo'Pen' allows you to carry the loop with you all the time without worrying of breaking it. With Loo'Pen' you are ready to have your Loop at moments notice. So make yourself a Loo'Pen'.

1st edition 2018, length 10 min.

$5
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MP4 (video)

Ken Allen
Do-It-Yourself Book by Ken Allen

Dealer-quality magic effects, props, hacks, and upgrades you can make at home.

This ebook was clearly ahead of its time, as the effects are classic and timeless. There's something in it for every magician. One effect, "A Stunning Transposition", if sold by itself at a dealer, would sell for twice what the entire book sells for. Even if you're all thumbs, the author's clear descriptions and illustrations make it easy to craft amazing effects, props, and utility items that you'll be proud to use and amaze with. Contains a nice variety of effects, tips, and practical suggestions for close-up,...

★★★★ $5
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PDF

Ralf (Fairmagic) Rudolph
Impossible Foldings Volume 1 by Ralf (Fairmagic) Rudolph

Ralf Rudolph explains three impossible looking objects which you can make from paper or paper money. Remember that there is no gluing and there are no hidden cuts. You take pieces of paper, fold, cut, braid and interlock them to achieve these beautiful objects. Surprisingly they are very simple to make once you know how.

The three impossible objects taught are:

  • Braided Bills: Two bills are cut, folded and woven together.
  • Inside-Out Banknote: An individual bill is cut an folded in a way that looks completely impossible.
  • Braided Pyramid: You fold one bill into a pyramid shape and then...
★★★★★ $6
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MP4 (video)

Ralf (Fairmagic) Rudolph
Impossible Foldings Volume 3 by Ralf (Fairmagic) Rudolph

Fold more impossible objects from a regular banknote. No glue. No hidden cuts. A perfect gift or souvenir for your audience.

  • Pleated Bill
  • Pleated Bill Variation
  • Shrinking Banknote
  • Diamond Pyramid
  • Multi Folded Bill
(Templates are included in a PDF you download from your digital shelf.)

length 27 min

★★★★★ $6
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MP4 (video)

Ralf (Fairmagic) Rudolph
Impossible Foldings Volume 4 by Ralf (Fairmagic) Rudolph

This fourth volume of Ralf's impossible objects series is a little bit of a departure in his methods. He is still not using any glue. However, all these objects have hidden cuts to make the illusions possible. The "Interlocking Banknotes" can be handed out for examination. The other two need to be kept behind glass.

  • Impossible 8
  • Interlocking Banknotes
  • Impossible Ring on Cardboard
(Templates are included in a PDF you download from your digital shelf.)

length 21 min

★★★★★ $6
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MP4 (video)

Ralf (Fairmagic) Rudolph
Impossible Foldings Volume 5 by Ralf (Fairmagic) Rudolph

Two Secret Moves

In this video you will learn two "secret" folding techniques to make your impossible folding collection more impossible! No hidden cuts or glue are involved. You can give the cards (or banknotes) right away as an impossible souvenir.

  • The Trapdoor Fold
  • The Circled Queen
  • Trapdoor Fold with a Star
  • Backwards Fold
(Templates are included in a PDF you download from your digital shelf.)

1st edition 2015, length 27 min

★★★★★ $6
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MP4 (video)

Ralf (Fairmagic) Rudolph
Linking Card Collection by Ralf (Fairmagic) Rudolph

New impossible linking card designs

Here you learn a few simple ways to make some new impossible folded playing cards. You also can do this with your own business cards or banknotes. You even could link your business card with a banknote or playing card. A perfect souvenir! You don't need glue or anything like that. Put it in a frame or carry some with you and hand them out.

1st edition 2017, 23 min

★★★ $6
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MP4 (video)

Tom Palmer
Rolon: Tom Palmer's Great Table by Tom Palmer

Build yourself this clever roll-on table that converts from a rolling suitcase to a roll-on magic table in less than 60 seconds.

A roll-on table adds to the attractiveness of your tricks and adds considerably to the efficiency and professional appearance of your act. So easy to build that the author claims you can have excellent results, even if this is your first magic building project. Detailed measurements and a complete listing of all materials is included. Everything has been figured out for you. These illustrated building plans take you step by step through the process, until your beautiful...

★★★★ $6
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PDF

Larry Brodahl
Slowing Down the Nielsen Magic Chinese Sticks by Larry Brodahl

Anyone who owns the Nielsen Magic Chinese Sticks knows that you need to keep a level and steady hand during performance. Until now. A DIY braking system that stops issues if the sticks are tilted too far downward.

No moving parts, no batteries, and nothing to wear out.

1st edition 2023, PDF 16 pages.

$6
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PDF

Eugene E. Gloye
Fantastic Tricks with Plastic Cups by Eugene E. Gloye

Many magicians get their greatest pleasure out of making their own tricks - and there is no form of construction easier or less costly than working with plastic cups. For the man who likes to make his own - no workshop is needed for these easy to construct effects. Over thirty tricks you can make for pennies each. Good magic, low cost. Illustrated.

  • The fake bottom cup
  • Variations of the fake bottom cup
  • The cup with a secret compartment
  • The foo cup

1st edition 1976, 52 pages; digital edition 2012, 42 pages.

★★★★ $6.95
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PDF

Arthur Good
Magical Experiments by Arthur Good

The best way of learning new things is doing them. Magical Experiments or Science in Play is a fascinating collection of kitchen table top experiments with every day household goods. Many of which have a 'magical' twist to them, in the sense that it is for the unfamiliar observer not quite clear how these tricks are performed, or what the physical mechanisms behind them are. More than 150 experiments are described with gorgeous lithographs. This book was originally written in French and later translated to English. This in itself is a proof of quality, otherwise the translation would not have...

★★★★★ $7
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PDF & EPUB

Ulysses Frederick Grant
Window Stoppers by Ulysses Frederick Grant

This ebook describes store window displays which are magical in one way or another causing pedestrians to stop and look into the window. Once a person stops and looks at the display the chances for them to actually enter the store have dramatically increased.

Several of these contraptions use magic principles. One can think of them as magic apparatus displayed in action. Although these displays could be employed by pretty much any store, I would think that they would be most appropriate in the window of a real magic store. I have never seen any magic store use anything like this. An innovative...

★★★★ $7
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PDF

Displaying 1 to 24 (of 72 products)
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