No rules, other than mutual respect and common sense, apply here. We encourage sharing secrets to enhance and promote growth. We aim to foster an exchange of ideas on advancing the art. You can always send us confidential requests directly if you wish.
Exercising for ideas
Keep coming up with ideas—lots of ideas! The trick is to keep thinking, sort through them, toss the bad ones, and keep the good. It’s not about having perfect ideas right away; it’s about staying in the habit of thinking creatively.
Eminem always carries a notebook. He writes constantly—not just to come up with rhymes for a song, but to keep his mind sharp and in the flow of creating. When he needs inspiration, it’s already there.
The same goes for creativity in magic. Keep your mind active by exposing yourself to new experiences. Try things outside your usual routine—attend a monster truck rally, bike to work, or even ride down a volcano. Love scary movies? Go to a concert or a symphony instead. Visit places you wouldn’t normally go, like a different grocery store or a trade show on a random topic.
Need materials for magic props? Discount stores are great for experimenting on a budget. Thrift stores and pawn shops can be treasure troves, full of old and unusual items you won’t find anywhere else. You might stumble upon the perfect solution for a trick without even looking for it.
For example, Craig Beytien’s Tesseract Transposition required a cube with a hole in the middle. While browsing a thrift shop, someone found a Void Cube—a Rubik’s Cube-like puzzle with a hole through it. Even though Craig had studied the effect in-depth, a simple thrift store visit led to a practical, ready-made solution.
Exploring different stores can open up new ideas. Hardware stores, hobby shops, plumbing supply stores, pet stores, and fabric stores all carry unique materials that can be useful for magic. Even niche shops can be valuable.
One surprising example: The best rope for magic tricks was found in a Kinbaku (Japanese rope bondage) store. It was super soft, durable, and perfect for magic routines—something you wouldn’t normally think to check!
For inspiration, check out PotterAuctions.com. They have PDF catalogs filled with magician props from past auctions, some dating back to 2008. Many descriptions include the name of the trick and its effect—sometimes even hints at the method. If you find something interesting, research it further or ask a knowledgeable magician.
Avoid public forums like The Magic Café unless they are private. Instead, try private Facebook groups like Magic Collectors, where people share and discuss rare props similar to those in Potter Auctions.
The more you learn and explore, the more creative solutions you’ll find!