I would invest in a close-up mat as well. Also keep several decks of cards in differing states of use... ie. new deck, a slightly used deck, and a well used deck. Practice with them alternately so you become used to the slight deviations in technique that you will find yourself doing to compensate for slipperiness, stickiness, etc.

A good performer should be able to manipulate even with borrowed decks in shabby condition or even Bridge sized cards...This reminds me of a time I went to my sister's home without cards and my niece wanted to see some card magic. She handed me a 10+ year old deck of sticky bridge sized cards from a drugstore that had been out of business more than a decade and a half. Needless to say I relied on some self workers to amuse her. Lesson learned. I always carry some cards now when I visit...

Cardamagically,
Dom

All great tips. Thanks. I am going to rummage through the garage to see what I can find before I go and spend money on equipment (mirrors, tables, chests, etc etc).

Shamsiel

This my friends, is the most valuable tip of all...

How true.

A Magic Man Cave? No, but that sounds like something I need to pursue!

As for the brain-picking, I think that's what the "New to Magic" is for! I can tell you I got a lot of valuable info here thanks to you asking the questions.

I haven't figured out what to do with my stuff yet either. I have cards and books, and a few gimmicks. I was thinking about buying a $6 computer pad at Overstock for my close-up pad but I like the foam from JoAnn idea too.

My take on the foam, since I suggested it...the major advantage is being able to cut it to what ever size you want. That can be accomplished with a yoga mat or similar too. I also took that foam, spray glued it to a backing board, covered it with a nice pinstriped suit material, edged it with molding and now have a great looking table top perfomance area. Suitable for most any situation.

Stephen

I don't disagree that you should work on a variety of surfaces however I think that having a close-up mat is a necessity. Sure we don't always have the luxury of using a close-up mat however they are classy and come in all shapes and sizes for a variety of performance situations. There are some distinct advantages to using a mat such as beautiful and consistent ribbon spreads and classic coin matrix routines that require a surface that gives. And you won't be fumbling to pick up a card from a slick table. I just retired my old pad and got a new pad. It is absolutely beautiful, plush and very large and cost me a whopping $12.75.

http://www.penguinmagic.com/product.php?ID=S5722

Now you've done it, Ken. You meant "Magic Cave", yes?

As for me, I have a spacious, secluded Magic Cave. I just have to share it with the livestock...

Jim

I have a nice office-sized space that the wee lady calls the "Man Cave".

But she's wrong - it's a "study".

It's a great place to practise and write, and as Ken/Funsway wrote, I can leave tricks out and practise them on and off throughout the week.

Of course, when we have a guest staying overnight, everything gets put away so the couch can turn into a sleeper. That's kinda magical.

I haven't bought any tricks, gimmicks, or anything yet. I'm a true noob. I only have a pack of cards, Hay's bible and Corinda's Steps. But I have a spare room with a huge mirror. Besides, the woman that lives in my house ( AKA "the wife") doesn't mind, she has known all along that I'm a little eccentric.

And when it comes to spending money in magic... she will have a FIT! Because if something can describe us is Frugality. So... I think I might have to get that locking cabinet before I get deeper into this art. Lord knows that my attempts at Juggling and dieting have her worried already.

Shamsiel