The other day while reading through one of my card magic books it mentioned using silver watercolors for daub instead of buying the manufactured stuff. So I got to thinking, does anyone have ideas for making cheap, assisting devices, such as IT, or magicians wax. Now I’m all for supporting my local magic store, buy some of this stuff is grossly overpriced. And being a college student with little money I’m always looking for a way to save a little money. thanks.

I have sent you E-mail

Wax: Candle Store... bees wax



IT: borrow some pantyhose from your mom, sister, wife, girlfriend or a bank robber. Thread by thread it comes apart and will work... it is the old way of doing it... with a thread or two. Try this a time or two and you will go back to buying IT I think.



quack

Go to any large fabric store. Ask for "wooly nylon" thread. If they look at you strange ask for "serger thread". A huge spool should cost you around $5.



This is what many magic shops sell as IT. You will have to harvest the individual strands, of course. It is fairly strong, and slightly elastic (enough so you can tell when it becomes taut, without breaking it).

I use black, but I've heard from others who use a lighter blue color.



Good luck!

I should have mentioned that every

"Jo-ann's" fabric store I've tried carries wooly nylon.



I have nothing to do with that company, nor is that intended as an "ad" for them.



As to wax... hardware store... plumbing dept. Get a wax ring for installing a toilet. They are a very "sticky" wax. (perfect for "card on ceiling", tho) If it's too sticky for your use with IT, melt it in a coffee can with a plain white candle.

Use the can as a double boiler. Depending on your preferences and the size of the candle, you may need to melt it down and add another candle.

Thank you for your help, all of you, esp magicman. The wooly nylon works well, I also found some "invisible thread" which works well for things where glare is less of a concern.

Glad I could help ya out.

you can get wax at the orthodontist. they use it for braces. they give tons of it away. just ask

Pressed honeycomb sheets of wax (used to make rolled candles) provides an excellent wax as well....Although, not as tacky as the toilet ring wax, it is excellent for the wax used to hold threadwork, or as a general purpose magicians wax...You can find this as well at many craft stores...

Another wax that works well is surfboard wax. In particular, Dr. Zoog's Sex Wax works quite well, and has a great name.

It comes in several temperature ranges for cold or warm water, and is nearly flesh colored. The temperature rating has to do with it's ability to remain tacky without getting so soft that it melts off the board, or so hard in cold water that it's rock solid and has no stickiness.

I bought a block of each type and blended it until I had just what I wanted.

The only down side I see is the aroma of coconuts and sun-tan lotion that comes with it.