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Jim Poor Special user Fairfax, VA 676 Posts |
And how much do you spend monthly now?
I suppose it would help to hear if you are performing professionally or not too. Magic props, books, effects etc are all pretty pricey. My wife likes this hobby more than any other I have, but she doesn't like the price tags. I guess there is a bit of high cost to get started since you need a couple of good books and such. I wish I knew about a lot of the cheaper ways to do things that I have learned about in the secret sessions a long time ago. My biggest expenses have been books, a few gaffed coins, and a couple of wallets. The little things add up too though. I paid for a hummer card effect even though I alread knew how it was done, but wanted to "make sure." All told, since just before Christmas I have put out about 1500.00. Of course, I won't be going back to the magic shop much for the next ten weeks, so my last trip was a big one.... Any other stories out there? Jim |
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Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
I was 12 when I started and pretty much low on bucks. I found a used copy of The Amateur Magican's Handbook by Henry Hay at the local used book store...a very, VERY lucky find as many others here will tell you! But, I also went into the local library and literally read every magic book in both the adult and children's sections. This gave me a very broad knowledge right when it was most valuable and allowed me to decide that sleight-of-hand was where I wanted to put my time and study. By the time that I bought my first commercial trick, the Svengali Deck at Disneyland, I was doing the Classic Pass, etc. I ended up going through the Trick Deck phase simply because I thought what could be done with specific decks was worth the time and money. My favorites being the Invisible Deck and the Mental Photography deck.
I highly recommend the library route as you can be surprised at what you will find. Check all local used book stores and put your name in for any used magic books that might come in. I found my first copy of Greater Magic that way. Best,
Brad Burt
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Josh the Superfluous Inner circle The man of 1881 Posts |
I miss consuming the latest magic props. But I really don't need them anymore.
Read books on theory and slights. Tricks are a dime a dozen. But with thought and skill the simplest things can become magical. I've seen David Blane use a trick from an old childrens magic book. It was great because he made it his own, and presented it well. I liked Darell Fitzkee's book "The Trick Brain". His method starts off with you deciding what you want to do, and then how to narrow in on the best method to do it. Don't be fooled by the latest hype. Some of my favorite tricks come from the 1930's, 40's and ancient Egypt. And many tricks today are repackaged versions of those same effects. Also be sure to revist all of your books. I'm constantly picking up things that I missed or thought were too hard at the time.
What do you want in a site? "Honesty, integrity and decency." -Mike Doogan
"I hate it, I hate my ironic lovechild. I didn't even have anything to do with it" Josh #2 |
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tobal2 New user SC 2 Posts |
I don't perform professionally, but I do several different close-up items and some of the various card routines for our Cub Scout dens and my son's class and even with these small effects it really adds up (for me anyway!).
I've picked up some of the recommended books and DVD's for beginners (Bobo, etc.) and luckily I received a few things for Christmas... All total I've probably spent ~$300.00 in the past few months and of course the "want list" just gets longer... still NEED that Nutty Neckerchief Scout routine |
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stormchaser Regular user Calgary, AB 200 Posts |
I'm twelve and I jsut started magic, so I don't have much money(I get twenty-five dollars a month) so I spend about twenty bucks monthly on magic. Obviously I don't do magic professionally, except for a little street magic now and then.
For those who believe, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not, none will suffice.
A magician is an actor playing the part of a magician. Don't run when no-one's chasing you. |
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Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
When I started exploring magic I was spending between $150 and $200 a month.
There was no Internet and the magic shop also involved toll and gas money. I mostly bought the recommended books. Most were the classic and my best investment to date. Now, if I spent $200 in a year it's a lot. When I started magic I explored silks, comedy magic and kid stuff, mentalism, coin magic, bla, bla, bla. As for cards, I didn't want to do them and once commented that "Closeup Card Magic" by Harry Lorayne was the only book I needed. I still feel that this is true. The same goes for "Modern Coin Magic" because there's enough in both to provide good magic for a very long time. Do I have other books and references besides the ones above? Yea, quite a few. Like the props and tricks I have, some I use often and some just sit there and others I've gotten rid of. The classic books I own are always nearby. I recommnend that you study what you now have, find out what you prefer, avoid the hypes and start putting together some routines if you already haven't. Best to ya, |
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Jim Poor Special user Fairfax, VA 676 Posts |
I have pretty much resolved myself to learn all I can from the books I have before buying any more. The one exception (or two) would be to get Bobo's coin magic if I can't find my old copy from eons ago. I may get some of Lorayne's stuff. I knew him as a memory guy (and I use a lot of his memory stuff in life and as examples to my students) before I knew of him as a magician. No more gimmicks until I catch up on my coin and card sleights.
Jim |
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Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
You can't go wrong with Jaz's recco on Close-up Card Magic. This is still my favorite magic book of all time. Best,
Brad Burt
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Paolo Venturini Veteran user Lucca (I.) - New York City 385 Posts |
I started doing magic 33 years ago and my family was in really low budget; the members of the magic club I was in (8 adults + 4 kids) was good because they did teach me almost all, but they wasn't convinced about my intentions and the used to avoid to instructing me with the most important tricks; so, with the help of two magi from another city (Mr. Testucci and Mr. Adams, famous in Italy, at the time) I started build some routines for a stage show. I bought used tricks and books and went to all the auctions and paid most of my stuff with my saving of a summer job, and some money my father used to "steal" from the family month's budget. With a borrow jacket and some strange pant from a Trift store, I did my first show on stage with manipulations of cards, balls and cigarettes (most cheapest tricks), a "flag blendo", apparition of 6 doves with the final transformation of the birds in a rabbit. It was a successful show, so my mother did aggree to dedicate some of the family money to my expensive hobby, sending me to the magic school "Club Magico Italiano" in Bologna, Italy: I was 11 years old.
Boy, that was nice shot in the past! Thank you Jim! Also I second Josh. |
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jgravelle Loyal user Milwaukee (Head shown not actual size) 270 Posts |
I was at the shop today. Spent $1.75 for seven various cards (db's of various kinds).
Yakked with the owner and a local working pro, leaving with about $100 worth of advice... including a one-on-one lesson in a nice bottom steal. Every other week or so I treat myself: Okito box(es), TT, shells, sponge balls. Maybe it adds up to a couple hundred a year, but the really valuable stuff I leave with isn't a bag full of toys... it's a head full of ideas. Regards, -jjg |
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snarfer New user Venezuela 53 Posts |
I started in magic about a year ago, and I don´t think I´ve spent 100 bucks yet...
I have bought, royal road, bobo´s, expert card technique, and a couple of pacekt tricks I bought at the beginning... And with that I have a LOT of stuff to work on for a few years... All I spend now is on bikes, as they are very expensive down here in venezuela.... Saludos Andres |
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evolve629 Inner circle A stack of 3838 Posts |
I started learing magic in about the fall of 2004 and I remembered I'd order like a mad person off the internet. They weren't anything big but they all adds up. I think I spend more than I'd like to know. I think I mostly went for the gimmicked items then. Now I really resist my implusive and complusive magic buying behavior and the Café truly is a great source of info. as I do my research before I'd buy these days. However, there are also times I'd buy sight unseen and review unread
One hundred percent of the shots you don't take don't go in - Wayne Gretzky
My favorite part is putting the gaffs in the spectators hands...it gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside! - Bob Kohler |
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DanielSteep Inner circle 1409 Posts |
I am 14 now and started getting "real Stuff" when I was a little bit older then 13 and a month .. I would say that I spent aorund $400-500 but that was over a time period of 6 months .. it all depends on what type of magic your doing that will determin the price .. because a card guy will not spend ass much as a stage guy
Magically Yours Magical Odyssey |
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FuDD Regular user Tucson, Az. 150 Posts |
O boy O boy, I really did not get into magic untiol about 3-4 years ago. my first magic set when I was around 13-14 was a set including David Wilsons complete book of Magic.That x-mas I also got a nintendo entertainment system T_T well the game system was fun but the book was like a text book to me anywayso years later I get a divorce, happen to have a friend staying with me for 2 nights before he moves off to Telluride he shows me a TT vanish of a cigerrete I was floored I had to know how to do it and with much alchol and begging I finally was shown but had to agree to go to the local magic shop and get a TT.well as I stated I had recently been divorced and some how managed to have a credit card and well lets just say I went insane I wont say how much I spent but 3-4 year later I'm still paying the debt off. almost done woot!! I really wish I had a friend in magic when I started locally anyway, and my friend with the TT does not really so anyother magic.At least to help me or stear me away/towards diffrent things and thoughts on how to buy what to buy and why to buy.I'm still very shy, I find it still very intimadating to go to the local magic store even though I want to shout out how much they and this magic means to me even if I never share it with another person besides my over magiced daughter.well I know I'm rambling on and on and I still have a huge list of stuff I want to buy and do. Maybe one day I can get over being shy and actually perform in the local S.A.M. (i never have even though I have been a meber for a year)or even try to talk to some of the men/women in the local club I jsut get so flusterd I usually just scoot out the door and don't look back,I'm pathetic.hehehe but I love magic so very much o and just so you know my ex-wife will soon be my wife ^_^ I also love hervery much. thanks for the thread and for reading a long misspelled unpunctuated rant of some guy hoping to do mcuh in magic yet still jsut sitting there waiting. ill get up and move soon........i hope ^.-
Fudd |
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Dizzy Elite user UK 437 Posts |
The simple anwer to that was way too much. I try to wait until I see reviews for effects now but I'm one of those magicians who just keep buying and keep putting of practising new stuff. I look on ebay for things now, I got a dvd and fankini balls for a fair price,
Diane |
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Sfarad Loyal user Israel 233 Posts |
Everyday for 3-4 hours for two or three years. And today I'm after 8 years from starting and still mastering my pass ;-)
'Magic is the bloodstream of the universe. Forget all you know or think you know! All that you require, is your intuition'.
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Foucault Elite user New Jersey, USA 424 Posts |
Like others here, I've been spending way too much. And I'm not buying much new stuff either. It's very tempting to keep buying stuff from eBay, and from the For Sale forums here, and it all adds up.
I went through a phase of buying stuff without my wife knowing, but she's the one who goes through the credit card statements, and was quite unhappy with the situation....especially so, because although she knew I was interested in magic, and often sees me with my head in a book, she hadn't actually seen me doing any magic. I didn't feel I was ready to show her anything. She also saw the piles of books and videos in my office and couldn't understand why I'd want even more. When things came to a bit of a head, I explained the situation; that I was going through a process of finding where I fit in magic, and that with magic being secrets-based, that was difficult to do without buying stuff. I also pointed out that while I'd been studying magic, I wasn't spending time at the bar, which she really appreciated. So we've come to more of an understanding. I would urge others to be really open with their families about learning magic, if you aren't already. So, I still have too much stuff. I'm going through a process now of slowly weeding out things that don't fit in with what I think my style has evolved to, but that's still hard. I wonder whether I might "grow into" some stuff I have. In some ways, I wish that I had been forced financially to just buy a few great books and maybe a couple of videos, and just spent the time working on that material instead of constantly looking for something else. It would've really helped if I'd had a mentor, and it still would. |
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george kaye New user 31 Posts |
Hello there,
When I first started out I made lots of innocent mistakes. I bought from a catalogue and ended up with 12 different opening effects; no finale and no middle! I also ended up with so much ‘stuff’ clogging my pockets I got very confused. The instructions would say “Put the silk into your left jacket pocket”. Fine – but that pocket already contained the three final loads for the cups and balls plus a pair of scissors, a TT and a swami gimmick ! What I am saying is that I spent too much on stuff I could not use! I should have got myself a decent deck of cards, half a dozen nice coins and a close up mat. The rest of the money should have gone on all of the excellent books mentioned already! Cheers dears, George. |
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Zac Vee Veteran user Traveling the world with 370 Posts |
I started with the very basics, Jaz has stated all. I had couple of books, few coins,TT, pack of cards and few rubberbands. From there it start to build , since I found what I wanted to do, then the more I earned money from magic, I started to buy some DVDs, more books, just things that I had read about and done research and knew I need them, ive also got lots of stuff for free as promotions, sometimes you see a dealer will give free DVD, pen or some other gimmicks on any purchase, so I got those and used them. Now I don't spend much, but if there is something that I need and I know I will use then I will get it, having said that, I do have bought stuff and never used them.
Zac
peace, love and kindness.. no terms and conditions
1001 Magic Nights Blog www.kasrani1.wordpress.com http://www.kasrani.com/ |
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adamjames Loyal user England 205 Posts |
When I started out, I spent way too much money on useless junk. I thought that the next 'trick' I bought would be the one to finally blow everyone away.
Well, a few years on and I have learned my lesson...the most simple things can amaze...sleights are the most valuable thing and a good book delivers lots of 'bang for buck.' I get the occasional DVD now and again because I like watching them, but my expenditure is now quite low. |
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