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Jaxon Inner circle Kalamazoo, Mi. 2537 Posts |
I just had to use that pun.
I recently had what some might consider a "Close up magicians Nightmare". That's right. One of my dogs got a hold of my thumb tip and chewed it up. Of course I went and got a new one as quickly as I could for life just doesn't seem right without one in my pocket. Anyway, I got this new thumb tip and did the modifications to it that I always do when I get a new one. While making these modifications I got to thinking about the first thumb tip I ever owned and all the magic principles and lessons I learned because of this little gimmick. So I thought I'd come here and share some of these tips and lessons with what's probably the most widely used magic prop ever devised. Since this is the new to magic section of the Café I'm guessing that it's possible that someone will read this who has never owned one before. I hope you find these things helpful. First of all plastic thumb tips (Such as Vernet brand) can be resized to some degree. In other words if it's a little too small or large you can make the opening of the thumb tip a little smaller or larger. This can be done by heating it in boiling water to soften the plastic then shape it. be careful though. You don't want to actually melt it. Just make it a little pliable. Now here's one of the best lessons I learned from the thumb tip. When you use one for the first time it's very natural to feel self conscious of it. A part of you will likely fear that it'll be noticed. This often causes you to move unnaturally. A common mistake is a quick movement of the hand to prevent them from seeing it but that quick unnatural movement actually only draws their attention to it. So remember not to move that hand quickly or unnaturally. Another lesson this will teach you to not jump the gun. Sometimes you'll probably think they saw the thumb tip. For instance maybe you noticed their eyes looking right at it. But think about this. If they are looking right at it what are they likely looking for? If you vanished a red silk then they are probably looking at your hands to see if the red silk is there. So don't act like "They caught you" unless they did. Until you know for a fact that they saw it then assume that they haven't. Assuming that the thumb tip matches your skin color closely enough (and it doesn't have to be an exact match). The only spot of the thumb tip that it's likely to be noticed is the mouth of the thumb tip. When wearing it this mouth will be toward te base of your thumb. For this reason if you aim the tip of your thumb tip at their eyes they can't see that part. Well I hope someone finds this helpful. Just remember to keep your movements natural so you don't look like you're hiding something. Ron Jaxon |
Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
Good points, Ron. And for those of you desiring to resize a TT with boiling water, don't slip it on your thumb to do it. Not unless you want a boiled thumb, stretch it over something else not attached to your body, of if shrinking use some layer of insulation between your hand and the TT. I can't count the number of stories I've heard from newbies who used the boiling water to reshape and made the mistake of taking it out of the water and putting it on their thumb.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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MikeyM71 Regular user Chesapeake, OH 153 Posts |
Thanks for the "tips". I'm going to try the boiling water, a couple of mine are a little snug.
<BR>Mikey M.
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DanielCoyne Special user Western Massachussetts 544 Posts |
What, specifically, do you use your TT for most often? And in what context?
-Daniel |
Jaxon Inner circle Kalamazoo, Mi. 2537 Posts |
When I was making the post I got called away and had to stop. There's one other thing I forgot to suggest.
When you get your first thumb tip I suggest you wear it on your thumb as often as you can for a day or two. Wear it while you're watching TV or eating our dinner. What this will do it get you used to wearing it so you won't be to conscious of it. It may feel silly at first but if you're accustomed to wearing it then it'll become easier act natural with it on. Quote:
On 2009-01-30 00:48, DanielCoyne wrote: I use it quite often. The most common tricks I do with it is vanishing salt, bill switch and vanishing dollar bills. I also use it for a trick I do called 'thumb off" where my thumb pops off. Get's some amazing reactions. Watch this video to see the kind of reac......ick gets. Darwin has some great uses for the TT. I don't have his videos on it but I have his books. Check them out. Ron Jaxon |
DanielCoyne Special user Western Massachussetts 544 Posts |
That's hilarious. I couldn't quite hear what you said...do you start by doing a standard thumb-off (like everyone's uncle does) and then actually pull your thumb off?
-Dan |
JC Johns Regular user Annapolis, MD, USA 133 Posts |
Thanks for the suggestions. I've tried to make mine slightly bigger by just brute force (shoving my thumb in it), but it always just shinks back. Hopefully, the boiling water technique will work better.
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