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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Ever so sleightly » » Improvement to coffee cups and bal (2 Likes) Printer Friendly Version

imgic
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Moved back to Midwest to see
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Had long wanted set of Vulpine Coffee Cups & Balls. Final bought a set, but did not like the “beans” used as “balls” and as large loads. So I made my own using coffee creamers. Got blue creamers, after cleaning, filled them with air drying clay, and resealed the foil tops. Put small magnets in one to “chop” it.

The got wood blacks, painted white and added glitter paint to make giant sugar cubes. Very happy with results. And blue creamers are much brighter and easier to see.

Attached a picture…

Click here to view attached image.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
sethb
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The Jersey Shore
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Very creative, congrats!

I'm assuming the jumbo cubes are your final loads. I always thought the originally supplied final load of a pile of small coffee beans was very impressive -- although it's probably a little messy to clean up. Ditto for the original liquid load (also impressive, but not messy). Have you considered using either of those loads as kickers?

I was also wondering how you like the original loading system supplied with the set. It seems to be easy to use, but I was wondering about the angles, which appear to be pretty limiting. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC
imgic
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Moved back to Midwest to see
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Yes the “final” loads include two loads of loose coffee beans and one liquid. The cups come with metal shelves to hold the loads, so yes, a bit angley. So I don’t plan to use them except for special occasions. Plan on use the “sugar cubes”as final loads for regular shows
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
sethb
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PM'd you with some ideas about reducing the angle issue. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC
funsway
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Eternal Order
old things in new ways - new things in old ways
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I have used creamers in magic effects fro decades - no gimmicks in creamer or cups needed.

Kudo's on your innovative adaptations, but I can't see any advantage that justifies the price.

I have even done a "ball and net" type routine with creamers that floored a magician audience.
Don't limit yourself to C&B/Chop thinking with these props.

Hint for curious readers - a creamer can be handled like a ball, or palmed using the half-dollar sized lid.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst

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Harry Murphy
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Very imaginative! Good thinking. The creamer really fits and appears "logical" in this use.

I've used a pile of sugar cubes using the loading system provided. Final loads Include pile of coffee beans, pile of sugar cubes, and cup of coffee. I could see using different color creamers for an initial surprise load ["if you don't like French Vanilla (blue) then you might like Irish Cream (green) or Caramel Macchiato (yellow) or even plain old Half and Half (white)"].

Like Ken (funsway) above I've used creamer's for impromptu magic. I have used then for a Chink-a-Chink routine (think the Paul Diamond routine - the one where he uses the bottle caps off of bleach bottles. Also use them for the very old "fork in the eye" gross gag (white milk splatters) and of course the One in the Hand and Two in the Pocket routine.

By the way, Steve Myers' wife, Jen, makes some very realistic looking sugar cubes including a "Chopped" version (she calls "Hot") that might be of interest. They look real, are perfect for this routine instead of coffee beans and for a Matrix or "Poker Pot" type routine, etc. and the good news is that they don't attract bugs!

https://www.stevemyersmagic.com/#/
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
ekins
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Portland, Oregon
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I was thinking of using a chocolate theme instead of coffee. I haven't done any work on it yet, but it seems there should be many options, and it might have a broader audience. There could be cocoa beans, marshmallows, miniature chocolate bars, etc. And, finishing with a cup of hot chocolate.
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Ever so sleightly » » Improvement to coffee cups and bal (2 Likes)
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