Dedicated to

Jeremy Le Poidevin

R.I.P

Jeremy, along with his wife Cheryl built Practical Magic into the largest dealership specialising in
children's magic in the U.K. Four years ago Practical started Trix in the Stix, a convention for
children's entertainers which has constantly sold out a year in advance with 240 registrants.

The effects within this work all have appeared on the Tips and hints page along with many other
great and practical tips shared

https://www.practical-magic.com/

A DIY Wand

Chop Cup idea

Coin Trick

Her Majesty's Birthday - coin routine

MAGIC PAINTING - WITH A DIFFERENCE!

WOOLLY STRETCHY WAND

Six shared tips

I offer to you the reader
To encourage you to be creative
 Michael Lyth 2017
A DIY Wand
By Michael Lyth

There are 5 photos at the end of this description which illustrate the construction.

The tubing used is any tubing that you can find! Plastic piping from the hardware
store in the plumbing section comes in different sizes. I used bits that I found that
fitted well from the local pound shop. Extending tubing curtain polls from shower
curtain rails are also a good source so long as the inner tube slides freely.

Once you have the tubing, cut two lengths the same size and one short piece (or
several short pieces for more comedy ideas, such as the end getting stuck on
your finger.)

Place the inner tube inside the outer tube and, whilst both are flush together, with
a small drill bit. drill through both tubes one centimetre in from one end

Next thread some fishing wire all the way through both tubes and then push the
inner tube out to a length resembling a wand tip, then tie the fishing wire ends in
a knot. You should now have an outer tube with an inner tube that does not fall
out thanks to the aid of the fishing wire but is allowed to slide in and out of the
inner tube by the aid of the little finger of the left or right hand. It works well in
both!!

If you tilt the wand downwards once the tip has fallen off and after it has been put
back on several times, the inner tube will slide forward and a new wand tip will
appear.

The loose end just fits into the outer tube and is held in place by the wand being
kept upright. You can pretend to screw it back on when it falls off and if the inner
tube used is big enough you can create comedy by having it stuck on your finger
tip.

Extra idea: use chromed inner tubing and black enamelled outer tubing for a
flashier looking wand.
 Chop Cup idea
By Michael Lyth

Obtain two stainless steel goblets such as those shown in Fig. 1.

Cut off the base and about 5millimeters from the top of the rim. File the base and glue a magnet onto
it. These actions are seen in Fig. 2. Load the inner cup with the final load ball or other load of choice.
(Fig. 3)

Cover with a paper towel and hold in place with hair band. (Fig. 4)
Do your greatest Chop Cup routine and show the goblet empty. Cover with paper towel, held in place
with a hair band.

Under misdirection load the hidden inner which has been behind a prop. Bring goblet forward to a
spectator and let them push and tear the paper covering to remove final load ball or other load. The
inner cup will be held in place by the magnets - one on the base of the load chamber and the other in
the base of goblet.
The above incorporates the famous Chop Cup and the Drumhead Tube illusion. Note that in the
pictures below, I am using striped Chop Cup balls, with a large one for the final load.

1 2

3 4

5
 Coin Trick
By Michael Lyth

When performing magic for that special birthday person, the nest of coins has always been
a favourite but movement whilst performing the routine meant the box loader may become
dislodged.
At a visit to a local seaside magic shop the following idea came to me. I obtained four sets
of plastic nesting coin boxes as the picture shows red, yellow, green and blue. The load
chambers were glued side by side in sets of two (just the black parts - see picture) in a
colour order that you can remember red, yellow and green, blue. Load up the chambers
with the code-ordered boxes. Place in left and right pockets. Being glued in sets of two
prevents the gimmick from tilting in your pocket. You are set to go.
Perform your show and when it comes to performing alongside the junior birthday person.
Ask
them to select a colour from red, yellow, green and blue. The coin is vanished only to be
found inside a box inside a box inside a box and the fourth and final box matches their
selected colour and they open to find their signed coin.
Simple direct and the magician steal’s the day!
Her Majesty's Birthday - coin routine
By Michael Lyth
 MAGIC PAINTING - WITH A DIFFERENCE!
By Michael Lyth

Two illustrations are what you need to bring your Magic Painting routine to a logical ending
For The birthday child as your assistant.
Their reward is a glossy printed picture completed with their help as your assistant, with
their name and date in large colourful letters in the box just below the magician.
You can also add some basic contact details of your shows/packages below for repeat
bookings.

How to construct: first, print on inkjet printer film a black outline picture of (say) a
magician and allow the ink to dry.
Next turn it face down onto a sheet of black art card (
Or thin matt black painted plywood) and around the edges attach red cloth tape so you
know have a picture frame effect. The top edge is taped differently: this is taped to the
clear plastic sheet top edge and also the edge at the top of the board. This allows you to
slide the certificate inside face down - and remove the certificate when required from an
envelope.

The image is masked by the black background and cannot be see until the printed
certificate is slid into the frame face down and its white side becomes the background.

On your printer add the date and birthday child's name and print
The certificate
On quality glossy paper.

The plastic film can be drawn on with dry wipe pens and at first the children will only see
the outline of a magician, thanks to the white background. You can have a lot of fun
misnaming and using wrong colours when colouring the picture, then wiping it clean after
getting it all wrong and not colouring within the lines.

The magician removes the certificate from the frame and the image vanishes but not to
worry - the picture with the child's name can be seen in full colour when the picture is
turned around.

Detailed photos.
 WOOLLY STRETCHY WAND - Michael Lyth
A D.I.Y. Project

First obtain from your local pound store a foam flashing tube from the party
section.

Remove the flashing unit and the foam plug from the end of the tube and cut into
two halves of the same length.

Next, from plumbers' supplies obtain two length of tubing of two diameters: the
first tube needs to be a snug fit into the two halves of the foam tubing. This tube
you cut into two equal lengths: one half is placed into the two halves, one of
which you use the foam plug you removed earlier to plug one end - see C.

Next place the uncut smaller diameter into the two halves. You now have a wand
in two halves - see D.

Next obtain some wool white and black my black was by a company called King
Cole Galaxy and has sequins pre stitched to the wool which makes a glitzy
looking wand.

Next crochet (well, get someone who can do it!) a long tube. Mine finished off at
68 inches.

Slide the plugged end tube into the woolly sleeve first! Then push the rest onto
the two tubes.

The smaller tube keeps the tube looking solid and at a 19 inch finished length.
Stitch the ends and all is set to go...

To perform ask for a child to assist in a magic effect. Let them hold one end
whilst you hold the opposite end and slowly walk away. The wand is seen to grow
and grow and grow. Many comedy possibilities. And an ice breaker that puts the
child at ease.