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Nielsen Magic

Nielsen Magic

Page featuring news, information and activities of Nielsen Magic.

Specializing an exclusive line of magicians' props and supplies, and magic posters.

2 weeks ago

Nielsen Magic
In between my stint at the woodworking school (Marc Adams School of Woodworking) and the trip I am making to Italy – to attend the FISM Magic Convention and visit family – I had exactly one week to catch up.One of the little projects I worked on was in making the Nielsen-Thompson “Flower to Silk”. This is a little utility gimmick that holds an 18” silk shaped as a lapel flower. When the silk is needed, the magician pulls it out of the holder.This is also called a “spider gimmick” and the design I am making was created by Norm Nielsen and Johnny Thompson in the early 1960s.Each time I make a batch of these, I remember Norm. He made thousands of these and it was the item that he made with ease. Whenever we were out of stock I would say: “Norm! We are out of Flower to Silks!” He would then take an afternoon, cut all the wire, solder it and shape it. He was a wiz at this simple task.Now, it is up to me to make it, while grumbling to myself and thinking… “Where are you, Norm, when I need you? Why did you have to die?” 😢Grief affects us in so many ways. After five years, I am still trying to recover. This year has been quite a lonely one. All the travel and all the work does help though, and I am grateful for that.I am now sitting at the DFW Airport waiting for a delayed flight. God willing, I will be in Italy tomorrow.#nielsenmagic #utilitymagicitem #flowertosilk #magicprops #grief #imissmyhusband #lifegoeson See MoreSee Less
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4 weeks ago

Nielsen Magic
Proof of Life…Greetings from Franklin, Indiana!I am currently in my yearly pilgrimage attending the Marc Adams School of Woodworking. This school is the largest school of its kind in North America, where 80% of the curriculum is woodworking, while the other 20% is in arts and crafts – from everything like painting, metalworking, glasswork, etc. This year alone they are offering 270 classes.For the last week I have been learning about Trompe L’Oeil furniture. This class was taught by one of my favorite teachers in the school: Mr. Stephen Proctor. In the mid-seventies and eighties, Stephen was the foreman for the legendary furniture designer Wendell Castle, and director of Mr. Castle’s school.The term Trompe L’Oeil means “to deceive the eye”. The project for this class is to carve wood in the shape of a draped tabletop. Although the top looks draped with cloth, the entire piece is a wood sculpture.With this class I have learned about stacked lamination, wood carving, grain and material orientation, along with very interesting techniques for handling power carvers and grinders.The project is quite involved and complex. After 40 hours of instruction, we did not finish the project, but we do have homework to do. Upon my return home, I predict that it will take me around 30 more hours to carve and sand the piece along with 20 hours to make a proper base for the table. It will be an ongoing project for me.I do love this part of the country. People are hard-working salt of the earth types. It has been great to meet new people and visit with old friends. I am in awe at the amount of talent that comes to the school.This two and a half minute video is the summary of my forty-hour week. It has been a wonderful experience.You can check the school at www.marcadams.com See MoreSee Less
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2 months ago

Nielsen Magic
Attending and setting up my little booth at the Magic Collector Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.Guess who is scheduled to speak on Wednesday afternoon? 😂I think I will cure everyone’s insomnia. 😜PS: I’ll be reporting from the convention when I get a chance. See MoreSee Less
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3 months ago

Nielsen Magic
Norm passed away exactly five years ago. How time flies…I think of him daily. He was one of the purest souls I have met, and I was a blessed that he was part of and gave meaning to my life. I don't think that one truly recovers from such a loss.May God bless you always, Norm Nielsen!(Photo credit: Kari Hendler) See MoreSee Less
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