Another beautiful day in Las Vegas, NV. Thank you, God, for the delightful weather. ❤️🙏🏼Here is a selfie of me today – before a painting session – in my natural habitat.Have a great weekend, folks! ❤️😘🤗 … See MoreSee Less
I have been quite busy for the last couple of weeks. I have been finishing a small custom order (which took me longer than anticipated), and last night I finished cleaning the entire shop in order to “change gears” so to speak.Today, I am starting to work on a batch of Okito-Nielsen Chinese Sticks, as there has been a demand for them.I can no longer get the fabric for the bags in which they were packed, so I am using another material.I am now running errands and purchasing the primer to be used on these. The picture shows the materials for the primer ONLY that I just purchased. This little box contains $265.14 worth of materials. I only purchased a quart of primer, the reducer and paint nozzles.The sticker shock on all materials is real. The price of metals has almost tripled since the pandemic, nd the price of paint is prohibitive.The above does not include the paint or the decals. The materials for the decals I make has quintupled in price, and it is difficult to get.This is the new reality for all craftsmen and builders out there. Although I should be retiring, I admit that I do like what I do.Have a great Hump Day folks! … See MoreSee Less
Today is February 17, 2026. Today is Norm Nielsen’s birthday.Happy Birthday, Norm!!! ❤️🤗🎁🎂🎈🥳Not one day goes by that I don’t think of him. He enriched my life and made me a better human being. I am deeply grateful for that gift.May God bless you always, Norm, wherever you are now. ❤️🙏🏼This photo was taken in 2015, and it is of Norm (on the right front) with his lifelong friend Johnny Thompson (left). Johnny and Norm met in the early 1960s. They were from the Chicago area and they both shared a passion for magic. They collaborated in many ways and produced several magic effects that we still sell. Johnny developed a comedy magic act and became known as one of the most knowledgeable experts in the field, becoming a consultant for some of the best known magicians in the world today. Norm developed a manipulative magic act, manufactured magic and later became a magic poster collector.Good times! I miss them both. ❤️😢 … See MoreSee Less
Video # 21 – Nielsen Dean’s Box – 2025 BatchThe Final Video.Well folks, guess what? All good things come to an end.This one minute video at 2x speed, shows the conclusion of our over 600 hour project. I am also grateful that my pal Denny made some time to assist me in the process.In the last 20 videos you have seen us cut the materials, shape them, transform them and finish them into the various components for our magic boxes. This is where everything comes together. After applying the exterior finish, we gather all the parts and attach them to the make the final product.IMHO, Dean’s Box is one of the best parlor magic tricks in the world of magic today.This piece is available for sale in our website at www.nnmagic.comAt this time I would like to take a moment to THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your kind following and support. It is people like you that make my job worthwhile.I also would like to wish you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.May God bless you all! ❤️🤗🙏🏼#nielsenmagic#magicprops#ilovewoodworking#handcrafted#highquality#womeninwoodworking#deansbox#productionwork #happynewyear … See MoreSee Less
Video # 20 – Nielsen Dean’s Box – 2025 BatchWe really made a week long push to complete the boxes at this stage.After all the pieces are stained, the next steps are:1. Install the magnetic catches on the lids.2. Apply the a coat of sealer.3. Sand all the pieces – lids and boxes – after the sealer coat with a fine grit sandpaper.4. Apply two coats of the final finish.Whew!!! Almost done…The video is at 2x the speed and show a little bit of the process.#nielsenmagic#magicprops#ilovewoodworking#handcrafted#highquality#womeninwoodworking#deansbox#productionwork… See MoreSee Less
Video # 19 – Nielsen Dean’s Box – 2025 BatchThe following video footage was recorded on December 7, 2025. Although the project is completed, I promised to finish the entire video series about the process.It is time to apply a finish to the exterior of the boxes.The first step is to stain all the boxes first. Adding a stain allows us to control the finish by making sure that the wood looks uniform in color throughout the entire batch.We clean the interiors and mask and protect them, and then proceed to stain them. Everything is tedious but straightforward.My speaking part is at 1.25x the speed to avoid voice distortion, and the rest of the video is at 2x speed. A huge “thank you” goes to my friend Denny for his assistance in the process. With his help, we were able to finish the boxes by mid-December. 😁#nielsenmagic#magicprops#ilovewoodworking#handcrafted#highquality#womeninwoodworking#deansbox#productionwork… See MoreSee Less