Books!

John Bannon raised an interesting issue in yesterday's interview, which I'd like to take a moment to riff on here on the FUNblog.

There's been a fair amount of banter on this blog about learning magic via DVDs. These days, most magic manufacturers produce instructional DVDs to accompany their products. FUN Inc. is one of those manufacturers. The contention is that it's often easier to understand a sleight, a move or a subtlety via video than through the printed page.

Maybe.

While it may be easier to see a move happen on screen than read about it, I would attribute 80% of my knowledge about magic: its moves, specific tricks, credits and the history of the art to what I've absorbed from the written word.

Don't get me wrong; videos (in whatever format you consume them) can be instructional, informative and entertaining. But to me, the way they deliver content to me is much more ephemeral and short lived (I find it harder to retain information delivered via video) than what I take in from textual media. If I want to be entertained, perhaps I will watch a DVD and see what a specific performer has to offer. But if I want to learn something, chances are, I'm going to read about it. And chances are that if I'm looking for a specific piece of information, I'm far more likely to find it in print than on screen.

Perhaps this makes me old fashioned or backward-thinking. Perhaps I'm biased because I'm a book-type guy (shameless commercial plug: I operate, independently of FUN Inc., Squash Publishing, which has released a line of titles distributed by FUN, including David Ben's acclaimed biography of Dai Vernon).

But re-read Bannon's interview above and note that he calls out reading as much as you can as a method whereby your creativity can be heightened and expanded.

No single blog entry will settle the print vs. video debate, and that has not been my intent in the previous few paragraphs. But before casting off my comments and navigating back toward YouTube, consider the way you learn magic and what else you want to learn about it. Whatever you're looking for from the art might be found on video. But I can guarantee that you'll find it in print.

Exclusive FUN Interview with John Bannon

After many promises, here it is: my exclusive interview with creator and author John Bannon. John has written three books, and created several marketed effects including Twisted Sisters. The first in his new trilogy of fractal card magic, "The Royal Scam," will soon be released, exclusively through FUN Inc, starting this Friday!

Q: How did you get started in magic?

I started in Norfolk, Virginia while in high school. A primary influence was the great Woody Landers. Woody would come down from Richmond to the magic club and would always be doing the latest card and coin tricks. He was very generous and skillful. I did table magic for a while, then an occasional walk-around gig when I lived in Washington D.C. After moving to Chicago, I stopped doing even the occasional paid performance. Once, while I was performing strolling magic at a charity function, I turned around to see the managing partner of my law firm. I didn't want the firm to think they weren't paying me enough, so now I perform primarily informally.

Q: What is your creative process like?

It varies. Sometimes I see a trick that I think I could improve upon, or sometimes I take a plot and work on it. Often enough, you see or read something, and play with the concepts for a while, add or subtract, and eventually I may come up with something workable--even if it no longer resembles the trick that I started with. Some times I let ideas percolate--set them aside and come back later. I find my subconscious can make progress even if I am not directly thinking of a trick. Part of the fun for me is to work on stuff --that's the hobby. This new series started several years back; I set a number of requirements for a certain class of tricks. The driving requirement was being clean at the end. Starting there, I focused on the classic areas and tried to work out tricks that met my requirements. At least in a few instances, I succeeded.

Q: Where did the phrase "Fractal card magic" come from?

At the 31 Faces North convention in Toronto, I did a presentation on "packet" tricks. Every now and then, the term "packet trick” gets a negative connotation --but I have alwys liked them. When I was in DC one of my magic colleagues was the great Larry West--of Emerson And West. I have never thought it was uncool to take a packet of cards out of the little wallet, do a trick, and put the cards away. One night at the convention, we brainstormed to try and create create a new term for "packet tricks"–sometimes a new name can give you a new way of looking at something.

In mathematics, a fractal is "an object or quantity that displays self-similarity, in a somewhat technical sense, on all scales. The object need not exhibit exactly the same structure at all scales, but the same "type" of structures must appear on all scales."

In a non-mathematical sense, tricks with fewer cards than the entire deck would exhibit many of the same characteristics, but on a smaller scale. There would be self-similarity in the sense that the same "structures" (such as transpositions, color-changes, divination of selected cards) could exist without needing the entire deck.

Besides, I like how "fractal" sounds. "Fractal card magic" seems like a good trademark-able name for what we used to call packet tricks.

Q: Tell us about the creation of Twisted Sisters.

It was created by playing with one plot and then borrowing from another plot. There is a class of tricks called "small packet brainwave," (like Max Maven's "B'wave.") where a card in a packet is named and the named card is reversed and has a different color back. Then there’s another class I call"small packet card transpositions"; for example, where you might have four red-backed aces and four blue-backed aces, and each named ace transposes to the other packet. There are several methods. I first saw this trick in Vernon's. It occurred to me, "you know, if you did the small-packet brainwave with two packets at the same time you could get a small-packet-transposition." Then all I had to do was work it out. The rest is, as they say, history.

Q: Any plans for another book?

Yes. I’m always working on something. Right now my current project has to do with card tricks that begin by having a spectator think of a card, opposed to physically selecting one. Working title, "Mentalissimo." That's all I want to say on that for now.

Q: What suggestions would you give a beginner who wants to start in magic?

The obvious answer is to read as much as possible. I believe that even if you’re just doing someone else’s tricks, there’s still a creative process, in order to do things in your own way. The best way to make that happen is to read and learn all sorts of different ways. The more you learn, the more things connect. The more connections, the more of a network you have to bounce around in. The larger the network, the deeper your understanding will be. The more you know, the better you’ll be, even if you don’t perform all of it.

So the most important thing is to take it seriously, study, and learn as much as you can. These days a lot of people would rather watch than read, and while there is a place for video, but I think you get more from a well-written book than a well-produced DVD. That's why I insisted the FCM trilogy each contain a downloadable e-book. The other thing is to perform. You really will not understand a lot about magic unless you do.

The Power of DVD!

When I was a cherubic youngster of 10, a relative bought me a set of Linking Rings. Yes, they came with instructions, but I just couldn't grasp their workings. The instructions were a paragraph long and didn't seem too impressive or helpful. They sat in my basement for years collecting dust. Of course magic dust, from the dust fairies. If only this existed 20 years ago.

Instructional DVDs are a revolutionary learning tool for magicians. It's always nice to see what a routine/effect is supposed to look like, especially for an item like the Linking Rings. After all, any 10-year-old can master the Linking Rings....with 20 years of practice.

The DVD is a logical suggestive sell. It ensures the customer they should easily learn to master their trick. All they have to do is watch and learn! Watching a DVD is like having someone at their home walking them through each step. If they're too confusing they can rewind. If too boring, they can fast forward.

Stripper decks, Svengali decks, Linking Rings, Scotch and Soda, sponge balls, and cups & balls should be sold with some sort of learning tool. No customer should leave the store without one!
Also, FUN Incorporated carries a complete line of booklets. Another stellar add-on sale. More affordable ( and portable ) than an instructional DVD.

The Royal Scam...almost here!

I just got word from Gabe that the first in John Bannon's fractal card magic trilogy, The Royal Scam, is en route to the FUN Inc. compound!

The extra good news is this: When Royal Scam is officially for sale, we'll be doing a special offer for the month of February. If you order 6 or more Royal Scams, you'll be eligible to order John's book "Smoke and Mirrors" for an impossibly low reduced price!

Stay tuned right here for that interview with Mr. Bannon that I promised last week. Aside from being a prolific creator, John has a full-time job as an attorney, so his schedule can change on a moment's notice. Fortunately, we managed to find a time to chat, and I'll bring that to you as soon as I can.

New Stuff at FUN

Last week was a busy one for me, as we added several new items to the catalog. We now carry new DVDs from the Greater Magic Video Library, each featuring a different performer. The new ones we added are features on Roger Klause, Mike Rogers, and Bill Boley. We also added the GMVL's Our Best #3, featuring snippets from performances by Johnny Paul, Johnny Thompson, Jay Marshall, and others.

Last year, I had the brilliant stroke of genius to add a card manipulation routine to my repertoire. Unfortunately, I forgot how lazy I am when it comes to learning new material. That said, if I had access to some reasonable manipulation cards, I may have very well succeeded.

Vernet has brought us Manipulation Cards as well as Fanning and Manipulation Cards, ready for the aspiring manipulator to learn this classic branch of magic. To go along with the cards, you may want to consider Routined Manipulation by Lewis Ganson or the Shimada Manipulation DVD, also brought to you by the Greater Magic Video Library.

I'm going to take just one quick moment of personal indulgence. My friend AJ Olson has completed his first documentary film, Street of Cards, about the Abbott's Magic Get-Together and the village of Colon, Michigan. For those of you who have never been and wonder what it's like, check out this film. Plus, there just happens to be a scene featuring me performing Cups and Balls in front of the American Legion post. What can I say? I love a discerning audience.

Magic for Valentine's Day

Yes, that time of year has come. No, I don't mean the time when sub-zero temperatures give your fingers frostbite (which is bad, for magicians especially), but the time when all the stores start promoting their Valentine's Day products. Why shouldn't your magic shop join in the frenzy? There is plenty of magic out there to keep your shelves stocked and your customers appeased with products ready for Valentine's. Take a look at these offerings from FUN Inc:

Women still love flowers these days, right? No, I'm not sure either. But if you are, here are a few rose-related effects. There's the venerable Napkin Rose, available in a variety of colors, as well as a multi-colored cube. If you're not familiar with the working of it, start off with the DVD that includes a dozen napkins and several effects to perform.

For the stage or platform performer, you may want to consider Add-a-Rose, a "creation of life" effect. Pressing a silk into the fist, you transform it into rose petals to place upon an empty stem. There’s also a perfect opener for stage magicians, Royal Magic’s Match to Rose. A visible change that can fit into nearly any act.

If you have any other thoughts for Valentine's-related magic, be sure to leave a comment. I'll let you ponder that over the weekend. Stay warm!

These are the things FUN is made of

Greetings, Fun Fans.

Today's post promises to be a semi-illuminating look at what makes up FUN Inc. Whereas last week I examined (or rather, scratched the surface of) what FUN Inc. is capable of, this week I'll talk about what it's made of.

Though the exact date of the company's genesis is hazy, signs point to its founding in 1941, by Jules Traub, who'd retailed magic in the lobby of the New Yorker hotel in NYC for a time. After founding FUN Inc., Traub merged the business with S.S. Adams for a time, but the partnership did not last. After re-establishing himself under the banner of Party Products, Traub settled in Chicago where he revived the name FUN Incorporated. It was at this point that the business was off and running.

Over the years, FUN Inc. acquired a number of other businesses, including Richard Appel's Jo-King company (Jay Marshall once worked for Appel), a chemical novelty business run by Paul Fried (now of D. Robbins & Co.), and Morris Foxes Royal Magic Company (which you may have read about in previous posts). Fox was the one to establish the identity of Chandu the magician, who still appears on Royal Magic packaging and instructions to this day.

In Chicago, FUN Inc. established ties with Marshall Brodien and other large clients, and produced tricks for a gigantic market.

Later, in the 1980s, in addition to producing magic and novelties (the legendary H. Fishlove Company was purchased by FUN in the 80s), the company began producing many of the classic prizes included in Crackerjack boxes. Annual output of Crackerjack prizes by FUN Inc. was over 20 million.

The company's most recent acquisition, in 1999, was Hampton Ridge Magic Creations of West Virginia, the manufacturer of the popular Card Toon deck and many well-known instructional videos and professional magic products. It was in 1999 that FUN Inc. became a distributor of over 2000 products, not just a manufacturer of its Royal Magic and Fishlove Novelty lines.

Stay tuned for another installment on the historical tip.

Until next week...

FUN Deals

Few dealers seem to be aware or take advantage of the special deals we have here at FUN. Now, this is only for those registered customers of ours, and not the general public (sorry, general public).

FUN Inc's Double Discount page is the place to score those special offers that never last. Check it frequently, because things go up, come down, and change around often. Again, it's only for our registered customers!

The title "Double Discount" comes from this: All the listed products have been reduced in price (25-50%!), and if you get $100 or more of D.D. merchandise, we knock off an additional 10%! I can't resist the bargains!

Speaking of deals, the 2008 convention season is about to get underway. The famous Blackpool convention is coming up in the UK, and Columbus' Magi-Fest is right around the corner. To get your dealer booth to stand out from the rest, check out FUN Inc. for some, perhaps, hidden treasures your customers don't know they need!

For example, check out Jim Steinmeyer's and Alan Wakeling's Matrix Poker. The trick requires no sleight of hand. It works every time, all the time. Great demo item!

Later this week, I'll post a brief interview with John Bannon about his upcoming card trilogy, and Gabe Fajuri will make his post. His last post, Made in the USA, generated some attention, so check back to see what Gabe has to say.

FUN Facts and Tips

Hello again!

Thanks for reading the FUN Incorporated blog. I'm sure most are interested in knowing how I've been spending about 80% of my time over the last few days, click here. It's awesome.

Each week I'll try my best to include FUN FACTS or tips to improving magic sales.
In fact, many new magic shop owners ask me for advice in regards to improving magic sales. The following are some suggestions:

ROYAL MAGIC
The Royal magic line is the "bread and butter" of most magic shops. These items are generally inexpensive to purchase wholesale and have no suggested retail. I sold a lot of Royal magic when I worked at the magic shop. It was always a guaranteed sale.

Most of the Royal line is geared towards beginners. They're classics of magic and anyone can perform them. There's a reason why coloring books, ball vases, and svengali decks are some of the best selling magic tricks EVER. They're simple and fun to perform.

KEEP IT SIMPLE
At the magic shop, we loved beginners and tried our very best to get them bitten by "the magic bug". We stuck with the basics. Also, we never wanted to make our demos look too complicated.

GET TO KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER
Magic shops require plenty of customer service. Learn to classify customers and demonstrate age/skill appropriate magic. Once a customer purchased most of the beginner product, then I graduated them over to more "magician friendly" tricks.

These are tricks that involved Elmsley counts, double lifts, shuttle passes, French drops, switching, or heavy memorization. When I worked at a magic shop, we didn't want to frighten new customers with practice time.

Hope I was of some help! Feel free to leave any comments or questions.

Thumb tips and dye tubes,
-Tomas

Coming Soon to FUN Inc.

Chicago went through a deep freeze this past weekend. This Monday morning we're scraping the ice off our cars and defrosting the fake vomit, but that won't stop me from breaking some news here at the FUN Inc. compound.

Prolific creator John Bannon, author of Smoke and Mirrors, will be releasing a trilogy of what he calls "fractal card magic." Each part of the series will include an instructional DVD, and of course, the necessary apparatus.

The first in the series, "The Royal Scam," is on its way to us from the duplicators, and will be available to dealers very soon, hopefully within two weeks or so.

In other news, I'd like to thank Ryan on the Genii forum for giving us a little publicity (completely unsolicited, mind you). Thanks to Ryan, our pageviews spiked over the weekend, making a pleasant morning today when I glanced over the weekend stats. Ryan, thanks for your interest and support.

Tomorrow is Tuesday, meaning your favorite magic pal Tomas will be posting. Don't miss it!

Icons of FUN Inc. - continued!

Perhaps our most pervasive icon at FUN, this impish character was created to personify all the jokes, pranks, and gags that FUN originally produced. Hocus J. Pocus, affectionately known as Hokey, has been the face of FUN almost since the company's inception.

FUN founder Jules Traub commissioned the character, based off a roly-poly character used by Traub's Party Products company that produced puzzles and games. Thinning the character down, Hocus J. Pocus was born to be the embodiment of FUN encompassing the magic, jokes, and pranks the company produced.

In the post-war period, rackable items and self-service began to take shape in stores across America. Hokey was instrumental in becoming the icon for the company, and really helped to boost the visibility of the company.

Always displaying versatility, Hokey often came dressed for the occasion. He would wear a turban when solving a puzzle, a top hat for performing magic, devil horns when pulling pranks, and of course, fangs for Halloween or a Santa Hat for Christmas. My personal favorite is when Hokey is ready to do business.

Today, Hocus J. Pocus and Chandu combine to make the most recognizable team in the industry. Look for them in a magic shop near you! Have a great weekend; we'll be back on Monday.

Made in the USA

Greetings, FUN fans.

For my first foray into the blogosphere, I'd like to address a subject -- or, rather, a common misconception -- about FUN Inc.

Since the company's inception in 1941, FUN Inc. has been more than a mere distributor of products. Manufacturing has always been and continues to be at the core of the FUN Inc. business. This means that when you purchase Royal Magic, FUN Inc. and Hampton Ridge magic products, you're not ordering something that's been shipped in and shipped out of our Chicago warehouse. In many instances, you receive an item that has been created from scratch right here in the FUN factory. We produce hundreds of different items, and many of them begin as nothing more than virgin plastic pellets which are molded into ball vases, cups and balls and crazy cubes. In short, when you buy from FUN Inc., you're buying direct from the source.

So, what does that mean, exactly? It means that we stand behind the quality of our products and that we are solely responsible for them. If you have a problem with any of the Royal Magic you buy from FUN Inc., call us and talk to us. We made it, and we'll make it right, should any issues arise.

Because FUN's manufacturing capabilities are so diverse (we have complete Tool & Die facilities, a 5000-square foot wood shop, punch presses, die cutting equipment, laminating, vaccu-forming, welding, cutting, collating and injection molding departments in our factory), the company is often asked to produce magic tricks and novelties for other businesses.

From specially cut, collated and printed cards to contract packaging jobs and custom magic sets, FUN has the ability to turn your product idea into a reality. Contact us with any inquiries and if we can't produce and economical solution for you, we'll be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

There's more on this subject to come, so stay tuned...

RCT is HERE!

Yes, we've been all a-twitter with anticipation for the arrival of Ed Marlo's Revolutionary Card Technique. The truck rolled in this afternoon, and we're already at work filling the orders.

This book sold out of its first edition, and we've already sold about half our first shipment. There's no telling how long we'll be able to keep these in stock!

Of course, being the hardcore cardician he is, Tomas has already started studying. I really need to practice if I'm going to keep up!

Dealers, click here to order.

Icons of FUN Inc.

This will be the first of a two-part series on the icons of FUN Inc. Those familiar with the Royal Magic line of products (which includes classics like the Ball Vase, Rice Bowls, and the Tel-a-Vision Box), will notice today's guest on each of their labels: Chandu the Magician.

Chandu was a creation of Morris Fox's Royal Magic Company, based in Brooklyn, NY in the 1930s. Later, Jules Traub, founder of FUN Inc. acquired Fox's company and added the magic line to his growing gags/novelty company.

These days, Chandu can be seen gracing the labels of various Royal Magic products. When not posing for pictures, he spends his free time reading minds, levitating objects, and enjoying life as only a disembodied head can.

A friend of mine once joked "If I got a tattoo of Chandu, could I get free magic from you for life?" No, but that would be really cool.

Stay with us tomorrow as noted author, publisher, and collector Gabe Fajuri of FUN Inc.'s product development team will post tomorrow. Gabe is a fountain of knowledge in all things magical, and I'm sure he'll have some excellent insights for us.

Tomas Medina's First Blog EVER!

Hello Magic fans!
Tomas Medina's TOP 6 New Year Resolutions:


1. Quit smoking. This is pretty easy because I don't smoke.
2. Lose weight. Also easy because I am a twerp.
3. Get the tires rotated on my car. Self-explanatory and, again, easy.
4. Stop pronouncing VERNET incorrectly. It's VER-NET, not VER-NAY.
5. Learn to float like the guy on TV.
6. Write a blog.

This is my first time blogging EVER! Not a problem since I love talking magic!
I have to admit, working at FUN Incorporated is a dream job for a magician. I get to talk to professional magicians, discuss magic , and even help develop new tricks! Plus I get to handle a deck of cards all day and not get in trouble! How cool is that?

I've worked retail magic sales for almost 6 years. Therefore the transition to FUN Incorporated wasn't too stressful. I'm a total magic nut and if anything, very knowledgable in regards to product. FUN is the perfect place for a guy like me.


I loved working at a magic shop. Some of the best times of my life. In fact, I DO MISS demonstrating magic. Yes, I still sell magic, but over the phone. Many new magic shop owners ask me for advice in regards improving magic sales. In my next blog, I'll expand on this topic! See you in a week.

Thanks for the Shout-Outs

Thanks go to several friends of FUN Inc. who have linked to us from their blog. Of those I know of, I'll thank them thusly:

• Tim Ellis and Sue-Anne Webster of Magic Unlimited
• The Magician, weblog of the magical arts
• Tim Quinlan's InsideMagic.com

For anyone else who linked to us or otherwise passed the word, thanks to you as well. Stay tuned for tomorrow, as your old magic pal Tomas Medina will be posting here. What will he talk about? He won't even tell me!

Revolutionary Card Technique in this week!

It was an eventful weekend for magic in Chicago. FUN Inc's own Tomas Medina co-starred in The Amazing Chicago Magic Show with Joe Diamond, Bill Koch, and Fred Paul Bailey. I caught the show on Saturday night and was thoroughly entertained by all four performers. Kudos all around!

Second, the big announcement I've been teasing you all about: FUN will be carrying the latest reprint of Ed Marlo's Revolutionary Card Technique! The ultimate classic textbook on cards, Bill Malone calls it "a definite must for anyone studying sleight of hand with cards." Originally published as a series of smaller manuscripts, RCT covers things like card changes, faro shuffles, estimation, and much more. This stuff is for the serious cardician, folks. We're not talking stuff for the casual performer: this book includes knuckle-busting finger flickers!

The shipment of books is due at the FUN compound either today or tomorrow, but we are accepting pre-orders for dealers. We'll be putting them for sale on the FUN Inc. website once we have them in hand, but for now, dealers will need to contact the FUN Customer Service team at (773) 745-3837.

Meals with FUN

It's been a busy morning for me at the FUN offices. Handling emails, answering phones, and taking orders all at once can be challenging - even for a magician!

In addition to the magic tricks you all know and love, FUN produces a number of gags and novelty items. So I thought to myself, "Self, what if you hosted a meal with all FUN products?"

Naturally, you'd want to serve the FUN Phony Burger, along with a selection of condiments, including catsup and mustard (not to be confused with ketchup). For dessert - oops! - your guests will end up disappointed with melted ice cream bars. It's just as well, since the chocolate sauce spilled as well.

FUN also produces various cutlery for different occasions. For those who prefer pasta, the Da Vinci Spaghetti Fork is a must. Being Italian, it was natural for Da Vinci to come up with something like this. Or, if a giant comes to dinner, there's always the Jumbo Knife and Fork, - each over 12 inches long - your gargantuan guest will feel right at home. Then again, say you or a guest is trying to shed a few pounds, there's always the Diet Spoon - you can't eat with it if you tried!

And so ends the first week of our Fun Inc. blog. We'll be back posting on Monday. Tomas and Gabe will be posting some submissions, along with a big announcement about a long unavailable book returning to shelves. Have a great weekend!

"He Knows What I'm Thinking!"

For a happy Thursday morning at the Fun Inc offices, I generously donated a dozen donuts for the collective fueling of our creative minds. That, and I am hoping to get a little longer lunch period today.

My colleague, Gabe Fajuri, performed an effect for me this morning that I admit I had never experienced before. Since mentalism is all the rage these days (what with Phenomenon and all), Gabe had me think of a number, then matched that to a list of words. Merely thinking of the randomly chosen word, he correctly told me what word I was thinking of.

The brevity of my description emphasizes the simplicity of the effect: A word is thought of, then revealed by the wonder-worker. How much more pure could a mind-reading effect be?

Mental Yarn is suitable for your strolling restaurant magicians, stage magicians, and yes, can even be done over the phone, on the radio, or even via Instant Message. Watch your friends mind explode when you invade his brain and pry thoughts his thoughts out.

Dealers: Easy-to-demo, no reset. Magicians: If you wonder what pure mind-reading looks like, look no further.

Coming Soon to a Magic Shop Near You

We have got some very exciting magic products on the way in the near future. There's a book (you remember, those inky-paper heavy things before computers?) on the way that I'll talk about more next week, and there are some tricks with instructional DVDs from some top names that'll hit the shelves this year.

I'm very pleased with the positive feedback I've been getting about our little corner of the Internet. I'm very happy that so many of you are joining in the discussions. Please let your magic friends know about us!

For now, I can tell you that some of the soon-to-be released products will be Fun Inc. exclusives, meaning the only place for your local magic shop to get them is from us. Retailers, when your customers ask you for FUN, we're ready to take your call!

In the meantime, let me start a discussion: What is the most valuable card sleight in your arsenal? Can you do a Classic Pass? One-Handed Top Palm? Strike Double? Post your thoughts, and I'll chime in with the response from Charlie Miller, as written in Harry Riser's "Secrets of an Escomateur."

Fun Inc. on TV - again!

This report of a product spotted on TV comes from our old pal Tomas. He witnessed this a few years back during a broadcast, but I'm sure they re-run old episodes regularly, so you can probably catch it on your local station.

The Wiggles, the popular children's television show, recently featured the Fun Magic Coloring Book on their show as a break from the show's usual musical format on their recent DVD release, "Wiggle Time."

Here's a description from one parent:

In addition to the songs, there is a little "Magic" show break in the middle of the video. The kids are shown a magic coloring book, which is blank. They are asked to draw a picture in the air and throw it at the TV, which makes the book suddenly have drawings. Next, they are told to grab some colors from their clothes and throw it, making the pictures have color. This was a cute little break from the music, and really involves the kids watching.

The Fun Coloring Book has been featured in many other TV shows. If you have any Fun Coloring Book or other Fun Inc. product sighting, make sure to let us know!

Fun Inc. in the Chicago Tribune and on TV

A few weeks ago, our esteemed president, Graham Putnam, was featured in an article in The Chicago Tribune. The article focused on our line of gags and novelties, in particular, Whoops.

Whoops is the official name for our fake vomit. We've been hand-brewing vomit for your entertainment pleasure for many years. While the exact recipe is a trade secret (they still haven't told me), you can still learn what goes into the powerful puke by reading the article here: The ultimate in gag gifts.

Graham's appearance in the newspaper flooded the Fun Inc. switchboard with calls from nostalgic parents wanting to buy a little childishness for their kids and fellow adults for Christmas. Since we're a wholesaler, not a retailer, we just had to point them in the direction of their local Fun Inc. dealer.

In addition to Whoops, I was particularly excited to discover that we own the U.S. Patent on Talking Teeth, the wind-up chattering teeth that I know you've seen on television! While enjoying an episode of NBC's The Office (I borrowed Season 3 from a friend), I noticed Michael Scott (played by Steve Carrell) was playing with some Talking Teeth on his desk while trying to procrastinate. I was so excited that I noticed our product on TV, I pretty much forgot about the rest of the episode. If I remember the which episode it was, I'll have to make another post later.

I like to think I know a lot about the magic business, but after 7 weeks at this company, I am smart enough to know that I don't know very much. Everyday I learn something fascinating, which makes me excited to come to work every morning. It may be cliche, but it really is fun to be at Fun.

Card Trick of the Year

It is rather rainy today in Chicago, but nobody is complaining. How can you complain when its pushing 60 degrees...in January? Even though the temp is balmy, the rain is keeping us from enjoying the outdoors.

Now, I intend for us to promote some of our new and old products on this blog, but I don't want to turn everything into the "Trick of the Year" or "DVD of the Year." So when I write a post about some product being the "Whatever of the Year," it's only because I really mean it.

Knaves Gone Wild is worthy of the nomination. David Solomon, a protege of the legendary Ed Marlo, released this trick through Fun Inc. in the waning weeks of 2007. What you have is a MacDonald's Aces-type assembly routine that will fool those familiar with MacDonald's Aces.

Solomon's brilliant handling of the effect leaves no doubt the Jacks are present in each of the four packets until the very last instant.

Take a look at this video, performed by our very own Tomas Medina. Included is the required cards, and an instructional DVD hosted by Solomon himself. The DVD also includes a bonus routine!

On one of my last trips home to Michigan, I spent a day demonstrating behind the counter at The Wunderground in Clawson, Michigan. I demonstrated this routine all day, having learned it within 30 minutes of my arrival. Easy to demo, easy to setup, and especially, easy to reset, making it a great choice for those strolling/walk-around gigs.

Knaves Gone Wild earns its kudos from the reactions it generates. Pick one up from your favorite magic dealer.

New Year, New Blog

This is the historical first post to our new Fun Incorporated blog in the new year, brought to you by the newest employee here at Fun.

We hope to use this blog as a way to keep in touch with out customers and the magic community at large. We are constantly releasing new tricks, books, and DVDs, along with our venerable Royal Magic line.

The magic and novelty industry continues to develop in the Information Age, and we want to harness the Information Superhighway in every way we can.

Stay tuned!