The Ellusionist crew is in the midst of plan meetings for the upcoming months and years. We are meeting in Brad’s Northern California home and taking tours around the San Francisco area. The moments have included:

• ~ Scratching our heads about why Pier 39 is virtually closed before 9 p.m.
• ~ Wondering why people would make out in front of sea lions. (Says Pete: “Is that really a romantic sound?”)
• ~ Learning to throw cards (and plucking them out of Brad’s light fixtures. Heck of a shot).
• ~ Watching an abso-frickin-beautiful card at any number routine that Eric Jones developed. Seriously. Stunning. (And it ain’t even magic, he’d tell ya.)
• ~ Enjoyed bacon sundaes. Yes. Bacon sundaes.
• ~ Watched Jake chug a glass of pickle brine. He won’t need sodium again until September.

Despite the fun and crazy creativity, a lot of work and planning is getting done. As much as we’d love to fire a list of bullets, filled with all the incredible stuff coming up, we don’t want to drop any hints quite yet. We’ll just say that 2012 and 2013 are going to be pretty epic.

If you’re not a Facebook fan of ours yet, change that now. We’re posting pics like crazy.

The home of the Black Tiger is proud to offer its products to one of the Four Asian Tigers. We are once again able to send packages to Singapore.

Previously, Ellusionist had removed availability to Singapore because of an extremely high number of returned packages, reported as “package could not be delivered” or “address not found.” We come across from time to time, but not at the statistically anomalous levels we were getting. We have worked tirelessly the past few months to resume our service, and finally we’re able to announce that we can again ship to Singapore.

For those who order from Singapore, please be aware that fulfillment of your order may be delayed by up to 24 hours while we verify address and shipping details, to ensure you get your package. That means that if you order after 1 p.m. on a Monday, your order should ship no later than Wednesday of the same week. We apologize in advance for the delay, but it means that you join the ranks of those international customers who get their awesomeness delivered by the postman.

Also noteworthy: Because Singapore is a separate city/state from Malaysia (it’s its own country — it’s like the New York, N.Y. of the South Pacific), we have not been able to do the same for Malaysians yet.

Sammy Cortino is ready for the big show.

The 22-year-old magician from Hickory, N.C., who was endorsed into the IBM by Lance Burton and Siegfried and Roy, is set to tour around the world, and it starts with a show in his hometown. He and his partner Lyndsay Thomas will perform, then head to Nashville for a series of appearances booked by Music City Artists and Alkahest Artists and Attractions. About a year and a half ago, he set a world record for card manipulation.

Why are we telling you about him? Because this could be you.

We’re under no illusions here: Starting a career in magic is hard. But it can be done. Ask these guys:

~ Nick Bretz is a martial arts master and stay-at-home dad from Perham, Minn. He is also a magician and comic who recently did a New Year’s Eve show for 2,000 in Grand Forks.

~ Carlos Sawyer, of Oroville, Calif., trained with Victor Kent while in high school. Now 32, he just finished performing a sold-out show Sunday at the Copa De Oro. He also holds on to his day job.

What do all those guys have in common? They received coverage in local newspapers (we linked to the news reports instead of their websites). They worked their art and built their business well enough to get attention and become newsworthy. Their performances are good enough to earn reviews strong enough to catch the ears of editors.

In the spirit of helping add fuel to the fire of your performance goals for 2012: Why can’t that be you?

Of course, you’ll need help, and maybe some mentoring. We got you covered: Our Performance HQ Forums are filled with all kinds of advice on how to get work. And, if you pass the test, you can get some great help in the Back Room.

Yes. That is a TIE Fighter. From Star Wars. Made out of Rider backs.

This heap of awesome is possible with a new invention called Skallops (spotted on Gizmodo). These laser-cut pieces of wood enable you to easily and seamlessly connect cards in a variety of ways. The guys behind these little connectors have launched a Kickstarter page, so you can get your own set once they go into full-scale production.

A Skallops connector features a variety of slots that hold either cards or other connectors. The idea has been in the head of creator Marshall Grinstead, who was able to make his creation come to life once he found a laser that can cut birch plywood. It’s like a bunch of wooden K’Nex specially made to turn your cards into Legos. A starter pack costs $45 and comes with two decks of cards.

Tip o’ the hat made out of cards to David Mitchell, who has already allegedly built a second bunker out of Skallops and cards.

Color changes are some of the most visual effects possible in card magic. Magicians have strived for well over a century to create a color change that required no funny moves, and no cover – but it’s been impossible. A playing card just doesn’t change without help… until now.

Jay Crowe and Jason Brumbalow teamed up to create Aura – the card that prints itself.

From a blank deck a card is chosen and placed in the hands of a spectator. They are told to think of a card, and visualize the image flowing forth from their mind to the blank card in their hand. Slowly, Visually, face up, the image materializes from nothing. The blank card has manifested ON ITS OWN, becoming the very card they had in their mind. 
Witness what real magic should look like as the image of their card breathes itself into existence before their eyes.

With Royal Wave, G has created magic that will make you the most feared player at the card table. After showing a hand that any player in their right mind would muck, you flick your wrist – and show the cards have changed – into a Royal Flush. No gaffs, no gimmicks, no pulls – just sleight of hand card magic at its best.

Today is a very good day for magic.