Auction nets $8K for cancer-stricken XCMer

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November 6, 2009

This is partly news because it’s rare to hear XCM creator De’vo vom Schattenreich give an audio interview. And it’s with Justin Robert Young, the prolific workhorse behind iTricks and the hardest working guy in the magic media. But the real story is the subject of the interview between them — it’s featured in the latest edition of iTricks’ Magic Stars Podcast.

A recent fundraising auction netted more than $8,000 to benefit a member of the Handlordz community afflicted with cancer. The auction included a bunch of rare items from Schattenreich’s and Jerry Cestkowski’s personal collection, including the knife used in a controversial video. The story behind the auction-winner of that knife, and what the winner decided to do with it, is pretty cool.

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Posted by Joe Hadsall | Filed Under Artist Interviews, General

Brumbalow interviewed for design blog

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November 5, 2009

Most of you know that Jason Brumbalow, general manager of Ellusionist, is a crazy-sick designer and artist. Anyone who has look at an Arcane deck knows exactly how good he is. The secret is getting out to the design world: JBone was featured in an interview by James Donaldson of the Paragon Muse. He talked about how to succeed as a graphic designer, what he did before signing on with E and how you can learn more from your victories than your failures.

And speaking of the Arcanes: Wonder what 6,000 decks looks like before it heads to the mail? A lot like the picture below, featuring expert warehouse troopers John, Evelyn and Jeand’elle after our record-breaking first day of sales. They are the reason so many of you got your decks so quickly. And they are hacker-proof.

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Posted by Joe Hadsall | Filed Under Artist Interviews, Ellusionist Products, General

Artist Interview: DeSouza talks deceptions

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November 2, 2009

Editor’s note: The following podcast was recorded on Oct. 23, several days before the start of the World Series. For reasons you’ll hear in the podcast, the editor is feeling pretty lucky that the Phillies dodged elimination by winning Game 5 tonight. Ellusionist supports neither the Yankees or the Phillies, but fully supports the idea of Joe shutting his trap about sports. That is all.

After almost 50 years, there’s not much in magic that Marc DeSouza HASN’T done. Outstanding close-up magician? Check. Worldwide respect? Got it. Awards from magic’s two largest international groups? He has a bunch. Creator of one of the most widely used sleights in magic today? Absolutely (along with Oscar Munoz, he is quick to point out).

Marc Desouza stopped by for an Artist Interview a few days ago. He talked about the era in magic’s history that is his favorite, what it takes to take your act to the stage (or in a magic competition), how he developed his ability to routine and his new 4-DVD set, “The Master Works of Conjuring.”

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If you somehow missed his video for the Arcane deck, see it here. Also, there is a discussion about a routine based on Alice in Wonderland. The video is below.

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Posted by Joe Hadsall | Filed Under Artist Interviews, Ellusionist Products, General

Asher headed to Japan for lecture tour

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October 30, 2009

The only Thunderbird better than the one created by Lee Asher rolled off the line in ‘57.

Part of the thrill of releasing the Arcane deck was to offer an Arcane version of one of the greatest, power-packed four-ace productions. If you haven’t seen his sweet performance clip in the Artist Gallery, stop what you’re doing right now, and check it out. It’s OK, we’ll wait. Go ahead.

But if you live in Japan, you can see Asher do it in real life. Lucky.

During the month of November, the creator of the Asher Twist and the Diving Board Double will be lecturing across Japan, talking about technique and presentation. Asher is one of the best in the business, and has a prolific library of solid sleights used by countless professionals. His plan for the Japan tour is simple: He will supply powerful information that will encourage you, inspire you and help take your magic to the next dimension.

Here’s where Asher will be when:

Nov. 11-17: Tokyo
Nov. 14: Yokohama and Tokyo
Nov. 18: Shizuoka
Nov. 19: Hamamatsu
Nov. 20: Kanazawa
Nov. 21: Nagoya and Osaka
Nov. 22: Okayama and Hiroshima
Nov. 23: Yamaguchi and Fukuoka

If you want to see him in one (or all) of the cities above, put in your request to Lee directly. He will send you the proper information on how to attend. He tells us that he WILL bring some Arcane decks from his personal collection to give away as prizes while in Japan. But the cards are the cake. From participants of Sorcerer’s Safari to professionals who have worked with him, Asher is one of the most inspirational and insightful lecturers and creators in the field.

Bring us back some sushi, Lee. Click after the jump for a map: Read more

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Posted by Joe Hadsall | Filed Under Ellusionist Products, General

Arcane contest winners announced

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October 30, 2009

The Joker has been busy indeed over the last few days, but she has finally decided to heap some niceties on those of you who braved the largest, biggest release of a custom deck yet. These winners were randomly chosen from customers who ordered Arcane decks during the first two days of availability. Congratulations to our Arcane contest winners, and to everyone who contributed to a record-breaking day.

Lane C. Thompson won the uncut sheet, the lucky dog.

Winners of the free Arcane stainless steel clip are:

Jack Champagne

TJ Bourne

Ian J. Throckmorton

Mitchell D. Berger

Anthony Nowak

And the winners of free black Arcane decks are:

Philip E. McDonough

Mathew J. Kenward

Ronald Phifer

Frank Spies

Kevin Spohr

Stephen Meli

Nathan J. Parsons

Aaron Kupferman

Barton Snell

Rick Gatt