The royal road to card magic is a popular book written by Jean Hugard and Frederick Braué. Published in 1948, it serves as a comprehensive guide for beginners in the art of card magic. The book covers a wide range of card tricks and techniques, starting from basic sleight of hand moves to more advanced routines. The first section of the book focuses on fundamental moves, such as the basic card control techniques, false shuffles, and cuts. These techniques form the foundation for advanced card magic and are essential for building a strong repertoire of tricks. The authors provide clear and detailed explanations with accompanying illustrations to help readers understand and master these moves.
Put the head back on the blunt object you pushed the eyes out with, and hold the eye sockets in the hot water. You don’t need to put the whole head in the water (so you don’t get water in the head via the neck-hole, and also so the head isn’t too hot to handle), just the eye sockets.
I didn t need to heat the vinyl to get the eye out, only to get it back in, but if you need to, you can heat the vinyl around the eye first more on heating in Step to make it easier to remove the eye. I found my Switch-A-Witch set at Target, right next to the Create-A-Monster sets, and it would have been easy for someone to get confused between the two.
The authors provide clear and detailed explanations with accompanying illustrations to help readers understand and master these moves. After covering the basic techniques, the book progresses to more advanced sleights and tricks. It explores concepts such as forcing cards, false deals, and palming.
Dolly Review: Bratzillaz Switch a Witch Set
A few months back, I reviewed Meygana, a Bratzillaz doll. There was much debate between the similarities between the Bratzillaz line and Monster High. Now, I still believe that there really is no such thing as a ‘new’ idea. Everything is a take on something else. Bratzillaz might share some common elements, but they’re not an exact rip-off of Monster High. They have a much different ‘vibe’ for me than Monster High and I think that is what really separates the two!
Bratzillaz Switch a Witch Packaging
Bratzillaz Switch a Witch Packaging
That being said I’m going to compare the Bratzillaz Switch a Witch set to the Monster High Create a Monster set a lot because they’re both very similar in look, feel, and concept. There are various Switch a Witch sets available. I picked up a single pack (ie: one doll) for $12.95 at my local Walmart, but there are also two packs that let you create two witches.
The packaging from the front looks a lot like a Monster High Create a Monster. The limbs are place together in various pockets so right from the get go you can enjoy putting the doll together piece by piece. It was easy to open and none of the pieces gave me too much trouble getting out. This single set came with 21 pieces, which can create one complete Bratzilla. The pieces count includes a brush. No stand is included in this set. One staple of the doll so far is that it seems they all will be released with two toned skin. For example, my set’s doll is half yellow, half white.
Switch a Witch pieces
Manufacturers have created ‘create your own doll’ sets for years, Mattel, however has done it most recently. There is no denying that the art of building your Switch a Witch is very similar to building a Create a Monster (referred to as CAM through the end of article). Pieces fit into the body with pegs, which are slightly larger and rounder than CAM sets. They’re solidly made limbs and the pegs look like they should withstand active play well.
Once together, the body is, for the most part, stable. My Switch a Witch‘s arms are tight and hold poses well. Her torso has a separate waist joint, which is pre-assembled. It allows for more added mobility than I remember getting in my Meygana. The only parts that are less stable than I’d like are her lower legs and how they connect with her thighs. My Switch a Witch’s body likes hyper extending forward or if tilted too far back, likes bending quickly at the knees and dive bombing to the floor.
Switch a Witch- Together
As far as her fashions go, I’ve finally decided what I think of them. While the top limits her shoulder mobility, I like it. It is a cute little top. It’s made from a shiny vinyl short of material and fits her well. Her pants fit her fine and they go with the whole two-tone concept. I’m not super excited about them, but they match the top and might work nicely with outfits from other Switch a Witch sets.
Switch a Witch- Splits
One thing I like about the Bratzillaz line in general are their inset eyes. This doll has shiny, silver sparkles in her eyes, which look really cool. Her make up is really nicely done. I love the dark lips with the silver eyes. And strangely, is all works quite well with her two toned face.
Switch a Witch- Cute face!
And the make it or break it element for me? The wig. By now, you probably know that if I buy a CAM like toy, I expect the wig to look good. It shouldn’t be that hard to be able to create a well fitting wig. How did the Switch a Witch wig turn out? Surprisingly, it fits well. It isn’t perfect, mind you, but it isn’t as horrible as some of the wigs CAM‘s have had in the past.
Switch a Witch and Meygana
The Switch a Witch wigs are one of the most versatile to borrow for other doll lines because it wasn’t made with any sort of peg inside. It’s literally just a plastic wig cap that you squeeze onto a round head.
Monster High CAM with Switch a Witch wig
The main issue I have with her stock wig is the fact that it sits really high on her head. I would have preferred if her ‘hairline’ was more natural. I’m not crazy about the styling of this wig, either.
How do other wigs fit? Recently, my mom and I picked up a good number of Liv wigs from Saver’s. To make them fit our CAM‘s, we chopped off the peg from the inside of the wig, leaving a round wig cap. They fit really well on the Switch a Witch head. They look so much better on her, too, than her stock wig! Below are some quick photos we shot of our Switch a Witch wearing Liv wigs.
The four lower legs are the same four colors, and the colors match the corresponding thigh piece. In other words, the checkered thigh goes on the same side of the body as the checkered lower leg and the black thigh goes on the same side as the black lower leg. You could mix this up if you didn't mind that the big toe was on the wrong side.
These techniques allow magicians to manipulate the cards in subtle ways, creating the illusion of magic. The royal road to card magic also features a variety of card tricks and routines. Each trick is carefully explained, with step-by-step instructions and illustrations. The tricks range from self-working miracles to more advanced routines that require practice and skill. The authors also include variations and presentations for each trick, allowing readers to personalize and adapt the effects to their own style. One of the key features of the royal road to card magic is its emphasis on presentation. The authors stress the importance of creating a compelling performance and engaging the audience. They provide tips and advice on performing with confidence, adding humor, and structuring a routine for maximum impact. Overall, the royal road to card magic is considered a classic in the field of card magic. It has introduced countless aspiring magicians to the art and craft of card manipulation. The book's clear explanations, detailed illustrations, and range of tricks make it an invaluable resource for beginners and intermediate magicians alike. By following the royal road, aspiring magicians can develop their skills and create captivating performances that will amaze and entertain audiences..
Reviews for "Unleashing Your Inner Magician: The Secrets of the Royal Road"
1. Mike - 2/5 stars: I found "The Royal Road to Card Magic" to be quite disappointing. The instructions were not clear and left me confused most of the time. The author assumed that the reader already had some background knowledge in card magic, which made it difficult for a beginner like me to grasp the techniques. The book also lacked visuals or illustrations, making it even harder to understand the concepts. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to someone looking to learn card magic from scratch.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars: I had high hopes for "The Royal Road to Card Magic," but sadly, it did not meet my expectations. The instructional style was dry and monotonous, making it difficult to stay engaged. The explanations were often vague, leaving me unsure of how to execute the tricks correctly. Additionally, the book focused heavily on sleight of hand techniques, without providing enough tricks to practice and perform in front of an audience. Overall, I found this book to be lackluster and not helpful in improving my card magic skills.
3. John - 2/5 stars: As a beginner in card magic, I was hoping that "The Royal Road to Card Magic" would provide me with a solid foundation. However, I was disappointed to find that the book is outdated and fails to cater to modern audiences. The tricks and techniques described in the book felt old-fashioned and didn't align with the contemporary style of card magic. Furthermore, the explanations were often convoluted and hard to follow, making it difficult for me to understand and apply the concepts. I would recommend looking for more up-to-date resources if you're serious about learning card magic.