1. Voodoo Ash

The Effect:

A name is written on a piece of paper by a spectator. The paper is torn off, crumpled up, placed in an ashtray, and burned. The ashes are then rubbed on the magician's arm, and the name mysteriously appears on their skin.

Preparation:

You will need a small notepad, pen, ashtray, lighter, and a small piece of soap or wax.

The Method:

1. Ask the spectator to write a name on the notepad.
2. Tear off the sheet, crumple it, place it in the ashtray, and set it alight.
3. Take the notepad back. You should be able to see the imprint of the written name on the next sheet of the pad.
4. Misdirection: While looking away or talking, use the piece of wax/soap to secretly write that name on your arm. This must be invisible to the audience.
5. Take some ash from the tray and rub it over your arm. The ash will stick to the wax, revealing the name!

2. Card Through Window

The Effect:

A card is chosen and shuffled back into the deck. The magician fails to find it, gets "angry," and throws the deck at a window. The chosen card is found sticking to the window on the inside!

Preparation:

You need two identical decks of cards and a helper.

The Method:

1. Position the spectator facing away from a large window. Your helper should be outside (or behind the glass).
2. Force a card or peek at the card the spectator chooses.
3. Your helper (who has the duplicate deck) sees the card, finds the match, and sticks it to the inside of the window using wax or tape, then walks away.
4. Pretend to fail at finding the card. Throw the deck at the window.
5. The deck falls, but the duplicate card remains on the glass. Quickly pocket the original card from the floor while picking up the mess.

3. Gypsy Thread Trick

The Effect:

A length of thread is broken into several small pieces, rolled into a ball, and then magically restored to its original length.

Preparation:

Use brightly colored cotton thread. Before performing, roll a 2-foot length of thread into a tiny ball and hide it between your right thumb and index finger.

The Performance:

1. Unravel a fresh piece of thread from the spool (about 1 foot) and break it off.
2. Break this visible thread into small pieces.
3. Roll these broken pieces into a ball with your fingers.
4. The Switch: While rolling, switch the ball of broken pieces with the hidden "restored" ball you prepared earlier. Hide the broken pieces in your left hand.
5. Unravel the prepared ball to show the thread is fully restored!