Supporting the Artist

February always feels a little gentler to me. We are out of the high pressure of the holiday season. There is a peaceful serenity in the snowy landscape (if you are lucky enough to have snow!). Phil sees his shadow, and winter holds on. Very few calendar and holiday commitments in February remind us to slow down, notice the people we care about, and show appreciation in ways that really matter. We spend evenings reflecting and considering plans for spring. As I ponder the relevance in things to mention in my monthly magic blog and consider how any small thing I've learned in magic could be helpful - I thought this would be a good time to talk about something that doesn’t get enough attention: how to support the artists and makers behind the magic.

When you buy a handmade magic prop, you aren’t clicking “add to cart” on something that came off an assembly line in china. You’re buying from a person who often has spent years learning what works, and what doesn’t. But I think even more importantly most makers in the magic fraternity are actually performers or retired performers and so that usually means they know what they are doing. Supporting the artist sometimes means trusting that the maker knows what they’re doing. And that trust goes a long way.

Supporting a Maker Goes Beyond the Purchase. Of course buying the item is appreciated, always. But there are other simple ways to support the creators whose work you enjoy:

Share their work! If you love a handmade piece, tell people. Post about it. Mention it in a magic forum. Take it to your local meetings. Word of mouth is still one of the biggest ways small makers survive and grow.
Buy a back-up! If a prop lives in your working case, having a second one just makes sense. It’s peace of mind for you and meaningful support for the maker. 
Write a review! Public reviews on magic pages help other magicians find quality work. They also let the maker know their time and effort made a difference in real performance. 
Pay it forward! Gift a handmade prop to a magician friend or student. It’s more than a gift, it’s a way of sharing craftsmanship and respect for the art.
Trust the maker! Our descriptions are written carefully and intentionally. Not every detail can be shared, and that’s not secrecy, it’s protection. Good magic depends on it.

Most makers aren’t trying to be mysterious. They’re trying to protect methods, maintain quality, and continue creating in a way that’s sustainable and honest. Supporting artists means meeting them with trust, patience, and appreciation. And that kind of support? That’s what keeps the magic alive.

I hope you are enjoying a gentle February in your part of the world!
​