Performance props take a beating, so eventually they do need to be replaced. As it happens, I have a few props that are getting worn out. Those multiples I bought are going to come in very handy pretty soon. I am somewhat hesitant to use them though, because once I start using them I no longer have replacements. I know one lady who lost some of her favorite props when her car was stolen. I know someone else who lost all of her favorite props in one fell swoop in a car fire.
Years ago I bought some lovely magic flowers made out of feathers. I can buy inexpensive (cheap and tacky) replacements in any magic shop. But the ones I have were handmade and visually the difference is night and day. The handcrafted ones I bought have incredibly vivid colors and the feathers don't shed like they do on the cheapies. I use a magic flower in a great deal of my shows. I originally bought around 3 of them. I'm down to one in my case and a spare at home. They weren't terribly expensive when I bought them. They were $25 each; a bargain when I think of how much I've used them. I'm now kicking myself for not buying 10.
One of my absolute favorite props is my beloved cockroach puppet. I am known for performing the routine I do with this puppet. Folkmanis, the company who manufactured him, retired him about 5 years ago. I sadly found out about 3 years ago and I was terribly disappointed. I scoured the web for retailers who had leftovers. I didn't find a single one. He was a hot seller. I cannot fathom why they discontinued him. Fortunately I have 2 and he is fairly durable. An online friend claims she picked one up for me in a local thrift shop and one of these days she will send him to me. So I might possibly have a 3rd out there somewhere. I used to have an adorable frog puppet who stuck out his tongue. His tongue was his weak spot. I went through a bunch of replacement tongues (they actually sold just the tongues) but then they stopped making them which rendered Mr. Frog useless.
Another performer I know had a beloved monkey puppet for like 20 years that was finally falling apart. In order for a puppet maker to build a new one, they had to literally take apart the old one. It is a terrifying thing to send away a favorite prop that you have a long history and connection with, when you know someone is going to literally destroy it in order to replace it. It's a gamble; a leap of faith that the new one will arrive and be close enough to the old one that you can find happiness with it. It reminds me of the Phoenix; burning up in flames to be reborn. I hope I don't ever have to do that with my cockroach!
I have a few particular props which have seen better days. I am currently brainstorming on creative solutions to come up with replacements. I would rather not be bothered with this task. There are a million things I would rather spend my time on. But I suppose I don't have much choice as I am a stickler for things looking a certain way visually. That is, I don't like to use props that look old and beat up. I don't mind if something looks like it has history, but I don't want anything to look like it's falling apart. I am not into Shabby Chic.
I made some sketches which I now need to color (I'd prefer to use professional quality, design markers). Then I need to have them transferred onto the surface I will be using-in this case, silk fabric. I have a few ideas on how that might be done, but I have no idea if it will work out well. I am particularly delighted with the sketch of the gorilla.
I should make it clear that my sketches are copies of the original props. However I've definitely used creative license. My gorilla has more detail and his face is much more ape-like. The original, which I am still using, many kids think is a bear (I suspect that's because the head, face and chest of the original had very different detailing).
I really do hope the new ones, once printed, turn out well.
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