Problem: Article: Once you've gained some skills, reach out to a local professional magician and ask if you can be an apprentice and receive some helpful feedback. You'd be surprised by how helpful many professional magicians can be, remembering when they were starting out. You just have to be receptive to feedback and be ready to take some criticism that can improve your craft. A local magician that you can talk to in person will be more useful than an online mentorship. Attend local magic shows, and approach one of the more experienced magicians. Say something like, "I enjoyed your magic act, and I'm trying to become a magician myself. I'd love to show you some tricks I've been working on, and to get your feedback on how I can improve." The magician might not show you any tricks, but they could give you tips on how to perform your first tricks like a pro. If you don't have this advantage, try to learn from your mistakes as much as possible. Once you've mastered the basic tricks and have gained your footing as a magician, then it's time to be your own kind of magician. You can't just rely on the tricks of others if you really want to succeed. Of course, you should have some (at least 6 or 8) old and famous magic tricks in your act, such as the cup and balls magic trick. No one wants to see an unoriginal magic act being performed over and over. Think of an idea that has never been done before. For example, make strings disappear from a guitar. Then, decide how you will accomplish the effect. Now, think of a way to make the trick convincing. Once you've got all the parts planned out, start practicing the trick. The public may enjoy some old classics, but you should avoid certain cliche tricks, like pulling a rabbit out of a hat. (Instead, make it appear in a box!) As a more advanced technique, try to merge several tricks together to create a new effect. For example, after you turn a ball into a tissue, make a coin appear out of the tissue; then, make the coin go through your hand. Don't steal or explicitly imitate the style of other magicians. You may take a deceased magician's style and put a unique twist on it, but never take a modern magician's style. It's better to have unique style and perform previously performed tricks, rather than take someone else's style and perform your own tricks. These will help you to gain theater experience, especially if you work with a good director. Magic is theater and a magician is a performer. You don't have to go to acting school, but if you're shy in front of a crowd or just want to feel more comfortable in front of a crowd, then take an acting class or two to step up your game. Group acting lessons are commonly provided by local community theater groups. Look for flyers around where you live, or search online. Look for something like "community theater beginning acting lessons." Small-scale group classes are typically inexpensive, and sometimes may be free. It's crucial for magicians to have dexterous, quick fingers. Start with coin manipulation. It's easiest to master, but it is still challenging. Learn how to palm the coin on your hand. Find a spot in your palm where the coin will stick the most even if you open/close your hand, or turn it upside down. Then, learn some simple illusions with coins. For example, pretend to put a coin in your left hand when really it's still located in the right hand. After mastering coin manipulation, you can move on to ball manipulation and, finally, card manipulation. Check out what other magicians in your field are up to by going to local shows. Talk to your magician friends to see what they've been working on. Don't do the same old thing one year after the next or people will start to think of your magic act as outdated, repetitive, or dull.
Summary: Ask a magician to mentor you. Be original in your tricks and performance style. Innovate new tricks or trick combinations. Develop a unique style of performing. Take acting classes at a local community theater. Improve the flexibility of your arms, fingers, and hands. Keep your sleights up to date.

Problem: Article: Decide what shape you want your tail to be, then draw it onto a large sheet of paper. For a cat tail, you could make a long, skinny rectangle that is rounded at one end. For a fox tail, you could make an elongated almond shape instead. It would be a good idea to add a -inch (1.27-centimeter) seam allowance to your pattern at this point. If you don't you'll need to add one later. You can pin the pattern to the fur or you can trace it using a dressmaker's chalk or pen. Make sure that the tail goes with the grain of the fabric, and that the fur ends at the tip, like a real tail. Choose long, fluffy fur for large tails, such as fox or wolf tails. Choose short fur for skinny tails, such as cat tails. Set the fake fur down onto a flat surface with the back side facing you. Slide the tip of your scissors into the fur, then begin to cut along the pattern. Cutting like this will prevent you from accidentally cutting the fur fibers themselves. If you did not already add a seam allowance to your pattern, be sure that you add a inch (1.27-centimeter) seam allowance now. Alternatively, you can cut the pattern out using a box cutter. If you chose a unique shape for your tail, such as a curved husky tail, make sure that you flip the pattern over first. This includes the fur at the tip of the tail. Doing this will prevent the fur from getting caught in the seams, and make cleaning it up at the end easier. Place the two pieces of fur together, with the wrong sides facing out. Sew along the fur using a -inch (1.27-centimeter) seam allowance. If the thread breaks, use a looser tension or switch to a stretch stitch. Leave the top of the tail open. Use a dowel, pen, or knitting needle to help push the end of the tail out further. If your tail had a curved shape, like a husky tail, be sure to cut notches into the curved parts. This will help it lay smoother. You can find bags of this stuff in fabric stores and arts and crafts stores. If you want a bendable tail, consider sticking a thick wire into the tail after you stuff it. Tuck the raw edges into the tail, then sew the sew shut using a ladder stitch. You will be using a safety pin to secure the tail to your costume. If you'd prefer to use loops instead, cut one or two loops out of cording, and add them to the top of the tail before you sew it shut. Alternatively, you can sew a keychain ring or hook to the top of the tail instead. If you added loops of cording instead, you can skip this step and slide the tail onto a belt instead. Focus on the seams where the fur may have gotten caught in the stitch. Next, brush the fur from the top of the tail towards the bottom so that it lays naturally. If you make a husky tail, you will need to comb it at a downward angle instead so that it points towards the outer part of the curve. If the fur is still caught in the seams, use the tip of a knitting needle to pull it out, then comb it again.
Summary:
Create your pattern. Transfer your pattern to the back of a piece of fake fur. Cut the pattern out from the back of the fabric. Cut another piece for the other side of the tail. Comb the fur inwards, away from the cut edges. Pin and sew the tail together. Turn the tail right-side-out through the opening at the top. Stuff the tail with polyester stuffing or fiberfill. Hand sew the top of the tail shut. Sew a flat-backed safety pin to the top of the tail. Comb or brush the fur out.