I just saw the add for the new Spider Pen Pro trick, which looks great, and threadwork is something I've long planned to learn... but I'm not quite ready to plop down $150 to get started.

I'm an amateur and a relative newbie; I'm quite willing to put in practice hours for a good effect, though. I can imagine that levitation is one of those skills that needs some time to build. But I can also imagine that a good gimmick makes it easier, or extends the range of effects that can be produced.

So, with that background, which trick would you recommend for someone new to this type of work? I'm looking for something in the $50 (or less) range, that will produce impressive results and give me the experience I need to make good use of something like the Spider Pen Pro later.

Many thanks,
- Joe

YES!! There are several ways to get into levitation. The 1st (and most expensive) is This is from Penguin. Just put "Loops" in the search box.

After that then you can get loops pre-made for $9.95 for 5 loops or you can get a spool of invisible thread for $2 to $7 this will give you between 10 to 30 feet of thread and you can make your own loops.

I recommend looking in to;
Who's Afraid of Invisible Thread by Jon Leclair

...And this thread;
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/view ... &forum=218

Art of Levitation 1&2 Dirk Losander, DVD

In the same spirit of what the other gentlemen have said, I would recommend staring out with a few basic hookups with the basic nylon thread. More than anything, I think anyone looking to get into thread work should first be able to adequately manipulate a simple hookup effectively. I say this because I see way too many people pick up the "Mac Daddy" electronic reel without knowing the first thing about thread work. They simply expect the reel to do the work for them. I have not purchased LeClair's "Who's Afraid of a Little Invisible Thread", but I have heard nothing but good things about it personally and through multiple reviews online.