Jim Pace's "The Web" and Andrew Melia's "Box of Fear" are two of my favorite close-up effects. However, I have always been disappointed by the quality of the plastic spider that comes with these effects.

I know that these effects are still viciously effective, in spite of the spider's appearance, because the trick relies on the immediate and instinctive reaction of your spectator at the visual cue of a spider crawling on their body. Even with this knowledge, my type-A personality forced me to try various spider modifications, including paring down the size and width of the legs, and even heat-molding it into a more realistic posture. I also searched fruitlessly online for a life-size spider replica.

Finally, after being stuck in a 3rd world country for some time with almost no resources, I came up with the following method of making my own spider, and posted a tutorial on the process.

Individuals wishing to learn these effects will still need to purchase them, but armed with this information, you can make a highly realistic spider that can further enhance the reactions triggered by this effect.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Realistic-Spider-Prop

Please note that this link references a non-commercial idea sharing website, and that I do not in any way monetarily benefit from your viewing of my tutorial. I simply want fellow magicians to be able to use my idea if they so choose.

Enjoy!

EEEEeeewww! CREEEEEPY! Nice work. Thank You for sharing.

Nice one....they look great!