Introduction
Craig Beytien's magical journey is a blend of performance, craftsmanship, and writing. In this fifth episode of The Magic Book Podcast, we explore Craig's evolution from a young magician to a respected creator and author. His story reflects the dedication, creativity, and innovation that characterize the world of magic.
Magical Beginnings
Craig's love for magic was sparked at a Cub Scout event when he was just 10 years old. He vividly recalls his first interaction with a magician:
I said, "How how do you do all this? How did you learn to do this?" And he said, "There are tons of books in the library."
This encounter led Craig to his first magic books, including Bobo's Modern Coin Magic and Okito on Magic.
I was fascinated by the book. And so they had two copies at that time. One was signed by the author … And that one was like, you know, $100 or something outrageous. And the other one that was unsigned was like $25. So I said, "Well, I'll take that one."
Okito on Magic would later prove influential in Craig’s approach to illusion building.
Early Performances
Craig's early performances included shows for family, friends, and local events. He recalls:
I remember doing small shows. I did Girl Scout events. I did a few Cub Scout events. As I was building a repertoire, I would do magic at school. And so it just kind of snowballed over time. I was actually featured in our school newspaper in high school as this young man who loves magic.
From Performing to Building
As Craig's life evolved, so did his approach to magic. He transitioned from performing to building props, inspired by Paul Osborne's Illusion Systems series:
I remember just diving in and saying, "I'm gonna build a Thin Model Sawing. I mean, let's go for something really hard because, you know, no guts, no glory!"
Craig's skill in carpentry and his desire to create unique, high-quality props would prompt the next step in his magical journey.
Illusion Arts Magic
In 1997, Craig founded Illusion Arts Magic, which today is widely respected for its high-quality magic apparatus. Craig gained recognition for creating miniature versions of classic illusions as well as for his original creations, including the Tesseract Transposition, which Craig considers his signature effect.
Craig's work extended beyond individual props to thematic variations that added creative twists to the Chinese Checker Cabinet, mentioned in Okito on Magic and detailed in The Oriental Magic of the Bambergs:
I have created so many different versions of that same effect, including instead of checkers, Oreo cookies that are 4 inches in diameter that actually we laser engraved some dark colored MDF. It looked just like a cookie!
Contributions to Magic Books and Magazines
Craig's writing career began with the contribution of two chapters to Paul Osborne's book, The Illusion Paradigm, and several articles for The Linking Ring magazine based on the idea of miniaturizing stage illusions for tabletop presentations.
I reached out to Sammy Smith, the publisher, editor-in-chief of The Linking Ring. And I said, "Look, I've got an idea. I wonder if I might run it by you."
His articles in The Linking Ring were well-received by readers:
That led to about a 2-year run, about 24 issues, where I had created - they called it 'Petite Magia,' - and it was a series of dimensioned plans.
Petite Magia: Crafty Plans for the Tabletop Wizard
Craig's new book, Petite Magia: Crafty Plans for the Tabletop Wizard is a comprehensive guide that compiles and expands upon his articles from The Linking Ring.
This book really is, in some sense, my history, which started with performing and then went to building, then went to writing. So to me, it's a culmination. It's a real expression of my life in magic.
The book encompasses 29 carefully detailed magic effects, fully dimensioned plans, along with Craig's insights into materials and finishes based on years of practical experience.
Physical Books in a Digital Age
Despite the rise of digital content, Craig emphasizes the value of physical magic books:
To me, that tangible book that I can refer to, I can make notes on, I can stick things into in terms of notes and so on and so forth, or sketches is paramount with this kind of a text.
He believes in their permanence and the tactile experience they offer, which digital formats cannot replicate.
Context in Magic and Future Projects
Craig emphasizes the importance of context and storytelling in magic performances.
Have you given [the audience] something to connect contextually to why this trick matters? I think that the most compelling performers are those that can tell a story, sometimes even if it's half-truth about their lives, or bring them into this story, a storytelling opportunity that brings context and meaning that gives the reason why the individual should care.
Craig hints at a future project focused on the history and artistry of the Chinese Checker Cabinet which he says is probably a writing project with many illustrations - and a lot of contributions.
Conclusion
Craig Beytien's story reflects the enduring appeal of magic and the importance of continuous learning and innovation. From his experiences as a young performer to becoming a respected craftsman and author, Craig's journey embodies the passion and dedication that drive the magic community forward.
His new book, Petite Magia, serves not only as a practical guide for aspiring and experienced prop builders but also as a celebration of the art's history and endless potential for creativity.
To learn more about Petite Magia: Crafty Plans for the Tabletop Wizard or to place an order, you can email Craig Beytien at cbeytien@hotmail.com. For more information about Illusion Arts Magic, visit the Facebook group.
Books Mentioned in this Episode
Modern Coin Magic by J.B. Bobo
Okito on Magic: Reminiscences and Selected Tricks by Okito (Theo Bamberg) and Robert Parrish
Greater Magic: A Practical Treatise on Modern Magic by John Northern Hilliard
The Illusion Paradigm by Paul Osborne (Craig contributed two chapters)
Paul Osborne's Big Black Book
The Oriental Magic of the Bambergs by David Bamberg, Eric C. Lewis, and Robert Albo
The Eric C. Lewis Miracles Trilogy: A Choice of Miracles (1980), A Continuation of Miracles (1981), and The Crowning Miracles (1983).
Early Harbin and Harbincadabra Two-Volume Set by Robert Harbin and contributors
Petite Magia: Crafty Plans for the Tabletop Wizard by Craig Beytien
Timestamps
00:00: Introduction to The Magic Book Podcast
00:22:Meet Craig Beytien: Magician, Craftsman, and Author
01:49: Craig's Early Discovery of Magic
03:20: First Magic Books: Bobo and Okito
05:01: Early Performance Experiences
06:48: Working at Worlds of Fun Amusement Park
09:33: The Evolution of Craig's Magical Journey
14:02: The Mini-Me Guillotine: A Signature Creation
15:36: Transitioning from Performer to Builder and Writer
16:16 Construction and challenges of the Mini Me Guillotine
18:37: Founding Illusion Arts Magic
18:46: Insights into the Tesseract Transposition
20:07: Inspiration Behind Petite Magia
21:31: Creation of the Okito-Style Chinese Checker Cabinet
23:14: Influences from Eric C. Lewis and Other Authors
24:55: Favorite Effects from Petite Magia
29:13: Including Sources for Materials in the Book
30:27: Solving Unique Challenges in Illusion Building
32:39: Book Binding and Format of Petite Magia
33:13: Additional Tips and Insights in the Book
36:35: The Role of Magic Books in the Digital Age
37:55 - Thoughts on 3D Printing and Modern Technology
39:03: Cherished Magic Books and Their Impact
40:06: Future Projects and Writing Plans
41:55: How to Purchase Petite Magia: Crafty Plans for the Tabletop Wizard
42:24: Conclusion and Final Thoughts