Magic Tricks Using a Paper Clip and a Rubber Band

The Vanishing Paper Clip Trick

• Link three rubber bands together using figure-eight knots. Loop one end of the rubber band chain around your arm under your sleeve and above the elbow. Attach the other end to a paper clip. The rubber band chain should be taut when you hold the paper clip between the thumb and index finger on the looped arm. Pretend to place the paper clip in the half-closed palm of your other hand but, in reality, allow it to slide up your looped arm along the taut rubber band chain. The fingers of your half-closed, "receiving" hand should block the moment of retraction from your audience's view. Close and then open your empty hand, revealing the vanished paper clip.

The Rising Paper Clip Trick

• Loop a single paper clip through a rubber band and stretch the band roughly 8 inches between your closed fists. Conceal roughly 1/2 the length of the rubber band as slack in one of your fists. Still holding the rubber band taut, lower the fist containing the slack under the non-slack fist, creating a 30 to 40 degree angle along the band and allowing the paper clip to run down the slope to rest against the lowered fist. Gradually allow the concealed slack of the band to play out of your lowered fist. The reduced tension on the band will appear to carry the paper clip up the slope of the band, thus defying gravity.

The Linking Paper Clips Trick

• Fold a dollar bill in vertical thirds (like an accordion). Loop a rubber band around the middle of the front, outward third of the bill. Attach the right edge of the front outward third of the bill to the right edge of the middle third with a paper clip. Attach the left edge of the middle third to the left edge of the back third with another paper clip. Holding the right edge of the front third and the left edge of the back third with your respective hands, sharply draw the bill apart to make it flat. The unfolding motion will magically link both paper clips and the rubber band in one continuous chain.

The Jumping Rubber Band Trick

• Loop a rubber band around the base of your index and middle fingers. Holding the back of your hand towards the audience, curl your fingers into a slightly open fist and loop the palm-side edge of the rubber band over all four finger nails. Gradually expand your fingers. To the audience, the band will appear to "jump" from the base of your index and middle fingers to the base of your ring and little finger. Use the same procedure to "jump" the band back to the base of your index and middle fingers.