All posts by Chris Walden

About Chris Walden

Chris Walden is a multifaceted guy with a background in technology, writing, and theatrical production. He is the force behind Mythmade Productions in Austin, Texas and enjoys creating unique experiences for people that go beyond mere entertainment. He lives in Cedar Park with his wife, daughter and some number of cats. He is a regular correspondent for Saul Ravencrafts activities.

Environmental Magic Teaching DVD

Photo of teaching DVD
  • Taught by a professional magician with special expertise in teaching!
  • Makes magic easy to learn and perform effectively!
  • Produced in a professional studio with high production values!
  • You can do magic with this information!

Can you keep a secret? This 45 minute video by Kent Cummins teaches all six tricks in the Environmental Magic Kit, plus much more. It is NOT intended for public viewing! Kent is an award-winning magician and teacher, who has specialized in “Magic With a Message” throughout his long career.

To purchase, please use our order form.

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Fortune Telling Fish Teaching Kit

photo of a white plastic envelope with red fish design
  • Science meets pseudoscience!
  • Fortune telling meets magic!
  • Fun for all ages!
  • Educational and empowering!

Do you believe that people can tell fortunes? I don’t…but I know that FISH can! You may have had one of these cute paper fish novelties when you were a kid, but did you realize all of the ways they can be used in teaching? Kent Cummins has been consorting with Fortune telling Fish all of his life, and he has created a Teacher’s Guide for their use that makes them empowering and educational as well as FUN! The Teacher’s Guide plus one gross (144) of these amazing fish will make you a believer.

Price: $10.99

To purchase, please use our order form.

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Magic Light Bulb Trick

photo of light bulb with box
  • A bright idea!
  • Teaches how to sustain air quality!
  • Easy and fun to perform!

When this trick was invented, back in the 1950’s, it was called “The Atomic Lamp.” Easy to perform, this apparently ordinary incandescent light bulb can be illuminated by screwing it into your hand, or holding it over someone’s head (They are having a brilliant idea!). Then blow it out! Works incredibly well with the Magic Lamp Socket, sold separately.

Price: $13.99

To purchase, please use our order form.

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Photo of Slush Powder by Magic Hotline

Slush Powder Magic Trick

Photo of Slush Powder by Magic Hotline
  • Makes liquids apparently disappear!
  • Safe and easy to use!

This versatile powder uses science to create magic! Just like the powder that is in disposable diapers, this powder absorbs many times its weight in liquid, allowing you to apparently make water (or any other liquid) completely disappear. This is the perfect ending for the Magic Water Jug: after pouring out water again and again, the water apparently disappears (which is what will happen if we don’t conserve water now!) Each container provides enough powder for dozens of performances. Also included is a prepared plastic cup which works perfectly for making liquid disappear.

To purchase, please use our order form.

Environmental Magic at Austin Earth Day

by Chris Walden

Austin Earth Day Festival 2015 logo

April 22, 2015 marks the 45 annual Earth Day. Begun in 1970, this even is a focus on environmental concerns around the world. Because everybody’s working for the weekend, a lot of the celebrations are happening a little early, with many activities happening over this weekend.

Photo of the Envrionmental Magic Kit box

I will be performing Environmental Magic as part of the Austin Earth Day celebration at 3:40 PM on the Kid’s stage. (For some reason they chose to use my Facebook picture with zombies behind me.) The show will feature some items from the Environmental Magic Kit, as well as some of my personal routines about environmental responsibility.  Shows like this happen for me on a couple of levels. First, there is the performance, sharing important messages about simple actions and ideas to manage waste, consumption and pollution. Beyond that, I’m showing educators and others who need to share this information the impact magic can have on these presentations. I’m looking forward to the new connections that I’ll make.

We’ve come a long way since 1970. I remember, as a kid, that there were many people who thought nothing of throwing their fast food trash out the window of the car as they drove along the highway. I remember watching people discarding garbage on the ground as they walked along. Now, that sort of behavior is not accepted. Of course, we still have a ways to go, as we learn how to have a thriving society of humans in harmony with other areas of nature. Science and technology are helping, as we discover new, less impactful approaches to packaging and doing what we need to do. History is also helpful, as we rediscover methods (like taking your own container to the store to buy bulk items) that use less resource and create less waste.

My involvement in this project for the last (Is it really?) 23 years has personally affected my awareness and habits. I hope that my performance today plants some seeds and sparks some new thinking, both for young people and those who teach them.

Come see me if you can! I’ll post photos if I can.

Chris Walden

A cool (or is that warm) idea for reuse

by Chris Walden

Photo of solar heater, a plexiglas box filled with black soda cans on a rolling frame
Version 2 of the solar heater uses more cans. It’s portable and doesn’t look so bad.

Someone pointed me to this excellent project on Hemmings Daily called “almost free garage heat – just drink a lot of soda.” Daniel Strohl used soda cans with some wood and hosing to create a radiator for his garage. The sun heats the cans and exhausts warm air. He also made a second version with more cans, which transfers more heat.

These kinds of projects aren’t necessarily as shiny as some of the high-tech things we see commercially, but they give an idea of what is possible and how a little ingenuity can let you turn trash into treasure…and comfort!

Renewable Energy Roundup in Belton

by Chris Walden

Chris and Kent at Renewable Energy Roundup & Sustainable Living Expo 2014

When Kent and I started our collaboration on Environmental Magic in 1994 we never imagined that it would keep us together for more than two decades. What an amazing journey! This weekend, as we attend and present at the Renewable Energy Roundup & Sustainable Living Expo 2014, it is still as exciting and filled with opportunities as when we began.

The interesting thing about sustainability (or “thrivability” as someone suggested to us…more on that at a later time) is that it isn’t just one thing. Needs and concerns have changed significantly since we began. Technology has evolved and things that were improbable have become reality. As all of these things change the stories change and the ways that we tell them change.

Kent and I will be telling our story of Teaching Environmental Magic (2:15 PM i the Red Speaking area). But we are also learning and connecting with all of the amazing people who do their part to help our society solve our environmental challenges.

We hope to see you there!