The Great Harry Houdini Museum

I have really become obsessed with the incredible Harry Houdini. Especially since the History channels movie "Houdini" with Adrien Brody playing the part of Houdini. Knowing more about the man himself was very interesting. I am fascinated with items from the past, like the old radio I used for this project. I would love to gain access to some of Houdini's cool treasures. Could you imagine?

I was thrilled when I was able to create this tribute to Houdini using lots of theme appropriate items from Alpha Stamps including the new Houdini collage sheet as well as Vintage Magician Posters. I want to share several pictures from my museum, and then I have several photos to show you how I put some of these items together.

Obviously we need Houdini's straight jacket, several locks and lots and LOTS of chains to secure him with.

Houdini had a special pair of handcuffs that I acquired for my museum. They were specially designed with skulls to add some variety to all the pairs that he had.  These were made using Antique Bronze Skull Connectors and Chain.

"Houdini would escape from a straight jacket while hanging as much as 400 feet off the ground. To remove the jacket, he had to dislocate one of his shoulders".  *

Check out Houdini's legs! Nice!

"Houdini would  climb into the can, which was filled with buckets of water, the lid was locked on top with 6 padlocks, a cabinet was drawn around the can and a giant timer began ticking down the seconds".*

"The Water Torture Cell was created by myself. It took two full years. Another year was required to give me sufficient courage to attempt same". *

For both the trunk and Houdini's Water Torture Cell (tank), I used my Big Shot along with some metallic foil by A Gilded Life and their Wrought Iron Long Texture Plate. It was super easy to measure, fold, cut and glue onto both the trunk and the tank. You can find the tutorial for building the Steamer Trunk here. 

Using the Collage Sheet Houdini, I sized one of the images to fit into my tank perfectly. After cutting Houdini out with an exacto blade, it was essential to wrap him with some real chains and attach tiny handcuffs. 

It was very simple to attach the metallic foil I embossed to my double sided tank. After I glued two Small Paper Theatre Boxes together (holding them with rubber bands to dry) I attached the side panels to my tank using Tacky Glue and held it with rubber bands until dry.

I needed an extra piece for the top of my tank, so I just glued some extra metallic foil on to the top and covered it with my side layers.

All I needed to do for the top was fold it over, trim off the excess, and glue glue glue!

 I LOVE how the finished tank looks and I think even Houdini himself would be proud! Thank goodness it didn't take me two years to make my version like it did Houdini to make his.

I've said it again and again, it is great to have digital downloads of collage sheets. I can print them as many times as I like to make things like souvenir posters or add dimension to a project.

All of my standing Houdinis were simple to create. I edited the image to make it the height I wanted. Then I attached it to black card stock to make it sturdier and cut the figures out, leaving about two inches extra card stock on the bottom to use for part of the stand.

As you can see below, I added another piece of black card stock folded like the letter "C" almost. Using glue, I adhered one fold to the image and the bottom fold to the extra card stock attached to the bottom of my image. Now it stands! It's magic!

For Houdini's Straight Jacket, I cut a layer of black card stock after tracing my image with pencil. I attached the image to the card stock only on the top. That way I was able to have a "pocket" to place it onto the 3 Inch Tall Candlestick Holder. Next, I glued on some chain, said the magic words and PRESTO! A standing Houdini mannequin! The most important item in my museum besides his tank . 

I hope you have enjoyed your visit to The Great Harry Houdini Museum. If you have any Houdini items you would like to donate we will happily accept. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about my establishment. Now, I will disappear..... POOF

Full Alpha Stamps Supply List 


*For more information about Houdini, click on the link below. There are some wonderful pictures included as well.

http://www.itstactical.com/intellicom/mindset/lessons-in-manliness-from-harry-houdini/