Free shipping on all orders in Continental U.S.
Small business owner Jeff Scanlan launched Bottle Magic in 2000. He specializes in the very rare and secretive art form called Impossible Bottles. Impossible Bottles is the art of placing various kinds of objects through the neck of ordinary glass bottles. Each piece is not only amazing and beautiful but created to make you think more creatively and to ponder “How did he do it?”
“I’m on a mission to not only make people think but to inspire them to realize that most things that we think are impossible are really quite possible.”
– Jeff Scanlan, Founder & Creator
Do you have that one person who is impossible to buy for? That person who seems to have everything? That special client or loved one that you want to show how much they mean to you or your business? Jeff creates these one-of-a-kind bottles and 3D decks for people who believe that gift-giving is a true art form.
For over 20 years, Bottle Magic has been helping clients world-wide with a variety of themed-bottles and 3D decks of cards to choose from. Whether you’re a magician, card player or collector, golfer, wine connoisseur, sports fan, collector of puzzles or unique art, or simply want a gift that will leave a positive and long-lasting impression, Bottle Magic has you covered.
Jeff is a former professional magician of 30 years. In 1992, while reading a copy of Magic Magazine, he came across an article about a man who had recently passed away named Harry Eng. Harry was the creator of, and known as the master of, Impossible Bottles.
After reading the article about Harry, Jeff became fascinated and obsessed with wanting to learn his art form. Unfortunately, Harry took most of his secrets to the grave with him. There were only a hand-full of people who knew about the art form. Jeff knew none of these people.
Yet, that didn’t deter Jeff. He spent the next three and a half years breaking hundreds of bottles and ruining hundreds upon hundreds of decks of cards, and other various items, trying to discover the secret of Impossible Bottles. Then, one day, he did it. He put his first item into a bottle – a wrapped package of Lava bar soap. That was just the beginning. Soon, he was putting decks of cards, golf balls, baseballs, packs of cigarettes, tennis balls, scissors, padlocks and even a pair of high-top Converse gym shoes into every day normal glass bottles.
When people see Jeff’s Impossible Bottles their first response out of their mouths is “No way. You must have cut the bottle.” The truth is the bottles aren’t cut at all. Jeff likes to tell people that Impossible Bottles are like a ship in a bottle but on steroids. In fact, there are four rules to this art form.
The art of Impossible Bottles is very rare, secretive and time-intensive. It is probably for these reasons why there are only about 24 people world-wide who have mastered the art form. Jeff is not only one of those people, but he is also considered to be one of the very best.
Jeff’s artistry has garnered him clients throughout the United States and worldwide. His bottles have attracted clients in Australia, Austria, Germany, France, Japan, England and beyond. Each bottle, and 3D cut deck, is individually made and proudly signed for authenticity.
Each Impossible Bottle and 3D cut deck is meant to be a conversation starter, to make people think, and to be one of the most unique and personalized gifts one could ever receive. If you’re looking for that gift that someone will never forget who they received it from, then give the gift of Bottle Magic.
Harry Eng was an elementary school teacher, educational consultant, inventor, magician, husband, father to two children and master of Impossible Bottles. He was born in 1932 and lived in La Mesa, California.
Harry was world famous for his Impossible Bottles. He put all kinds of objects in to bottles – Decks of cards, scissors, pack of cigarettes, tennis balls, baseballs, books, dice, pairs of shoes plus many other objects. He even put a bottle inside a bottle! Harry’s signature was always putting a knot of rope in each bottle. Sometimes a big knot, sometimes a small knot, but the knot was usually larger than the bottle neck opening.
Harry began making Impossible Bottles in the mid-1980’s, only 10 years before his death. In that time, it has been said that he created about 600 bottles – an enormous body of work in a relatively short amount of time. At puzzle and magic conventions Harry would always bring some of his bottles, which always sold out.
Today, Harry’s bottles have become collector’s items. Connoisseurs of this art form have paid hundreds and even thousands for just one of his bottles.
On June 29th, 1996 Harry passed away in his home. He took most of his bottle secrets with him. He will always be known as the master of Impossible Bottles.