Supplies needed:

• one pair of parabolic mirrors (marketed as "Mirage" and available in museum gift stores for about $30-$40)
• plywood to construct a box to enclose the parabolic mirrors
• plexi-glas sheet, 4"x4"
• four wood screws
• foam or other cushioning material

 Instructions: 

1. Cut two squares piece of plywood slightly larger than the diameter of your parabolic mirrors.
2. Cut a circular opening in the center of one square to match the circular opening in one of your parabolic mirrors.
3. Place a thin layer of cushioning material on the square without the hole. Place the bottom parabolic mirror (without the hole) on the cushion, facing up (like a bowl). Place the top parabolic mirror (with the hole) up-side-down on top of the lower mirror (like a cover). Place the square piece of plywood with the hole centered over the hole in the parabolic mirror. Determine the height of the side pieces of your box.
4. Cut four side pieces for the box.
5. Glue and/or nail the four side pieces to the bottom of your box.
6. Place your mirror assembly inside your box.
7. Place a small object inside the mirror assembly. (We used a small pink pig - hence the name "Pink Pig in a Poke".)
8. Screw the top to the box.
9. Finish your box as desired.

 Tips:

• The parabolic mirrors can be used "as is", but the mirrors will be easily scratched if people reach inside to check the location of the small object.
• If you prefer not to work in wood, the parabolic mirrors can be enclosed in an appropriately sized cardboard box with a plastic viewing window glued in the top.
• If the object you place inside the parabolic mirrors doesn't have a "top side", you can enclose the box permanently.
• We built a two layer box for fancier presentation.