Pyro : Spark Spinning

Here's a picture of one of me Spinning sparks at BurningMan 2001. (click it for a much larger image).

About

Creating these pinwheels of sparks is probably much easier than you imagine.

What you see in the picture is merely a burning piece of iron wool (yes, iron wool burns) being spun very quickly.

Unroll the pad of wool and then wad up the pad of wool in a less compact ball. This is done because I have found that the pads are normally to compact to do the effect well.
Untwist and straighten the wire hanger.
At one end of the wire hanger fashion a small loose basket around the ball of wool. Make sure the basket has no holes so large that the ball could fall out (remember that the ball will burn to a much smaller size). Make sure the basket is not too tight.
At the other end make a short ninety degree turn in the wire. This is done to make quickly spinning the ball at the other end easier.
Squirt a very small amount of barbeque starter fluid into the ball. This is not strictly necessary but does make lighting the wool easier.

Make sure you have your protective clothing and eyewear on.
Go to a remote location.
Make sure the area is completely clear of any people or other flamable objects within a thirty meter radius.
Make sure the wind in not strong enough to carry the sparks out of the cleared radius.
Light the ball of wool while holding the other end of the wire hanger.
Announce "Fire in Hole" and give a 10 second countdown (making sure to keenly watch the area for wandering fools).
Begin spinning the wool, slowly at first, then faster and faster until you can't spin it any faster.
As you spin the ball reddish orange sparks should begin to come out of it.
Keep spinning until the number of sparks coming out almost comes to a stop.
Slowly bring the hanger to a still.
Extinguish the remaining burning wool with water or some well placed stamps with your shoe.