Performer shows a cylinder or drum. This is completely empty, and the audience can see right through it. Tissue paper squares are now placed on both ends of the drum, and rings clamped over this. You can hold the capped drum in front of a candle flame, or source of light, and audience can see there is nothing in the sealed. drum 

You now burst the tissue paper at one end, and proceed to make a large production from the drum.

Flowers, silks, beads, currency notes, a perhaps an enormous cascade of ribbon.