Image of the Week

There are times I think artists have more inspiration than could ever be contained within a kaleidoscope.

Take for example Judith Paul and Tom Durden. Many a theme have been put into play within a scope and always successfully. This couple combines Judith’s color palate which is professionally trained in over 30 000 shades and hues for painting restoration and Tom’s engineering skills from the aircraft industry to create truly incredible kaleidoscopes.

Look at Monet’s Japanese Garden.

This unique mirror system creates a bridge shaped mandala image forever unfolding. The color palette is superb showing every vibrant and pastel shade of lavender and pinks to bloom with new images within this scope.

Then, if the simplicity of the execution is too subtle for your taste, try some excess with Lumiere This parlor design is lit from within by multiple LED lights and every corner is encrusted with white dichroic glass. This design absolutely shimmers inside and out.

The internal LED’s are aimed directly into the object cell which makes the dichroic just glisten as it dances within the kaleidoscope by kaleidoscope artists Judith Paul and Tom Durden.

It was 17 below this morning here in Iowa. Whenever the temp is under 10 below, we always look for Sundogs.

A sundog is created by frozen water crystals on either side of the sun creating a band of rainbow. It is a spectacular treat for the eyes when the cold takes your breath away.

This is a great reminder to enjoy color whenever and wherever we can. The shimmering, polarized effect of a sundog in the frozen sky.

My husband Karl has been capturing lots of Flip Video of sunset colors. He is amazed at the fading of some colors as other colors intensify. The play of color and light together inspires and drives our lives and thus our work.

What a joy that we get to play with some of these great kaleidoscopes

Here’s some of my favorite kaleidoscope images. for today.

Snowflakes and Kaleidoscopes. No 2 are ever alike. And within the kaleidoscope, no 2 images will ever be exactly repeated. Perfect kaleidoscope for a foggy, frosty winter day.

Here are 2 of my favorite snowflake themed kaleidoscopes!
The Durettes make this gorgeous snowflake style kaleidoscope. With this masked 3 mirror system, the image created appears to be many snowflakes floating in your view.

Here is a great value in a snowflake theme kaleidsocope created by Collier Studios.

Continuing in my January theme of back to basics, I’m going to blog about the mirror systems in kaleidoscopes today. The magic part of the scope is the mirrors. This is where the multiplication, geometry and physics all take place.

A 3 mirror kaleidoscope is the most common and traditional toy image. This is where 3 equal strips of mirror are configured into a triangular tube. This creates a triangular quilt of color within your kaleidoscope. The Big Jazzy Kaleidoscopes are a great example of a traditional 3 mirror kaleidoscope.

A 2 mirror system is still configured in a triangular tube, but the third side is matte black so the reflections are only 2 fold. This creates beautiful and symmetrical round mandalas with a gorgeous centerpoint. Peggy and Steve Kittleson make an excellent 2 mirror system.

A tapered 3 mirror system is configured wider at the eye and all 3 sides narrower at the object cell. This creates a domed interior image.

This the Westwind Kaleidoscope by Joanne Jacobs.

Mirror systems are the heart of kaleidoscopes,where the magic happens.

January always brings me back to the basics. Kids are back in school after the holidays and the house looks back to basics without the Christmas decorations. So here’s a lesson in kaleidsocopes that takes it back to the basics. What is a teleidoscope and how is it different than a kaleidoscope?

All kaleidoscopes are optical instruments that consist of mirrors configured to multiply the image of the object. The mirrors create the symmetry and the object creates the color.

Mirror systems are usually configured like a triangular tunnel. Object is where the definition of kaleidoscope versus teleidoscope comes into play.

One type of object on a kaleidoscope is wheels of color.
Here is the N&J 8 inch double wheel kaleidoscope.

Now the Teleidoscope design uses simply a clear marble at the end of the mirrors. This creates a multiplied image of whatever you see in the world. Here is the same tube and mirror system as a

teleidoscope.

‘ >Happy Colors on Youtube

People often ask us “What is the most popular color in a kaleidoscope?” The answer is blue. Blue is a calm and soothing color; something people are always searching for in the hectic, modern life. And here are some of my favorite Blue scope options covering all styles and prices.

This Liquid Motion Kaleidoscope has a great bang for the buck. Many people describe the interior image as fireworks within a scope!

Here’s a fun and whimsical design in gorgeous blue stained glass and fused glass. Kathleen Hunt creates an airplane that is a kaleidoscope!
The perfect holiday gift for a pilot!

If you are looking for the ultimate blue kaleidoscope, look no further than the work of kaleidoscope artist Charles Karadimos.

Charles is celebrating 30 years of kaleidoscope artistry this year and we have been honored to carry his work for 28 of those 30 years. Thank you Charles for creating such amazing kaleidoscopes! You can browse through some of Charles’ work here.
Watch a few minutes of this work in action at the following link to YouTube.
YouTube Video of Blue Cone Kaleidoscope by Kaleidoscope Artist, Charles Karadimos

Cozy Baker, the original Maven of Kaleidoscopes and Mentor to many Galleries and Artists, has passed away after a short battle with ovarian cancer. This colorful and gracious lady began her journey with kaleidoscopes while searching for solace after her son’s death. Her journey has now come to its conclusion.

Through the years, she mentored many artists and became the hub of the ultimate kaleidoscope - the Brewster Kaleidoscope Society which is open to all kaleidoscope collectors, galleries and artists. Karl remembers back in the 80’s and early 90’s, he would call Cozy and chat at least twice per week as she was the main hub of information about new and emerging artists. These were the days of Karl’s gallery in Red Wing, MN called the Glass Scope. We have now evolved into Kaleidoscopes To You. Cozy’s kind and generous manner encouraged many artists to evolve and pursue their work. Her legacy in this medium of art is far reaching; crossing any border or any boundary for the sake of Happy Colors.

Her signature was always accompanied with the wish or blessing for “Happy Colors!” A toast to Cozy Baker - “Happy Colors Forever!”

Sara Bareilles Kaleidoscope Heart Beautiful new song by Sara Bareilles! Kaleidoscope Heart. We have many kaleidoscopes that could match such a lovely and enchanting song. Take a look at this scope embellished with a heart by David Kalish.