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New Pocket Kaleidoscopes

Aug 3, 2011

Here at Kaleidoscopes To You, we are constantly trying to find new scopes that are a great value for gift giving.

In working with N & J Enterprises, we are able to offer this delightful kaleidoscope as a $20 gift!

This great 6 inch pocket kaleidoscope is available in warm Padauk wood

Bead Chamber on the Padauk Pocket Kaleidoscope

as well as in warm, natural walnut.

Pocket Kaleidoscope in warm, Natural Walnut

Wonderful bright colors in this great value of a kaleidoscope.

Another section to keep an eye on is our What’s New section. We create one for each month and July 2011 has lots of new work by Judith Paul and Tom Durden, Durette Studios, Koji Yamami, Phil Coghill and Deborah and Kevin Healy.

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Teleidoscopes and Kaleidoscopes from N & J Enterprises

Jun 9, 2011

Just returned from the ACRE show in Las Vegas!

It’s wonderful to spend time with other artists! It’s always great to spend time with our partners on the wholesale side; Jim and Nancy Koscheski. And it’s even better when our existing galleries love the new items!

Nancy, Jim, Karl and I design and create this elegant and affordable line of teleidoscopes and wooden
kaleidsocopes.

We introduced 4 new pieces at the ACRE show and fabulous response to them.
Watch for them soon at the above link. We are redesigning the 11 inch tube into a 9 inch tube. This will improve the optics and also bring the price down slightly. Definitely a Win-Win!

12 inch Wheel N&J Kaleidoscope in Padauk Marquetry

Watch for this pattern of Padauk with laminated Ebony, Teak and JalNeem wood to show up on our egg shaped kaleidoscope!

Example of Padauk with Laminated Woods

And watch for this pocket piece to show up as a kaleidoscope! We are now able to offer this very affordable scope as a kaleidoscope as well as a teleidoscope!

New Padauk Pocket Kaleidoscope

We intend to ignore the economic headlines and forge ahead. We are enthused and excited to be offering this line of kaleidoscopes! And we know that the future is bright AND colorful just like our kaleidoscopes!

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Building the Future at Kaleidoscopes To You

May 6, 2011

Here at Kaleidoscopes To You, Karl and Jean are always looking to the future while building on our history. In fact, we are confident that we will be here for at least a couple of decades enjoying and selling kaleidoscopes.

We are making major building improvements and I’m looking forward to not having cold feet during the winter!

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Modern, Wood Collectable Kaleidoscopes

Apr 14, 2011

Whenever I am asked about Modern or Wood Kaleidoscopes, one my my favorite artists is Henry Bergeson.

Henry Bergeson

His attention to detail, the smooth and sleek designs and the exquisite interior images are all at the top of this category of scopes. The smooth finish is as sleek as glass. The maple and bubinga woods are rich and modern. His designs are elegant, simple and mechanically sublime. All these factors add up to the ultimate wood kaleidoscope.

The King’s Ransom is the ultimate interchangeable object cell kaleidoscope. This scope has been given to architects as a thank you with some of the actual building materials added into the cells. It has also been used for marriage proposals with the diamond engagement ring inside the cell (ring not included).

Bubinga Kings Ransom

If you are dreaming of a wood sculpture that happens to be a scope. WindDancer is for you. This gorgeous piece of art is inspired by a ship’s sail.

WindDancer by Henry Bergeson

This piece will stand very tall and sleek on your credenza for a striking statement to your office or den.

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Inspiration from Kaleidoscope Artists

Mar 21, 2011

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.

$Monet\'s Japanese Bridge Exterior$

Monet's Japanese Bridge Exterior

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.

$Monet\'s Japanese Bridge Interior Image$

Monet's Japanese Bridge Interior Image

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.

Lumiere Parlor Kaleidoscope by Judith Paul and Tom Durden

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.

Interior Image of Lumiere Kaleidoscope

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Sundogs and Frozen and Polarized Color

Feb 10, 2011

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.

Sun Dog in Frozen Midwest

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.

Healy Ruby Kaleidoscope Interior Image

Kittleson Medium Blue Interior Kaleidoscope Image

Supernova Polarized Kaleidoscope Interior Image by Chesnik

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Snowflakes and Kaleidoscopes

Jan 28, 2011

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.

Interior Image like Snowflakes

Another Snowflake Interior Image

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

collier-snowflake-spirit-kaleidoscope

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2 mirror, 3 mirror and tapered mirror system kaleidoscopes.

Jan 26, 2011

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.

Big Jazzy Kaleidoscope 3 mirror system

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.

2 mirror Interior Image from Kittleson Mystic Rapture

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.

Tapered 3 mirror image from Westwind Kaleidoscope

This the Westwind Kaleidoscope by Joanne Jacobs.

Westwind by Joanne Jacobs

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

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January Basics - Teleidoscope and Kaleidoscope

Jan 20, 2011

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.

N&J 8 Inch Double Wheel Kaleidoscope

8 Inch Double Wheel Kaleidoscope Interior Image

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.