Store Notes - Happenings

Oh, we’re in the holiday spirit here at Kaleidoscopes To You!

We decorated with trees last week and strung some holiday lights! I even changed my Facebook Job title to Chief Holiday Elf! Planning a relaxing dinner with staff and their spouses this Saturday. We have had a unique year with the remodel and starting new work patterns and habits. This YouTube link
Warehouse Remodel on YouTube
shows the warehouse complete, but the offices hadn’t been finished out. Looking forward to a chance to relax and fellowship with everyone to celebrate the end of the remodel and the beginning of the BIG season!

This past weekend with orders was humming along and we have huge amounts of inventory arriving this week from N & J Enterprises, Collier Studios and hopefully Deborah and Kevin Healy, Joanne Jacobs and maybe even Corki Weeks.

Here’s a kaleidoscope we just received from Corki last week!
Corki Weeks Bead Parlor Kaleidoscope Video on YouTube

The scope shown below is the Cathedral Windows Trio scope by Collier - an incredible kaleidoscope value for gift giving this season! And a brand new design this year, so if you need a gift for a collector, you haven’t given this one yet!

Cathedral Windows Kaleidoscope by Collier

I just made a phone call to double check our box order is ready for pickup. We have kaleidoscopes waiting for the inner box so they can get labeled and go on the shelf and be ready for shipping out to customers and gift recipients

So if you need Hannukah or Christmas gifts, now is the time to browse and shop while the selection is phenomenal and the shipping is easy. So dial up some Bing Crosby on iTunes and get to it!

In early October, we had a wonderful afternoon on the Northeast Iowa Artists Tour. Our destination and purpose was the art glass and kaleidoscope studio of Peggy and Steve Kittleson.

We are always amazed by hot glass work. Peggy allowed us to take video which is hosted on YouTube.
Peggy Kittleson Lampworking Glass

On this gorgeous Saturday afternoon, we had the opportunity to learn the back story on Mystic Resolution and its full inspiration. Watch here.

This Mystic Resolution Parlor Kaleidoscope by Peggy and Steve Kittleson is a rare kaleidoscope limited to only 5 pieces. The one shown here is #4 in the series of 5.

Here is a video walkthrough of Late stage of Remodel on Independence Day Weekend .

Karl and I are so excited and grateful for our business to be at this stage on this Independence Day weekend.

Kaleidoscopes To You is here for a long time. We feel that we are preparing our facility for the long term and we have new products and markets in mind for the future as well. Keep watching!

Karl and I here at Kaleidoscopes To You just love our Flip Camera technology. It allows us to capture so much more of the kaleidoscopes that we feature and now we are beginning to capture interviews with artists. This allows you the rare opportunity to learn even more about how and why these kaleidoscopes are so fabulous.

At the most recent Brewster Kaleidoscope Convention, Karl had the opportunity to interview Sue Rioux; a fabulous stained glass artist. During this interview, Sue talks about her work throughout almost 30 years of art. Her training is as sculptor and painting; however her work in the late 70’s is predominantly flat panel stained glass installations. Then Sue saw the brass kaleidoscopes of Janice Chesnik in a gallery in southern California. Sue began using brass tubes with her stained glass to create kaleidoscopes as well and then the glass inspired Sue even more.

Sue’s work since the mid 90’s has been flat panel stained glass construction with beautiful barrels or oil filled barrels for the chambers. Sue also fuses glass and dichroic glass in her kiln to create beautiful components for her kaleidoscope exteriors, barrels and interiors.

Take a look at Miraposa.

Miraposa by Sue Rioux

This creation showcases all that is fantastic and unique about Sue Rioux’s kaleidoscopes. The fused and dichroic glass soldered into this exquisite turning barrel.

Miraposa Barrel

The technique and solid construction of the body and the mirror system.

Miraposa Eyepiece

The vibrant colors.

Miraposa Interior

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!

Are you searching for the perfect Christmas toys? Toys that don’t require batteries and may spark an imagination? Try kaleidoscopes in the stockings!

At Kaleidoscopes To You, we have a wide range of toys available that are perfect and affordable enough to put one in every stocking.

Take a look at the Jazzy Kaleidoscope available in many different themes. The perfect solution for when they all must have different yet equal gifts!

Many styles of Small Jazzy Kaleidoscopes

Looking for something more glittery and fun? The liquid motion kaleidoscopes start at $5.00!

keychain liquid motion kaleidoscope

Here’s one of our favorite kaleidoscope kits!

toy kaleidoscope kit

Here is an inexpensive optical toy, the dragonfly eye. The least expensive piece that we offer so these can fit your party favor budget.

Dragonfly Eye Optical Toy

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.

Heart Teleidoscope by Kalish

Cosmic by the Parettis on YouTube

Kaleidoscopes To You is an online gallery focused on kaleidoscopes.  We started in 1982 and have evolved from gallery locations in Red Wing and Mall of America, MN and Galena, IL and relocated to Manly, IA in 1998.

We sell kaleidoscopes from $2 to over $2000 per piece which means our customer base ranges from people buying a toy to people building a collection of handmade craft to gift givers wanting the unique kaleidoscope. Our mission is to match our customers’ expectations for price, quality and value with our kaleidoscope offerings.  This requires educating our customers that handcraft has a much higher level of fit, finish and quality than a manufactured import. Educated consumers understand that the handcrafted items are more pleasing and better value than lesser quality and price. We always assure our customers that we want them to be satisfied with their purchase from Kaleidoscopes To You. Our staff is empowered to treat all of our customers as they wish to be treated themselves.  Our return policy is to do whatever it takes to get it right; regardless of time, shipping costs or reasons.

We do not accept items on consignment because if we believe in their work, we pay the artist.  We are always excited to see new works on approval, but we either return it respectfully or buy it.

We feel strongly that origin and product labeling is important. We have verified CPSIA compliance for all the kaleidoscope toys that we sell.    We represent kaleidoscope artists from New Zealand, Japan, Argentina as well as many American artists. 

Kaleidoscopes To You 507 Hwy 65 Manly Iowa 50456 U.S.A. www.kaleidoscopestoyou.com 1 641 454 2068