Tag Archives: kaleidoscope artist

Kaleidoscope Artist Highlight: Marc Tickle

Kaleidoscope artist Marc Tickle takes an innovative approach to his work. He creates some of the most sought after collectibles. All of his pieces are handcrafted with a unique technique that involves reverse painting, so rich colors can be viewed inside. His mirror systems are extremely creative and are welcomed by any collector.

Kaleidoscopes by Marc Tickle

Peek-A-Boo Box Blue 2

Providing magic for the eyes, the Peek-A-Boo kaleidoscope includes a 5-Point star mandala. The square design is a welcome departure of the traditional round style. Inside, a glass dragonfly sculpture adds beauty and interest. For maximum viewing pleasure, the eyepiece is slightly larger than a normal kaleidoscope.

Conservatory Kaleidoscope

This extraordinary work of art contains a glass barrel with a full pane of surface mirror. Half of a glass dragonfly is mounted on the front of the mirror, which creates an illusion that it is flying. The pedestal is created with reverse painted glass in a beautiful emerald green color. Each piece contains Marc’s etched signature. Since only a limited number of the Conservatory kaleidoscopes are produced, they’re sure to turn into items of great value.

Blue Glass Teleidoscope

A teleidoscope is a different twist on a classic kaleidoscope. Instead of viewing patterns of objects inside the instrument, a person views patterns from items outside the instrument. This blue glass teleidoscope is extremely elegant. The blue shiny body is accented by the silver eyepiece, and a small walnut base is included for display.

You can see all of the stunning kaleidoscopes by Marc Tickle we have to offer at KaleidoscopesToYou.com.

What’s New at Kaleidoscopes To You This September?

This autumn, fall in love with our latest harvest of kaleidoscopes! We are constantly scouring the kaleidoscope world, and communicating regularly with the hottest designers in order to bring you the best selection of funky, fun, and new kaleidoscope styles, including vintage models that never go out of style.  This month’s new kaleidoscopes are no exception, especially the exquisite stained glass kaleidoscope series by Joanne Jacobs.

Wooden Kaleidoscopes

  • The Pièce de résistance that will have every kaleidoscope lover drooling is the stained glass kaleidoscope collection brought to us by the ever-talented Joanne Jacobs.  There are currently four unique and visually-stunning varieties, embellished with a faceted crystal at the end of the object cell, which is surrounded by a radiant ring of sparking Swarovski crystals. “Cappuccino” is a unique and visually-stunning glass piece that is truly a work of art!
  • If vintage is your forte then this 1983 “Handheld Dry Cell” by artist Peach Reynolds will captivate you. The orange hue inside the colorful tube is a perfect reflection of the autumn colors.
  • Are you a nature lover? If so, combine kaleidoscopes and the great outdoors, with the latest wooden kaleidoscopes from Peggy and Steve Kittelson. Made from solid maple, each piece in the Sierra Series is unique because of the character markings in the wood.

Visit KaleidoscopesToYou.com today to browse our entire collection of new kaleidoscopes.

Into the Looking Glass – A Kaleidoscope Artist Spotlight: Steve & Peggy Kittelson


When it comes to intricately designed stained glass kaleidoscopes. The work of Steve and Peggy Kittelson stands out from the rest. This husband and wife duo has been turning out award winning kaleidoscopes for years. Active members of the Brewster Kaleidoscope Society since 1986, Peggy and Steve have received numerous awards for their colorful and exquisitely crafted designs.

After years of perfecting his craft, Steve is now a master of glass fusing and creating seamless mirror systems. The quality of the images his mirrors create is remarkably crisp and clear, making for perfect images and incredible fields of color.

Peggy Kittelson specializes in the handmade glass beadwork floating in the oil filled object chambers of each kaleidoscope. Her imaginative use of color and form create fantastic combinations of color and texture in every piece they create.

Together, the Kittelson’s work offers kaleidoscope lovers some of the finest views available. Their stained glass kaleidoscopes come in a variety of finishes, from marbled looking glass to mosaic styled pieces. They even offer decorative kaleidoscopes that are adorned with glass figures of flowers, cats, and more. Whether you’re looking for a standard sized kaleidoscope or a larger parlor kaleidoscope, Peggy and Steve Kittelson have you covered with some of the finest stained glass kaleidoscopes available anywhere.

Kaleidoscope Artist Judith Paul inspires Christine Feehan

In working in this wonderful world of kaleidoscopes, fabulous and inspiring people have entered our lives. Judith Paul and Tom Durden are 2 such people for Karl and I.

Judith and Tom were an unlikely love story to start but they have built an incredible life full of color and love. Judith’s background is in color. Color preservation to be exact. She is a highly respected restoration artist and has restored paintings in many exclusive and famous art collections. Tom brings engineering and precision to match Judith’s color palettes. This combination implodes within their fabulous kaleidoscopes.

Exterior of Monet\'s Japanese Bridge Kaleidoscope

Exterior of Monet's Japanese Bridge Kaleidoscope


Interior Image with Iris from Monet\'s Japanese Bridge Kaleidoscope

Interior Image with Iris from Monet's Japanese Bridge Kaleidoscope

Monet’s Japanese Garden is an lovely example of how this works.
Delicate lavendars, blues and pinks bloom inside the object cell with a unique arc for a mirror system.

Youtube Video of Monet\'s Japanese Bridge by Judith Paul

Judith has so much inspiration, she has plenty to share! Christine Feehan has been the latest person to be inspired by Judith. The most recent book is Spirit Bound

The main character is Judith Henderson, a painter and kaleidoscope artist whose main love interest is Thomas Vincent…..

Judith’s life is filled with color and love. This book is inspired by this and we are honored that Judith includes is in a corner of her vibrant life!

Peggy’s amazing technicolor world of glass!

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.

Artist Profile and Interview with Sue Rioux

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

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

Miraposa Barrel

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

Miraposa Eyepiece

Miraposa Eyepiece

The vibrant colors.

Miraposa Interior

Miraposa Interior

Inspiration from Kaleidoscope Artists

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

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

Interior Image of Lumiere Kaleidoscope

Many a Favorite for a Blue Kaleidoscope

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!

Blue Liquid Motion Kaleidoscope

Blue Liquid Motion Kaleidoscope

liquid-motion-blue-interior-image

liquid-motion-blue-interior-image

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!

Blue Airplane Kaleidoscope by Kathleen Hunt

Blue Airplane Kaleidoscope by Kathleen Hunt

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

Cone Blue Kaleidoscope by Charles Karadimos

Cone Blue Kaleidoscope by 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