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kaleidoscopes Blog KaleidoscopesToYou.com welcome to the wonderful colorful world of kaleidoscopes Home Newsletter ← Older posts Did You Know that We Also Custom Cut First Surface Mirror ? Posted on July 31, 2022 by kaleidojean | Comments Off on Did You Know that We Also Custom Cut First Surface Mirror ? Karl has custom cut first surface mirror for government contracts, for medical devices, for repair of cameras, for phone devices to use as an inspection tool, and other scientific uses. Obviously, he also cuts mirror for kaleidoscope makers as well. He has designed a mirror cutting system using a linear bearing and air pressure for straight and accurate cuts within a millimeter of tolerance. He makes sure that the desired size is as accurate in custom cutting as possible, and checks the size with a caliper before sending the mirror to the customer. He can hand cut squares or rectangles, but not circles, ovals, trapezoids, tapered mirrors, or other shapes, which is a frequent question. Front Surface Mirror Strips The first surface mirror that he uses is 1.25 mm thick and has a removable blue netto backing that can be pealed off to expose the side to be used in the application. He uses a sharp knife to separate the blue netto backing from the first surface mirror he just cut, so it remains to protect the cut mirror that will be used and then pealed by the customer. After he has custom cut the order for the customer, Karl takes particular care in packing the very breakable mirror so that it arrives safely. He uses a lot of foam packing materials to cushion the first surface mirror, which is more plentiful than the glass itself in many instances. He has shipped first surface mirror all over the world with great success, so don’t hesitate to inquire what he might be able to do for your project or process. https://www.kaleidoscopestoyou.com/front-surface-mirror-for-kaleidoscopes.html Click here to see Karl Cutting Front Surface Mirror. https://youtu.be/h9PSNsWGNqc Comments Off on Did You Know that We Also Custom Cut First Surface Mirror ? Posted in Uncategorized Guide to Kaleidoscope Artists Posted on July 5, 2022 by kaleidojean | Comments Off on Guide to Kaleidoscope Artists In this blog, we investigated the mirror systems, and now I’d like to address the artists who have been most instrumental in creating these remarkable collections. There are several which I inadvertently will miss, I’m sure, and I’d be happy to add them once it’s brought to my attention. There are over 75 who have added their knowledge and talent to making such fine, collectible objects. With such a large number of people who have contributed to this art, it may take awhile to cover even those 75 that we have probably met and been privileged to know, and that we sold their works in the past 40 some years at our five shops in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota or online. Bob and Grace Ade For ease of finding information on these designers of fine kaleidoscopes, I will attempt to address them in alphabetical order along with some of their work. So with that in mind, Bob Ade comes to mind as the first artist that I mention. Bob and his wife, Grace, called their business Ade Enterprises, starting in 1983. Bob enjoyed adding nontraditional images to his kaleidoscopes. His work was made of lovely stained glass some of which were limited editions, and some were production pieces. His production pieces included, but bot limited to the Mini-Tube,” Number One,” Jewel,” and ”Iris Garden, (priced originally from about $15 to $300). Bob’s limited-edition kaleidoscopes were priced originally from $1250 to $1800, some of which are Crystal Pyramid” and Crystal Rapture” in the Crystal series which used internal lighting to enhance the inside images. Bob and Jan Anderson The Andersons made stained glass as Anderson Art Glass of Lee’s Summit, Missouri. They were known mainly as limited-edition kaleidoscope artists. They also have had both an artistic background, studying at Prism Art School in Oak Park, Illinois, as well as technical backgrounds. A few of their limited editions are named A Look into the Future,’ and Moon Glow.” Their work was in the price range originally of $90 to $400. Comments Off on Guide to Kaleidoscope Artists Posted in Uncategorized Types of Kaleidoscope Object Chambers Posted on July 5, 2022 by kaleidojean | Comments Off on Types of Kaleidoscope Object Chambers Subject: Kaleidoscope Basics: Featuring the Object Case (or thing to be viewed) Last month we wrote about the body, made of a tube of almost any material, plus the mirrors along the length of the tube, set at an angle to each other. We discussed the number of mirrors and the angle, which determines the symmetry of the pattern and the number of images within that pattern. The pattern is modified by motion of the objects, caused either by rotating the kaleidoscope or the objects and this will be the focus this month. The objects are sometimes encased in an acrylic cell with or without oil present. Sometimes the object is a wheel of varied colors of glass or plastic pieces. Some of the objects might be within the room itself. Let’s explain this concept first. The Teleidoscope A simple teleidoscope is made of a tube, plus mirrors inside the tube. As the teleidoscope is moved by a person, objects in the room itself are mirrored within the tubes by the mirrors inside the tube. If you are in a living room, you might see parts of a chair or sofa inside as part of the symmetry of the pattern inside the tube. Even if you place your hand in front of the teleidoscope, you will see your skin color as a symmetrical pattern inside. So, the teleidoscope has no object cell attached to it as a cell or as a wheel. We feature several teleidoscopes on our website, https://www.ktoyou.com or https://www.kaleidoscopestoyou.com. One that we have designed along with Big Muddy Woodworks in Arkansas, forming N and J Kaleidoscopes, is shown on this page https://www.kaleidoscopestoyou.com/nj7inlohacrl1.html. There is a video showing how a teleidoscope works, and shows what you can see inside. Be sure to press the arrow to see the video! Acrylic Cells as the Object Case As previously mentioned, the acrylic cell may or may not have an oil inside that cell. If it doesn’t have oil, you will hear the sound of things tumbling as you turn the cell to vary the pattern inside. Some people remember the Stevens kaleidoscope making that sound. The Stevens model was made of hard paper, and was a favorite toy of many children. I have sold many of these as vintage kaleidoscopes, but can only show you pictures of such toys at https://www.kaleidoscopestoyou.com/stevens-toy-kaleidoscope-herman-missouri-4.html There may be oil inside the object case as is our best-selling model, the Spirit.” One style, Seashore,” can be seen at https://www.kaleidoscopestoyou.com/spirit-scopes-charcoal-seashore.html. The price point of a Spirit” kaleidoscope seems to be one that appeals to those seeking graduation gifts, birthday or father’s day gifts. We make the Spirit” in many colors, so you can choose a favorite color. Wheeled Kaleidoscopes Another of the N and J models that we make is shown at N & J’s Padauk Double Wheel Kaleidoscope.” A seven inch long solid wooden kaleidoscope is one of our most popular inlaid patterns. As one or both wheels are moving, the lovely symmetrical pattern are seen. Be sure to view the video at https://www.kaleidoscopestoyou.com/nj7inlodowhk1.html. Comments Off on Types of Kaleidoscope Object Chambers Posted in Uncategorized The Mystery of Mirror Systems in Kaleidoscopes Unfolded Posted on April 4, 2022 by kaleidojean | Comments Off on The Mystery of Mirror Systems in Kaleidoscopes Unfolded Equilateral Triangle Three equal sides Three equal angles, always 60° Right Triangle No equal sides No equal angles, one 90° Isosceles Triangle Two equal sides Two equal angles Isosceles Right Triangle Two equal sides Two equal angles, one 90° The number...