| Project by Triumph1 | posted 134 days ago | 3156 views | 24 times favorited | 42 comments | ![]() |
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It has been a while since I last posted on Lumberjocks. 2012 ended with a health scare and some life changes. Things are fine now and I am looking forward to starting over in 2013. I do want to thank fellow Lumberjock Grizzman for checking in on me and giving me a little nudge to get back on Lumberjocks.
So back to the cool stuff. These are kaleidoscopes I designed and crafted. I made two using Bocote and Curly Maple and two using Curly Shedua and Curly Maple. I called them “Escape” since that is what you get to do while looking through them. The kaleidoscope and stand started with glue ups of ¾” thick Curly Maple and a dark veneer. This gave me the thickness I needed. The final shapes of the kaleidoscopes and bases were created using compound cuts on the bandsaw, spindle sander and a lot of carving using a rotary tool and rasps. There are three face mirrors inside the kaleidoscopes and the oil filled wand supplies the eye candy. It is held in place with hidden o-rings.
Kaleidoscopes are a cool way to explore your creative side. It is also a fun way to show little kids what kind of toys we had when we were growing up.
Here is a link to Wood Magazines plan for a kaleidoscope.
I order kaleidoscope hardware kits from www.glasscrafters.com
Below are some “before finish” pictures.


-- Jeff , Illinois Please...can I stay in the basement a little longer, please!
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42 comments so far
Sheila Landry (scrollgirl)
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5924 posts in 1086 days
#1 posted 134 days ago
Absolutely beautiful! Such an interesting project. I love kaleidoscopes! These are really lovely. Glad to have you back and glad you are feeling better. :)
Sheila
-- Contributing Editor, Creative Woodworks and Crafts, Sheila Landry Designs http://www.sheilalandrydesigns.com "Knowledge is Power"
joein10asee
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1659 posts in 173 days
#2 posted 134 days ago
I remember having kaleidoscopes as a kid, but they were NEVER as nice as these. Wonderful toys! Any kid OR adult would get hours of pleasure from these!
-- Perform A Random Act Of Kindness Today ... Pay It Forward
Greg The Cajun Box Sculptor
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3765 posts in 1475 days
#3 posted 134 days ago
Hello jeff…It is good to see you are back around and doing good after your health scare. Your kaleidoscopes are very nice but I am not sure how you would look into them…these are different that those remember as a kid back in the 50’s where I would look into a round tube. I look forward to seeing more of your work…
-- Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. http://www.FineArtBoxes.com
michelletwo
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1765 posts in 1182 days
#4 posted 134 days ago
glad you are back..I’ve missed your lovely work. these are splendid.
-- We call the destruction of replaceable human made items vandalism, while the destruction of irreplaceable natural resources is called development.
stefang
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9443 posts in 1500 days
#5 posted 134 days ago
Hi Jeff, I am glad you are back and healthy again.These don’t even have to be kaleidoscopes to be interesting! They are beautiful wood sculptures in their own right. Great work as always. Looking forward to seeing more of your always wonderful projects.
-- Mike, American in Norway
choppertoo
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241 posts in 1479 days
#6 posted 134 days ago
Those look great. I’m betting the recipients will be very pleased.
-- The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that our aim is too low and we reach it.. Michelangelo
TurnTurnTurn
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414 posts in 1275 days
#7 posted 134 days ago
Great designs, as usual. Sorry to hear you had some health issues, and glad you healthy and back in the shop. Lets try to get together in the near future.
-- TurnTurnTurn
shipwright
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3372 posts in 964 days
#8 posted 134 days ago
Mike nailed it. Beautiful sculptures, regardless of what they are for.
As kaleidoscopes, they are all the more wonderful.
It’s good to have your creative hands and mind back on the forum.
You were missed.
-- Paul M ..............If God wanted us to have fiberglass boats he would have given us fiberglass trees. http://prmdesigns.com/
will delaney
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306 posts in 802 days
#9 posted 134 days ago
Unique and beautiful !
Blake
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3421 posts in 2041 days
#10 posted 134 days ago
Nice Jeff!
-- Happy woodworking! http://www.blakeweber.us
doncutlip
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2808 posts in 1722 days
#11 posted 134 days ago
Real works of art, great photographs
-- Don, Royersford, PA
gbear
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327 posts in 2265 days
#12 posted 134 days ago
Very cool…terrific looking! Glad you are back and okay!! I always enjoy see your work.
-- gbear, Carmichael, CA
BritBoxmaker
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4004 posts in 1202 days
#13 posted 134 days ago
Beautifully designed and crafted. These are a real (and rare) treat to behold, Jeff.
It has been a while, you have been missed and I for one am grateful you are back. All the best.
-- Martyn -- Boxologist, Pattern Juggler and Candyman of the visually challenging. http://www.theartofboxes.com
quicksilver
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123 posts in 754 days
#14 posted 134 days ago
Hope your health problems are gone for good.
Those are great kaleidoscopes.
Good adaption of an old plan.
Not many people have the knack for design.
Don’t stop.
-- Quicksilver
grizzman
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5366 posts in 1470 days
#15 posted 134 days ago
these are really quite beautiful Jeff a so glad t see your back and to see your work is wonderful inspiration…im going to look into doing some of these, your design is so eye catching..really good…
-- GRIZZMAN ...[''''']
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