| Project by Triumph1 | posted 01-05-2013 03:56 PM | 6662 views | 32 times favorited | 45 comments |  |
 |
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 , Wisconsin Please...can I stay in the basement a little longer, please!
45 comments so far
Sheila Landry (scrollgirl)
home | projects | blog
8946 posts in 2313 days
#1 posted 01-05-2013 04:04 PM
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
-- Designer/Artist/Teacher. Owner of Sheila Landry Designs (http://www.sheilalandrydesigns.com) Scroll saw, wood working and painting patterns and surfaces. "Knowledge is Power"
JoeinGa
home | projects | blog
7253 posts in 1400 days
#2 posted 01-05-2013 04:06 PM
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
longgone
home | projects | blog
5688 posts in 2701 days
#3 posted 01-05-2013 04:07 PM
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…
michelletwo
home | projects | blog
2570 posts in 2408 days
#4 posted 01-05-2013 04:09 PM
glad you are back..I’ve missed your lovely work. these are splendid.
stefang
home | projects | blog
15512 posts in 2727 days
#5 posted 01-05-2013 04:20 PM
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, an American living in Norway.
choppertoo
home | projects | blog
298 posts in 2706 days
#6 posted 01-05-2013 04:23 PM
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
home | projects | blog
604 posts in 2502 days
#7 posted 01-05-2013 04:35 PM
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
home | projects | blog
7031 posts in 2191 days
#8 posted 01-05-2013 04:44 PM
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 fibreglass trees. http://thecanadianschooloffrenchmarquetry.com/
will delaney
home | projects | blog
323 posts in 2028 days
#9 posted 01-05-2013 05:31 PM
Unique and beautiful !
Blake
home | projects | blog
3442 posts in 3267 days
#10 posted 01-05-2013 05:31 PM
Nice Jeff!
-- Happy woodworking! http://www.openarmsphotography.com
doncutlip
home | projects | blog
2832 posts in 2949 days
#11 posted 01-05-2013 05:38 PM
Real works of art, great photographs
-- Don, Royersford, PA
gbear
home | projects | blog
491 posts in 3492 days
#12 posted 01-05-2013 05:45 PM
Very cool…terrific looking! Glad you are back and okay!! I always enjoy see your work.
-- gbear, Carmichael, CA
BritBoxmaker
home | projects | blog
4607 posts in 2429 days
#13 posted 01-05-2013 05:46 PM
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
home | projects | blog
193 posts in 1980 days
#14 posted 01-05-2013 06:21 PM
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
home | projects | blog
7769 posts in 2696 days
#15 posted 01-05-2013 06:31 PM
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 ...[''''']
View all comments »
showing 1 through 15 of 45 comments
Have your say...