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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.



Gallery

Comments

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Really nice! I like the woods you chose, the contrast, the curves. I sure would like a peek inside one of them, but I guess that's not easy to photograph. At least I can admire the wood :)
 

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Like Ted, I'd like to pick one up and look through it.
Beautiful Work!!
 

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These are beautiful! I'm glad you're back and feeling good. Take care.
 

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Really kool projects. Glad ta have you back. hope all's well. Have a good 2013
 

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W O W !
 

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Ultr nice project, they look terrific, great work.
 

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Hi Jeff
I was just looking through your projects the other day and wondered when the next project would show ?
Now I understand your absence and you came back from your health problems which I hope are behind you ,with a beautiful project .
This set of sculptured kaleidoscopes is just unbelievable designed and the wood choices and contrasts are superb.
What else can be said that has not been mentioned above except that I would love to look through one of these and see the magic .

Welcome back !
 

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Glad you're back and best wishes for your improved health! Love your kaleidoscopes. I have some kits but they're ordinary wood tubes-not much scope for imagination (sorry about that, I couldn't resist). Thanks for the link; I'm looking forward to trying some of them out.
 

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Intersting project!Beautiful.
 

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Beautiful sculptures
 

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Wow, seeing all your comments definitely makes the start of this year brighter. Thanks everyone! Very happy to be back…and back in the shop.

Doncutlip - The credit for the photos goes to me very talented friend Joel Alonzo. We both work at the same company. My after work passion is woodworking and his is, thankfully, photography!

Greg - You pick up the hand piece containing the oil filled wand, aim it at the brightest light you can find and look through a small hole that is located on the opposite side of the wand. You can sort of see the small hole in picture#3. You turn the hand piece so the wand is vertical and the colorful contents of it are at the top…they then fall to the bottom of the wand, pass the mirrors and produce all the eye candy.

Turnturnturn - definitely. Maybe at one the upcoming Artwauks.

Again everyone…thank you. May we all have an awesome 2013…lets keep making that sawdust.
 

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Awesome design! My first look was like… "what the heck".... and then I became envious. Very refined look…. and Kaleidoscopes are just plain cool in the first place.
 

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Really a neat twist on the common Kaleidoscope. They look perfect for display and fun viewing.
Glad to hear you are feeling better.

CtL
 

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Very creative design. I'm so glad you posted a new project - gave me a chance to look at other projects you've done as well that I might have otherwise missed. Stay well…
 

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As always, outstanding piece! Always a great surprise. Congratulations.
 

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Really creative. Just looking at it, the curiosity begins plus the kaleidoscope added more curiosity on what it is. Finally, if you peep on it, natural beauty of them is seen. Amazing concept and design.

Hoping for your health recovery to expedite and good to hear you are back to doing such amazing creation. That added for destressing too. My hobby of woodworking is one way of my medical stress relieving time.
 

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True works of art…beautiful wood choices and designs . Very creative : )
 

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Jeff, just when I think I got you figured out you throw a crazy, cool, and totally different curve ball into the mix. The is no doubt you have the craftsman touch and an artist eye…. Very much impressed as usual Bud…

I am terribly sorry you went through a scare, and proud you made it through it. I wish you the absolute best in your life changes. Proud to see you back out in the shop and doing something you hold dear to you…

Keep them coming my friend….
 

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Thank you everyone for the well wishes. You sure are a great group. Got a bit of sawdust in my system tonight and I am feeling great!
 
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