Monday, December 13, 2010

WRIGHTMADE featured on a blog-----

See a very nice blog that has a feature on wrightmade:


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"Executive Kaleidoscope"

The latest "Executive Kaleidoscope" was just posted on etsy:



Happy Holidays to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Friday, December 3, 2010

Latest Cigar Box Kaleidoscope

Latest cigar box kaleidoscope posted on etsy this morning:


 
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Latest Cigar Box Kaleidoscope

Latest cigar box kaleidoscope posted on etsy this morning:


for all my current listings. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
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Monday, November 22, 2010

Latest Cigar Box Kaleidoscope

Latest cigar box kaleidoscope is now posted on the etsy site:




HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!!!!
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Thursday, November 18, 2010

"Executive Kaleidoscope"

Just posted a new kaleidoscope -- an "executive" kaleidoscope crafted in Butternut from Pennsylvania, on the etsy site.

The object chamber is a 10k gold plated brass cell containing both a clear lens and a frosted lens. Glass “gems” are in a cell between the two lenses. The object chamber rotates on a rubber gasket. The kaleidoscope is long enough to allow you to hold it in one hand while rotating the object chamber on the end with the other hand, creating countless beautiful “kaleidoscopic” patterns to view. The mirror assembly inside the body of the 'scope uses the best quality "front surface mirrors".


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Monday, October 11, 2010

Oil Wand Kaleidoscope

A new oil wand kaleidoscope in Bocote wood was just posted on my etsy site. This one is handcrafted in Bocote wood (also known as Mexican Rosewood) from Mexico, Central, and South America. A very rich, dark, variegated wood. Has a "red" colored oil wand.

 See all of my work at http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrightmade

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Friday, October 8, 2010

Diagonal Dymondwood

Trying a new approach to the Dymondwood Kaleidoscopes -- cutting on the diagonal before turning.

What do you think???????????

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Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Etsy Treasury

A new treasury on etsy includes one of my cigar box kaleidoscopes along with some really "neat" stuff.

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Thursday, September 23, 2010

Latest Cigar Box Kaleidoscope

Latest "Cigar Box Kaleidoscope" just posted on etsy:

 See all of my work at http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrightmade

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Tuesday, September 21, 2010

New Cigar Box Kaleidoscope

The latest Cigar Box, Image Wheel Kaleidoscope has been posted on my etsy page. This one uses a very colorful "La Gianna Havana, Honduran Vintage Limited Reserve" box. Like the other cigar box 'scopes, this one is crafted from a used cigar box, so it has a few minor nicks. Still very colorful and a great conversation piece.














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Wednesday, September 15, 2010

A Different Version of a "Midi" Kaleidoscope

I have just posted on the "etsy" site a  new design of a  "midi" kaleidoscope. This kaleidoscope is crafted in a laminated piece consisting of Wenge, from West Africa; Red Heart, from Mexico; Pau Amarello (also known as Yellow Heart), from Brazil; and Maple, from New England, USA.  The length is similar to, but a bit longer than, a couple of "midi" kaleidoscopes previously posted. The object cell (a tumble cell) on this 'scope is longer and filled with more regular-colored (not 'flameworked') glass pieces. The mirror assembly inside the body of the 'scope is a standard 3-mirror assembly, unlike the 2-mirror assembly of the earlier pieces and uses the best quality "front surface mirrors" . The resulting view is a somewhat darker, as well as "softer" image, when viewed while turning the whole body of the 'scope. A striking view that is slow-moving, yet always changing in a "kaleidoscope" of colors that is a delight to watch.

I have several more of these in progress and will post them as completed.










To see all of my work go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrightmade

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Monday, September 13, 2010

Oil Wand Kaleidoscope

Just posted a listing on etsy for a new full-sized oil wand kaleidoscope in Coco Bolo wood from Central America. This is the fourth in a limited edition of full-sized oil wand kaleidoscopes.
 


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Friday, September 10, 2010

Etsy Treasury

You can see the following "Treasury" on etsy which includes one of my telescopic candle snuffers:


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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

"MIDI" Kaleidoscope -- Another one

Another "midi" kaleidoscope. Length is 5 1/2" by 2" wide. This  one is crafted in Black Walnut from Missouri,USA. 


The object is a "tumble" cell filled with flameworked glass pieces in a variety of brilliant colors. 


Mirrors (only 2 in this model with a black piece of artist board to make the triangle) are, as usual, "front-surface" mirror. (See earlier post about this type of mirror.)


See this listing on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/55819169/kaleidoscope-midi-tumble-cell-walnut













See all my work at www.wrightmade.com
 
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Sunday, August 29, 2010

New Cigar Box Kaleidoscope

Just posted a new Cigar Box Kaleidoscope with an Image Wheel. I made about a dozen of them a couple of years ago and thought it was time to make some more. A neighbor down the street gave me the box and, with some copper tubing from the hardware store, voila-- a new 'scope. Fun to make and different to have. I'll be making more in the weeks ahead.







 You can see all of my work at http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrightmade

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Sunday, August 22, 2010

"MIDI" Kaleidoscope

A new sized kaleidoscope for me -- a "Midi" 'scope. Length is 5 1/2" by 2" wide. This first one is crafted in Butternut from USA. 

The object is a "tumble" cell filled with flameworked glass pieces in a variety of brilliant colors. 

Mirrors (only 2 in this model with a black piece of artist board to make the triangle) are, as usual, "front-surface" mirror. (See earlier post about this type of mirror.)


You can see all of my work at www.wrightmade.com


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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

New Image Wheel Scope

HEEESSSSSSSS BACKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, it has been awhile since I made a post. Busy summer with lots going on. However, never fear, kaleidoscope making does get fit in along with other activities.

Below is a new Image Wheel Kaleidoscope crafted in Ancient Kauri wood from New Zealand. The wood is from logs of Kauri wood on North Island of New Zealand that are believed to be well over 50,000 years old. The trees apparently died of natural causes and fell into a bog (swamp) where they were preserved until recently when the bog dried and they re-appeared. The logs are being salvaged and shipped around the world for use by woodworkers. The trees were quite large and much of the wood is being used for tables and large pieces of furniture. However, a dealer in Wisconsin has also made available to American woodworkers smaller pieces suitable for turning. The Kauri wood is a soft, tan, brown wood with delicate graining. 

As usual with my kaleidoscopes, I use front surface mirrors and a variety of glass and ceramic "objects" in the image wheel. 

Hope you enjoy the kaleidoscope.










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Monday, June 21, 2010

Anatomy of a Kaleidoscope -- Part # 5 -- Object Center - Oil Cell

In a post back in April, we began a review of the "object center" of kaleidoscopes. The first part discussed image wheel (sometimes termed "tumble" wheel) 'scopes. As noted then, these are my personal favorite. However, many people like a variant on the image wheel which is an oil cell kaleidoscope.

An oil cell 'scope is really just a tumble 'scope with liquid. Instead of having the "objects" or movable pieces simply tumble in a housing, an oil cell has them tumble in "oil" -- a liquid. ("Oil" is a bit of misnomer as glycerin is probably the most common liquid used.) However, the effect is a much more languid, slow-motion visual, which seems to "swirl" more than "tumble". The glycerin is normally in a plastic or glass ampule with the objects, which is tightly sealed to prevent leaks.

The body of an oil cell 'scope is often constructed differently than a tumble 'scope. In many cases, the oil cell is mounted directly, and permanently, in the housing and the whole 'scope is turned to view the movement as opposed to a tumble 'scope which often sees the object cell externally mounted to the body of the 'scope (see examples of my image wheel 'scopes in earlier posts) and only the object cell (wheel) is turned.

As was the case in the previous discussion of image 'scopes, am almost infinite variety of materials can be inserted into the "oil" medium -- rocks, minerals, beads, colored glass, colored plastic, bits of metal, etc. One type that I like uses small sea shells or fragments to continue the "liquid" theme.


(Above are samples of two of the oil cell 'scopes I craft.)

A web site I like to check,  http://www.kaleidoscopestoyou.com/wokamoartkao.html, usually has several oil chamber kaleidoscopes which are particularly impressive.

To see all of my current work go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrightmade

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Sunday, June 13, 2010

AN INTERESTING BLOG AND ARTISAN

A blog that I find of interest for an eclectic mix of personal activities, recipes, and interviews with other artisans is one by Karen Stewart:

Karen has a shop on WinkElf of her interesting bags/purses/totes, etc.


Worth stopping by.
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Thursday, June 10, 2010

Oil Wand Kaleidoscope

Just posted a listing on etsy for a new full-sized oil wand kaleidoscope in African Coralwood (also known as African Padauk). This is the third in a limited edition of full-sized oil wand kaleidoscopes.
                                                                                                        

                                                                                            

To see all of my work go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrightmade  

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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Mini Kaleidoscopes Now Posted on DaWanda

Mini kaleidoscopes are now posted on Da Wanda --



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Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Kaleidoscopes Now Listed on Craftisart

Some of my mini kaleidoscopes are now listed on craftisart:


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Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Mini Kaleidoscopes Now Posted on Zibbet

You can see some of my mini kaleidoscopes on Zibbet -- 


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Now Listed on Artfire

You can now see my mini kaleidoscopes on artfire -- 




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Monday, April 19, 2010

Oil Wand Kaleidoscope

Just posted a listing on etsy for a new full-sized oil wand kaleidoscope in Zebrawood from West Africa. This is the second in a limited edition of full-sized oil wand kaleidoscopes.



To see all of my work go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrightmade

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Saturday, April 17, 2010

Anatomy of a Kaleidoscope -- Part # 4 -- Object Center

Arguably the most important part of a kaleidoscope is the "object center" -- that is, what it is that one "views" through the eye piece and the mirror configuration. 

There are a variety of "object centers" -- oil cell, oil wand, tumble cell, tumble (image wheel), fixed image wheel, etc. I suppose, theoretically, most anything can be "viewed" depending on the design and construction of the kaleidoscope. The ones just mentioned are the most common. 
Although all types have their adherents, my personal favorite is a tumble cell or tumble wheel (image wheel). To me, the beauty of them is that you never see the same image twice as the materials inside are constantly tumbling and re-arranging themselves. In addition, you get motion as well as changing images. 

One can use a wide variety of materials in a tumble cell/wheel -- fragments of rocks and minerals, gemstones, beads, colored glass, colored plastic, glass ampules with liquid filling which then tumble in the cell, shells, bits of metal, etc. Then, just to make it more interesting, some artists "mix and match" materials to achieve the desired "view". One can even use sand. I designed and crafted a 'scope for a customer in Australia one time that used sand from her favorite beach along with some shell fragments she had collected. It was certainly a unique "view". 


 Picture of an image wheel kaleidoscope I crafted from reclaimed New Zealand Kauri wood and posted on my web store www.wrightmade.com. (See that site for information on the Kauri wood.)

To see all of my current work go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/wrightmade

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Sunday, April 11, 2010

Cardboard/Paper Kaleidoscopes

One type of non-toy kaleidoscope that is not seen very often is one where the tube/body is made of paper or cardboard. (I am excluding the vast body of toy, party-favor, kaleidoscopes so popular for children's birthday parties, etc., which are usually paper/cardboard.)

On occasion, one will see a cardboard kaleidoscope that has been painted, or decorated in some fashion or other.  I think some of them are really quite beautiful. I have no experience with how well they hold up from normal wear & tear, however.

One of the main suppliers of such cardboard tubes is Boston Craft Works   http://www.bostoncraftworks.com/index.htm 

Their tubes are designed to be used for polymer clay, painting, beading, whatever, and the component parts are of good quality. Below are some examples from their web site of finished 'scopes using several techniques for finishing the cardboard tube.

 
(Example of a tube with micro beads)


(Another example, this one using an oil wand.)


(This simple teleidoscope -- a variant on a kaleidoscope -- uses plain wrapping paper to decorate the body.)

As is true with kaleidoscopes in general, there are many variations available for both the artisan and the collector in 'scopes using paper/cardboard as the base of the tube. 

To see all of my current work, in wood, go to 
        www.wrightmade.com

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Monday, April 5, 2010

You Tube Posting

New posting of a video showing selection and preparation of exotic, domestic, and manufactured wood products for use in kaleidoscopes that I craft.


To see all of my current work go to www.wrightmade.com

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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

New Wood Used in a Kaleidoscope

Just posted a new mini kaleidoscope crafted in Jobillo wood from Central America. Have not worked with this wood before. It is a rich, tan-brown, with some dark brown stripes in the grain. A very rich, but mostly straight-grained wood. Hope to craft some more pieces in the future from this very nice wood.

 

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Monday, March 29, 2010

NEW: Full-Size Oil Wand Kaleidoscopes

Just posted today on my shop www.wrightmade.com  the first of a new line of full-sized oil wand kaleidoscopes. This is a limited edition. The first one is crafted in Coco Bolo from South America.


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Wrightmade Featured on a Blog

My wrightmade shop was featured today on the following blog:


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Saturday, March 27, 2010

You Tube Posting

Just posted today a video showing the crafting of a mini-kaleidoscope in Brazillian Tulipwood on a mini, wood turning lathe in my shop.


 To see all of my work go to www.wrightmade.com

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Saturday, March 20, 2010

More Polymer Clay Kaleidoscopes


In an earlier post, I called attention to one of the best polymer clay kaleidoscopes active today -- Jacqui Smith. Recently I came across two sites with some other artists who work in polymer clay and want to bring them to your attention.

Christy Sherman, from Rhode Island, does some really fascinating work with clay. Her site is 

Another very talented clay scope artist is Dotty Mc Millan. Her site is  
                http://www173.pair.com/ekremen/15k.htm


Obviously there are numerous other excellent artists working in this medium, but these have caught my eye.

For those interested in my work with kaleidoscopes in wood, please visit my store at:



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Monday, March 1, 2010

Mini Kaleidoscope Sale Coupon



 MINI KALEIDOSCOPE SALE – 15% off  any mini kaleidoscope ($29.00 regular price) and shipping.   


Enter coupon code WM15BL in the block “Message To Seller” on your order form. 15% of item price, including shipping, will be refunded to you via Pay Pal.

Sale coupon valid through March 15, 2010.
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Saturday, February 27, 2010

Anatomy of a Kaleidoscope -- Part # 3 -- Mirror Configuration


The essential heart of any kaleidoscope is the mirror assembly. In an earlier post we discussed the desirability of using front surface mirrors. In this post, the focus will be on mirror configuration.

Probably the most common mirror assembly is a three-mirror assembly, where the mirrors are equal-sized and arranged to form a triangle with sides of equal length and internal angles that are all 60 degrees. From there, the configuration is almost limitless and dependent on the artistic design of the artist/craftsman who is fashioning the 'scope. Mirror width and angle can be varied to meet most any design.

From this most common arrangement, one can find kaleidoscopes with two-mirror assemblies, four-mirror assemblies, twin-two mirror assemblies, and, probably, other arrangements, although I am not aware of these.  The different arrangements, sizes, angles produce vastly different images to delight the viewer.

Probably the best description of mirror configuration with some excellent diagrams and pictures of the resulting "views" is the Kaleidoscope Collector web site at:

As you look at various kaleidoscopes be sure an inquire as to the number and arrangement of the mirrors. Most of my scopes use the common three-mirror assembly with the mirrors at 60 degree angles, but occasionally I do use other techniques -- primarily the two-mirror assembly.
To see all of my work go to http://www.wrightmade.com 
 



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