Ken and Dore Wilhoite made their first kaleidoscope in 1990 as a home metal shop project, and went on to make kaleidoscopes as gifts for friends and family. After spending a year or two asking questions and looking at kaleidoscopes in galleries and art exhibits, they made their first kaleidoscope for sale in 1992, and attended their first Brewster (collectors) Society convention in 1994.

During the early years, they continued to work at their day jobs, Dore as a legal department secretary, and Ken as a corporate assistant controller, both at the same aerospace company. They also worked at learning the craft and design of kaleidoscope construction. In 1999, they retired from the corporate world to start second careers in kaleidoscope art. They created them from brass and aluminum, while refining the precision of their metalwork, the accuracy of their mirrors, and their selection of object colors and textures.

Then, in 2005, they took an interest in a new medium, and added ceramic kaleidoscopes to their product line. In order to create unique shapes that were sufficiently repeatable in dimension to fit the metal turning mechanism, they had to learn to make plaster models and molds to cast their clay.

If you don't see the "Add to Cart" button for the item you want below, please inquire about special ordering it. Keep in mind that they are all handcrafted, and naturally take more time to create than manufactured items.