Kal-eggoscopes

[Monty]

These are the first kaleidoscopes I've turned. Four acrylic and one brazillian rosewood. I've got one more to make as soon as my BOW arrives. Thought I'd add these to my inventory and see haw well they sell at my upcomming shows. I'll start pricing at $55 and see what happens. I'll probably add some wand kaleidoscopes as well.

 

[txbatons]

Very nice! Those look great. The one on the top left looks like it's glowing.

 

[ahoiberg]

nice mannie. they look like faberge eggs.

 

[GaryMGg]

Wow. Fantastic.

 

[Johnathan]

very fun looking

 

[TellicoTurning]

Mannie,
agree with everyone.. wow...
I haven't tried the acrylics yet.. those look fantastic. I'm down to only four left in my inventory and they are not the prettiest I've made, but still get lots of attention in my booth..

 

[Monty]

Chuck,
If I may ask, what do you get for yours when they sell?
Am I in the right ball park?

 

[TellicoTurning]

Mannie,
In my market, I generally get about $25 for mine... but if you can get $55.. go for it. They are fantastic and there's more money in the Pearland/Houston market area than in Tellico Plains.

 

[TellicoTurning]

Mannie,
also meant to tell you, your eggs look like eggs.. some of mine didn't always look so good.. maybe from spastic chickens??[:I] Some of my k'scopes I just turned interesting shapes to fit the tubes.

 

[Monty]

Chuck,
I figured I's try for the $50-$60 range as I have about $20 tied up in one egg - about $10 for the kit, $5 for the acrylic blank and $5 for the stand. Need something for my time.

Mannie

 

[ed4copies]

Mannie,

I get $40-45 for acrylic, $30 for diamondwood.

The diamondwood sell pretty well - I am just starting acrylics, so no real sales history yet.

 

[ed4copies]

I have a little more time now.

Mannie, the kit mirrors are generally NOT very good. If you get a "kaleido-affectionado", they will instantly identify scratches and dirt, which eliminates THEM as buyers. So, either replace the mirrors (which is what I do) or expect an "uneducated" buyer. These expect to buy them like "toys", not collectibles - so you're pricing against "Fisher-Price".

Kaleido-collectors expect to pay over $100 for a "good" scope. They will pay over $300 for a "better" scope. These are not easy to make for craft shows, because we transport so often.

I have NOT solved these problems, but that is the situation, as I see it.

Good luck with them.[][][]

 

[Glass Scratcher]

Ed, When you replace the mirrors, are you using plastic mirror? or glass mirror?

Edit for clarity: I past a box from my parents old shop and it had kaleidoscope kits in it but the mirrors were a thin polished metal foil.

 

[ed4copies]

Scratchy,

No, Dawn is a stained glass artist which, I assume you are also.

I use 1/16" front-surface mirror that was made for high-end k-scopes. Bought out the remaining supply from a source in Chicago in 2000, use it sparingly when I want to make GREAT scopes.

Otherwise, simple 1/8" front-surface mirror from the glass suppliers is sufficient.[][][]

 

[Glass Scratcher]

Thanks.

No I haven't expanded to stained glass. I just etch glass and stone. Not so much stone anymore. When I can steal some time, I will go through my work archive and post a few pics, which I also need to take some more of...

 

[ed4copies]

"NorEast Florida"

How close is that to JAX? My parents are in Jax. for the last 20 years or so.

 

[Glass Scratcher]

Originally posted by ed4copies
<br />"NorEast Florida"

How close is that to JAX? My parents are in Jax. for the last 20 years or so.

I'm in Atlantic Beach, I "work" in Jax Beach. If I face West and with a good wind at my back I could probably throw(only if I had a shoulder replacement or my name was Steve Austin[8D]) a football and hit the city dividing line for AB and Jax.

 

[ed4copies]

I have been to Atlantic Beach MANY times for "playing in the ocean". Beautiful "neck of the woods". My folks live in Riverside. 100 year old house that was owned by Lennard Skinner.[)][)]