Archive for October, 2011

After 23 years of kaleidoscope design, Luc and Sallie Durette have embraced their place in the kaleidoscope community as masters of mixed media. Their kaleidoscope exteriors have evolved through various combinations of wood, antique and stained glass, hand painted glass, tapestry, hand painted silk, handmade papers, metals and acrylic lacquers. Equally dynamic, their interiors have evolved from stained glass and pressed flower wheels, to chambers showcasing objects as diverse as tumbling dried flowers, exotic, imported beads, exquisitely detailed flame–worked glass and brilliantly colored hand–coiled wires. Eminently successful in blending optical engineering and sculpted art into functional beauty, Luc and Sallie are always looking toward new horizons, new experiences, and new designs. From simple handheld scopes to sophisticated and complex table and floor standing models, their kaleidoscope work is powerful and evocative.

Kaleidoscope Artists Judith Paul and Tom Durden create some of the newest and most exciting kaleidoscopes with incredible art glass inside! Metal Powder coated barrels and bases are used for durable and sculptural exteriors and then these scopes are jam packed with some of the most dazzling mirror systems and interior colors. I personally view Judith’s and Tom’s work to be a top 10 artist of our time for Judith’s incredible sense of color, texture, balance and overall design and functionality.

Laura Wilde is a native Californian from the town of Fresno. She attended the University of Santa Clara, where she received a degree in Fine Arts. In 1983 she began her own company, Production Plus; it was at about that time that she also purchased her first “grown-up” kaleidoscope and joined the Brewster Society, an international group of kaleidoscope enthusiasts.

In 1996 she began making kaleidoscopes by hand under the name of Wilde Originals, and first introduced the Victorian Ladies kaleidoscopes – a  cloth covered cardboard tube with a dry cell; over the years she has added various other designs to her line. Her most recent designs are Serenity and Elegance (her first parlor scope series), as well as a number of limited editions.

Ms. Wilde currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area of California with her two cats, Autumn and Duchess

Sue Rioux has been pursuing artistic endeavors from a very young age.  She has been designing and making kaleidoscopes and jewelry from glass for about 20 years. 

Sue lives and works in Kennebunk, Maine with her son Alex and their two cats and their new puppy Porter.  Her home and studio overlooks the Kennebunk River.  Sue has the pleasure to work with several other talented women who assist her in her creative process.  Sarah Smith works part-time with Sue making the kaleidoscopes.  Karen Burrow, a talented jeweler in her own right, helps Sue in making the beautiful glass jewelry that you will see on the Jewelry page of the site.  Sue’s sister Pam helps out with the bookkeeping and shipping end of the business.

Mazet Studios is the work of the three Mazet brothers: Joshua, Eli, and Tim from Eugene, Oregon. Eugene is recognized as a national center for lampwork glass, and home of the Eugene Public Glass School. Josh Mazet received his BFA in Ceramics from the University of Oregon in 1999. After graduating he was invited into the Fine Arts Department as a resident artist. For three years he maintained a studio, instructed the wood fired ceramics class which included students and community members, and led 15 fires in the university’s Anagama Kiln. It was during this time Josh was introduced to lampworking boroscilicate. His work in ceramics gave him a understanding and comfort with flame, atmospheres, kilns, and the chemistry of glass. This compounded with the similarities of the medium, allowed for a smooth and rapid learning of a new medium.