Kaleidoscope Studio

Janet & Frank Higgins trading as Kaleidoscope Studio
After 20 years’ experience in the field of Stained Glass, we were introduced to Contemporary Kaleidoscopes in 1996 during an exhibition in Washington DC, USA.  In the absence of any such work in UK, this craft has been entirely self-taught, building on our glass expertise and drawing on Frank’s science background and to Janet’s experience as a colourist. Our work embraces glass fusing, lampworking, stained glass construction techniques and glassblowing.  We have extended into other media for exterior construction, including metal, glass and leather.  We have built between 1500 and 2000 kaleidoscopes, which have sold both in UK and abroad and have developed a wide range of innovative designs and optical systems, using interesting and exotic glasses. In 2005, we launched a range of limited-edition Kaleidoscopes and in 2008, we introduced “The 3rd Dimension” range of kaleidoscopes producing images with a 3-dimensional appearance.

Our primary objective is to create instruments which will provide the viewer with stunning images through complexity, richness, symmetry and colour. We recognise however, that they will spend more time being looked at, rather than being looked into. We therefore aim to make them decorative pieces in their own right. Our Kaleidoscopes are constructed to archival standards, intended to last a lifetime without deterioration. All our pieces are signed and numbered.  Certificates of description and authenticity can be supplied for the limited-edition pieces.

We believe that our work is unique in being the only studio dedicated to designing and building Kaleidoscopes in the United Kingdom. Our kaleidoscopes have been exhibited and sold in galleries in England and are known to collectors internationally. They are featured in the US-published Kaleidoscope Collector’s Guide. We are members of the Brewster Kaleidoscope Society and of the Surrey Guild of Craftsmen.