Benjamin Birdsill, Birdsilloscopes

Benjamin Birdsill - Billings, Montana

Ben came to kaleidoscopes from a background in woodworking that focused on a mix of Queen Anne reproductions and his own designs. After reading a craft article on making kaleidoscopes, he undertook to make some for Christmas gifts using scrap mirror and some pine boards. Ten years later, still experimenting and self teaching, he decided to get serious and step up his craft. Today, he make his scopes from highly figured hardwoods and acrylic oil cells filled with lamp worked and dichroic glass, and sealed bearing turning mechanisms.