Kaleidovisions

Mark Stuart and Carol Reynolds

A native of Streator, Illinois, I moved Austin, Texas in 1974 to attend the University of Texas, majoring in English Literature. While attending UT, kaleidoscopes were introduced to me by my brother Peach, who has been making and selling kaleidoscopes under the name Kaleidoscopes by Peach. Helping out part-time and learning the craft during the early days, I finished school and joined Peach full-time. Due to the sudden boom and popularity of kaleidoscopes in the late 1970’s, we eventually incorporated under the name Kaleidovisions, and took on a larger staff. We dived into the kaleidoscope market full tilt.

At the forefront of the kaleidoscope renaissance in the early 1980’s, I helped design innovations like the electroscope, oil immersed object cases, the camerascope, and interchangeable sets. At our peak Kaleidovisions produced nearly 8,000 kaleidoscopes a year.

In the spring of 1989, I acquired the business as sole owner and have continued handcrafting kaleidoscopes ever since.

With inspiration and assistance from Carol, I hope to creatively pursue perfection by artistically developing new ideas while improving formulas that make kaleidoscopes so popular.