Kaleidoscope DIY

For the made up curiosity x detour collaboration, we will most slightly be making the kaleidoscope ourselves. Hence I went to look into some tutorials that teaches how to make one. I found one that is done by Claire from the etsy blog. Most of the supplies needed for this great project can be found at home and some of them are even recycled.

Materials needed :

Metal ruler

Thin acrylic mirror (I used a magnetic locker mirror)

Box cutter

Masking tape

Cardboard paper towel roll tube*

Empty plastic vegetable or fruit container

Fine permanent marker

Paper

Transparent colorful beads or “gems”

Faux wood pattern contact paper

Glitter (optional)

Make the prism using mirrors, Mark the width of the mirror on both sides at 1 ½ inches, 3 inches and 4 ½ inches. Cut the mirror into 3 strips that are 1 ½ wide.

Then, Lay the 3 strips side by side upside down, leaving a small gap between them. Tape the mirrors together using masking tape and set the prism aside.

Measure out the length of your mirror strip and add ⅓ of an inch to the measurement. Take this measurement and mark it along the circumference your cardboard tube. Connect the the markings all around the tube and carefully cut the cardboard roll with your box cutter.

For the peep hole, lay the end of the cardboard tube flat on the back of the contact paper and trace a circle around it. Cut approximately 1 inch around the traced circle, then cut little notches or “rays” around the circle so that you end up with a “starburst.” Cut a triangle or circle in the center of the paper. Peel away the backing and lay the starburst on your work surface, sticky side up, and center your cardboard tube on top of it. Working your way around the tube, stick the notches of your sunburst against its edge, adding tape to secure them.

Cut out the bottom of your empty plastic container. Using your cardboard tube or another circular object as a template, trace two circles on the plastic with your permanent marker. Find another circular object that is approximately a ½ inch larger than your traced circles and draw around the previous ones using the same technique.

Add the gems in and slide your triangular prism inside your tube. Take Lens A and place it inside your tube against the edges of your prism, notches facing up. Place your selected beads on top of the plastic lens. Cap your gems using Lens B, notches facing down, and secure it to the tube with masking tape.

Credits : http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2013/make-a-kaleidoscope/

I also found a brief tutorial on making a kaleidoscope out of a test tube, however the method is different from what I have in mind. Just in case my method doesn't work, I can always trust this tutorial and make one out of it. I am planning to get it done by work in progress and I can't wait to start!

Credit : http://www.ricen.hokkaido-c.ed.jp/e211physics/kaleidoscope/kaleidoscope1.html