Frank Higgins
Discipline: Glass
Designer/Maker of Contemporary Kaleidoscopes
To contact us about our work. please use the contact details below
Frank & Janet Higgins run the UK’s only studio dedicated to design and creation of Kaleidoscopes. We brought nearly twenty years of experience in glasswork to bear in developing this unique craft which embraces techniques of stained glass, lampworking, glass-blowing and fusing, allied with precision optical glasswork.
In doing so, we have created a renaissance in UK of a craft not seen since the nineteenth century when Sir David Brewster invented the Kaleidoscope. These enjoyed early popularity as one of a class of “Philosophical Instruments”, but persisted only as childrens’ toys through most of the twentieth century
We aim to create high quality instruments, which will produce spectacular images while at the same time being pleasing externally. They are designed to last a lifetime. As our output is not large, they will remain rarities.
Our work is known to collectors in USA (the epicentre of Contemporary Kaleidoscope interest) and is featured in the US-published “Kaleidoscope Collector’s Guide” and also in the online publication The Kaleidoscope Book.com. We are members of the US-based Brewster Kaleidoscope Society. Our work was exhibited and won awards at the International exhibition "Kaleidoscope 200 Years" in April 2016.
The pictures above and this video show work currently or recently on display in the Surrey Guild Gallery at Milford where there is always a large selection.
Contact: Frank & Janet Higgins
Kaleidoscope Studio,
Chepstow Cottage, Colt Hill
Odiham, Hampshire RG29 1AN
Tel. 01256 395019
Mob 07802787107
Email: frank_higgins1@hotmail.com
Website: https://kaleidoscopestudiouk.com
Online picture album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kaleidoscopestudio/albums
Video: https://www.youtube.com/user/frankinUK1/videos
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaleidoscopestudiouk/?hl=en
Find our work at The Surrey Guild Gallery, Milford and at:
Lion Street Gallery, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5AA https://www.lionstreetgallery.co.uk/artists/
Bourneside Gallery, Dorking: http://www.bournesidegallery.com
The Showcase Gallery, Richmond, Yorkshire: www.theshowcasegallery.com
Hartley Antiques, Hartley Wintney, Hampshire www.hartley-antiques.com
Erwood Station Gallery, Builth, Powys: http://www.erwoodstation.com
Or visit our studio - by appointment please - we will usually have recent work on hand to show
Get Involved
Frank runs an online discussion group and information resource for aspiring Kaleidoscope Makers and enthusiasts “Kaleidoscope Makers” at: https://groups.io/g/Kaleidoscopemakers
This group has currently over 700 members worldwide.
