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About Karl Schilling – Founder of Kaleidoscopes To You

Bringing Color, Wonder, and Magic to the World of Kaleidoscopes Since 1982

Hi, I’m Karl Schilling, founder and owner of Kaleidoscopes To You.
I’ve been selling kaleidoscopes since I was 16 years old — and now, at 55, I guess you could say I know a thing or two about them.

A Lifelong Fascination with Kaleidoscopes

As a child, I was fascinated by kaleidoscopes. I vividly remember my very first one — and being that curious kid who just had to see what made it work, I actually sawed through the cardboard tube to peek inside! That early curiosity about light, mirrors, and color never left me.

In 1982, I began handcrafting my own kaleidoscopes out of stained glass. (You can see one of those early pieces in the Our History section of this site.) What started as a personal passion quickly grew into a full-time pursuit.

From Art Fairs to the Mall of America

In the early days, I sold my handcrafted kaleidoscopes at art fairs and tourist destinations across the Midwest — including The House on the Rock in Spring Green, Wisconsin, Galena, Illinois, and later at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, where we even had a kiosk devoted entirely to kaleidoscopes.

When I met my wife, our families operated five stores across three states. In the mid-1990s, we took the next big step — bringing kaleidoscopes online. That’s how Kaleidoscopes To You was born. We were among the first to sell kaleidoscopes on the internet, and we’ve never looked back.

A Life Devoted to Art and Color

I feel incredibly blessed to make my living doing what I love — creating and sharing objects of beauty and wonder. My entire career and livelihood have revolved around kaleidoscopes, and I may be one of the few people in the world who can truly say I’ve made my entire living from them.

Glass has always been my first love, and lampworking — melting and shaping glass for the kaleidoscopes I design — remains one of the greatest joys in my daily work. Each piece I create strives for heirloom quality at a reasonable price, blending craftsmanship, color, and a touch of magic.

Thoughts on Creativity and Entrepreneurship

I believe deeply in the spirit of entrepreneurship. Being born an American has given me the opportunity to be self-employed, and I encourage anyone — especially young people — to dream big, start small, and adapt to change. After all, a kaleidoscope itself is a symbol of change — always shifting, always transforming into something beautiful.

Sharing the Magic

At Kaleidoscopes To You, we don’t just sell kaleidoscopes — we share relaxation, color, and joy.
Whether you buy one or three, we stand proudly behind every kaleidoscope we sell. Let us send a little color and magic your way.