u/Frequent_Truck2776

Hi everyone,

​I’ve been working on integrating traditional stained glass art with kaleidoscope optics, and I’d love to get some feedback from this community.

​For the exterior body, I used the Tiffany copper foil method with standard, smooth solder lines. For the interior, I used first-surface mirrors to create the optical illusion.

​Since this is a tactile piece meant to be held and rotated, I’m trying to perfect both the structural integrity and the aesthetic balance. I would really appreciate your critique on:

​The exterior craftsmanship: How do my solder seams look? Are there any weak points you can spot in the construction?

​The integration: Does the vibe of the exterior glass colors complement the interior optical pattern well?

​Any general tips for constructing 3D objects like this out of stained glass?

​Please don't hold back—I'm here to learn and improve my craft. Thanks so much for your time!

Hi everyone,

​I recently finished this new kaleidoscope piece along with a matching display stand. I used the Tiffany copper foil method and applied a decorative beaded edge soldering technique to give the exterior a rustic, handcrafted feel.

​I would love to hear your honest thoughts on the overall aesthetic:

​Do the kaleidoscope and the display stand complement each other well?

​Does the decorative soldering technique look balanced with the glass colors?

​But I have to be honest... there is something about this piece that is really bringing me down. Despite all the hours I put into the exterior and the stand, there is a visible "blackline" (the seam/gap where the mirrors meet) on the inside when you look through the lens. To me, it feels like this tiny flaw shatters the optical illusion and completely ruins the whole piece. It’s incredibly frustrating as a maker.

​Am I being too hard on myself, or is this a dealbreaker for a piece like this? Do any other kaleidoscope makers here occasionally run into this "black line" issue too?

​For those of you who work with first-surface mirror systems, how do you completely eliminate that blackline? Any technical advice or tips for my next build would be deeply appreciated.

​Thank you so much for your time and feedback! 🙏