Kaleidoscopes—My Journey into the Warwick’s Gift Dept.

I don’t often get the chance to peruse the Office and Gift Departments of Warwick’s. I have excuses: I work in books, I’m chained to my desk, the always popular—we have a Gifts Dept.?, or the ever promising—I’m lazy! I’m sure I could come up with more, but really, there are some great gems in our Gift Dept., it’s just sometimes I’m moving too fast to notice. That’s why, when a co-worker stopped me in my tracks to show me some new jewelry, I wasn’t terribly surprised to find something truly unique, and well—awesome: kaleidoscope necklaces.

Yes, I'll admit it, I think kaleidoscopes are cool, but let me back-up. Growing up kaleidoscopes were kind of a thing for me, my cousins, and siblings. It’s not that we were all kaleidoscope mad, or even eager to own and play with kaleidoscopes, it’s that our grandmother collected them and whenever we visited her inner sanctum (bedroom) we got to investigate them to our hearts content. From simple little $2 cardboard tubes, to elaborate glass contrivances, my grandma had an eclectic and often beautiful collection and it gave us all  a sense of pleasure to pick-up one and discover a world of shape and color. My grandmother has since passed, and I have the pleasure of temporarily harboring those wonderful devices, and each time I get a glimpse of one out of the corner of my eye when walking through the house, I think of her.

So, back to those kaleidoscope necklaces at Warwick’s—seeing them displayed on our jewelry counter immediately made me think of my grandma, particularly since she probably purchased some of her kaleidoscopes here. With Mother’s Day around the corner, I couldn’t help but think how much she would have loved one of these beautiful necklaces. It just really ended my day with a smile.

Now I’d like to share a little information about these truly unique pieces. The kaleidoscope necklaces are created by Healy Designs, run by jewelers Deborah and Kevin who have been making kaleidoscopes since the 1990’s. As told by the designers “The swirling colors and patterns of Kaleidoscopes have enabled us to add a new dimension to how our jewelry may be enjoyed. As artists, we feel fortunate to participate in the revelatory and peaceful world of Kaleidoscopes."1
Warwick’s features the necklaces, and other fine jewelry in our Gift Department, with prices ranging from $99 to $345, each handmade and filled with pieces of colorful sea glass, and of course all are working kaleidoscopes. I’ve provided a few pictures, but honestly they don’t do the necklaces justice, my suggestion  is to come into the store and check them out—if only to see how intricately they are made. Also, the Gift Dept. staff is well versed on the jewelry and can answer any questions you might have.


I guess I’ve now learned that if I am able to make such a find by traveling to the other side of the store I should probably do it more often and I must urge those of you who only peruse books to do the same. Who knows what amazingly perfect item you may find or what memories of your own those items might evoke.

As a side note, Warwick’s also sells some stunning full-size kaleidoscopes, the picture here depicts three kaleidoscopes by Sea Parrot, which are handmade and use unique colors and materials, sure to stun the eyes.


Heather is the Marketing Coordinator for Warwick's

1 http://www.healydesigns.com