Title: Kaleidoscopes: Wonders of Wonder Author: Cozy Baker Publisher: C & T Publishing ISBN: 1571200630

Book Review by Sandi Marshall

Kaleidoscopes! Who would have thought they could be a design source! Yes, not only can the scope be a source of wonder and amazement for anyone of any age but artists and crafters working in any medium can discover incredibly beautiful and varied design ideas with each kaleidoscope movement.

Begin to turn the pages of this book and be drawn in to the colorful, inspiring, yet soothing kaleidoscope world. You may be amazed at the incredible variations of patterning you'll see here and yet that's just the beginning. As you look at the drawings and beautiful photos, you'll learn about the various mirror systems and folds combined with types of objects (for color and pattern) used within the kaleidoscope cells. The bottom line is that the variations are endless.

This book greatly stirred my own interest in kaleidoscopes. This may happen to you too and you may then find that you are, as I was, especially interested in the tips for creating your own. Cozy Baker anticipated this, so she included sources for supplies, both by mail and through the Internet.

As an artist or crafter, you might build a design idea around one small portion of a pattern you see within a kaleidoscope. Anyone who charts patterns for crocheting, knitting, beadwork, needlepoint or cross stitch, along with those who create templates for quilt design, can benefit from the knowledge this book can give them on creating their own kaleidoscope design inspiration source. (If not already familiar with charting patterns, you will need another source for learning to do that. This book is all about kaleidoscopes and their inspiration; the crafter will need to take it from there in bringing that inspiration into their own craft medium.)

Wondering how to capture the image in a freeze-frame so you can work with it? Cozy Baker included information on camera devices for 35mm or standard cameras that are used to photograph the interior views of kaleidoscopes.

Not just for artists and crafters, anyone can derive a great deal of enjoyment just looking at the more than 200 wonderful photographs in this book.

The author's own enthusiasm for this subject shines through within the book's pages. She has for inspiration over 800 newer and antique kaleidoscopes in her premier collection, which she organized into the world's first Kaleidoscope Salon in 1997. She has also organized a scope Society, consulted for a traveling show and been the curator for major kaleidoscope exhibitions.

Follow her through these pages and begin to enjoy the inspiring world of kaleidoscopes!

Cover Image by permission of C & T Publishing