Kaleidoscope Artistry

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Summary: A survey of new kaleidoscope artists and their techniques
Review: Collector Baker provides not just a collection of images, but a survey of new kaleidoscope artists and their techniques. Over 300 color photos of kaleidoscopes accompany profiles of their designers. A gorgeous display of kaleidoscopes and their changing forms.

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Summary: Extraordinarily Beautiful
Review: Cozy Baker has done it again with another fantastic coffee table book that is the bible for anyone interested in the art, beauty and american craftmanship of these magical instruments. What extraordinarily beautiful photos and images await kaleidoscope lovers of all ages and tastes within these pages! As a longtime collector and researcher of American crafts, I fully appreciate the knowledge, experience and life-long commitment of this distinguished author. Bravo! Bravo! Surely the shrill comments of 1 nutcase reviewing this book are lost in the beauty and magic of an artistic masterpiece. The top of the american craft professionals in this field like Karadimos, Knapp, Bennett, Mosier, Ross, Rioux and many others are also featured in this outstanding work. For those who are interested in the full spectrum af this wonderful art and science, this book is an invaluable reference and source. Beautifully written with extraordinary images and photographs. Highly recommended to all.

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Summary: THIS BOOK IS A ABSOLUTE TREASURE THAT I WILL ENJOY FOREVER!
Review: I have everyone of Cozy Baker's books. Each one is worth at least five stars and should cost about ten times the price. I didn't think Cozy could improve on her last book full of the festive colors and imaginations of kaleidoscopes and their makers'. She certainly has, however with "Kaleidoscope Artistry". I am a devoted lover of kaleidoscopes and have been collecting them for over twenty two years (since 1982). My collection must be over 300 scopes by now. Everyone of them is completely original, beautiful and loved by my me and my family. I am always looking for more information regarding the artists and the "industry" of kaleidoscopes both past, present and future. This amazing book is full of just that kind of information. It is so beautiful. It is full of kaleidoscopic images that I've never seen before. This book deserves as many stars as a person looking at a star through a teleidoscope. You scope lovers' will know what I mean. Cozy Baker has taught me something in this book that I never knew before. After reading this book I found out that almost all of the kaleidoscope artists started out as collectors first. Collectors just like myself who became captivated once a scope was put in their hands. I always thought it was the artists special talents in either glass, marble, wood, fabric, ect. that made them say "hey why don't I try applying my craft in creating a kaleidoscope". These artists are just like the rest of us. Cozy Baker is "the" lady who has brought all of us together to learn and enjoy the "Kaleidoscope Renaissance" that exists now. I am truly grateful for all the work, research, and love that Cozy has done to not only help the kaleidoscope makers', but also the kaleidoscope lovers who never would have known just how vast this artform has become. Cozy is a true "giver" who wants us all to share the fun, knowledge and especially "colors" that kaleidoscpes bring to our lives. I suffer from a chronic pain disease called Peripheral Neuropathy. I use kaleidoscopes for "pain medication". I also want to thank Cozy, for putting so much important information relating to the "healing aspects" kaleidoscopes can bring to those with special medical conditions like myself inside this book. I know how much she cares for those of us who "hurt". Her new book will not only be part of my collection, but be a "true friend" when my chronic pain needs to be distracted. There is so much more I could write, but anyone who hasn't read this book won't be able to enjoy what I have. A Cozy Baker book is a absolute treasure!
Sincerely,
John B. Mannes, Jr.
(a Cozy Baker FAN!)

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Summary: Fabulous Book
Review: I think Cozy Baker's new book, Kaleidoscope Artistry is the best one she's ever done! It's a fabulous book. Cozy, Congratulations, your the greatest! Eileen Kremen Gallery Fullerton CA

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Summary: loveliest book on kaleidoscopes!
Review: I want to say this is a great book. I am very glad to see it out now. Have been waiting a long time. I am also very glad that the author made up with an artist, Brett Bensley, by including one of his scopes on the cover no less! I didn't see any mention of his name in the book, but still it is nice to see his work and that the author has made some reparations. I have admired all these artists and hope you will include more of my other favorites in future books. Great job and bless your heart Mrs. Baker for making peace with ousted artists. I see he made peace with you buy removing his negative site as well. Thank you for this great peace offering!

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Summary: Best Kaleidoscope book presently in Print!
Review: Leaving politics aside, this book is a lushly illustrated book on contemporary Kaleidoscopes and Kaleidoscope Artists. The illustrations are rich and aewsome, and are of both the outside and inside images of many kaleidoscopes. I'm not aware of a better book in print for kaleidoscope enthusiasts and all interested in the art of Kaleidoscope making.
To be complete, combine this book in your library with other of Ms. Baker's books--especially Kaleidoscope Renaissance. Kaleidoscope Artistry primarily concentrates on more recent works by many scope makers, and blends well with the older scope info from her previous book.
Now, to address some complaints by other reviewers: This book is not, and does not try to be, an all inclusive encyclopedia of all active scope makers. Nor is it a philanthropic work of charity. Of course Ms Baker plans on making money from this book--just like John Grisham and Danielle Steele. Ms. Baker heads the Brewster Society, her private business. Like it or not, this society is the closest thing scopemakers have to a guild for their art. You may not agree with the society, but as of yet, there is not another organization which represents artists and enthusiasts alike. If Ms. Baker's distractors dislike the society so much, perhaps they should form their own group and write their own book.
It is unfortunate that such issues creep into these reviews. This is indeed a wonderful book that will grace anybody's library!

Rating:
Summary: Best Kaleidoscope book presently in Print!
Review: Leaving politics aside, this book is a lushly illustrated book on contemporary Kaleidoscopes and Kaleidoscope Artists. The illustrations are rich and aewsome, and are of both the outside and inside images of many kaleidoscopes. I'm not aware of a better book in print for kaleidoscope enthusiasts and all interested in the art of Kaleidoscope making.
To be complete, combine this book in your library with other of Ms. Baker's books--especially Kaleidoscope Renaissance. Kaleidoscope Artistry primarily concentrates on more recent works by many scope makers, and blends well with the older scope info from her previous book.
Now, to address some complaints by other reviewers: This book is not, and does not try to be, an all inclusive encyclopedia of all active scope makers. Nor is it a philanthropic work of charity. Of course Ms Baker plans on making money from this book--just like John Grisham and Danielle Steele. Ms. Baker heads the Brewster Society, her private business. Like it or not, this society is the closest thing scopemakers have to a guild for their art. You may not agree with the society, but as of yet, there is not another organization which represents artists and enthusiasts alike. If Ms. Baker's distractors dislike the society so much, perhaps they should form their own group and write their own book.
It is unfortunate that such issues creep into these reviews. This is indeed a wonderful book that will grace anybody's library!

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Summary: BEAUTIFUL BOOK!
Review: This book is GREAT! It's a joy to look at as well as to read!
I highly recommend it to anyone who would like a little beauty in their lives.

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Summary: A Kaleidoscope of New Horizons
Review: Until I picked up Cozy Baker's "Kaleidoscope Artistry" and a previous book of hers, "Kaleidoscopes, Wonders of Wonder", I thought of kaleidoscopes as something that had delighted me as a child; a plaything, a delectable rainbow of patterns, nothing more. A few short moments spent leafing through the pages of "Artistry" shifted my thinking on this subject forever.
I am dazzled by the artistry, the beauty, of the kaleidoscopes and artists featured in this book. It was a complete revelation to me to find such exquisite works of art in what I had thought of as a plaything. The author profiles the work of a number of kaleidoscope artists who are currently designing and creating scopes, each with his or her unique perspective on a unique object with fascination for people of all ages. She makes no claim to be exhaustive in her profiling but focuses on some of those working in this century.
It's one thing to have a passionate interest in something. It's quite another to be able to write compellingly about your passion. Ms. Baker meets this challenge with writing that sparkles like the patterns in the scopes she so obviously loves. She knows her subject well, and explains something of the kaleidoscope's basic design before profiling the artists of her book.
Of course writing of the artistry behind kaleidoscopes is one thing; portraying this quite another. What makes this book a complete delight are the stunning images of kaleidoscopes, and images of patterns from different scopes. Even without owning a kaleidoscope of my own, I feel as enchanted looking through "Kaleidoscope Artistry" as I do reading and reviewing gardening books. The photographs make the book worthy of description as a "coffee table book", as lovely as any book of art.
Maybe kaleidoscopes won't win a war, or feed the hungry, or end the spread of disease. But they are compelling objects of sometimes breathtaking beauty, a portal for brief escapes of fantasy in these disturbing times. Ms. Baker quotes Michelangelo, who said, "Gazing on beautiful things acts on my soul, which thirsts for heavenly light." Gazing on the beautiful thing which is Ms. Baker's book acts upon my mind, which is delighted in such artistry. Well done to artists, writer and photographers.