Kaleidoscope: Ideas & Projects to Spark Your Creativity

by Suzanne Simanaitis

Indulge your creative cravings

Are you passionately curious? Let "Kaleidoscope" open new doors of creativity as you explore dozens of stories, exercises and instructive projects, all designed to feed, encourage and sometimes flex your creative muscle.

Between the beautiful pages of "Kaleidoscope," you'll tap into the joy of drawing, be encouraged to create art in bed, create your own folded-paper shrine, discover the liberation of stream-writing, practice idea brainstorming, make your own duct-tape purse, learn to quiet the negative voice in your head, dream up your own creative studio space and much, much more.

Inspiring art and eye-candy on every page - a "Kaleidoscope" of creative energy awaits you today.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference, Creative

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 5, 2007

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. More focused on making zines than I expected.

[Firefly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kaleidoscope: Ideas & Projects to Spark Your Creativity...well, not so much for me. I tried a couple of the projects to see if that would improve my opinion of the book, but not so much. The book is very difficult to read, colored backgrounds contrast badly with some of the text. Some of the pictures were interesting, but I didn't have any 'aha's! looking at them. I'm sure this book would inspire others, just not my cup of tea. Dabbling with new techniques is good for all us crafty types, this book just didn't personally give me anything to work with.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest I did not *read* it all. Being an art book it isn't meant to be read cover to cover, but I did have a hard time getting into this book. It just was not what I was looking for as far as art journaling techniques or prompts. If you are into unusual art things and like books that have several contributors you may like this more than I did. Got this from my local library, so did not have to pay for it.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book includes ideas, projects, eye candy, and essays centered around the making of journals and altered art, there is much to spark the creative juices in anyone interested in making art. Many of the thoughts and techniques can be reinterpreted to your own personal style and emotion, and after all, isn't that what art is really all about anyway?

[Mycala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once you get past the goofy letter from the author in the beginning where she insults the intelligence of her readers by assuming that nobody has any idea what a zine is (um... what kind of rocks does she expect her readers to be under?), this is a very inspiring book. It's laid out beautifully, the artwork is phenomenal and the ideas are excellent. This book has sparked my creativity and it goes on my shelf with the keepers. (I am considering ripping out the intelligence-insulting foreward though..)

[Danine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful and inspiring book. There are a lot of books out there about altered journal and ATC. Most I find are eye candy books with more pictures than ideas. I find these books to be cute and fun to look at but not inspiring. Mostly I think the books are for the author to brag about their artsy fartsy styles.

In Kaleidoscope, the reader gets lovely eye candy pages AND ideas and projects to make. One of my favs is the project to make your own cautionary tales of childhood.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is BRILLIANT as a "man I'm stumped what can I do?" just to inspire in general. It's not a book of projects to duplicate, but rather projects that encourage one to push boundaries and try something new. How does the phrase go? Art is about making mistakes and keeping the good ones? Something like that =D

[GOMEZDJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a doubt it will have a place in my heart.

[Virginia Pulver · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title and subtitle (Kaleidoscope; Ideas & Projects to Spark Your Creativity) are accurate reflections of what this vintage book on artmaking offers to readers. Published in 2007, it really is a pep talk to creative types. The book offers readers a variety of windows into the lives and ideas of other creatives. The artists are candid and spill their stories - it is almost like sitting with a good friend and listening to their reflections and observations. I am re-motivated by this lovely book. The images and examples inspire and engage. It's a lovely read for getting in the mood and for owning one's own place in a world of creatives. - Ginn

[Murillohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Open new doors of creativity.

[PC · Rating 4 out of 5]

i picked this one up on a whim at the library...i love the way it is laid out. a group of designers/authors contributed to the overall theme. there are some how-to's with step outs but it is mostly inspirational with little creative pep talks. while the book is altered art based, the ideas can be applied to any medium. the photography and page design alone are truly motivating....

[MissInformation · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creative challenges and projects pulled together from many contributors by a Zine Queen. Very energetic, with quality writing and art. Inspirational, and in a short-attention span/busy-life friendly way.

[Sondra Caserio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book stays out on my art worktable. I constantly refer back to it for new ways of jumpstarting my creativity and trying out new mixed media techniques for my altered art or art journals. Everytime I open it, I find something new and inspiring!

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome and varied, lots of different stuff

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visually interesting, even if you won't create any of the projects.

[Carleen Huxley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greeaat source for creativity prompts.

[Misty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Made by the editors of a 'zine, so it reads like a 'zine. And it has the rough, often difficult to read typefaces and graphics of a 'zine. But there are some cool ideas in here.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was absolutely beautiful, no question about that. I just expected it to be more project oriented than it was.

[Leslee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of beautiful illustrations and inspiring stories . . .pulled my sorry ass out of a moderate depression . . . love it!

[Recynd · Rating 4 out of 5]

My art books are seperated into two categories: keepers and not-keepers...this one's a keeper.

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm honestly not an artist enough for this one. However, I did give a copy to a real artist friend of mine.

[Pj · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one I'm no done with ...on purpose! I don't want it to end!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great book for inspiration - lots of projects and exercises to get the creative juices flowing.

[Zoe Blue]

Helps spark some random creative thoughts...
Nice pics and drawings, cool ideas..