We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Steve Kosztala. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Steve below.
Steve, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?
I always enjoyed both the act of designing and working with my hands. After retiring from my job after 25 years in 2018, I put my love of designing and manual work together and took a class on creating kaleidoscopes. I was hooked. I had a background in architecture and woodworking, so I knew about drafting designs.
Before long I began crafting wooden kaleidoscopes fittingly called KOSZTALASCOPES.
At first I designed pieces that I enjoyed seeing and handling. After entering art shows and getting lots of compliments like “Brilliant!” and “Amazing,” I continued to expand on my creativity to craft more and more divergent shapes. I even dream at night about my next project!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Growing up in New London, Connecticut in a family of 8 kids, I didn’t have store-bought toys. Instead my seven siblings and I used our active imaginations to create our own playthings out of whatever materials were available.
I always enjoyed both the act of designing and working with my hands. After I graduated from the Boston Architectural College in the early ’80s, I pursued a 25-year career with the Hamilton County Building Department in Cincinnati, first as a Building Inspector and then as a Plans Examiner.
After retiring in 2018, I put my love of designing and manual work together and took a class on creating kaleidoscopes. Before long I began crafting wooden kaleidoscopes fittingly called KOSZTALASCOPES.
I work out of a woodshop in the Essex Studios building, home to 100 creative studios.
I have created over a dozen different designs for kaleidoscopes and try not to repeat the same design twice unless someone requests it. I have shown my work in dozens of art shows over the past 5 years, and currently some of my kaleidoscopes are for sale in the Gift Shop of the Cincinnati Art Museum.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I belong to the online Woodworkers’ Guild, and I often seek out the latest information on woodworking techniques and tools. I often order how-to DVDs and/or watch YouTube segments to educate myself in the trade.
I keep in contact with other woodworkers (I share a studio with an excellent craftsman), and we learn from each other.
My philosophy is to always keep learning.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I relish being able to express my creativity in designing and producing kaleidoscopes that bring out the best in craftsmanship and that utilize fine woods.
I have always been a devotee of architecture and wood design, and in the past I have built house additions and furniture pieces. Producing kaleidoscopes to me is an extension of these creative skills.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://kosztalascopes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kosztalascopes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skosztala
Image Credits
©Connie Springer