It's finally here.  The first zine swap for Artellaland members.     Is there a subject you feel passionate about and would like to write about?  Do you have some type of art technique you want to share with fellow members?  Do you have pages in your favorite art journal you have wanted other people to see?  Then now is your chance.  Put your passion into your very own zine!

In case you aren't quite sure what a zine is, here is the definition found in Wikipedia: 

A zine—an abbreviation of the word fanzine, and originating from the word magazine^[1][2]—is most commonly a small circulation, non-commercial publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest.

Zines are written in a variety of formats, from computer-printed text to comics to handwritten text (an example being Cometbus). Print remains the most popular zine format, usually photo-copied with a small circulation. Topics covered are broad, including fanfiction, political, personal, social, or sexual content far enough outside of the mainstream to be prohibitive of inclusion in more traditional media. The time and materials necessary to create a zine are seldom matched by revenue from sale of zines. Small circulation zines are often not explicitly copyrighted and there is a strong belief among many zine creators that the material within should be freely distributed. In recent years a number of photocopied zines have risen to professional status and have found wide bookstore distribution. Highly notable among these are Giant Robot, Bust, and Maximum RocknRoll.

If you would like even more information, here is the link:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zine 

I am going to host a 5 for 5 swap.  You create 5 copies of your own zine (actually 6 - you'll want to keep one for yourself!), and mail them to me along with $5.00 to cover the cost of return priority mail postage.  You will receive back 5 different zines uniquely created by other Artellaland members.  To put your mind at rest, we are not expecting anything like the ultimate of zines, Artella.  Actually, Artella is more rightly called a professional magazine about words, spirit and art.  But if you think about the content found in Artella, it should give you an idea of what zines are all about - personal expression decorated with art, emphemera and anything else to make it fun.  You can create one original zine, make copies of it, and then "art it up" however you want, or make all originals if you prefer.  Let's shoot for 16 pages in each zine.  (More is certainly fine.)  That is only 4 letter size sheets of paper folded in half if you would like your zine to be 8 1/2" by 5 1/2." 

If you are interested in joining this swap, send me an email to: billc56@sbcglobal.net.  I'd like to have 10 people join so we will have a real diversity of zines to swap.  Please include your snail mail address in your email.  I'm sure there will be questions about this swap, so please post them here in this forum so everyone can see the question and answer.  I have been in many zine swaps sponsored through Yahoo groups, and the most common length of time allowed for people to create their zines is 3 months.  Does that sound like a reasonable amount of time?  Let me know here in the forum.

Happy self-publishing,

William (Bill) Charlebois    

Ok, I'm going to post the first question:

I've never done anything like this before, but I looked at a few online and I am so excited to try this that I can't wait to begin!   I even told my daughter all about 'Zines, as well as my son, who is in a band!  What fun!  I can see how it might become a kind of artistic addiction. teehee!

So, my question: Does it have to be about anything in particular?  Are there specific guidelines to follow?  I mean, does it have to be a "how to" or a book of recipes?  Can it be one's thoughts about, say, a particular moment in childhood, or a particular theme such as "sunshine"?  Is this similar to an ATC, only a little more detailed and indepth?

Hmmm...guess that was more than one question, huh?

Blessings!

The zines can be about anything you want yours to be about.  (Hmm.  I don't think that was good sentence structure!)  The best idea is to select one theme, and then explore it any way you would like.  For example, for the last zine swap I was in, I made a zine called "For the Love of Trees."  I included a couple of poems I had written about trees.  I found famous quotes about trees that I put on different pages.  I added pictures of digital collages I did that contained trees.  I also copied famous poems written by other people.  For fun, I included a real swizzle stick in the shape of a palm tree in each zine.

One time I did a zine all about gypsies and how they are often misunderstood.  I included information about flamenco dancing, because that is of gypsy origin.  I told about the experience I had of seeing fIamenco dancing in person way back in the sixth grade.  I found pictures of famous actors who were of gypsy descent.  Once again, I included pictures of digital collages I had done that had gypsy themes.

Some of the zines I received back included ATC's the person had made especially for their zine.  One had a real collage on a page that was made from envelopes that the artist had created individually for each zine she was sending out.  Some glue envelopes on a page and put little surprises in them.  You can see the ideas are endless!  The whole idea is to just have fun expressing yourself in any way you are comfortable.  Consider it "zine therapy" - letting your art out!    

Bill, I really like your 'zine Swap idea! I suspect that others do, too, and hesitate to reply because, like me, they are afraid to make the commitment! A WHOLE 'ZINE? The total thing by me?

I know I can do it. I've been IN 'zines, but doing 16 pages does seem rather daunting!

Okay. You've talked me into it.

Pat 

I am sooooooo excited about this!  I already have my papers folded and painted, now if I can just find a quiet minute, preferably two, I might be able to do some more with it.

Such a great idea!  You can only get to know so much about a person though an ATC or collage swap. A 16 page collection should allow for more of a different perspective.  Pat, I read your comment about feeling overwhelmed about the sixteen pages. Remember friend, just take it one page at a time :)

Off I go to try to conquer domestic chaos. Took my daughters to a fantastic exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery today, and apparently the maids didn't straighten up (or do the dishes) when we were gone. Ugh, and that thing called dinner....

Please don't anyone be concerned about "16" pages.  If you feel you can only handle 12, then just do 12.  If you can only do 8, that's fine.  We want to have fun with these, especially if this will be your first time creating a zine.  Remember, though, that you can design your zine any way you want.  You might have a rubber stamp with your favorite quote, and you could just stamp that quote unto one of the pages.  The pages do not have to be totally filled with art or anything like that.  In the design world, "white space" is often spoken about.  Blank space on a page can actually heighten the effect of anything else you have placed on the page.  The white space can draw attention to the object of importance.

I tried uploading my last zine for you to see, but the file was too large.  I might try uploading just a couple of pages if you think that might be helpful. 

http://artellacafe.com/blogs/billizettis_world/gypsy_zine_cover.jpg

This is the cover I made for my zine all about gypsies.  I think it's a good example of what I was trying to say about white space.  The zine ended up to be 14 - 8 1/2 x 11 pages.  I could have added another 20 pages, but made myself stop.  You may have the same problem once you get started.  You'll have so much you want to say, or so many pictures you want to display, that you just won't want to stop.  Just let your muse guide the way!

Bill, that is really pretty!  I don't know if mine will look so professional!   I tend to be more of a "homemade" kind of person - lots of handwriting and stuff stuck to pages!

 What kinds of paper do you all use?  Krystin?  Xerox-type? Watercolor? Cardstock?  Thanks!

Blessings~

Actually, I think the "homemade" look is much more interesting.  I want to make mine have a more artistic look, but I always end up with them looking too planned.

I often use cardstock for the cover and back, and then regular printing paper inside.  I print mine on a inkjet printer, so I don't have to worry about going to a copier.  I've seen zines made from watercolor paper, manila envelopes, and one time, a piece of tin bent in half for the cover.  You never know what you'll receive back in a zine swap.  That's what makes them so interesting!

By the way, Donna, I don't think I've ever said I love your avatar!

Wow!  A tin cover - how cool!

I've been holding different papers (don't ask...or maybe you understand...) to see which ones feel "right".  I love the idea of a tin cover but that will have to wait until I have a REAL art room again!  Since I don't know a thing about digital art yet, mine will probably be hand written and copied - or since there are only 5 to make, maybe I'll do each individually.  I guess one kind of figures out how to do these things as one is involved more and more in swaps like this.  I love the learning process, so I'm really looking forward to doing this!  Thank you again for hosting this!

And thank you for the compliment about my avatar - just me, being silly!

Blessings~

OK, Bill, you've got me interested.  I will e-mail you.  At first, I thought, 16 pages, no way!.  But now that I've thought of my topic, I think it will be a therapeutic experience for me.  Thanks for the great challenge.   Kathleen

I'd really like to participate in this! At first I thought it sounded to overwhelming, but I think I can do it! Actually, I klnow I can. I just need to start right away so that I'm not rushing at the last minute. I couldn't find a due date, has one been determined yet?

~Deanna

I was kind of waiting to see if people actually signed up, but it looks like we are on our way.  If everyone had their zines postmarked by Nov. 30, then you would get your new zines back by the middle of December.  That would give us a full 3 months to create, and then if we have a couple of weeks off in December, some time to really enjoy the ones received back.    Sound good?

Hi Bill!

 I am so excited that we have enough people to do this.  It will be wonderful to have hand made art for the holidays!  Thank you for coordinating this.

This is so exciting!

Bill, how many people do you have signed up so far?