Scrap Packs

I am x-posting this from my art blog, since I find it relevant to zines.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a collector of things. I don’t only collect ideas, but I collect anything that catches my eye for future use. I’ve picked up things off the side of the road, blowing around in parks, or that was discarded and sitting out on the curb. I pick up things at garage sales, and I keep small, medium, and large scraps in what I call my “collage box” for creative happenings later on.

Well, my collage box is overflowing. I have things stashed in drawers, and am always finding things I forgot I had. This is where you come in!

I am trying to do some “spring cleaning” because it is that time of year. I am selling envelopes packed with stuff from my collage box and drawers for you to use in your creative projects, whether they be zines or collages or whatever project you may feel like doing in this beautiful weather. They are only a couple bucks, plus the cost of shipping (I have already weighed the envelopes and am charging exact shipping). So why don’t you go to my etsy shop and treat yourself to a nice surprise in the mail? There are only a few, and once they’re gone, they’re gone!

#9

Doctrinal Expletives #2
icoveryouwithblood@hotmail.com

This zine is a quarter-sized, messy cut and paste zine that is almost entirely written by hand. Now, one thing that bugs me about hand written zines is the lack of legibility which many of them contain. I have seen zines where the use of it was fine, but I find it very frustrating when you have to stop mid-sentence to figure out a word. If your hand writing is hard to read, please do everyone a favour and type it. It’s 2010 - if you don’t have a computer or a typewriter, I’m sure you can find one and a place to print it.
I found the tone of the zine to be sarcastic, smart and sometimes funny, although I also found it to be unnecessarily angry at times, often jumping to conclusions. The piece about tattoo etiquette made me nod and smile because, as a tattooed lady, all of these questions arise on a regular basis for me so I can really relate. It’s also nice to hear it from someone who agrees, since a lot of people, especially those without tattoos, can’t seem to understand the annoyingness that is having your tattoos groped by strangers, people asking all sorts of personal questions about them, and society assuming you’re some “dark diva” by stereotype. Helen also touches on topics such as cultural ignorance, scientists, and going to a “private liberal-arts college.”

A Piece of my Brighter Side
by Sam Phillips

All stapled between two pieces of cardstock are collages, random notes, thoughts scribbled on yellow lined paper with coffee stains, old book pages, vintage postcards and more. It’s more eye candy than anything to read, but it’s pleasant to look at and hold in your hands. I got this from one of my teachers who got it when he bought some of her merch, as she is a singer and songwriter. Since there is no direct contact information in the zine, I googled her and came across her website, which she lists her zines for $35 each. Every one is original and different, and if you’re willing to fork out the money for it, you can buy one here.

Mirror Tricks #2
by Robin Hustle

I don’t know what the hell this zine is. The intro claims it to be “about mother, child, class performativity, is about borders in and around bodies, it is about and through prostitution,” but I don’t even know what that means. Throughout each page is choppy writing, fragmented sentences, sentences that don’t make sense and degrading and graphic line drawings of women in sexual positions. Nothing makes sense, and if there was some deeper meaning to the whole thing, I totally missed it. And I just have to mention, the page about incest, was really weird and I’m definitely irked by it.

Cursive Bomb #5
by Hazel Pine

I know I’ve said this before, but I loveloveloveLOVE typewritten zines! And it’s not too often I receive one in such a size, or with sewn binding. Hazel writes about being a nanny for a wealthy family who live in a world of excess and materialism, how that makes her feel, experiences with mental health workshops in Portland, the word “crazy”, and a touch of riot grrrl. I really liked this zine, she has a very poetic and articulate way of writing which comes across as beautiful, calm and engaging.