SerendipityArt

The mini-zine is done and printed!

I like to do truly handmade zines, but because The Swap Shop list is now over 80 people, I just don’t have the time to make them all by hand. The covers and mailing vessels are unique though…and of course, it’s all written by me. The first round of zines are going out to all the folks on the Swap Shop List. These covers are abstract acrylics…and very simple. I had fun making these little covers…and sometimes, simple really is best.

The overall content is good…it brings everyone up to speed on me and what’s going on here, highlights a couple of cools swaps and covers a few things about the Swap Shop. But, I think my next mini-zine will be larger and I would like to add some artwork. The problem with artwork is my stuff is so color driven that I would have to print/copy the zine in color, which is very expensive. I’m unsure what to do about that…but it will come to me!

I’ll be printing another mini-zine next month…bigger than the one I’ve just completed…probably 4X6. A little larger format will allow for some artwork and gives me more room to rant…and fewer pages to print. I’m shooting for 5 pages on the next issue, front and back, but we’ll see how that goes. It really all depends on how much I write over the next week or two.

Zines have been around forever…same with mail art…and I think both are an interesting way to exchange art and information. But, my experience with mail art is that people focus primarily on the artwork, not the artist. I am hoping that the zine format will deepen the interpersonal connection, though I admit…that may be a pipe dream.

If you want to swap mini zines, send me one of yours at:

Serendipity

PO Box 3246

Redondo Beach, CA 90277

FYI...the Swap Shop List is still growing...but I haven't sent out an updated list in several months.  Just so you know, I'm sending the newest list out with my mini-zine...and there are about 80 people on that list...and 125 people in my personal mail art network.  Gotta love it!