Seren
I've spent most of the past month dealing with my online store issues, but I have not forgotten about issue #3. I have been making my way toward completing the covers and gathering content. The envelopes that folks created for me are waiting in the wings and the goodie bags have been stuffed.
This issue is mostly about paint and ink and looks like it will focus heavily on techniques I use most. There will also be more calls for art...I heard from a lot of people who want to get invovled, but don't know how. I'm also think that a change in look/format is in order...not so sure I like the long articles...thinking maybe more supply lists, quick hot-to's and more picture samples...but not for sure.
I'm still looking for writers too...so if anyone has something to say about something related to paper art, now is the time to drop me a note.
Leave a Comment
Email
Everyone that purchases a Postal Press… or submits an article or artwork… will have their name placed into a raffle for a box of wonderful paper art supplies…a picture of the prize will be in the next issue along with a list of the supplies. The winner will be announced in the December 2006 issue. Submit as much artwork as you like, as often as you want!
You can see the list of items in the goodie box in each issue of The Postal Press.
I have a little challenge for you…should you decide to accept! I would like to send you a plain white shipping envelope. I am asking that you alter the blankness of that envelope and send it back to me. I will use these altered ‘envies’ to ship Issue 3 of the zine and as spotlight artwork in Issue 2. Now, of course, there are some guidelines:
- The size of the envelope may not change. I will be shipping Issue 3 in these envelopes and they need to remain their current size otherwise the zine will not fit.
- Leave space somewhere for me to put an address label. I don’t want to defile your artwork, but I need to be able to address the darn thing so leave me some space.
- The completed envelope must be returned in an envelope. Again, I plan to ship the next issue of the zine in these envelopes and I need them to be as usable as possible. I don’t mind if they are folded for the return trip…as long as it doesn’t mess up your artwork.
- And lastly, please sign your work.
If you would like to do an envelope, please send your mailing address to me at: serendipityartist@yahoo.com. I will cover the postage to you and the shipping envelope. I ask that you send the envelope back by June 30.
www.serendipityart.squarespace.comI wrote this for a potential writer/artist I would like have an article from....she wanted more information about the zine and I realized all of this may be helpful here on the blog...so I'm posting it two places on the blog. If anyone has comments or ideas/suggestions...I hope you will leave me a message!
The zine will go out about every 6 to 8 weeks and has a single, limited run...which means I only go to print once for each issue and I print only as many issues as I have pre-sold. When they are gone, they are gone. I do that because the zine is handmade. The pages are printed...but each zine is hand-bound /embellished and comes with lots of goodies (paper art supplies and such). I also make whatever it will be mailed in...or have guest artists embellish the mailing envelopes. The zine also includes a Swap List...these are artists who want to swap art...they send me some artwork and I put a couple of pieces of work into each zine mailer. I have gotten some amazing stuff. Oh! Each issue is also scattered with calls for submissions/art calls.For issue #3 I am sending out supply packets to various mail artists from around the world...they will use the enclosed plain white envelope as their foundation to create a mailing vessel...then they send the envelope back to me unused and ready for mailing. So far, I have sent out 19 packets and have run goal of 75 copies.
Issue #1 had a run of 40 copies and they sold for $8 -10.25 depending on where I was shipping to (continental US or abroad) and how people paid...Money Order vs. Paypal). The shipping on the first issue was $3.75 and was included in the price...so as you see...after COLOR printing (6 pages, front and back), shipping...and goodies (about $5 my cost)...I don't make money...as a matter of fact, this issue I lost money. But I hope to get better at this over time so that I break even...or make enough to be able to send my writers and artists a free zine and some goodies or something...maybe even a little check. But I don't see that happening very soon.
I have 5 guest writers/artists lined up for issue #2 (if they all come through with work) and 2 set up for issue 3 -- Which has a tentative print date of aug. 17th...and a run # of 75. The topics in #2 are:
Envelope Art
Post Card Art -- Usual Shapes
Rubberstamping and Mail Art
ATCsLetterboxing
Artist Spotlight: Shmuel and Jerry Dreesen
Mail Art -- The Art vs. Craft Debate -- which may end up moving to issue #3
Mixed Media Memoir (I hope)
Art JournallingSupply Journals
Recycled Art
The current layout for Issue #2 is 8 pages, front and back...and I'm trying to keep it from growing any larger...6 total pages had been my planned limit...so two pages may be cut (4 pages total) and moved to Issue #3.
Issue One of The Postal Press paper arts zine went very well. Printing was easier than I suspected, but postage killed me…I was also not thrilled with my funny pocket at the back. But it was great fun and I’m already hard at work on Issues Two and Three.
Anyway….
I have a little challenge for you…should you decide to accept! I would like to send you a plain white shipping envelope. I am asking that you alter the blankness of that envelope and send it back to me. I will use these altered ‘envies’ to ship Issue 3 of the zine and as spotlight artwork in Issue 2. Now, of course, there are some guidelines:
- The size of the envelope may not change. I will be shipping Issue 3 in these envelopes and they need to remain their current size otherwise the zine will not fit.
- Leave space somewhere for me to put an address label. I don’t want to defile your artwork, but I need to be able to address the darn thing so leave me some space.
- The completed envelope must be returned in an envelope. Again, I plan to ship the next issue of the zine in these envelopes and I need them to be as usable as possible. I don’t mind if they are folded for the return trip…as long as it doesn’t mess up your artwork.
- And lastly, please sign your work.
If you would like to do an envelope, please send your mailing address to me at: serendipityartist@yahoo.com. I will cover the postage to you and the shipping envelope. I ask that you send the envelope back by June 30.
Just a cool magazine type thing with interesting articles on paper art, a cool swap mailing list -- people who will send you art if you'll send them art and various "goodies" I like to play with. For the Launch Issue I'll be including some cool embellishments, several items for a mail art challenge that will be in the zine and some product information on stuff I use a lot -- ink, paper, adhesive...whatever.
I'm excited about this funny little endeavor and hope people will enjoy it.
Shmuel...if you're reading this...send me a message...I want to feature your art in this issue. I sent you a post card, but I'm running out of time for the April issue. Hope you'll say yes!