Holiday Gift Guide For The Zinesters In Your Life

Zinesters deserve gifts too! Here is a gift round up for those that want to start making zines and the established zinesters that already have a few issues under their belt.

 

A long arm stapler is a must. You are going to want to order one online - these babies are not sold in stores, at least all the ones I checked. I have had mine since 2012 and it has not slowed down once!

How about a gift card to the print shop of their choice.  A lot of people who do not make zines themselves often do not get how much printing can cost. It can really add up! This could be useful when it comes down to buying groceries for the week or printing a new issue of your latest up all night work.

If you are into crafty gifts why not carve them a personalized stamp? That would be pretty rad. It could be as simple as a name or an address stamp. Heck make 'em a kitty cat stamp if they have a cat-centric zine.

Sharpies - they are a must. Have at least 5 on hand at all times! Am I the only one that has noticed a rise in Sharpie popularity? They seem to be one of those 'it' crafty staples now!

Same with glue sticks - but you need 10 with you at any given moment.

A cat! Because what else are you going to write about!?

Make that two cats - so you can have enough material for a few issues!

How about a stack of zines, a gift card to a local store that sells zines or online gift certificate to a distro? Not only do zinesters make zines - that want to read them.

Encouragement - it does not cost anything. A few words telling someone you believe in them is the gift that helps people get things started and get things done.

I hope 2016 ushers in lots of new zines, zine makers and zine related events. Go out and create a zine today!

[Creepmas] Day 6 - Winter Holidays In A Cemetery

 

Yesterday we set out to do some cemetery errands in Stockton, CA: find a grave for someone who contacted me, zine photo shoot, to say hi and check up on friend's relatives. It was rather cold and Matt was recently sick so we did not stay long. The cemetery was full of decorations and trees. Here are a few photos I took.

Maybe not really a holiday wreath but the colors are spot on! 

Hark a Creepmas angel signs! Hee Hee! I could not resist!  Actually after the Cemetery Matt took me to grab a almond milk pumpkin spice latte from Peet's and The Smiths' Cemetery Gates came on! Spppppppoooookkkkyyyyy!




*NOTE: I do not find cemeteries creepy - I know some do. I wanted to show these photos off though and thought Creepmas was appropriate.*

[Creepmas] Day 2 - Stress Less With Spooky Fun

The holidays - a time for cheer and good wishes - unless you turn off the Hallmark channel and venture out into the real world. People fighting over deals, cutting in line, children screaming - so much joy right? If you already have anxiety problems or get stressed out easily like myself you are probably in a corner right now trying to remain calm counting down the days till this madness is over.

Pumpkin Coloring King 

One thing I do to relax is color! Adult coloring books are super popular right now and there is something to suit everyone's likes and needs. I have rounded up a few spooky picks that hopefully will have you wanting to grab a cup of tea, a set of colored pencil and put on your comfiest pajamas and stay in doors for a night (or day) of stress free fun. Optional: music, I like music when I color!

Gothic Halloween: A Scary Adult Coloring Book offers everything from goblins to a pile of eyeballs to color in.

Day of the Dead Coloring Book - is actually one of the first adult coloring books I got. Not scary (suitable for kids) with big open spaces to color. 

I have this on my wish list and if you do not already have it I know it will be on yours too! Cemetery Coloring Book for the graveyard wanderers like myself.  When it is to cold to enjoy a cemetery stroll grab this book.

The lettering and the couple in the cemetery have my heart beating double time for these Pretty Dreadful coloring pages. Once done coloring you can frame them and hang them on your wall. Heck - frame one and give it as a gift!


What do you do to distress or unwind?

The Stay At Home Girlfriend 3

A new issue of The Stay At home Girlfriend is out now. This is a holiday themed issue, vegan cold weather comfort food, holiday stress busters, fave holiday movies and more. 20 pages and a random green or red cover! Get your copy now!

[day 21] Post Craft Show Slow Down

I had a crazy busy weekend. We did Hand Born for the fourth year in a row - the biggest indie craft show in the area on Saturday night, 5 hours of selling, chatting, loud music and fun! My table set up this year was packed the night before so I did not stress.


I love crafting and baking - my dream is to open a cute lil vegan bakery/art space/retail shop/concert venue. Doing craft shows help me figure out business plans for the future and see what skills I need to improve on. I like promoting veganisim with yummy treats. One of my top sellers is my 'cakey moist brownie'...This year I made those and rice cereal treats. One lady bought a brownie even though she just bought food from the cafe after seeing my brownies. She ate my brownie first! Don't bother asking for my brownie recipe!



I sold out on a lot of things and have another show coming up in two weeks. I started making more stuff! I can't wait. While I am busy sewing and knitting my boyfriend will be busy editing a new music video he directed! He also has a gallery premier showing off his 8-bit work. I just started holiday shopping, and have lots of baking to do and holiday pictures of Mar to take. It is going to be a creative holiday this year!