I have been neglecting my blog - sorry. I did release a new issue of TSAHG and hope to have another issue out by the first week of April. I also released a mini zine of  90s chola doodles - you can even color them! I am learning that taking my time is okay, not to push myself when things are not going as well as I want them too, I will continue making zines!

New Issue Of Cemetery Gates Out Now

It is finally here: Cemetery Gates Volume 4! 28 pages of cemetery adventure, death culture and an interview with modern mourning jewelry designer Wisp. Each issue comes with a 1" button and will help fund future projects.

The Stay At Home Girlfriend #20

Newest issue of The Stay At Girlfriend is now on Etsy. I spent good chunk of time stapling these and getting them ready to mail. Medical cannabis, facing OCD fears, vegan food, friendship and more is covered in this issue. Please go check it out now!

Newest Zine: Hello My Name Is

I just released my newest zine titled: Hello My name Is on Etsy yesterday. Inside the pages you will find personal stories that deal what it is like living with a mental illness and how each person is different. I tried to get people who submitted to keep it light and positive. They did. This zine is radical mental health at it's finest.  I am really proud of these 16 pages and the people that shared their personal and inspiring stories.

Zine Reviews - Early Jan 2016

Most of these zine are from  my EBABZ haul. I have a lot more zines that have occupied my time recently but did not want to overwhelm anyone with to many reviews. I will do more at the end of the month.


No Gods Not Mattresses #26 : Enola's train travels get stuck in my head. You root for her and her pals to get safely to the next point in their journey with every new page. She also drops some Strawberry Switchblade info that delighted me in this issue. Her zines are always a mix of cut and paste, doodles and random backgrounds. Hefty read - very wordy and full of delight.
Send Enola a couple of bucks (price is not listed) to get a copy. She also made a 120 minute mix tape to go with the issue - if you send a blank tape & postage (a few bucks) you can have it in your hands. I think Matt got the tape from her - I need to check it out. Address: Enola D., PO Box 3936, Berkeley, CA 94703

Dreams of Donuts #22: Get it for the artwork alone. I get lost in Heather's art and there is so much cool imagery on every page. Take a punk rock comic trip as Heather tours with her friend's band, stays in hotels and makes a stop at Hollywood Forever Cemetery - fun times. Plus I get a shout out - I saw my name in the thank you credits and I think I blushed, let out a happy squeak and jumped all at the same time!
You can get ordering info on Heather's  blog.

Re-Minders #7: Clean art - almost like new age collage. Also the writing reminds me of mantras that I  hear in kundalini yoga classes. Spiritual without being super woo-woo. You can get Rani Goel's zines here.

Palace of Ashes: A comic about Emmit Watson and his restoration of the San Francisco Columbarium. I like anything death culture so this is a cool little read. I also think that a person taking on such a big project is pretty brave! This has been on my 'get on BART and go list' for awhile. I hope 2016 will be the year I get to check it out!

Arcane Angles #3: A nice lengthy piece on Santa Muerte is in this issue - which is what drew me to it. Also a lot of rad death content! Also I see some of my zine pals getting a shout out/review in the zine which is nice. This zine: layout, content and all reminds me of the zines I got into in the 90s and are a rare breed. Some of the stories border on college essay territory but they are well thought out and researched.

if you'd like to hear it // i can sing it for you #002: This is the death issue and each piece reflects upon death and dyeing. There is poetry, stories, comics and photos to explore - this mix allows a mixture of emotions to come about, not just gloom. *I have a piece in this issue.*

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!

EBABZ 2016 Wrap Up

I did it - it is over. I DID IT! I was so worried that I was not going to do it, letting myself down, others down. I did not even want to talk about it the week leading up to it, in case I was thinking something bad and then EBABZ would be mentioned thus making EBABZ bad. That is how my mind works, it sucks, but I have gotten a bit better about it. My mind seems to go into overdrive though leading up to big events and EBABZ is the biggest event I do each year (the only one I did this year). So yes I was nervous.

 Thanks for the photo Matt!

We got there right when the event started but since I am a table pro I knew I could get things sorted out in a minute. Found my table - same spot as last year and bonus they remembered a chair for Matt. My only table flaw was forgetting to see if the new LED holiday lights I brought needed batteries - they did, I had none.  I said hi to a few people and Matt joined me. The first hour was slow and we were hungry so Matt went and got us a stack of taquitos from Flaco's at the farmer's market plus the water I forgot in the car as I jumped out as he went to find parking.

This year I walked away with more unsold/not traded zines and less zines I bought from others. People seemed to not be in the trading mood. It is okay though. Matt and I bought as many zines, books and art as we could. I would have bought more but each time I got up the crowed gathered around me and I had to fight my way through. At one point as the event wrapped up, I ran down the street to get a smoothie and cookie - only vegan option around. As soon as I got out of EBABZ my ears were assaulted with 'hey girls' and a few scumbags who wanted to get my attention.This made me glad the day was coming to an end and I could go get proper food.

I made new connections, saw friends, got inspired and came back with zines to read all week. Sure there was cliques (something some people still cling to past high school), I was tired and sales were down but in the long run - I did it and I am happy!

Underground Press Famous - Kinda Sort Of

I have a photo in the spooky girl centerfold section in the latest Goir Noir. The magazine is coffin shaped and has some cool art by Quyen Dinh (which is an artist I like and have a print from on my wall!).

I am also in SRVIV #3 as well as Alice Bag - which is cool!

I even have my own zinester trading card out in circulation.

I also have a short piece in Mental Health Is Ugly put out by Queer Anxiety Babiez Distro.

So I feel like a star. Getting mail like this with my name/photo in it is awesome! Support these people and their projects! Get involved in independent press and you too can see your name and face all over the place!

Working On Cemetery Gates V3

Little Weekend Roundup

Mady had her yearly shots on Saturday. My poor little girl - look at those eyes. She was a good girl though even with all the barking dogs waiting around her. She is still not a 100% herself today but little by little she is feeling better.

Spent time in Manteca Union Cemetery - got some shots of 1800s stones that are nicely preserved. A lot of times stones from the 1800s are really worn making them hard to read so I was delighted to find a nice selection with script that photographed well.

After going to the movies and looking at Halloween stuff we had dinner at Freebirds. We learned about the Tempeh Calabacitas - and had to go in to try it out. While I love tofu, it is nice to see a place offering something other than tofu to it's meat free customers. I ordered a salad bowl with Calabacitas, Spanish rice, guac, Death Sauce, jalapeno's, veggies and more hot sauce! It was really good. I love all of the vegan options at Freebirds. Everything tasted fresh and had a authentic kick to it.

It was a pretty chill weekend. I am working on zine stuff like editing cemetery photos and looking up history. I am trying to stay happy and just relax my mind. I hope your weekend was awesome!

Zines - Why We Make Them

It is the last day of July - the last day of IZM . Some of us got a lot done and some of us did a few activities. What is important is we all celebrated the love of zines. I tried a few new techniques, released a new zine, shared my zines and thought of new zine ideas!

On this last day I wanted to share the varied responses to the question: why do you make zines? Throughout the years I have gotten to know so many zine makers from different scenes and I find the only thing connecting us at times is a zine. But zines make a strong bonding glue!
Why I make zines: zines are my voice when I do not feel like I want to communicate with others. It is a way to reach out, share my ideas and have a voice from the comfort of my house. I started reading/making/contributing to goth zines in the 90s. It took me awhile to make my own - I had to get over some insecurities (something I still battle with) and just do it!

 Why do you make zines:

I make zines to make my academic research more accessible to everyone, and explore complex issues as well as politics - both social and personal. - Jess

I make zines to strengthen print media in a time when it is weak, to share the voices of artists who have not found a mainstream outlet and to put my work out there, to keep me accountable, working, and diligent.  - Rebecca 

I make zines to share my story in the hopes that it resonates and helps someone else overcome whatever plagues their mind/body/heart/soul. I write zines to genuinely connect with others and stand in solidarity on -ism issues while lending my voice to help institute change in whatever small way I can.  - Dawn 

I make zines because I love reading zines, and I wanna share my stories with zinesters. - Poliana 

I make zines 'cause I need to. Need to write words. Need to share experiences & my obsessive internal banter. Need to make art with scissors & pictures & words & gluesticks & glitter. Need to create. It's the perfect art form, really. (& when you get to work alongside the most amazing boy in the world? Pure purrrs.) - Deirdree

i don't make zines, i am zines ~ - Steven  

 I make zines for my own therapy. It helps me release stress, tension and all the random thoughts that seem to clutter my brain. Also make zines to share my experiences with others and hopefully make a difference in a person's life..even if it's a small insignificant difference. - Brandy 

I make zines to use all the magazine scraps and bits and pieces of paper I can't seem to stop saving, as well as explore concepts and share my writing and humor and passion for food and small print.  - Heather 

I make zines because it rhymes with beans. - Chris  

I make Pinche Vida / Zine because we were tired of life, monotony and rutine. We needed a way to express ourselves and yell to the world the way we are feeling about the things that happen around us. We still believe in the magic of the printed pages. - Pix 

When we first started we were 16, I was into painting and my best friend into taking pictures, we didn't knew much about art neither, anybody into it like us, so we decided to put up a submission call for a local art show, we met a bunch of people and as we got older the project evolved into art shows, a blog, fanzines and interview, we met people like us around the world and started to do things together. It's been 6 years, and to answer the question I need it to say that. Short answer: to keep learning. As we have met people and together make things, we have grown up so much as creatives. That's why we keep doing it. - Naville 

I always wanted to be a writer, and later I got into different forms of art, like drawing and photography. When I was in High School, the school paper never wanted to publish the things I submitted to it saying it was offensive and obscene. I wanted to make something that would incorporate all my writing and my drawings without censorship and without care for technique and language. Zines are my outlet, they're my freedom and my life. - Hadass 

Is 'because I can' too egotistical of an answer? Otherwise... I make zines because they are my playground. A place where I can let my words play and be free. I love writing books - don't get me wrong. But it is nice to use words to make art without needing to worry about ebook layouts and bad reviews on Amazon Pressure-free creating. - Jaime 

I make zines because I find them to be an achievable goal and a way to share my life with others. -  Kelsey 

Zine Stuff

 

Cherokee Memorial Park - Lodi, CA 

I am working on Cemetery Gates issue 2 right now. I am setting up the page layout, trying to pick what photos I liked most from the last few months and work with the stuff submitted to me. I am thinking a mid to late July release will happen. I have a special tuck in being made that goes with each issue.

I just listed The Stay At Home Girlfriend #17. It came out just int time for my birthday this weekend. Inside you will find the usual: vegan recipes, cat talk, mental health trials/triumphs. There is a lot that goes into each issue of this zine. I look at older issues and see how far I have come - a good thing!

Cemeteries & Vegan Pizza

Last weekend we headed out to the Pleasenton - San Ramon area to search cemeteries, eat vegan deep dish pizza and just get away for a few hours. We spent time in both the Memorial Gardens Cemetery and CFCS St. Michael Cemetery  which are right next to each other. 

The weather has been nice and I have been digging up history (ha ha) on cemeteries in the area and playing cemetery explorer. Partly because I love cemeteries and also I am working on a zine that has been decades in the making. I am also curating and updating the lists of cemeteries via Wiki in my area.

I am always on the hunt for interesting stones. Matt also has a good eye and spotted the above stone. What stood out is the pot leaf! We have never seen anything like that. Also note the sports teams, Matt found it funny that opposing sports teams seemed to balance each other out being placed next to each other.

As the sun set I had to have Matt get a quick pick of me in. I climbed up and got dirty but that is part of being a cemetery explorer!

After a quick trip to Whole Foods and coffee-fuel we headed over to Zachary's for deep dish vegan pizza! There are two places that offer vegan deep dish in the area and I like Zachary's better. At Zachary's there is not a super long wait, the atmosphere is fun and I like the taste better. We got our vegan deep dish with jalapenos (of course) and drinks on the side (I got a bottle of Angry Orchard Apple Cider - super good!).

Cemeteries and pizza - what a perfect day time date-getaway! As always thank you Matt for taking me and sharing these adventures with me. Also if you are curious about my upcoming zine project please keep an eye out. Check out my Instagram account in the links to the side for more cemetery photos and of course photos of random stuff I post.

EBABZ 2014 - New Zine

I tabled at EBABZ on Saturday. I was so happy to be there! My mood has been dark and rather gloomy due to anxiety but I was happy to be going and I put all of my fears aside to think of happy rainbows and meeting new people.
We started on the wrong foot, the alarm clock did not go off but Mady woke us up in time though. I scarfed down a bowl of cereal, took a shower smeared on some black eyeliner and off we went. Traffic was good, we got there when the doors were opening to the public, jumped out with my stuff and let Matt find parking. I set up my zines and met my table mate and proceeded to engage in as much zine talk, trading and putting myself out there as I could for the next seven hours.
Thanks to Matt and not thanks to not getting an extra chair Matt and I switched off table duty. Me heading to the farmer's market to get Flacos's, tofu sushi and coffee to try and wake myself up early on and him later on getting me an almond milk late to kick start my heart mid fest. We also took turns walking around both levels, buying zines, buying art, trading, seeing friends and making new ones.
By the end of the event I only had two zines left, a bag full of zines to read and a happy feeling that stretched through to every cell in my body.

After the zine fest I needed more coffee so we walked around. I grabbed another almond milk late, a vegan cookie to share with Matt and encountered some of the biggest fluffiest cats I have seen around town. In turn for good cat energy I bought them some treats and their human companion a smoothie. We made our way to Fantastic Comics and made our purchases just as protestors, cops and the helicopters were coming our way. I am all for protesting but getting caught up in a crowed with violence is not my thing. We went to Telegraph and found that a handful of the stores were closed because of protestors, bought some music/movies and went to go grab some food.We made our way back through Berkeley to Oakland's Whole Foods, bought food and shared some sweet confection from the bakery on our trip home.

I am still recovering! I have so many new zines to read, people to find and I need to catch up on some sleep. I am making my way to the printers this week to restock my zine supplies. I do have issue #13 of The Stay At Home Girlfriend out now, just listed. It made it's debut at EBABZ and sold out fast. I also want to give a zine shout out to No Means Yes, Right? A Street Harassment Guide - I have a small piece on my mean face in this issue!

A Few Zine Reviews

Here are a few zines that I have read recently. I know I have said in the past I would do more zine reviews but I forget! I also did a handful of reviews in my latest zine. Please buy zines - read zines - make zines!

I am hooked on the art in Plush Issue 1 . Very dreamy, cute and a bit creepy. Perfect tattoo inspiration and some fashion inspiration thrown in there as well!

Eudaimonia #5  has a super rad flying bettle cover (I am into bugs right now!) and the art inside is really cute and inspires me to doodle more. From plants to hair this zine feels whimsical but personal and the art just floats it along.

Double Chinchilla Lucky #13 - Cat art and lots of it! "Nuff said!

Things Men Have Told Me About My Body - Some are wird, a few funny but more than anything a lot will make you angry. Why do men (and women) think they need to comment on other people's physical appearance without thinking twice of it?

Shotgun Seamstress #7:  Fliers for shows and the stories behind them. Inspiring for any of those looking to create an alternative to the alternative.

Zine Stuff

I have a new issue of The stay At Home girlfriend up. Inside you will find the usual: vegan recipes, living with OCD and cat chat! Also a vegan/cool guide to LA, Ladyfest Bay Area recap and some zine reviews. Please check it out, buy a copy today!

I am also working on a zine about cats and mental health called  theraPURRy. Cats are therapy for me and I believe others as well. I would love to showcase our bonds with our companion cats. I would like submissions to start coming in so I can work on it this fall. So if you have any submissions or even questions let me know!

Bay Area Ladyfest - Zine Fest

Here is my table for the Bay Area Lady Fest Zine fest in Berkley last weekend. I brought all my issues of The Stay At Home Girlfriend including 11 that I printed and stapled the night before. I also had to bring some of my classics like the Easy Vegan to round out my table.My sign markers were construction paper kittens I spent some time cutting out!

We were on time and some may evenn say early! That's a first because I am constantly behind schedule. I set up my table and told Matt that I was going to scope out the coffee place out front. The coffee place was a big deal to me, I searched online beforehand for coffee places nearby but could find nothing.

Not only did Rasa Caffee have almond milk lates that tasted of rose petal and spice, they had vegan doughnuts from Peeples! I was happy to have a warm drink and something sweet to share with Matt to perk my tired bones up.I came to the even not feeling good, allergies and the effects of crappy sleep were effecting me.

I did have a good time staying until 4 when the crowed started to thin. I sold zines, traded zines, made friends and just talked to people - many who inspired me for future projects. I missed out on workshops but I was busy getting my zines out and chatting up people. I left feeling really happy!

 

I took home a phat stack of zines that have been my constant companion as I rest and catch up on sleep.

All in all a good day. I just wish (Matt said this as well) that more people came out. Throughout the day it was a rotating cast of about 20 people, same in, same out. I did make fliers for the event, passed them out - it worked. I also tried hitting up online spots and posting the event. I do not know if it was lack of promoting or lack of zine love. Whatever, again I had fun.

A Few Vegan Zine Reviews

Maude sent me the latest issue of her zine Marmalade Umlaut and a back issue where she talks about her tattoos (inspired by a zine entry I did!). They kept me entertained over last weekend! Zines on the couch with some tea is nice! Both zines focus on what Maude is up to, food she is eating and her love of farmer's markets. She hand writes her zines and includes comic styled panels in each one. You can buy the zines and read her blog at Food Feud. Maude actually will be giving the next issue of my zine some NY love with her take on the best places in NY.

Dishes I like To Eat And Make is a cute lil pocket sized zine packed with flavor. Most of the recipes are vegan, the other 2 vegetarian but could be made vegan if you tried! The clean style and font choices make Brandy's style stand out! $1 gets you this fun zine! You can buy the zine via Brandy's Etsy Shop .

Two New Zines Hot Off The Presses!

I added 2 new zines to my Etsy shop this weekend. Hello Kitties and the latest installment of The Stay At Home Girlfriend! Please go check them out and buy a zine or two!

A Stack Of Zines - Mini Reviews

 

When I searched for zine reviews this week I came up pretty empty handed. I wish more places were out there were we can read zine reviews and submit our zines for review. I have often been scared to send in my zines because most reviews want a zine to fit into a category: per-zine, fictional, art/comic, review...The Stay At Home Girlfriend does not really fall into a category, it is a mixture of everything.The zines I seek out are usually of the same nature.

So to fill a void in zine reviews I will go through what I am currently reading or have read recently. I will try to do this as often as possible. I have linked places were you can pick up the zines/find more info yourself.

Mixed up: I bought this (well, actually Matt paid for it) when I was dropping of zines at Down at Lulus's a few weeks back. I picked it up because I am always looking for zines that deal with stuff like immigrants and race issues.I have not gotten through the whole zine but there are some good reads. 

Food Stamp Foodie #3: This is my favorite type of zine - one that mixes vegan foods/recipes and crafts! Each recipe/craft is done comic style and is easy to follow. From making scarves to making cold brew coffee this lil zine packs a DIY punch.

Basic Paper Airplane 7: I do not usually go gaga over per-zines unless I can relate to the topic or the voice/person behind the zine grabs me. BPA#7 is a small zine, that I finished in a few minutes on my way to the gym but it was a zine that had impact. Each page is prompted by what appears to be a random thought/memory and a story that follows. Quick little reads that may make you think of your own life or memories.