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It all began when I was a child….
I remember when I was around 10 years old at school, we had to do a project over the summer holiday’s about the seaside town where we lived, I made a scrapbook, with the help of my mum, researching, gathering things, cutting and sticking and it was so much fun. At 47 years old, that passion hasn’t left me, so what fun it is, now to make monthly zines! A zine is a paper magazine that you traditionally photocopy, but we use a printer to make copies, I still handmake the originals by cutting and sticking, collecting and researching, just like when I was 10!
Here are some of the benefits of reading zines:
Diverse Perspectives: Zines often reflect the perspectives and experiences of marginalized or underrepresented groups. They can offer insights into diverse cultures, subcultures, and identities that may not be as prominently featured in mainstream media.
Independent and Alternative Voices: Zines provide a platform for independent and alternative voices that might not conform to traditional publishing standards or commercial interests. As a result, they can offer unique and authentic perspectives.
Creativity and Self-Expression: Zines allow creators to express themselves creatively without restrictions, leading to a wide variety of artistic styles, formats, and content. This freedom of expression can be inspiring for both readers and aspiring creators.
Accessible and Affordable: Zines are usually affordable and easily accessible. They often bypass traditional distribution channels, making them available in local communities, independent bookstores, or online platforms. This accessibility ensures that more people can access these diverse viewpoints.
Niche Interests: Zines cater to niche interests and topics that might not receive much attention in mainstream media. This enables readers to explore specialized subjects they are passionate about, fostering a sense of belonging and community.
Personal Connections: Reading zines can create a sense of personal connection with the creators. Many zines feature personal stories, anecdotes, and reflections, making readers feel like they are engaging in intimate conversations with the authors.
DIY Culture: Zines often embody a DIY (do-it-yourself) ethos, encouraging self-publishing, independent thought, and self-reliance. This can inspire readers to explore their own creative endeavors and embrace a more hands-on approach to their interests.
Empowerment: Zines can empower readers by challenging dominant narratives and stereotypes, encouraging critical thinking, and promoting self-awareness. They can serve as tools for activism and social change, advocating for causes and issues that matter to their creators.
Community Building: Zine communities exist both online and offline, allowing readers to connect with like-minded individuals who share similar interests and beliefs. This sense of community fosters a supportive and inclusive environment.
Exposure to New Ideas: Reading zines introduces readers to topics they might not have encountered otherwise. It broadens their horizons and exposes them to new ideas, art forms, and perspectives, enriching their overall understanding of the world.
I have a Singer Sewing machine from 1926, it has Lotus Decals, and was made at the Kilbowie plant in Scotland, the Lotus detailing was only used in UK machines, and the designers of the time were influenced by the Egyptian excavations that had been happening in the 1920’s.
I am a bit of a vintage/analog lover and I have an Olympia typewriter model SM2 121594 from 1951. The Olympia brand began life in Berlin in 1903 when European General Electric (AEG) sought to develop a German-made typewriter to capitalise on the demand for typewriters.
You will often see scraps of paper, with typed writing on them in my zines, and I have made these on my typewriter.
I print at home on an Epsom Eco Tank printer and outsource the larger (32 pages) zine to this brilliant printer here in the UK that uses vegetable inks and sustainable paper.
These machines were the first of the kind that could sew through delicate fabrics like chiffon, but could also sew thick fabrics like denim and leather, and I use this sewing machine to sew together the paper zines, I print at home.
If you love Typewriters like me, then there is a great App made by Tom Hanks (yeah the actor) who is a mad typewriter fan, its called Hanx Writer, its so cool, you can type on typewriters on your phone. There are also a couple of great blogs to check out - X Over It and oZTypewriter
