I've finished my first zine: a colouring book, and I can't remember the last time I enjoyed making something so much. All the illustrations are hand-drawn, in fact the whole thing is hand-drawn.
So many things about this project have been refreshing and cleansing - it's not for my portfolio, it won't make me much money and it will only really appeal to a niche market, that funny bunch of grown-ups who appreciate a good doodle and even still derive joy from colouring in. I won't give away too much about the content (it is for sale after all), suffice to say there's a naked man in there, along with a contented baking octopus, some dragons and a thoughtful cloud.
The world has become a brighter place since I found that making your own little comics doesn't have to stop once you leave school and your friends don't care for little aliens on their homework diaries anymore. Hurrah!
I sold my first one within half an hour of posting it on Folksy. Encouraged! Although the forum post I was blathering on shows that there is still confusion over Zines in the online crafting community...
Well, first I'm going to have to check out Folksy. Second, the Etsy Doodlers Team (where I found your blog mentioned) has a member who runs a whole site with coloring pages for kids and adults. (Not zines, mainly stand-alone pages.) Her name is Sheri (SMacsPlaceToBe) but her Etsy shops are closed temporarily due to a move across the country. :)
ReplyDeleteNext, the whole zines thing! A couple other Doodlers (justgivemepeace and ZetasAttic) do full color zines that look really neat and fun, and I have often thought I should try one. But arrgh, never enough time for everything.
Congratulations on that sale right out of the gate! It looks neat and your packaging is great. :)