learn how to make zines with me 🧄

Summary

In this video, Paloma (Paloma the Peach) shares her journey of creating her first Zen, a DIY publication focused on personal expression and creative freedom. Over the course of a year and a half, she gathered inspiration from various artists and resources to create her own unique Zine, tackling challenges in design, folding, and binding techniques. Paloma offers helpful insights into the process, emphasizing the therapeutic nature of bookbinding and the joy of making something truly personal. The video is both an inspiring tutorial and a personal reflection on the Zen-making process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Paloma introduces herself as an artist and shares her excitement about making her first Zen, inspired by her favorite artists.
• 😀 Zen are DIY publishing projects that focus on self-expression, offering a creative space to make something entirely unique.
• 😀 Paloma highlights that Zen are different from magazines, as they don't aim to sell anything but rather explore DIY culture and personal creativity.
• 😀 She recommends watching Brady Xre and Cat Moth Crow on YouTube for more information about Zen culture and tutorials on making them.
• 😀 The *Stolen Sharpie Revolution* book is a helpful resource for learning about Zen, offering tips on binding, size templates, and how to get started with creating them.
• 😀 The process of making a Zen involves brainstorming ideas, choosing the right size, and following a specific folding method to create the pages.
• 😀 Paloma initially struggles with the planning phase of her Zen but later finds clarity and motivation to continue the project after some reflection.
• 😀 For a more interactive presentation of her work, Paloma creates a radar chart to showcase her favorite Croc charms with different characteristics.
• 😀 She shares her experience of making a one-page Zen, which is simpler and quicker to make than a traditional multi-page Zen.
• 😀 The video also covers the bookbinding process, where Paloma uses a new binding kit to create her Zen and emphasizes the therapeutic nature of bookbinding.
• 😀 In the video’s conclusion, Paloma reflects on her enjoyment of the Zen-making process and shares her plans to offer Zen at upcoming art markets and through her Patreon and Instagram.

Q & A

What is a Zine, and how does it differ from traditional magazines?

A Zine is a self-published, often DIY publication that contrasts with traditional magazines, which focus on commercial content. Zines are typically about personal expression, creativity, and freedom of subject matter, allowing the creator to cover any topic they desire.

What inspired Paloma to create her own Zine?

Paloma was inspired to make her own Zine after collecting and studying a variety of Zines created by other artists. She admired the creative freedom they offered and wanted to create one herself, even though she initially struggled to find the time.

Which resources did Paloma use to learn about Zine-making?

Paloma mentions watching videos by Brady Xre and Cat Moth Crow on YouTube, which provided in-depth tutorials on Zine culture and techniques. She also refers to the book *Stolen Sharpie Revolution*, which offers a range of resources on Zine-making, including templates and tips for binding.

What challenges did Paloma face when creating her first Zine?

Paloma faced challenges when trying to decide on a concept, as well as the technical difficulty of working with a quarter-size template, which is more complicated than she initially expected. She also felt overwhelmed by the planning process and the need to organize her ideas before drawing.

How did Paloma choose the size and format for her Zine?

Paloma initially chose a quarter-size template for her Zine but later found it tricky. She also experimented with a one-page Zine, which was simpler and easier to manage. The one-page Zine format is particularly beginner-friendly because it uses just one sheet of paper.

What unique feature did Paloma include in her Zine to showcase her favorite Croc charms?

Paloma included a radar chart in her Zine to rate and showcase her favorite Croc charms. This chart presents the charms in a fun, game-inspired way, adding a unique, creative touch to her Zine.

What tool did Paloma use for binding her Zine, and why did she prefer it over other methods?

Paloma used a book-binding kit and a specialized hole-punching tool, which made the binding process easier and more efficient than using a traditional awl. The tool allowed for precise hole-punching without causing hand strain, which she had experienced when using the awl in the past.

What is Paloma’s opinion on bookbinding and its role in the Zine-making process?

Paloma enjoys the bookbinding process and finds it therapeutic. She learned bookbinding in school and now sees it as one of her favorite parts of making a Zine. The physical act of putting together the Zine gives her a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Why did Paloma decide to print her Zine on colored paper, and what challenges did she face with the paper choice?

Paloma decided to print her Zine on neon-colored paper to add a unique, visually striking element to it. However, she encountered a challenge with using thick cardstock, which made binding difficult and led her to recommend avoiding very thick paper for future Zine projects.

What are Paloma’s future plans for her Zines?

Paloma plans to sell her Zines in her upcoming shop updates and at art markets, especially in Texas. She also shares her work on Patreon, where supporters can access exclusive content like stickers and prints.