Month: January 2021

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Done, Doing, Dreaming

Hello, zine beans! It has been a touch quiet around these parts, but that doesn’t mean nothing has been happening! I am so, so happy to have finally finished some of these things so I can get started on even more.

Done

*Review Index – The Zine Review Index is finally up to date! At least up to the beginning of this month. I was behind back to 2019, I’m ashamed to say, so finishing this was a huge relief.

*Distro! – The Distro is finally fully back up, stocked, and running. The whole thing disappeared after the hosting transfer, and it’s another huge relief to have it back into shape.

*Zine Reviews – I’m not caught up completely by any means, but I want to put this here because I’m proud of how far I’ve come so far. I’m feeling more comfortable with how many reviews I have (I shouldn’t miss any review days for a good while) finished and in catching up on those who were specifically waiting for reviews. It also feels great to get back to the foundation of Sea Green Zines.

Doing

*Resting? – A big lesson of this year already has been about health. I’m doing a lot more to improve my health and wellness, but it’s a long road. A road that involves accepting that I can’t do all the things for all the people all the time. (This irritates me to no end. Haha.)

*Zine Reviews – Yes, this goes here, too, because I still have a long way to go.

*SGZ Pages – This is definitely on the to-do list – especially the resources page. I really want this whole website to be a zine hub, so if you are a zinemaker, have a zine shop, run a zine related page or blog – please let me know because I’d love to add you to the list.

*Review Index Part Two – In updating the index, I found out that some of the reviews no longer have their cover pictures. I’m not sure exactly why or how, but I’m guessing it happened during the transfer to the new hosting. I’ll be working on getting the covers back into those posts.

Dreaming

*Button machine! Thanks to the awesomeness of True Zine Marin, Sea Green Zines now has a button machine. I’m so excited and have so many dreams of different buttons I can make. I need to get the swing of the machine going by my first buttons, but there may be some SGZ-made buttons coming to my shops soon.

*I’m still dreaming of finishing up Phenomena 2, Workaholic 2, Dear Anonymous 9, and Dear Anonymous 10. I thought I’d be able to finish them before the end of the year, but, at this point, I really have no idea. I’m trying to get as much as possible done each day.

*I’m dreaming of a few new personal zines as well as some things to add to the YouTube channel… but they are all definitely well within dreaming territory for now.

**************

Here we are! I got a little bit lost in the details for a while in regards to overthinking everything and getting stressed about the future. But looking at things from a bigger perspective, I see that I’ve made a lot of progress. I’m finally starting to see the glimmers of what I want Sea Green Zines to be. Upward and onward.

Until next time, spread a little sunshine.

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Call for Submissions: Pre-Existing Zine

Pre-Existing

In a year still plagued by disease, those with chronic illnesses and other health conditions have faced blatant disregard for our lives and worth. PRE-EXISTING is a zine about living when others don’t care if you die.

*Deadline is March 31, 2021*

Submissions should be between 100-750 words. All conditions, from chronic illness, disability, & mental illness are welcome. Contributors will be paid $15 USD to be paid via PayPal or Venmo.

[Two stickers: one is a circle sticker of a rainbow. The other is a square sticker of a unicorn that says “Uni-Can”]

Send in email or as .doc file to: OleandrsStudio@gmail.com

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Zine Review: The Adventures of Punk Bird 4

The Adventures of Punk Bird 4
Punk Bird
https://www.instagram.com/punkbird352/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/PunkBird352

The Adventures of Punk Bird 4 is a US quarter-sized black and white comic zine about the origins of Punk Cat and how some people should really think more before they adopt a pet.

This issue of Punk Bird takes a different path by focusing on Punk Cat. Punk Cat has a great start by getting adopted but all too soon faces a fate far too many furry friends face… when the little one is abandoned. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, however, with the usual Punk Bird flair that makes it even better. I won’t spoil things any more than that though.

I enjoyed this issue of Punk Bird. It is a touching story with an important message (pets are forever!) that still works in some Punk Bird humour. I especially enjoyed the character reference that links back into issue three. It felt like a little Easter egg worked in. This issue also showed that the series can ‘wander’ a bit from the usual while still tying well into the series as a whole.

I am very much looking forward to where Punk Bird goes from here.

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Mini Zine Review: Australian Gothic 1-3

Australian Gothic 1-3
Localamity
https://www.instagram.com/localamity/
https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/localamity

Australian Gothic 1-3 is a set of three A7 minis of Australian themed very short stories about the Australian experience.

There was something about these minis that caught my eye when I saw them, and they didn’t disappoint.

Each edition of Australian Gothic gets right into things with six short stories – one per inner page. And when I write short, I mean short. The words are few, and the font nicely big and readable.

From the summer heat to the Aussie wildlife, these snippets of life made me smile, nod at the shared experiences, and some made me feel sad as well. Vol 1 is primarily amusing with a healthy dose of cynicism I appreciated. Vol 2 slightly more so. Vol 3 Queer Edition had the darkest tone but deservedly so, and the stories shared will hit home for many.

I was wondering how Australia-specific references would go. However there was only one story that went over my head. (Fun fact: I’m not Australian born. I’m an import.) That said, I think a lot of the stories are easy to identify with even without knowing the specific references.

I enjoyed these zines a lot and hope the series continues. There’s value in taking a poke at the human experience, and these zines definitely do that.

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Help Save Wasted Ink Zine Distro

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXQ0-Ewr9uU&w=560&h=315]
Read more on the Go Fund Me page

Detailed Information on Closure by Charissa:

“It’s with a heavy heart that I announce this news. I’m closing the storefront of Wasted Ink Zine Distro at The Hive.

I was given less than 24-hour notice that construction would be taking place in my store. I informed the owner I was disabled and needed more time to get help moving items. She assured me I would have a week to move my items but the construction took place the next day which resulted in paint splatter on my furniture, broken furniture items and decor items, and a thick film of dirt and grime on many of my zines. I’m still assessing the damage of my property and merchandise and will be contacting creators.

Additionally, I was told my rent would increase 25% and after nine months of financial difficulty due to the pandemic, that rent increase isn’t feasible for me.

I want to thank the community for providing such support in the last 5 years and please know this isn’t the end, just a change of plans for Wasted Ink. May we celebrate the wonderful art events, poetry readings, and conversations that took place inside our space at The Hive. Our online store will remain live and we will be looking for a new location when COVID-19 has eased next year.”

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Zine Review: The Adventures of Punk Bird Issues 2 & 3

The Adventures of Punk Bird Issues 2 & 3
Punk Bird
https://www.instagram.com/punkbird352/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/PunkBird352

The Adventures of Punk Bird Issues 2 & 3 are black and white US quarter-sized comic zines about Punk Bird adventures in drunkenness and trying to find a new place rent.

I think the biggest thing I personally take from Punk Bird is that I really need to chill out.

Whether it’s getting drunk and stealing a police car, apologising to friends for drunk behaviour, or going through hell to find a new rental, Punk Bird is doing it all in style. Issues two and three continue on with the ‘day in the life’ feel and style of the first issue with each focusing on a particular event/point in time.

I haven’t had any alcohol-fuelled adventures anywhere near the level of Punk Bird (issue two), but I absolutely related to the ridiculousness of trying to find a rental (issue one) – including holes in the floor!

Punk Bird is a comic series I feel like I can relax and have a laugh with. (And be reminded I need to chill out, as I mentioned.) They’re a reminder that life is a mess and so are we, but it can still be fun and work out in the end.

Rock on, Punk Bird.

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Zine Review: Who Am I?

Who Am I? An Interactive Zine to Help You Explore Your Ever-Growing Identity
Reflective Zines (Mary)
https://www.instagram.com/reflectivezines/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/reflectivezines

Who Am I? is a full-colour US half-fold zine full of questions and prompts to help you explore who you are.

I like a bit of self-exploration at any time, but the fresh start of a new year feels like an especially good time to do so.

Who Am I? opens with an introduction about identity, how it can change, and the influence of mental illness on a person’s sense of identity. From there, we dive into pages of questions, prompts, and other activities to help you get to know who you are at this point in time.

Mary starts gently with a ‘draw yourself’ prompt followed by basics like hair and eye colour. But it slowly gets more introspective with questions about your role models, the past, and how vital certain things are to you for your future.

Reflective Zines are so full of colour and personality that makes them easy for me to engage in. All of the questions and prompts are set on the pages amongst colourful art as well as various quotes about identity. Winner all around for me.

This is the kind of zine I would like to fill out, put away, and take out again in a year’s time to see how I’ve changed (and no changed) over time. I had fun with most of the questions (thinking about the past is difficult but valuable) and liked how many questions there were about things I don’t usually think about.

This is a fun zine that offers a lot. If you want to find out more about yourself and/or make a record of where you are at a specific point in time, pick this up.

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Happy Mail Monday – Hello 2021 Edition

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDWpKXqa2VM&w=560&h=315]

Hello, wonderful zine people, and welcome to a brand new year of zinemaking! As well as the first Happy Mail Monday of the year. And what a start to the year! Today held lovely mail from friends near and far, including a big surprise!

Thank you so much for watching.

***

Awesome People/Places/Spaces Mentioned:

*Erica – ?

*JEM Hast – https://www.instagram.com/jem.hast/

*Sticky Institute – https://www.stickyinstitute.com/

*Beanstalk 1 Review – https://seagreenzines.com/zine-review-beanstalk-volume-1-the-hat-edition/

*Small Zine Volcano – https://smallzinevolcano.bigcartel.com/

*True Zine Marin – https://www.instagram.com/truezinemarin/

*Crash Reynolds – https://www.instagram.com/indeliblecrash/

*Kim (washi) – https://www.instagram.com/kciart/

*Mail ‘em Forward – https://www.facebook.com/mailemforward/

*Cavedweller – https://www.instagram.com/cavedweller71/

*Sticker – https://www.instagram.com/bills.benevolent.association/

*Mummies – https://www.instagram.com/octopi_eyes/

*Lynn – https://www.instagram.com/lovelynnslife/

*Just Be – https://www.instagram.com/flatvnd/

*Art Be Sassy – http://www.artbesassy.com/

*Victorio Marasigan – https://everyoneisawesomeforever.tumblr.com/

*Chris Mitchell – https://www.instagram.com/crypt_witchell/

*Evelyn – https://www.instagram.com/evelynbasch/

*Pocket Thoughts – https://www.instagram.com/_my_name_is_ryan_/

*Pocket Thoughts Flip Through Video – ??

*Edd Castillo – @ozzyugi?

*Xerography Debt – http://www.leekinginc.com/xeroxdebt/

***

My PO Box:

Nyx
PO Box 378
Murray Bridge, SA 5253
Australia

***

You Can Find Me At:

seagreenzines@gmail.com

Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/seagreenzines

Posted on

Help Save Wasted Ink Zine Distro

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXQ0-Ewr9uU&w=560&h=315]
Read more on the Go Fund Me page

Detailed Information on Closure by Charissa:

“It’s with a heavy heart that I announce this news. I’m closing the storefront of Wasted Ink Zine Distro at The Hive.

I was given less than 24-hour notice that construction would be taking place in my store. I informed the owner I was disabled and needed more time to get help moving items. She assured me I would have a week to move my items but the construction took place the next day which resulted in paint splatter on my furniture, broken furniture items and decor items, and a thick film of dirt and grime on many of my zines. I’m still assessing the damage of my property and merchandise and will be contacting creators.

Additionally, I was told my rent would increase 25% and after nine months of financial difficulty due to the pandemic, that rent increase isn’t feasible for me.

I want to thank the community for providing such support in the last 5 years and please know this isn’t the end, just a change of plans for Wasted Ink. May we celebrate the wonderful art events, poetry readings, and conversations that took place inside our space at The Hive. Our online store will remain live and we will be looking for a new location when COVID-19 has eased next year.”