Title: I Look Miserable, But I’m Bubbling Over With Joy
Author: Karen Redlich
Type: 2x 1/4 fold
Author Site(s): http://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Designs-by-Karen-Redlich/116245431858833

Review: I found this zine at Sticky Institute. I was so taken by the cover that I just had to pick up a copy.

I’ve always admired people with artist abilities in the drawing/sketching arena. I love all the little illustrations in this zine. The way they are drawn and the content all fit the amusing cover. I hunted for her Facebook page (as in, it’s not on the zine), but it’s worth the extra little bit of work. Definitely check it out.

STATUS: For Trade

Title: Black Hole Brains
Author: Lady Dorian
Type: Single Sheet fold
Author Site(s): http://www.ladydorian.deviantart.com/

Review: I’m pretty sure I got this through a big zine trade. A strange combination of fun and absurd, I smile every time I open this little zine. Especially the giraffe picture. Very fun and creative.

This one kind of skirts my ‘thing’ about contact details being in the zine. She has her name – Lady Dorian – but nothing else in the zine. Plus, I received this with her card with her DeviantArt URL on it. But you can’t always count on a business card staying with the zine…

But it will with me. I love her little drawings and the strange things that pass through her mind. I hope to get my hands on her other Black Hole Brains creations.

STATUS: For Keeps

Title: Stitch This!
Author: Tasha
Type: 1/4 BNW
Author Site(s): http://wemakezines.ning.com/profile/Tasha

Review: This zine came from a trade with a fellow Australian. While cross stitching isn’t my thing, I did used to embroider a lot. I also love someone taking a hobby and making their own. The patterns are cute and funny, and they will appeal to a wide array of people.

My favourite is the space invasion bugs.

STATUS: For Trade

Title: G-String Tremolo
Author: Malenky Monologue
Type: Single Sheet fold
Author Site(s): http://fsuzine.weebly.com/

Review: Another one where I can’t remember where I got it… Maybe where I got it shouldn’t be part of the review.

Anyway, I have to love (at least a little bit) any zine with bold lines and clear typing. I’m a fan of the handwritten zine, too, but typing makes it easy to read. With this little gem, there is the handmade element, too, so the zine soul still exists.

This zine is chapter one of Adrien’s story. For a first chapter, it’s pretty interesting. The editor in me is rearing her head, but that’s only because the writing reads very ‘young’. Now that fits the voice of the character, but it also makes me wonder if the creator is a young writer as well… I’m curious to see if I come across the rest of the chapters floating around.

This zine is a great example of author and contact details being clear and easy to find. You might think that things aren’t hard to find in a single-fold zine, but there are always exceptions… Anyway, two thumbs up for making it easy to check your other stuff out.

STATUS: For Trade

Title: Dude
Author: ok d’pluma (?)
Type: Single sheet mini-zine
Author Site(s): ?

Review: It’s been so long since I have sorted through my collection that I can’t remember where I got this little zine…

I was amused by ‘Dude’, given my addiction to saying it – a lot – when I was a teenager. The quick commentary on the word as well as illustrations made for a fun little read.

But, this is a pretty good example of why you should have clear handwriting. I think the author’s name is “ok d’pluma”, but I am really not sure. If anyone wants to enlighten me, comment and I’ll fix things up.

STATUS: For Trade