Mail Art

“Swaps” are where a certain number of people agree to swap… Well, something, usually handmade, and they’re usually multiple, identical (or nearly identical) items. It’s a fun way of sharing art, usually through the mail, but sometimes in person. Zine swaps In this case, a “zine swap” is where you send a certain number of … Continue reading "How a Zine Swap Works"

Artistamps are part of a larger art form called mailart. It’s been popular in different eras, most recently in the 1970s, then in the 1990s, and now – in the 21st century – it’s growing in popularity again. WHAT IS MAILART? Mailart (also called “mail art”) is art sent through the mail, and it’s visible … Continue reading "Artistamps and Mailart"

Round Robin #2 (from the Yahoo Group, ArtistsJournals) has returned to me, and Stephen duToit has added many wonderful pages. Here are a few of them: Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. As an author and affiliate, I may earn a small commission if you purchase anything through … Continue reading "The Return of the RR – RR #2 images"

The following two journal pages are glorious examples of work by Debbie O. of our Yahoo Group, ArtistsJournals. They’re wonderful mixed media journal pages with fabric elements, and they’re full of personal insights and juicy imagery. These continue the journey of Round Robin #2b (a larger blank journal) as it traveled across the U.S. and … Continue reading "Artists’ Journal RR #2b – Debbie O’s Pages"

Looking for a FREE art zine? Here’s one of mine. It’s from 2010’s “24-Hour Zine Thing” project. You can download this zine, page-by-page, and assemble it yourself. (It’s easy. Really.) What’s a 24-hour zine? During July 2010, participants had to go from concept to printed/bound zine in 24 hours or less, and the zine had … Continue reading "FREE 24-Hour Zine – Download"

The first time you try a zine layout, I know it can be confusing. And frustrating. But I’m about to show you how to put your zine pages together so they’re in the right order in the finished zine. I’ve been creating zines for over 30 years, and I still sketch my zine layout on … Continue reading "24-Page Zine Layout – How to Make a Zine"

Concluding yesterday’s 24-page, 24-hour zine, I learned a lot. (Here’s the link to the printable zine: 24-hour zine download.) I’m still not sure if I’m going to try a second one for this challenge.  Probably not. (If I had more time, I might.  With just two non-weekend days left in the month, it’s probably not … Continue reading "24-Hour Zine Thing – What I Learned"

Today, I’m starting the 24-hour zine thing.  (Yes, that’s what it’s called.) This may be quite a challenge! What is a 24-hour zine? If you’re not familiar with it, here’s the basic idea: Go from concept to completed/printed-and-bound 24-page zine in 24 hours. My general plan is to start it around 1 p.m.  today.  I’m … Continue reading "Zines – My 24-Hour Zine Thing Diary"

Some swaps say, “Documentation will be provided,” or something like that. Here’s what that means:  The person organizing the swap will provide a list of everyone who participated in the swap, mailart call, or whatever. In some cases, that list may be just people’s names.  In others, it’s each person’s name and address.  (If you … Continue reading "Swaps and Documentation"

When organizing an art swap of any kind, postage can be a Very Big Headache.  Here are some tips to keep the postage problems to a minimum. Different people send items that are varying sizes and — more importantly — different weights. Even in a cloth doll swap, you never know who’ll embellish their dolls … Continue reading "Swaps and Postage"

  When you’re participating in an art swap through an online group or community, the numbers may confuse you.  Here are some tips to help you understand them. There are three kinds of art swaps: Equal-for-equal, Number-for-number-minus-one, and Number-for-number-minus-X. Here’s how they work… EQUAL-FOR-EQUAL Art Swap When a swap is 3-for-3 or 10-for-10 or anything … Continue reading "Art Swaps – How the Numbers Work"

Disneyland is celebrating its 55th anniversary.  I’m commemorating it with an artistamp design featuring art by my mother, Muriel Joan Bernier (1919 – 2010). The artwork at left, which was also on the Fantasyland board game, was based on my mother’s art. She freelanced for Disney in the 1950s. I remember her drawing lots & … Continue reading "Disneyland Tribute for My Mom (Fantasyland game)"