by Linda | Dec 15, 2010 | my creative journal
My creative time has definitely been filled these past works. From doing my paid project work to subsidiary design projects and commitments, the third issue of Pensieri really started to weigh down on my back. After finishing I’ve come to realize more important points about self-publishing and just physically getting a zine together. I might have realized this before as well, but maybe I didn’t take myself seriously enough…
TIMELINE
I totally understand why magazines have such future deadlines for submissions. I suppose the bigger the organization and the more people involved, the more time it will take. But even working alone, there is time needed for proofing, printing and construction. There are certain things that can never be an all-nighter kind of situation and I’m way past the age of all-nighters. Just can’t do ’em anymore. Also, if something personal were to come up, working ahead of time gives you the cushion for unforeseen events. I was actually sidetracked for a while in the printing of Pensieri because of our new puppy, not to mention it’s the holiday season. Eeek, there’s never enough time! So I should be already working on issue 6 of Pensieri already now…
PRINTING AND CONSTRUCTION
I’m still not totally satisfied with the printing quality of the zine and dealing with printers out there, suddenly the paper is too thin, then too thick… then you have to change to this other paper for another printer….ugh! I haven’t found the right combination yet, but I have to say this something that I totally did not consider beforehand. I mean, it seemed so simple – just get it printed at a shop, what’s the big deal? Unfortunately, lots of details start to pop up and you have to get the right combination for your needs. Balancing, cost, paper, printing sources and construction methods as well as considering the timeline from the point above – even to packing envelopes! I think it’s one of those things that looks simple and fine from afar, but when you are actually doing it, you realize it’s a lot of work.
POSTAGE
One of the aspects I’ve really struggled with living here in Italy, is the cost of postage to the rest of the world. It’s not too bad within certain weight ranges, but if you go 1 gram above to the next level, suddenly it’s double the cost. No such thing as a flat rate envelope or such like in the USA. I want to keep the price of the zine into the postage, because then it’s all up front. But at the same time, those farther should have to pay more… but… I dunno. I find it sad when I want to purchase something from far away but the shipping just costs soooo much. I suppose this is why real magazines have supplies and get it all over the world so folks can buy locally. It’s something I think about a lot, but don’t really know how to deal with. Besides working to keep things under certain weight limits and trying to account for the pricing…I don’t know what else to do. Someone should invent a teleporting machine already.
Finally, the big time suck in issue three was actually illustrating the knot patterns. I didn’t realize it would take so long, but it got confusing. In the end it might have been easier to just draw it by hand, but I had already gotten too far digitally. I suppose this goes back to the original point about working really ahead of schedule, because that makes everything more tolerable.
All in all, I am super happy with the latest issue of Pensieri and have knot projects left and right all over my desk as well. It’s super fun and I’m glad to be able to share it with others.
Thank you again for everyones’ support 🙂
by Linda | Dec 13, 2010 | my creative journal
Hi folks! Even though there were some production issues regarding my zine, but finally it’s out and ready to ship! Pensieri issue three is all about decorative knots, specifically with a Chinese knotting emphasis since that is what I learned myself.
This issue is packed full with a bit of story regarding how I started with decorative knotting, some general history and facts as well as going through some of the basic and cool-looking decorative knots out there. I then go through a huge section of project ideas to provide you with inspiration and a big list of resources to turn to.
As with many crafty techniques, it can look complicated from afar, but when broken down seems very approachable. I hope I can share with you my crafty journey in the artform of decorative knotting. One of my favorite knots is the monkeyfirst knot shown below… so cool especially with a larger rope type.
And of course with every issue of Pensieri you get a back pocket full of goodies to craft along. See the various cord types you receive to knot along with the zine…
You’ll find issues of Pensieri available in my Etsy shop – so check ’em out and enjoy! Thank you for all those who pre-ordered! As with every issue, there have been so many learnings in self-publishing and creating a handmade zine. I will be blogging about my experience and offering up a poll as well…to help me make it better each and every time 🙂 ciao ciao!
by Linda | Dec 2, 2010 | DIY printables
The holidays are super busy and I have way too many things going on… but at the same time I couldn’t help drawing up some cute little holiday tags and post them up. I wanted to participate in the holiday tag printables list on We Love To Illustrate… so that gave me a good excuse to astray from work duties. We all need creative playtime, right? Otherwise, I need to get back to drawing, designing, editing, bookbinding, making minibooks and scrapbooking away… eek!
Download Bear Hugger Printable Holiday Tags PDF
I hope you can use them for your handmade holiday gift giving – happy holidays! Ciao ciao…
by Linda | Dec 1, 2010 | my creative journal
Hi folks! I just wanted to take a moment to mention the CraftSanity Magazine… the first issue is available for preorder and I am so honored to be a part of this new crafty publication. I created some illustrations and printables for Jennifer at CraftSanity and so excited to see it all ready now! There are so many great contributors and I can’t wait to dig into the magazine.
Check out the preview post about it on CraftSanity and order you copy today!
by Linda | Nov 30, 2010 | my creative journal
A series of art journal pages where I pick a word for each letter of the alphabet and journal about it day by day. To find out more about the beginning of this project, please read the first post here.
I cannot believe that I’m already to the last letter Z. It’s been a great month doing something creative daily with AEDM and journaling from A-Z. It really has helped to have the guideline of A-Z and I understand why folks like prompts and such. Makes the process easier, but of course you can go wild from there as well. For this last page, I chose the word zany. In the dictionary it’s defined as meaning ludicrously or whimsically comical; clownish. I especially like the clownish reference because my husband has a tendency to call people a clown when they are being silly – but the word in Italian is a lot cuter and endearing to me, pagliaccio or pagliacciata for a feminine and cuter version. I don’t really take the word as negative or meaning a simpleton… it’s sort of like being cute and unique to me. I’m certainly a bit silly and whimsical when I’m just myself. I think people perhaps don’t see that side of me a lot, but my husband surely does and I love the fact that I can just say it all out loud and ask those silly questions that run through my head. Do a little hop skip and dance with a finishing pose… it’s the freedom when you feel like a kid again. Life should always be like that, right? Being weird without worrying that it’s weird. If that makes sense…
So I’ve really enjoyed this series of posting my art journal pages and participating with AEDM as well. Go check out all the other folks participating and big thanks for Leah from Creative Every Day for starting it all up. I definitely look forward to this month – it’s like collective creative energy together as a group. Thank you to everyone who left encouraging and thoughtful comments, especially this month as I pulled through the series. As the holidays are nearing though, I’m going to try and catch up with a lot of other things… there’s lots of excitement in our household… I will post when I can 🙂 Yeah, I’m keeping y’all in suspense…
by Linda | Nov 29, 2010 | my creative journal
A series of art journal pages where I pick a word for each letter of the alphabet and journal about it day by day. To find out more about the beginning of this project, please read the first post here.
Wow, we are nearing the end of this series and I’m so excited to finish up actually. This month has been so busy…but it’s been great to have this constant creative playtime as well. For the letter Y, I chose the word youthful. I’m thankful to feel this way (most of the time) and people often still think I’m a kid…thank you nature! So I just did a little bit of doodling play today.
by Linda | Nov 26, 2010 | my creative journal
A series of art journal pages where I pick a word for each letter of the alphabet and journal about it day by day. To find out more about the beginning of this project, please read the first post here.
It’s always hard to find a word for the letter X and sometimes you can cheat a little and just settle for a word with X within it or use it to mean the number 10 from the Greek alphabet. Lots of little tricks to represent whatever fits for you personally. In my case, I actually found a word starting with X that fits – xenophile! It means a person attracted to that which is foreign, especially to foreign peoples, manners, or cultures. I’m Chinese and my husband is Italian…haha…although I suppose it doesn’t have to be so literal. I’m also a very curious person by nature and I love learning about new things, visiting new places and hearing those stories and experiences. One cannot do it all in their lifetime, so I think it’s to our benefit to absorb from others if we can’t experience it first-hand…makes life fuller I think…more stimulating and interesting. So I just did a bit of a memory jog of the places I’ve been and made a pocket for some postcards I keep for myself…
by Linda | Nov 25, 2010 | my creative journal
A series of art journal pages where I pick a word for each letter of the alphabet and journal about it day by day. To find out more about the beginning of this project, please read the first post here.
For the letter W, I chose the word worrywart… more so to point out that it’s not constructive to be one…
by Linda | Nov 25, 2010 | DIY printables
Happy Thanksgiving to my USA blog friends and a general happy holidays to everyone! I drew up a little Thanksgiving girl, so thought it would be nice to share as a last minute goodie. For some reason I was compelled to draw one of those pilgrim hats 🙂
Download ZIP file of Thanksgiving Girl digistamp
Thank you for following my blog and offering your lovely comments and encouragement. Enjoy the freebie digital stamp and I hope you have a great weekend, ciao ciao!
by Linda | Nov 24, 2010 | my creative journal
A series of art journal pages where I pick a word for each letter of the alphabet and journal about it day by day. To find out more about the beginning of this project, please read the first post here.
For the letter V, I chose the word vulnerable…just playing with paint, fabric, papers and ink…
