We are so pleased to be partnering with the Maitland Trail Association for this year's Jane's Walk event to present an opportunity for the community to come together to talk about waste and how we can begin the work of moving towards a waste-free society. All are welcome to join us in the green space behind the Makers Mercantile on Saturday, May 4, 1:30-4 p.m. for the Zero Waste Fair. Learn about the exciting programs being led in our local communities to move towards a reduction in waste, meet local makers who are working hard to create reusable alternatives to single-use products, share ideas on how we can move towards a zero-waste community, and participate in hands-on activities.
Schedule of events:
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Schedule of events:
- 1:30-4 p.m. - Goderich maker Jane Craig, of Plain Jane, will be available all afternoon to help you make your own reusable beeswax wraps. Beeswax wraps are a natural alternative to plastic wrap. While the fair is a free event, this activity is offered by donation to help cover the cost of materials, with proceeds being donated to Green Goderich. Local maker Corinne Kaufman will also be demonstrating how she takes plastic bags and weaves them into gorgeous long-lasting, reusable shopping totes.
- 2 p.m. - Bluewater Recycling will address the recent changes to their blue box program
- 2:20 p.m. - Blue Bayfield will talk about their mission is to reduce the use of disposable plastics and prevent plastic and pollutants from entering our Great Lake and waterways.
- 2:40 p.m. - Learn about the newly formed group Green Goderich.
- 2:45 p.m. - Break - learn about locally-made alternatives to single-use items, enjoy refreshments (please lug a mug), make a beeswax wrap, visit with your neighbours.
- 3 p.m. - Learn about the new Goderich initiative Coastal Crowd Co., which aims to connect youth with the environment, themselves and each other in fun and exciting ways!
- 3:15 p.m. - Meet Courtney Henry who challenged herself and her family to go zero waste for an entire month. As she and her husband looked more deeply into what it was to be zero waste they began adopting more long-term zero waste habits. The ones that have been easy to stick to involve replacing single use items around the home, including paper towels, toilet paper, facial tissue, and plastic wrap.
- 3:30 p.m. - Let's talk! This is a chance to share ideas with one another. Local businesses are also welcome to come and share movements their are making to provide reusable, environmentally-friendly alternatives.
April showers bring May flowers and an exciting new opportunity to receive weekly bouquets of fresh, locally-grown flowers all summer long! The Goderich Makers Mercantile is pleased to partner with Donnybrook Flower Farm to be the pick-up location for their new flower bouquet subscription. There are three seasonal blocks to choose from:
"Thank you for allowing me to garden in an efficient and sustainable way; by just picking and arranging the required amount of flowers each week," says Gwen. And keeping it super local!
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- SPRING BLOCK BOUQUETS - receive four bouquets in five weeks between May 10-June 17. This option includes a bonus bouquet from the summer block. Only 10 subscriptions available. Cost: $60
- SUMMER BLOCK BOUQUETS - receive eight bouquets in 10 weeks between June 21-Aug. 23. Includes bonus bouquet and one pick-your-own at the farm. 30 subscriptions available. Cost: $120
- AUTUMN BLOCK BOUQUETS - receive five bouquets in seven weeks between Aug. 30-Oct. 11. Includes one bonus bouquet in summer block. 15 subscriptions available. Cost: $75
"Thank you for allowing me to garden in an efficient and sustainable way; by just picking and arranging the required amount of flowers each week," says Gwen. And keeping it super local!
Tell us about yourself and your work
My name is Genelle and I grew up in Huron County with a brief stint in St. Catharines to attend Brock University to acquire my B.A. in Psychology. I moved back after school and never left. I currently work for a local not for profit Rural Response for Healthy Children as a Child Support Worker. My work is an eclectic mix of anything I can letter on. I am a self-taught calligrapher and I love to use that skill along with watercolour painting and woodburning.
How did it all begin?
It all began out of boredom. It was a long winter 2016 when I decided to teach myself calligraphy. My first cards were Valentine's cards for my University friends. I happened to show these cards to fellow maker Runs With Deer Apothecary and she told me I had to create an Instagram for my talent.
Where does the name Owligraphy come from?
I have been a part of the Girl Guide organization nearly 25 years and when I came to the stage of becoming a leader I needed a leader name. Traditionally these names are owl names and Snowy Owl was chosen for me. From then on dozens of kids went through the program calling me Snowy Owl. It's common for me to be eating dinner in a restaurant or out grocery shopping and hear a small voice calling out “snowy owl”. From this I created my personal Instagram tag genelleowl and when it came time to create a business name I knew it needed to incorporate my roots. I toyed with Calligraowl, but doesn’t really have much of a flow (haha). So Owligraphy was born!
Tell us about your workspace and the materials you use
In October my partner and I moved into our new home, which luckily for me has a beautiful studio space. It is only about 6'x6', but it has floor to ceiling shelving and a beautiful brick accent on the wall. I have decorated with prayer flags, lots of photos of friends and family, artwork of my own but also of many other and of course mini lights. The materials I use would be a massive list, but here are the ones I could not live without. First of all water color paper, I usually use 140lb or heavier. All of my pigma micron and graphic pens for lettering and drawing my little characters. Tombow dual brush pens for lettering and also small watercolor work. A wide variety of watercolour paints. Gelly roll pens for accents on my lettering. My Fiskar paper cutter, I spend a lot of time cutting paper.
What inspires you?
My inspiration is mostly just the world around me. I come up with my puns on a daily basis at the grocery store, or just while driving. I also find a lot of inspiration on Instagram following folks with inspirational messages and positive imagery can take me from a uninspired to ready-to-create in minutes.
What do you love most about what you do?
I find my practice almost meditative at times and I believe it has helped significantly in my journey to mindfulness. I also love that it gives me something to do when I have down time and when I am binging Netflix.
What do you hope people get from your work?
I love when people laugh when they see my pieces, it is my favourite part of attending markets. Even if someone doesn’t purchase if they get a laugh, it was worth it. However this year it is my goal to take my work and social media in a bit of different direction. Although I will keep up with my punny cards and funny signs, I hope to add my inspiration and positivity as well. I appreciate so much the daily motivation I receive from those I follow on Instagram and I want to put more of that out into the world.
Do you have any new projects in the works?
I do actually! I am working on some daily affirmation cards that folks can use to carry with them as reminder or keep them up around their homes.
What do you enjoy doing when you're not making?
When I am not making I am working for Rural Response for Healthy Children delivering personal safety and social skills programs to kids kindergarten to Grade 5. I also am a Girl Guide leader to a Ranger group girls age 14-18. I also sit on the Board of Directors for The Women’s March Canada Huron Chapter as well as the Board of Directors for the Goderich Lions Club Camp Klahanie. I love spending time with my cat Minerva and my partner Matt. We love a good documentary and Minerva loves a good cuddle.
What advice would you give to future makers?
Just keep making! Sometimes the extra parts of the business like social media, marketing, packaging, orders, websites, sales, etc. can be discouraging, but never forget what you love. You love your craft, you love to make, never stop.
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My name is Genelle and I grew up in Huron County with a brief stint in St. Catharines to attend Brock University to acquire my B.A. in Psychology. I moved back after school and never left. I currently work for a local not for profit Rural Response for Healthy Children as a Child Support Worker. My work is an eclectic mix of anything I can letter on. I am a self-taught calligrapher and I love to use that skill along with watercolour painting and woodburning.
How did it all begin?
It all began out of boredom. It was a long winter 2016 when I decided to teach myself calligraphy. My first cards were Valentine's cards for my University friends. I happened to show these cards to fellow maker Runs With Deer Apothecary and she told me I had to create an Instagram for my talent.
Where does the name Owligraphy come from?
I have been a part of the Girl Guide organization nearly 25 years and when I came to the stage of becoming a leader I needed a leader name. Traditionally these names are owl names and Snowy Owl was chosen for me. From then on dozens of kids went through the program calling me Snowy Owl. It's common for me to be eating dinner in a restaurant or out grocery shopping and hear a small voice calling out “snowy owl”. From this I created my personal Instagram tag genelleowl and when it came time to create a business name I knew it needed to incorporate my roots. I toyed with Calligraowl, but doesn’t really have much of a flow (haha). So Owligraphy was born!
Tell us about your workspace and the materials you use
In October my partner and I moved into our new home, which luckily for me has a beautiful studio space. It is only about 6'x6', but it has floor to ceiling shelving and a beautiful brick accent on the wall. I have decorated with prayer flags, lots of photos of friends and family, artwork of my own but also of many other and of course mini lights. The materials I use would be a massive list, but here are the ones I could not live without. First of all water color paper, I usually use 140lb or heavier. All of my pigma micron and graphic pens for lettering and drawing my little characters. Tombow dual brush pens for lettering and also small watercolor work. A wide variety of watercolour paints. Gelly roll pens for accents on my lettering. My Fiskar paper cutter, I spend a lot of time cutting paper.
What inspires you?
My inspiration is mostly just the world around me. I come up with my puns on a daily basis at the grocery store, or just while driving. I also find a lot of inspiration on Instagram following folks with inspirational messages and positive imagery can take me from a uninspired to ready-to-create in minutes.
What do you love most about what you do?
I find my practice almost meditative at times and I believe it has helped significantly in my journey to mindfulness. I also love that it gives me something to do when I have down time and when I am binging Netflix.
What do you hope people get from your work?
I love when people laugh when they see my pieces, it is my favourite part of attending markets. Even if someone doesn’t purchase if they get a laugh, it was worth it. However this year it is my goal to take my work and social media in a bit of different direction. Although I will keep up with my punny cards and funny signs, I hope to add my inspiration and positivity as well. I appreciate so much the daily motivation I receive from those I follow on Instagram and I want to put more of that out into the world.
Do you have any new projects in the works?
I do actually! I am working on some daily affirmation cards that folks can use to carry with them as reminder or keep them up around their homes.
What do you enjoy doing when you're not making?
When I am not making I am working for Rural Response for Healthy Children delivering personal safety and social skills programs to kids kindergarten to Grade 5. I also am a Girl Guide leader to a Ranger group girls age 14-18. I also sit on the Board of Directors for The Women’s March Canada Huron Chapter as well as the Board of Directors for the Goderich Lions Club Camp Klahanie. I love spending time with my cat Minerva and my partner Matt. We love a good documentary and Minerva loves a good cuddle.
What advice would you give to future makers?
Just keep making! Sometimes the extra parts of the business like social media, marketing, packaging, orders, websites, sales, etc. can be discouraging, but never forget what you love. You love your craft, you love to make, never stop.
In 2015, we were very fortunate to be invited to join forces with the Goderich BIA Farmers Market to offer a section at the market geared specifically to local makers. Over the past four summers, we were so pleased to welcome so many incredibly talented local makers to Courthouse Park and to give them an opportunity to share their work with the visitors to the Farmers Market. And over the past four summers, the Makers Market has been so well coordinated by George Zoethout. We are SO thankful for his hard work and dedication to working with local makers and getting up each and every Saturday morning well before the sun! But life happens and things change, so when George found himself in a new full-time job and unable to take on the role of coordinating the makers section of the market, we decided as a team to discontinue coordinating the Saturday morning market. But that doesn't mean an end to local makers at the market! The BIA will incorporate makers into the Farmers Market and has renamed it The Goderich BIA Farmers and Artisans Market. Local makers interested in still attending are welcome to fill out applications with the BIA found here.
Nor does this mean an end to our winter indoor Makers Market and all of the other fun maker events that we coordinate. We have lots of fun events planned for 2019, including our popular Night Markets coming back to Courthouse Park this summer! We will be sharing details about the Night Markets soon, but mark your calendars for Wednesday, July 17 and Wednesday, Aug. 21! And, of course, you can support local makers all year long at the Mercantile where we feature the handmade works from more than 80 local makers!
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Nor does this mean an end to our winter indoor Makers Market and all of the other fun maker events that we coordinate. We have lots of fun events planned for 2019, including our popular Night Markets coming back to Courthouse Park this summer! We will be sharing details about the Night Markets soon, but mark your calendars for Wednesday, July 17 and Wednesday, Aug. 21! And, of course, you can support local makers all year long at the Mercantile where we feature the handmade works from more than 80 local makers!
Goderich Makers Night Market takes over Goderich's Courthouse Park for a second time this summer! It was such an incredible time we had together in July and we can't wait to do it all again! This exciting event, which we are thrilled to host with the Goderich BIA and the Huron Arts & Heritage Network, runs Wednesday, Aug. 15, 5:30-10:30 p.m., in the South Street plaza of Courthouse Park. The park will be transformed into a fun, creative atmosphere as we bring together local entertainment, food vendors, and makers of all kinds. This event is FREE and all are welcome to explore their creativity, support local makers, and enjoy a night out on the town!
ENTERTAINMENT
Each maker, listed below, has generously donated an item that will be raffled off at the end of the evening with proceeds to support the Huron Arts & Heritage Network and our continued work to provide opportunities to support local makers. Visit the Goderich Makers tent to purchase your tickets before visiting each table to see what each maker has donated.
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ENTERTAINMENT
- 6 p.m. - Jason Lamont
- 7 p.m. - Mary Paige and Irelyn St. Onge
- 8 p.m. - Cultural Collective Jazz Band
Each maker, listed below, has generously donated an item that will be raffled off at the end of the evening with proceeds to support the Huron Arts & Heritage Network and our continued work to provide opportunities to support local makers. Visit the Goderich Makers tent to purchase your tickets before visiting each table to see what each maker has donated.
- Grab a bite to eat from:
- Runs With Deer Apothecary selling teas and tinctures
- Imagine Custom Creatives and Through the Looking Glass selling hand painted signs, purses, bags, and scarves
- Lady Green Inc. selling beeswax candles
- Foxeh Toys selling handmade toys
- Owligraphy selling their calligraphy, handmade cards, and pyrography
- Upcycle Lifestyle will be offering mini beeswax wrap workshops as well as selling her reusable alternatives to disposable products
- William Street Soap selling handmade soap, bath bombs/salts, sea salt hairspray, leave-in conditioner, citronella soy candles
- Helina Baby Inc. selling baby carriers and breastfeeding pads
- Desiree Dawn Designs selling semi-precious crystal jewellery
- Henna and Me will be creating beautiful works of body art
- Bird and Bear Bath selling bath bombs, solid shampoo and conditioner, body wash
- Lunah Life selling skin and body care, as well as natural and healing mama and babe products
- Blooms n' Rooms selling mugs, socks, makeup bags, pillows, wrist keychains, tea towels
- The Wolf and the Hawk Incense selling 100% all natural incense handcrafted from flowers, herbs, resins and woods
- Plain Jane selling handmade handbags, wallets, accessories
- Made by Jess selling polymer clay jewellery, hand embroidery, hand embroidered greeting cards, wreaths, tin can lanterns, paper and felt flowers with mason jar vases
- Knotty Girls selling hooded towels, booties, kids and adults shirts
- Tree Town Arts selling Wall hangings, woven jewellery, ice-dyed clothing
- Familiar Magic selling leather journals, essential oil blends, soy candles, spell kits, pain aid, dry shampoo and other natural products
- Kelly Stevenson selling t-shirts, tote bags, pins, prints, drawings, cards, post cards, figurines, stickers, calendars, zines
- Earthbound Jewellery Co. selling jewellery and metaphysical & healing items
- Gypsy & Co. selling upcycled leather cuffs, earrings, necklaces, journal covers, key chains + Walking sticks, string art and dreamcatchers
- Paul the Maker selling handmade wooden items
- We also welcome the Huron County Museum, the Huron County Library, the Goderich Youth Council, Camp Menesetung, and local young makers who will be sharing hands-on activities and more!
Goderich Makers Night Market returns in just one more sleep! This exciting event, which we are thrilled to host with the Goderich BIA and the Huron Arts & Heritage Network, runs Wednesday, July 18, 5:30-10:30 p.m., in the South Street plaza of Courthouse Park. The park will be transformed into a fun, creative atmosphere as we bring together local entertainment, food vendors, and makers of all kinds. This event is FREE and all are welcome to explore their creativity and support local makers.
ENTERTAINMENT
Each maker, listed below, has generously donated an item that will be raffled off at the end of the evening with proceeds to support the Huron Arts & Heritage Network and our continued work to provide opportunities to support local makers. Be sure to visit each table to see what each maker has donated.
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ENTERTAINMENT
- 6 p.m. - Rural Roots with Amanda McClure & Tom Burke: While this duo's roots may be country, they play anything from classic rock to modern day pop.
- 7 p.m. - Charlie Weber: Not folk enough to be folk, not punk enough to be punk, not whiny enough to be folk punk.
- 8 p.m. - Down Home with Maria Nemes, Sherry and Murray McCall: This group came together 2 years ago playing for a church picnic and have been entertaining at various local functions ever since. They have been “Nameless” up until this week when they finally came up with “Down Home” which describes the type of music they enjoy performing.
Each maker, listed below, has generously donated an item that will be raffled off at the end of the evening with proceeds to support the Huron Arts & Heritage Network and our continued work to provide opportunities to support local makers. Be sure to visit each table to see what each maker has donated.
- Grab a bite to eat from:
- Owligraphy selling their calligraphy, handmade cards, and pyrography
- Lunah Life selling skin and body care, as well as natural and healing mama and babe products
- Sew Cute selling children's apparel and dog bandanas
- Grey Ox Metal selling handmade jewelry and essential oil rollers
- The Wolf and the Hawk Incense selling 100% all natural incense handcrafted from flowers, herbs, resins and woods
- Ireland Honey selling beeswax, candles, honey, and more
- Ellesmere Studio selling nature-inspired copper electro-formed artisan jewellery
- LawnMaster Landscaping selling flowers and perennials
- Shell Creates with her soaps and natural body products
- Boyer Creek Homestead selling their handcrafted wood items
- Sew Comic selling mittens, purses, wallets, ornaments, toiletry bags, cellphone holders, backpacks
- Blooms n' Rooms selling mugs, socks, makeup bags, pillows, wrist keychains, tea towels
- Lola Coasters selling coasters and wine glasses
- Bird and Bear Bath selling bath bombs, solid shampoo and conditioner, body wash
- Desiree Dawn Designs selling semi-precious crystal jewellery
- William Street Soap selling handmade soap, bath bombs/salts, sea salt hairspray, leave-in conditioner, citronella soy candles
- Upcycle Lifestyle will be offering mini beeswax wrap workshops as well as selling her reusable alternatives to disposable products
- Lake Huron Design Co. selling Yardzee, camp mugs, pillows, koozies, drinkware
- Henna and Me will be creating beautiful works of body art
- Helina Baby Inc. selling baby carriers and breastfeeding pads
We are so excited that Mamas & Makers is almost here and we can't wait to share all the details about this wonderful event! This family-friendly event happens this Saturday, May 12, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Huron County Museum and will help families prepare to celebrate the mamas in their lives during this Mother's Day weekend.
We are equally as excited to be partnering with Huron Birth to present this event. Huron Birth is a heartfelt group of doulas from the area who are passionate about our community, perinatal well-being, supporting families and sharing lots of love for tiny humans. They offer programs and services that help families through the transitions from pregnancy to parenthood and this fundraising event will help them grow their work throughout Huron County, specifically their Maternal Outreach Fund that provides doula support to vulnerable members within our community.
So what can you expect at Mamas & Makers? A variety of family-friendly activities, listed below, along with a curated artisan market featuring locally made products to spoil your mama. Each maker, listed below, has generously donated an item that will be raffled off at the end of the day - be sure to visit each table to see what each maker has donated.
ACTIVITIES
MAKERS MARKET VENDORS
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We are equally as excited to be partnering with Huron Birth to present this event. Huron Birth is a heartfelt group of doulas from the area who are passionate about our community, perinatal well-being, supporting families and sharing lots of love for tiny humans. They offer programs and services that help families through the transitions from pregnancy to parenthood and this fundraising event will help them grow their work throughout Huron County, specifically their Maternal Outreach Fund that provides doula support to vulnerable members within our community.
So what can you expect at Mamas & Makers? A variety of family-friendly activities, listed below, along with a curated artisan market featuring locally made products to spoil your mama. Each maker, listed below, has generously donated an item that will be raffled off at the end of the day - be sure to visit each table to see what each maker has donated.
ACTIVITIES
- 10-11 a.m. - Better Together Family Dance Party with Amanda Yearley
- 10 a.m.-2 p.m. - Mother's Day Crafts
- 10 a.m.-2 p.m. - Modern Photo Booth professionally styled by The Hive in Bayfield
- 10:30-1 :30 p.m - Face painting with Courtney Henry
- 11 a.m.-12 p.m. - Indoor Loose Parts Play Area with the Trusted Tradesmen
- 12-1 p.m. - Family Yoga with Jennifer Reaburn
- 1-2 p.m. - Family Music Jam with the Music Box
- A nursing lounge will be available and a public health nurse will be available from 10-11:30 a.m. to answer questions
MAKERS MARKET VENDORS
- Owligraphy selling their calligraphy, handmade cards, and pyrography
- Needle and Hoop selling embroidery framed in embroidery hoops, patches, handmade clay pendants, diffusers
- Lake Huron Sewing Company selling diaper bags, tote bags, capes, etc.
- Third Street Studio promoting their new studio that aims to build a sewing community within Huron County
- The Wellness Potion selling their certified organic healing balms and oils
- Knotty Girls selling custom made slippers, hats and childrens clothing, embroidery and vinyl
- Lunah Life selling skin and body care, as well as natural and healing mama and babe products
- Sew Cute selling children's apparel and dog bandanas
- Spring Breezes Holistics selling herbal looseleaf tea, skin lotions, perfumes, and aromatherapy products
- Classically Rustic Creations selling handmade signs and clocks
- Winston and Me selling hand painted watercolour greeting cards and framed works
- Grey Ox Metal selling handmade jewelry and essential oil rollers
- Kelly Stevenson selling t-shirts, tote bags, stickers, pins, cards, post cards, zines, and prints
- Purdy Natural selling soaps, lotions, deodorants, lip balms, perfumes, candles, incense, crystals, bath bombs, etc.
- The Wolf and the Hawk Incense selling 100% all natural incense handcrafted from flowers, herbs, resins and woods
- Caron Tindale selling nature and spoken word-inspired collages
- KtReid Designs selling wire wrapped pendants, natural stone pendants, Opal anklets, necklaces and bracelets
- Linda Wiebe selling birth stars and hearts, and some small paintings
- 1 Stitch @ a Time selling handknit socks, shawls, dishcloths, bookmarks, teddy bears
- Crows Like Shiny Things selling wool dryer balls and Waldorf inspired children's toys
- Feast for Good selling vegan soups and baking
We are so excited to partner with the Goderich BIA to present our first outdoor Christmas Night Market! Set in the beautifully decorated Courthouse Park, the market will bring together the community for a fun celebration of the Christmas season. Vendors of high-quality, locally-made products will line the South Street plaza where you are sure to find a unique Christmas gift for someone special on your list. The event will also feature some local entertainment, delicious ready-to-eat food, and lots of Christmas spirit! Stay tuned for details about who is going to be at the Market!
In the meantime, if you are a local maker and are interested in joining us, please fill out the application found here or email us for details.
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In the meantime, if you are a local maker and are interested in joining us, please fill out the application found here or email us for details.
Later this fall, we look forward to welcoming Blyth artist Kelly Stevenson to the Mercantile's Creative Space for a three-part workshop series on Zines. The series begins Oct. 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m. But, of course, many have asked, "What is a zine?", so we asked Kelly to share more information on zines, what inspires her in her own zine-making, and what you can expect from the workshop.
WHAT IS A ZINE?
A zine is typically a small-circulation, self-published work that consists of mostly original work - either art or writing or both. There are a lot of different genres of zines including fan zines, political ones, chapbooks for writing and art zines. They can be made by individuals or groups and while some are themed, some are just a collection of work. Zines started out as being primarily photocopied but are also done now through printers, both commercial and more art-focused such as risograph printing. When the zine movement started they were typically produced and then distributed through mail but there are now a number of stores dedicated to selling them and a multitude of maker and zine fairs set up to give makers an in-person market and to celebrate the culture of zine making.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START MAKING ZINES?
I started making zines because my friends were. Some created them for class projects and then continued to incorporate them in their own practice. I used to doodle/sketch a lot more in sketchbooks than I do now, and my work typically has a narrative to it, so the two kind of converged. I was encouraged to start putting them together and to create zines to tell stories through pictures. I also had some writing classes where the final project was to put together chapbooks - it isn’t something I’ve kept up but is on my zine to-do list to do some more zines that incorporate or focus on my writing practice.
TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE ZINES YOU HAVE PUBLISHED
The first zines I did were the eight-page and poster zines from one sheet of paper - a friend of mine taught me how to make them. The first few weren’t perfect but, as usual, you’re the only one who seems to notice or care. My favourite from those first few is one that was created specifically for the poster image on the inside. I spent over 300 hours on this one drawing and was looking to maybe get more than one use out of it. So the eight pages are crops from the larger piece which is on the inside. My zines from the last few years have taken on a format more like a booklet of drawings instead of the fold out. It allows for me to include more images and play around with the story and sizes a little more. These ones include references of old family photos, a series of drawings I did for a show that then became a zine, and some character studies.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT CREATING ZINES?
What’s been nice about having zines a part of my practice is it’s almost a break. You get to typically work smaller, which takes less time, and if you have a concrete idea, you can do all the work for one zine in about a week or two - the time it would sometimes take me to do one larger piece. Another reason I’ve continued to do it is I think art should be accessible. I can produce these booklets of work and sell them at a price that’s affordable and accessible to people who maybe like my work but can’t afford a larger piece. Due to a lot of my larger work being socially and politically based, I kind of feel like I have a responsibility then to make things that the average person can interact with and not buy into the idea everything needs to be high art and only one group of people should be able to appreciate and own art.
DO YOU HAVE FAVOURITE ZINES FROM OTHER MAKERS?
A large part of what I love about the DIY and maker culture is that a lot of people have different parts to their practice. Many of the people on this list started off making zines, and while some still do, they’ve also branched out into other parts of creating.
WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT FROM YOUR CLASS?
What we’ll be learning is the eight-page zine that folds out into a poster. It’s the format I started with and one of simpler ways to layout a zine, especailly if you want to go directly from making to printing without using Photoshop and spending hours laying out and editing images. There’s a folding technique involved both in the beginning to determine where your pages go/line up and at the end to put the final product together. Participants will be encouraged to either draw or collage or write if they choose in the creating of their own zine. I’ll then be taking those finished sheets to the printer and having copies made to trade amongst the group in the hopes that there are still a few for each person to take home of their own.
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WHAT IS A ZINE?
A zine is typically a small-circulation, self-published work that consists of mostly original work - either art or writing or both. There are a lot of different genres of zines including fan zines, political ones, chapbooks for writing and art zines. They can be made by individuals or groups and while some are themed, some are just a collection of work. Zines started out as being primarily photocopied but are also done now through printers, both commercial and more art-focused such as risograph printing. When the zine movement started they were typically produced and then distributed through mail but there are now a number of stores dedicated to selling them and a multitude of maker and zine fairs set up to give makers an in-person market and to celebrate the culture of zine making.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START MAKING ZINES?
I started making zines because my friends were. Some created them for class projects and then continued to incorporate them in their own practice. I used to doodle/sketch a lot more in sketchbooks than I do now, and my work typically has a narrative to it, so the two kind of converged. I was encouraged to start putting them together and to create zines to tell stories through pictures. I also had some writing classes where the final project was to put together chapbooks - it isn’t something I’ve kept up but is on my zine to-do list to do some more zines that incorporate or focus on my writing practice.
TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE ZINES YOU HAVE PUBLISHED
The first zines I did were the eight-page and poster zines from one sheet of paper - a friend of mine taught me how to make them. The first few weren’t perfect but, as usual, you’re the only one who seems to notice or care. My favourite from those first few is one that was created specifically for the poster image on the inside. I spent over 300 hours on this one drawing and was looking to maybe get more than one use out of it. So the eight pages are crops from the larger piece which is on the inside. My zines from the last few years have taken on a format more like a booklet of drawings instead of the fold out. It allows for me to include more images and play around with the story and sizes a little more. These ones include references of old family photos, a series of drawings I did for a show that then became a zine, and some character studies.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT CREATING ZINES?
What’s been nice about having zines a part of my practice is it’s almost a break. You get to typically work smaller, which takes less time, and if you have a concrete idea, you can do all the work for one zine in about a week or two - the time it would sometimes take me to do one larger piece. Another reason I’ve continued to do it is I think art should be accessible. I can produce these booklets of work and sell them at a price that’s affordable and accessible to people who maybe like my work but can’t afford a larger piece. Due to a lot of my larger work being socially and politically based, I kind of feel like I have a responsibility then to make things that the average person can interact with and not buy into the idea everything needs to be high art and only one group of people should be able to appreciate and own art.
DO YOU HAVE FAVOURITE ZINES FROM OTHER MAKERS?
A large part of what I love about the DIY and maker culture is that a lot of people have different parts to their practice. Many of the people on this list started off making zines, and while some still do, they’ve also branched out into other parts of creating.
- Lido Pimienta is a multi-disciplinary Columbian-born, Toronto-based artist whose work focuses a lot on the politics of gender, race, motherhood and identity. What I love so much about Lido’s work is there is a childlike look and energy to her work but it’s really sophisticated and thought provoking at the same time. http://lidopimientart.tumblr.com/
- Feels zine is a publication that started this year. So far it has had issues focused on anxiety, lovesickness and body love. It’s a zine that features the work of many different creators and has calls for submissions for each issue based around the theme they’ve chosen. I really appreciate that they focus on work that allows for people to connect with it on a deeper level, and gives the opportunity for many different people from different walks of life to have a voice and sometimes discuss issues that are often kept silent. https://www.instagram.com/feelszine/
- Ness Lee is a Toronto-based illustrator who works in multiple disciplines, having explored drawing, painting, ceramics, installation and public art. Her work deals a lot with sexuality and has a playfulness about it that allows viewers to enter the work with ease even though some of the pieces can be rather dark in tone. http://www.nesslee.com/
- Emily Taylor is Toronto-based illustrator and surface designer and the mind behind Cabin Journal. Emily is actually the first person who taught me how to make a zine, and while she’s mainly moved on to focus on her company, she has also produced a number of prints and a print series called Baker’s Dozen featuring the work of Andrea Manica, Brianne Burnell, Chu Zhang, Elaine Lee, Emily Taylor, Kristina Dillon, Jenn Liv, Justine Wong, Melissa Luk, Ness Lee, Sab Meynert, Selena Wong, Shen Plum, and Stephanie Singleton. http://www.emilytaylor.ca/
- Beth Evans is an American cartoonist whose work focuses on anxiety, depression and that little voice in our heads that we often wish would just go away. Her work is simple in appearance, utilizing line drawings and a base of repeating characters and motifs. As someone else who deals with these issues, Evan’s work sometimes feels almost a little too close to home but in a good way. http://butthorn.tumblr.com/
- Sab Meynert is an Toronto-based artist and writer who has produced a number of self-produced and larger distribution art books along with drawings and artist multiples. Her incredibly detailed work often done in pen and marker looks like it came from a computer, it’s that precise. http://sabmeynert.com/
WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT FROM YOUR CLASS?
What we’ll be learning is the eight-page zine that folds out into a poster. It’s the format I started with and one of simpler ways to layout a zine, especailly if you want to go directly from making to printing without using Photoshop and spending hours laying out and editing images. There’s a folding technique involved both in the beginning to determine where your pages go/line up and at the end to put the final product together. Participants will be encouraged to either draw or collage or write if they choose in the creating of their own zine. I’ll then be taking those finished sheets to the printer and having copies made to trade amongst the group in the hopes that there are still a few for each person to take home of their own.
A round-up of maker inspiration near and far...
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- Why being near water really does make us happier. I mean, take a look at that Lake Huron sunset, above! Who wouldn't be happier living next to this? (Thanks to Huron Image Factory for the photo)
- Explore your creativity with local artist Kelly Stevenson who joins us in the Creative Space to lead a three-part DIY Zine workshop series starting Aug. 15. Register here
- How society is killing creativity
- Here's what you can expect in Goderich from the solar eclipse happening on Aug. 21
- Why sitting at your computer all day can wipe you out
- It's stone fruit season in Ontario! Why not throw it into some red wine...dessert is served!
- And for an alcohol-free summery treat, give these toasted marshmallow milkshakes a try!
- Does anyone remember life before the internet?
- Definitely going to give this DIY project a try.