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JULY: A Mix & Match Zine #1: Serendipity

Launch gallery slideshow

Group:Zines, mail art & other cool stuff
Swap Coordinator:TangleCrafts (contact)
Swap categories: Miscellaneous  Zines  Handmade 
Number of people in swap:9
Location:International
Type:Type 3: Package or craft
Last day to signup/drop:July 4, 2010
Date items must be sent by:July 26, 2010
Number of swap partners:4
Description:

A Mix & Match Zine #1: Serendipity
I thought it would be fun to put together a kind of group zine, with contributions from, well, as many people as want to play. If it seems popular/goes well, I will run it as a regular swap, with different themes. This is how it works:

The idea is that you will create 2 double-sided zine pages for each of your partners. Because you have 4 partners, you will receive 8 zine pages back (16pp) by the end of the swap, which you can then bind together to make a 20pp zine (including your own pages) to keep for yourself. Because partners are assigned at random, each person will end up with a slightly or completely different combination of pages from every one else, including a random mix of styles, images, projects, opinions - whatever your partners happen to have included in their pages. (We could maybe do a subsequent swap exchanging copies of the completed random zines resulting from this one – what do you think?)

Swap requirements

  • 4 partners = 2 double-sided pages each sent to 4 partners, and 8 different double-sided pages received (2 each from 4 partners)
  • To start off this 'series', and to celebrate its eclectic mix & match style, the theme for your zine pages is 'Serendipity'. This can be interpreted however you like, using whatever medium, style etc you like. Just images, just text, or a combination of both is fine.
  • Create 2 different double-sided quarter-size/A6* zine pages for each of your partners. (It would be easiest to copy your pages for each partner, but if you want to do something different or add personalised artwork for each partner, that's up to you.)
  • Individual pages may be printed from your pc, photocopied original work, or individually hand-finished – sender's choice. It must, however, be your own unique work, not cut-and-pasted from another zine, book, blog etc.
  • It is up to you whether you make each page complete in itself, if you create 2 'double-page spreads', or if you create one 'feature' that encompasses all 4 pages.
  • Leave a margin of approx. 1cm along the side of your pages, so there is enough room for your partner to bind her finished zine together.
  • Add your name and/or user name somewhere on each of your pages, so that you will always be credited for your work (for example, if the pages are reproduced in a future group zine swap).
  • Use thick paper or thin cardstock for your pages, so that your work is photocopiable without the reverse showing through. If you only have thinner paper, or want to use it for aesthetic reasons, make 4 single-sided pages, instead of 2 double-sided pages. (This requirement is in anticipation of a future swap where we will trade copies of the Mix & Match zines.)

**Because the standard paper sizes are different in different countries, this means your collated zine will probably have uneven edges. I kinda like that, but if you especially want a uniform finish, simply scan/photocopy the pages you receive and trim them to a uniform size.*

The obvious bit
You already had to have a rating of 4.9+ with no recent no-sends, 1s or 3s to join this group anyway, so the same stands for this swap. But I will still double-check before assigning partners, so if you have what you feel is an unfair comment or rating, just PM me & we can try to work it out. :-)

Discussion

secretterrabite 03/27/2010 #

I think it would be great if we made an extra copy of our pages and sent them to one person who would co-ordinate putting together everyone's pages and then maybe other people in the group could buy a copy? It would be great to see what everyone did. And I would definately be interested in doing this again, maybe 4 times a year or something. I've never worked on a zine with other people. Can I suggest "Inspiration" for a future one? I would love to see what inspires everyone.

TangleCrafts 03/27/2010 #

Yay, glad someone else is excited about a collaborative project! :-) I'd be happy to collate extra copies of zine pages to make a bumper group zine & would happily send them out to people in exchange for the cost of the postage or in trade for something else.

But first we need some more participants! It's a few months away yet, so I'll think about it again, nearer the time. 'Inspiration' would also make another great theme, but again, we'll have to see how popular this first swap is, first ;-)

weyrmistress 03/30/2010 #

Could you please give me actual inch measurements for the pages? Thanks!

TangleCrafts 04/ 3/2010 #

4" x 6" would be a rough approximation of the right size. Just divide a letter-size or A4 sheet of paper into quarters, and that'll be close enough. :-)

newt 04/ 4/2010 #

4.25x5.5 is the exact measurement for a quarter size zine page.

I've got my eye on this swap...

TangleCrafts 04/ 5/2010 #

Like I said, close enough :-). I just used a converter (because sorry, I think in metric) to work out that a quarter of A4 is approx. 4.1" x 5.8".

druideye 04/11/2010 #

This sounds like a lot of fun and I really like the idea of swapping the finished product at a later swap. I am very near to zines but interested!

TangleCrafts 04/12/2010 #

I thought this swap might be quite good for newbies-to-zines, as you only need to prepare a few pages - an opportunity to get your toes wet without the pressure of planning a whole zine...

Bucket 07/ 1/2010 #

Hi there - I'm joining in! But I do want to clarify, quickly, since I want to make certain I'm not confused.

For this swap I will take a 'letter' size (that's US american for A4) sheet of thin cardstock and cut it into fourths. Then I will decorate the front and back of two of those fourths according to the theme 'serendipity.' Then I will make 4 double-sided copies (do the copies need to be on cardstock?) for my partners.

Alternatively, I could cut two 'letter' size sheets of cardstock into fourths and decorate all eight pieces front and back, then send two to each of my partners.

Sometimes I need overclarification - but it's better than doing it wrong and finding out later!

TangleCrafts 07/ 2/2010 #

If you send 2 double-sided fourths (to each partner), they should be printed on/made of thick paper or thin cardstock.

If you send 4 single-sided fourths (to each partner) the thickness of the paper is not so important.

There's a possibility the pages you send will be photocopied at a later date, so the idea is just to prevent the print/images on the reverse side showing through. (So if you send single-sided pages that isn't an issue!)

Did that help, or did it further confuse? :S

Bucket 07/ 2/2010 #

Nope - I've got it! Thanks!

pengrafyx 07/ 6/2010 #

In the past I've made copy-friendly 1/4-size zine pages by making 2 pages side by side on a half page, then folding them back to back after copying. The two outside edges are then on the binding side, and the folded edge is in the middle where you turn the page. The advantage is that if you want to copy them, you take out the binding and unfold them flat onto the copier, and the text doesn't show through when copying because there's nothing on the back of the page. It also eliminates all the hassle of trying to line up the edges, etc. since once they're copied, you trim them to half page size and fold and they match perfectly.

pengrafyx 07/ 6/2010 #

Oh yeah ... one more thing about my earlier comment ... another advantage is that you can design your four pages on a single letter-size sheet (2 on the top half, 2 on the bottom half), and then make single-sided copies, which is way easier than trying to line up stuff back to back with 2-sided copies. After copying, you cut the page in half (top half + bottom half), fold the halves to quarter-size and you're done. :)

Bucket 07/ 6/2010 #

Great idea pengrafyx!

fieldstudio31 07/ 7/2010 #

Forgive me if I've missed this. (I reread but maybe I'm missing the note....) These are color copies, yes? Also is original photography welcome? Thank you.

TangleCrafts 07/10/2010 #

Sorry for delay in response here - I always forget to check comments after assigning partners!

Thanks for the suggestions, @pengrafyx - I'm sure people will find that very helpful.

@fieldstudio31 - if you have worked in colour, yes, please copy in colour; but if you've worked in black & white, I guess it doesn't matter! As far as original photography goes: make your zine pages "using whatever medium, style etc you like" - so yes, photography is welcome. :)

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