happiful september 2021

Zines allow us to create
something as unique as we
are. They are a form of free
expression, where parts of
ourselves can be explored
creatively, and presented
with freedom and choice
“They provide us with something
to focus on which will be of
interest and value to others, which
can give us a sense of purpose
and meaning,” explains Jane.
“Creativity provides an outlet for
us to explore, be, and express our
true selves.”
Visit hopezine.com
MAKE YOUR OWN ZINE
A good way to start is to decide
what you want your zine to be
about. Try thinking of a theme,
such as ‘living with anxiety’ or ‘my
favourite family recipes’. Consider
if it is a project for yourself, a
gift, or do you like the idea of
distributing it?
Zines can contain a range of
creative techniques. One of my
favourites is using ‘found objects’:
items we are all surrounded by.
This can be newspaper cuttings,
old train tickets, receipts –
anything goes! These can be kept
whole or arranged into collages.
If you feel stuck, try “free
writing”. Take 10 minutes to sit
with your notebook and write. You
could use a key word or phrase
that summarises the theme for
your zine as a starting point.
Maybe you have illustrations or
photos you’d like to include? Lists
are also great to use.
It could be music
you’re listening to,
places you want to
visit, stereotypes
you want to challenge, or your
ambitions.
The other consideration is how
you will put it together. I like
using quality A4 paper folded into
an A5 booklet. Once it’s done,
and I’ve made any photocopies, I
staple these in the middle. I once
used thread to bind it – which
looked beautiful, though sewing
paper is time consuming and
fiddly! There are also various
paper-folding techniques, with
lots of guides available online.
Plus you can create zines
electronically. Erica’s Hopezine is
a great example of this, and she
provides both PDF and printed
versions of the finished work.
You could, like Erica, collaborate
with others. Do you have friends
who write poetry, or create
artwork? Some zine creators post
callouts for contributions online.
This is a great way of bringing
together diverse voices around a
theme, again building the sense of
community.
There is no right way to make a
zine, so relax, and enjoy creating
something that’s personal and a
perfect space for exploring your
experiences.
44 | September 2021 | happiful.com