Zine Creator and Artist - Alma Stoller
By: DIY City
tags: art, collage, illustration, mixed media, nyc, paper, zines
Category: Pigment and Paper
If you are new to zines, you should know that they are handmade magazines. Artists use many different methods to create zines, Alma prefers to use the software InDesign. The content Alma uses when she starts a new zine is usually about whatever she is obsessed about at that moment. “I enjoy all the arts… and I work in all of them too, from sketching,knitting, beading, fabric and collage….so I have a lot of room to play and explore in.” She also includes other artist or designers work in it as well and is always looking for artists to feature, articles to include and projects to share.
DIY City had a chance to interview Alma via e-mail to learn more about her work.
DIY City: What made you decide to start a zine?
AS: I decided to start a zine because I was inspired by a few of the zines I was reading at the time. Zines like Artista Zine by Chrissy Howes and a one-time- zine called The Zine Queens by Kara Sjoblom. I wanted to share my ideas with other artists. I created my first zine in 2004. I have enjoyed the process so much that I haven’t stopped since. I now work on three alternating zines, The Fabric Arts Zine, Odd Ball Charm and my new zine called Crochet Art Zine available in April 2008. Alma also likes to visit these zines regularly:
Portals Zine www.portals-zine.com
Croq Zine www.croqzine.com
Art and Life www.teeshamoore.com
DIY City: Do you collect Zines?
AS: I don’t purposely collect them. It just happens.
Every time I see an interesting zine, I order it. I enjoy learning about other artists’ perspectives and lives. I also enjoy supporting artists who put so much for themselves in their work.
DIY City: Would you consider a Zine a magazine, just handmade?
AS: Yes. In its most basic form that’s what it is….a handcrafted magazine. I work in the realm of Art Zines, but there are Personal Zines (Perzines) out there too….like reading someones diary…very deep and intimate thoughts. Some zines are just about music, some about poetry, cooking, etc… It can be about ANYTHING you want it to be. Some are about an eclectic mix of things. The great thing about zines is that anything goes. It is YOUR creation, YOUR view, YOUR voice. Anyone can do it. It is a great form of expression. The process is satisfying and often times extremely cathartic.
DIY City: What draws someone to a zine, is it the special touch of the designer?
AS: I think it is a combination of things. It could be the subject matter, the visual layout of the zine, the articles and artists featured in it or simply an interest in the artists’ work.
DIY City: What else do you create and do you ever teach others how to create zines or other crafty stuff?
AS: I started out as a fabric artist, making art quilts and fabric embellishments. I have since evolved into a mixed media artist. Mixing paper in my fabric collages, creating jewelry, recycled art work….the list goes on and on. I also started an annual zine swap called I Heart Zines, the web site is: http://www.iheartzines.com/. I simply love it all. I welcome anyone who is interested in creating a zine to join in this zine exchange. It is always a lot of fun.This year, I will be teaching at several art retreats throughout the country.
DIY City: What can we expect when we open up a zine from Alma Stoller?
AS: You can expect to see a lot of color, fun and interesting articles, interviews, projects and an assortment of crafty inclusions. I like to place small little extras in my zines…..things like a baggie of beads, embroidery floss, fabrics, trims etc. When you open up one of my zines, you will always find a little surprise tucked between the pages
Alma has also started an annual zine swap called I Heart Zines - http://www.iheartzines.com/.
For more information about it, you can visit her blog at: http://www.almastoller.typepad.com/
