Short and Sweet Zine

The “Short and Sweet Zine” is a publication I created to share art and information with anyone who is interested in taking the time to scope it out. Future editions will cover a variety of topics, utilize different media, and feature collaborations with others in hopes of enriching myself and anyone who is interested! I can mail you a hard copy for $2, but you are welcome to enjoy them on here for free.

Issue 1: What is a Zine???

Back Cover: Short and Sweet Zine Issue 1 shortandswetdesign.com Instagram handle @sarahdevito3 Front Cover: What is a Zine???
This is a mini comic book that focuses on one character: a star with a face that talks who is displayed on a black sky with white stars. Page one has three panels, each depicting the star talking. He says, "I can help... I love zines!" Indicating a pinboard full of notes with one of the points of his star, he remarks: "Here's some info!" Below this, he says with a gleeful expression: "zines are for everyone!" Page 2: The pin board is detailed with the words "Zine Info" prominently displayed at the top. The notes pinned to the board say: "Rhymes with queen," "often low budget," "many kinds," 'this one is about zines," "small, self published magazines," "self distributed." Below this, on a the star field a speech bubble that leads to the next page says, "By the way..."
Page 3: The speech bubble connects to the next page where the star happily proclaims, "I am your host, Lou!" In the next panel on the page, he takes a more serious expression, continuing, "anyway... zines come in all shapes and sizes." Smiling, he explains, "This one is the most simple kind. It's just a folded sheet of paper." He earnestly offers, "Sarah drew it and made copies at the library! Some are WAY cooler." Page 4: Lou grins widely, prattling on, "They can also be collage, digital design, or multi-media! People make them for many reasons with all kinds of materials." With an air of sophistication, he explains, "some zines feature art or photography, some are bigger than this one... some are stapled or bound..." With stars in his eyes, he dreams aloud, "some are in color... some are on nice glossy paper!"
Page 5: Wistfully, with tears in his eyes, he wonders, "Maybe I will be in color on glossy paper some day!" Below that, glowing, he exclaims, "Here are some Zine Facts!" Page 6: on the same black field of stars that has been the background for all of the panels except for the pinboard, white blobs contain facts. The facts read as follows: "Zines hail from a tradition of independent publishing," They're often used in counter cultures to share ideas," "They're often noncommercial," Some zines are all art and pictures," They're usually self-published," " Some zines focus on a specific fandom," Some zines are little comic books," They're often used in counter-cultures to share ideas," and the final one reads, "You can make a zine!"

In case you aren’t familiar, here is some info about zines. This is actually the second edition. It was originally called “Volume 1” and I had that posted for a while, but decided that calling them “Issues” would fit the series better.

Issue 2: Tasty Morsels with Lou!

Back Panel: Hungry for more Short and Sweet Zine? Visit shortandsweetdesign.com Instagram handle @sarahdevito3 Front: Short and Sweet Zine Issue 2 Tasty Morsels with Lou A star with a face wearing a chef's hat smiles broadly. Arrows point towards him that say "Lou" and "Not a Chef."
This is a mini comic book that is not colored in, so it is all outlines. It focuses on one character: a star with a face that talks who is displayed on a sky with white stars. Usually the sky is black. Page 1: Lou, as if instructing a cooking class, says, "We'll start with a single serving treat." Below, the words "Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookie In A Mug" float on a field of stars featuring a mug wit one of said cookies inside. Page 2: Lou floats behind a large piece of paper and says, "You'll need a few things first." The paper the header "Ingredients" and below it read: 1 Tablespoon Butter 1 Tablespoon Granulated White Sugar 1 Tablespoon of firmly packed Dark Brown Sugar 3 Drops of Vanilla Extract Small Pinch of Kosher Salt 1 Egg Yolk discard the egg white or save for different recipe Scant 1/4 of All Purpose Flour slightly less than 1/4 of a cup 2 heaping tablespoons of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips Optional: Ice cream
Page 3: An instruction sheet is displayed that reads: Start by melting your butter in the microwave. Butter should just be melted, not boiling. Add sugars, vanilla and salt. Stir to combine. Separate your egg and add the yolk only to your cup. Stir to combine. Add flour, then stir again. Measure a scant, slightly less than full, 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour. Add the chocolate chips, and give a final stir. Now your mixture will look like cookie dough. Add a few chocolate chips to the top of the cookie dough. Cook in microwave 40-60 seconds, start checking for doneness at 40 seconds. Lou says, "I do about 50 seconds." We winks and adds, "I usually top mine with ice cream." He cites his source, saying, "I found this recipe at number-2-pencil.com... and the next one on bellyfull.net" Page 4L Lou smiles, moving on to the next recipe. "This one is even easier and yields a lot more! I present..." Wide eyed, smiling on a background of cookies, Lou proclaims "Cake Mix Cookies."
Page 5: Lou explains, "It only requires 3 ingredients." He goes on to say, "You'll need one box of cake mix. It should be about 15.5 oz. and you can use any flavor. You'll also need 1/2 cup of vegetable oil and 2 large eggs. You can also add frosting and sprinkles for pizzazz." Page 6: Lou instructs: "First preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Smiling, standing next to a box of cake mix, a bottle of oil, and an egg while holding a spoon, Lou directs, "Mix all ingredients until funny combines!" Kindly, he gives the final set of instructions: "Scoop 1.5-2 tbsp of dough per cookie on the baking sheet. Back for 9 to 11 minutes, let rest on cookie sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack and frost when cool if desired."

A color version will be posted here soon! In the meantime, enjoy and feel free to print one out to color your on own, or with pals. For help folding it into a book, this tutorial may help.

Special Edition: Hallo-Zine

Back Cover: Short and Sweet Zine SPECIAL EDITION shortandswetdesign.com Instagram handle @sarahdevito3 Front Cover: Hallo-Zine
This is a mini comic book that focuses on one character: Lou, a star with a face that talks who is displayed on a black sky with white stars. Page 1: With a contemplative look on his face, Lou ponders, "I wonder if October would still be a little creepy if not for Halloween..." He smiles, countering, "It's a beautiful time of year, after all!" an image of an apple, a donut, a steaming hot beverage and a pie are subtitled, "festive treats..." Lou Smiles, "comfortable weather..." Page 2: Lou throws up his hands, wide eyed exclaiming with a pumpkin by his side, "not scary at all!" Below this, as bloodshot eyes peer out of the darkness, he wearily adds, "Sure, night time is always a little spooky... who knows what lurks in the shadows?" More scared, he goes on, "and the way the dead leaves blowing in the wind can sound like someone or something sneaking around is..."
Page 3: Straight faced, Lou closes, "disconcerting" Playing it cool, he says, "other than that, I don't think it's naturally creepy." Matter-of-factly, he moves on, "but once Halloween traditions get involved..." Perturbed ended, "I get a little scared." Troubled, he explains, "It's just ..." Page 4: Fanged teeth, a tombstone reading "R.I.P.," a ghost, and a skull float on the field of stars. Lou floats among them, sweat beading on his face, and cautiously continues, "y'know... this stuff isn't exactly... comforting."
Page 5: A smiling jack-o-lantern, a piece of candy, and the words "trick or treat!" float on the field of stars. Lou hovers among them, reconsidering: "it is fun..." Joined by a black cat hissing from fear, shackles up and fangs bared, Lou concedes, "I think I may just be a scaredy cat." With newfound resolve, Lou commits: "I must embrace it" Page 6: Lou, now wearing a witch hat exclaims "Happy Halloween!" He holds a trick or treating jack o lantern bucket and hovers above a grave yard where a skeleton rises from the ground, in front of the night sky that is filled with ghosts and a waning crescent moon.

Happy Hallo-Zine!

Do You Love 2 Create? w/ Madjo and The Gallery in the Valley

Back Cover: Short and Sweet Zine and The Gallery in the Valley Instagram handles: @madjomakes and @sarahdevito3 Front Cover: Do You Love2 Create? Open Me!
This is a mini comic book that focuses on two characters: Lou, a star with a face that talks who is displayed on a black sky with white stars joined by a goose that looks suspiciously like a hand puppet because only the mouth neck and head are pictured. Lou laments, "I wish I knew where to took for some creative community!" The goose swoops in, "So sorry to eavesdrop- but I might have just the thing for you." Glowing, Lou inquires, "Oh? I'd love to learn more!" Goose explains, "So... there's this thing..." Page 2: Goose honks, "Workshop Wednesday!" Lou wearily follows up, "Workshop Wednesday??"
Goose hovers above Lou, responding, "Don't be shy little star. Workshop Wednesday is for everyone." Lou, sweating looks up at the goose, "My Name is Lou... Why are you shouting?" Containing herself, the goose explains, "I am passionate about community arts, and Workshop Wednesday is the perfect vessel for that." Page 4: Lou, joyfully says, "I've come to the right place!" Puzzled, he asks, "What exactly is it?" Goose describes the event, "Workshop Wednesdays are an opportunity to use the gallery as a kind of "third place" for social connection, collaboration, and artistic expression... Anyone can bring their project for this free-form studio time. It can be crochet, writing, collage, music, and more!"
Page 5: Lou understands and smiles, "This sounds just like what I've been yearning for! How do I find it? Goose offers, "Just come to The Gallery in the Valley on Wednesdays any time between 12:00 and 6:00 p.m.! Bring your project of choice! Page 6: The full page reveals that the goose is a sock puppet on co-author madjo's hand. Goose says, "Not to mention the great company!" Lou raises his star point arms happily, announcing, "I'm sold! I'm so glad to meet you!" Madjo, now exposed as the Goose puppeteer says, "uhm- can you pan up please."

“Do You Love 2 Create?” was created in collaboration with Madjo at a Workshop Wednesday hosted by The Gallery.

Get in Touch!

In addition to mailing these to individuals, I would love to distribute these bad boys outside of where I live, collaborate with others, and trade with anyone who is into that kind of thing.

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