Name: Lori Hutchinson
Location: Toronto, Canada
Website: www.lorihutchinson.com

How about a brief introduction?
My name is Lori Hutchinson. I create paintings and illustrations in watercolours, and also embroidery art in my own designs.

How did you get involved with zine making?
I began making zines in preparation for my first year attending Canzine in Toronto as a vendor.
My first zine was a way for me to create something out of old sketches that I liked, but that had never become anything. I made a colouring book, filled with different characters from my sketchbooks.

Tell us what’s your goal when it comes to zine making?
My goal when I am making zines is usually to get an idea out of my head and turn it into something tactile. It’s also usually a way to document something I want to remember, and share it with others.

Any favorite artists that inspired you to make your zine?
Lots of favourite artists, but not any zine makers in particular. What inspired me to explore bookbinding and ultimately make my zines was a book called How to Make Books by Esther K. Smith (http://www.purgatorypiepress.com/). It covers a lot of different bindings, and also has a lot of inspiration for making art books.

What’s the one tip you’d like to share with people who are interested in making their own zines?
It’s surprisingly easy, and a really good way to create something that is uniquely yours. Also including full bleed images can be a big pain, when you want to use photocopies which don’t print right to the edge.

Name: Lori Dean Dyment
Location: Richmond, B.C., Canada
Website: DeanDymentStudios.etsy.com

How about a brief introduction?
My name is Lori Dean Dyment and I’m a third generation Vancouverite, which makes me fortunate enough to have enjoyed the lifestyle the city has to offer while being surrounded by so much natural beauty. It is this closeness to nature and its animal residents that has been translated into my artwork. While my artwork is predominantly of animals, they are rendered in a way that portrays their personalities and each has their own story. With the narrative quality of my work tends I hope to make observers think back to their own favorite childhood storybooks. Now married and with children of my own, I have found the references to childhood have become even more pronounced.

How did you get involved with zine making?
I’ve been wanting to participate in a Pikapackage for ages now and I felt that the zine submission would be a good fit for me as I hope to one day illustrate children’s books.

Tell us what’s your goal when it comes to zine making?
My goal with this zine was to create a consistent character and style of drawing. I was a little intimidated by the project but it turned into a really rewarding project for me.

Any favorite artists that inspired you to make your zine?
Lately I’ve been finding myself really attracted to pieces of artwork that use pen and ink and intricate patterns. Julia Pott is one artist that comes to mind.

What’s the one tip you’d like to share with people who are interested in making their own zines?
Create the zine for yourself first and foremost. I think the personal stories are always more interesting.

Name: ladypajama
Location: Missoula, MT
Website: ladypajama.com or www.etsy.ladypajama.com

How about a brief introduction?
I like to look at art (this includes writing, and zine making) as a hobby that pays for its self. I have no belief that I will ever be able to support myself or make it big with my art. This allows me the freedom to be ultimately creative, as I have no fears of people liking and buying.

How did you get involved with zine making?
I was introduced to the whole thing in highschool when I was making an underground newspaper. I did many collaborative projects with friends throughout highschool. After that I had great intentions but never quite followed through until I was 24. Then something just clicked and I started making insane amounts of zines. Really, go look at my etsy store. That isn’t even half of them.

Tell us what’s your goal when it comes to zine making?
I publish a monthly perzine that I send out through the mail. It is called “Blah Blah Blah.” My main goal with it is mostly communication. And perhaps documentation. It is good have a deadline. And although it is a tiny little thing. Doing that little bit every month adds up. Some day maybe I’ll publish a book of them. We will see.

Any favorite artists that inspired you to make your zine?
I am inspired constantly.

What’s the one tip you’d like to share with people who are interested in making their own zines?
Just do it. Don’t talk about it or think about it. Just make a zine. There is this challenge that happens every July called the “24 hour zine challenge”. I would recommend trying to make a zine in 24 hours. Even if it isn’t July.