Today I write with a heart full of hope after a good day of canvassing Lackawanna County with NEPA Stands Up. We’re trying to get a county wide non-discrimination ordinance put in place. I went deep canvassing for the first time last month despite my many anxious qualms. It can be nerve-wracking, but I think I’m getting more comfortable with it! It feels good to be making a difference, however small. Each interaction adds up, ya know?
Some other actions I’ve taken this summer were protesting JD Vance’s visit to the area, writing Vote Forward letters to Pennsylvania constituents about the upcoming Supreme Court election, and actually calling my representatives on the phone. Jewish Voice for Peace made that a lot easier than I expected! Lot of firsts this summer.
I hadn’t made it to any protests yet, and as a neurodivergent person who manages chronic pain, these outings take a toll. I do have to plan around the downtime needed to recharge, and I’m lucky to have the privilege to do that. But I hope the fact that I could rally and show up in ways that make me uncomfortable will inspire you to do the same. Doing something, no matter how small, to fight against the rise of fascism should be a gateway to a little dopamine, right? Find what’s accessible to you.
I recently received a poster from AK Press that says, “Rage is tinder, hope is fuel.” (Radical Emprints) Hearing folks’ support, stories about their queer loved ones, and personal prerogatives yesterday filled up my tank for sure. And special treat: I got to meet a puppy!
Another fun first was visiting a Lush store for a bath bomb making party. It smelled amazing and I got some new shower jelly and mouthwash tabs that I’m really into. I thought all malls were dead, but the Lehigh Valley one was absolutely hoppin’.
Camp season is now over at Indraloka Animal Sanctuary. We made some fun crafts like bean sheep & pop-ups and enjoyed games and animal visits. I always forget some kids, and adults alike, are fearful of unfamiliar animals like goats at first. I’m just so used to the therapeutic benefits of being around these wonderful beings.
Rescued farm animals often endure a traumatic past, but overcome their wounds as they live out the rest of their life lovingly cared for with compassion. I made a zine entitled One Happy Pig that was a round-up of things that made me happy that day. I remember as a newly out-on-my-own high school graduate, my mom came over to my first apartment one day to see a huge mess and said, “How can you live like a pig?” I responded, “At least I’m a happy pig!” I like to think I’m slightly more organized now.
Some other ways I’ve found joy lately include completing a 1,000 pc bird puzzle all by myself, indulging a burgeoning bursting boba refresher addiction, wracking up watermelon after watermelon in Suika Game, eating copious amounts of sweet corn, collecting blind bag warbler charms from Pigeon Post, discovering the fabulous Lambrini Girls, and a surprise arts and crafts/collage party at a friend’s going-away get together. I also rewatched the so-bad-its-good Showgirls for Miquela’s Zine *Camp* prompts and made a flexagon. I love these and always forget I have many ideas for fun flexies!
Making my vacation scrapbook zine was a ton of fun, too. It turned out to be a bigger personal project than I predicted. I sent out this 20 page foodie review of the NJ shore to some friends as a summer newsletter, but also have some leftovers in my shop. You may want to pick this up if you’re into reading perzines, travelogues, love vegan food, the beach, stationery, or New Jersey. There’s just no better feeling than when you finish a zine, something that previously existed only theoretically in your mind, now a concrete object you can hold. What good zines have you read lately? What have you been working on?
I got back to my cosmic collage roots after finding an unopened 2016 astronomy calendar at a friend’s yardsale. Here are some of the pieces I made:
I’ve always been drawn to a starry background, as evidenced by some of these examples of my past work:
Some of these, and many others, will be available as prints or even originals when I vend the Scranton Punk Rock Flea Market this Saturday August 30th. Six bands will be playing throughout the day while you have the opportunity to shop many unique vendors. Come through if you’re local!
What about you? What was the highlight of your summer? You can reply right to this email if you’d like to ever reply privately to me, or please leave a comment!
In other news, Pigeon Post in Scranton restocked my line of bird zines, and now carries my collage zine kits as well! Stop in to get yourself a nature themed little treat like cute washi tape, art postcards, stamps, or a puzzle or vintage book. They’re open Fri, Sat & Sun 10–3pm and also have an online shop. Tell ‘em Kris sent ya!
Lastly, an announcement I’m really psyched to make: on Tuesday September 2nd, you can catch me on the Long Arm Stapler podcast! I’ll be chatting about all things zines + creativity with host Maira. Thank you for having me on, Maira! I love listening to this podcast to get inspired for zine making when I’m in a slump, and I always find out about new-to-me creators to support.
Congratulations on getting to the end of my newsletter! Your reward is 25% off anything in my Etsy shop through the end of the month. Click here to automatically apply the promo code in your cart. I appreciate your interest in my art, and please share this if you think a friend would enjoy it too!
With Rage & Hope, because how else can we look at the world right now,
Kris
(they/them/theirs/themself)
PS: While cleaning my desk (rare), I stumbled upon the half started zine I started making in my plant zine workshop back in June. I love working on something that’s already half finished! It’s a mixed media meditation on my gratitude for the forest as a place of refuge called Forest Exhale. Get a copy here! Don’t forget to use promo code STAPLER in the checkout :)
