Tofu Press Zines

This zinester is someone I discovered off Instagram. Thank goodness for #zines. I love seeing all the cool things people create.

First off I have Hello there: I’m a mini zine and this is my front cover which is a mini zine that explains the layout of a mini zine and provides some ideas for what you could put inside of your mini zine. As a bonus, the whole zine unfolds and the flip shows instructions on how to fold your own mini zine. Very cool zine.

Secondly, I have Things To Do At Work At Work When You’re Depressed which is a relateable mini zine about not being in the right mental space to be able to focus on work and feeling guilty and ashamed because of it.

Lastly, I have Stuff I Wish Therapy Had Taught Me which is a perzine about things they believe they should have been taught in therapy years ago. For the most part, I think most of this should be taught to everyone in school. What healthy boundaries are, activities you can do to help your mental wellbeing, and being told that abuse is not your fault ever. Not everyone will need to apply the knowledge in their lives but it’s something you should know just in case. Relateable zine for anyone who has tried getting help but felt misunderstood instead.

You can find their zines on their website, on Etsy or by going to their Instagram.

KD Falconer

I met this zinester at my local zine fair in October. Which means KD is the first person I ever got an art zine from. Thanks for trading with me!

I have 3 of their zines. One is an untitled mini zine that is filled with sword drawings. Another is called What A Pansy which contains a short story/poem which I really enjoy. It features artwork of pansies and swords to illustrate the story. And lastly, Dungeon Crawler Cuties which is an art zine. Filled with dessert themed warriors. If I had to pick, I would have to say Creme Brulee is my favourite warrior.

I love their art style and I am very intrigued with what lures KD to draw swords aplenty. Considering the What A Pansy zine I believe there is some awesome symbolism going on with swords in contrast to their life. But maybe I’m reading into this too much.

To see more of their amazing artwork check out their Instagram or website.

Outer Space

Outer Space is a mini zine that features a short story and space-themed artwork. It is about wanting to disappear because having so many possibilities feels more like a prison sometimes. Or at least that is the meaning I saw in the words and it’s definitely a feeling I relate to. I enjoy the middle spread pages the most, the artwork and words... there’s something about being an astronaut drifting in space that has always intrigued me. 

You can find more art and zines by OutaSight on Instagram and Etsy.

Jeffery Kingsley

This zinester is someone I found on Etsy when trying to search for PTSD & CPTSD related zines. 

Each zine is a comic book and features a specific mental illness that Jeffery has. Each comic describes how that particular mental illness affects their life on a daily basis. How it can be hard to cope in the midst of struggle. Jeffery does a great job explaining with images and words how it feels to live with mental illnesses. I think what I enjoy most about these zines is that you can tell they are about a very dark time but each issue ends with the message that they will not let their mental health destroy them. They can survive.

To check out more of their art go to their Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter or website. To get a copy of these zines head over to their Etsy page.

Mental Health Advice - Hattie & Evie

Mental Health Advice We Wish Someone Would Have Told Us Sooner

This is a 12-page quarter sized zine. With really good advice and a title that kind of reminds me of a Fall Out Boy song. There is not much to say besides Hattie Porter & Evelyn Basch do a great job collaborating on mental health zines. You can tell they have been through a lot and they use their experiences to try to help others. If you are struggling with your mental health I always recommend their zines. They are great self-care reminders. Hattie ( dogsnotdiets ) creates zines that promote recovery and self-care, and Evie ( HumanSightings ) creates space themed zines and art that deals with living with a mental illness. Both great zinesters individually and also when they work together.

You can find Hattie / dogsnotdiets on Etsy or Instagram.

You can find Evie / HumanSightings on Etsy or Instagram.