Book Artist Blues

I've been away from my blog for a little while, work is busy and it was my partner's (and then my) birthday. Anyway, here's the first little book review I have of SF ZineFest finds.

It's called Book Artist Blues and it's made by Nikki Thompson of Deconstructed Artichoke Press. It's a charming little guy made out of a single sheet of paper, containing a few anecdotes about peoples' difficulty understanding book art and its value. I know I related to it because I am a book artist, but I think any artist or maker would be able to find something they can identify with in here.

Views from SF ZineFest 2012

I had the honor of spending this weekend vending at the SF ZineFest. It was great, as usual, my fellow vendors were friendly and the visitors were wonderful. 

This year I had a full table, with a lot more items to sell, and I also lead a workshop so, I was pretty busy and hardly had a chance to leave my table. Here are some shots of the views I had from behind my table.

Of course, what I saw most was my own table and wares. I used some old books to display items this time around.

Vending to my left was Annie Yu of Curbside Treasure. I love Annie, and she makes great stationary sets and zines. Her bubbly personality makes her a great co-vendor throughout the long days.

Just across the aisle was Monstark. Their monster images are a bit disturbing while also being well executed and fun. Their wolf head was also a great conversation starter.

Of course, how could I could home without getting some zines for myself? I got a pretty large stack, stay tuned this month as I read through them all and review them.

SF Zine Fest: Day 2

Annnie Yu of Curbsidetreasure and her zine, Paper Suitcase

I know this post is a couple days late but yesterday was my husband's birthday so I took some time off for those festivities before posting about the second awesome day of SF Zine Fest.

It was another successful day for me but I was also able to sneak away, check out and buy some of the goodies at other vendors' tables. Tonight I'm posting about all the awesome things I picked up.

This bike illustration was the first item I bought. It's by Brooke Appler and it had been calling to me since the day before. It's just so quaint and, well, I do love my bike.

At the end of the day I traded one of my bookmarks for this lovely one by Jennie Yim. She also makes great prints.

I shared a table with the ever energetic Yumico and I traded for this zine at the end of the day.

My table neighbor was Stephanie of NerdJerk. After spending 2 days in such close proximity, I really couldn't help loving her and her stuff. Besides this wicked awesome calculator phone case I also bought a Polaroid barrette and a crocheted Nintendo character for my little brother.

After staring them down from across the aisle, I finally caved and bought these bookmarks, zine and comic from the collective Crazy Apple Studios. So fun!

Just one table down from mine was Laurie Coughlin of Motomouth Press. I know Laurie from the San Francisco Center for the Book and I'm always charmed by her personality and her work. Instead of cards, this time I got this cute little donut book, D is for Donut.

Making Friends by Odd Fauna

Parade by Odd Fauna

Odd Fauna had many amazing things including beasts sculptures and shadow boxes. I had to contain myself and I left with just these two little accordion style books. They are adorably morbid and I love it!

I have a T-shirt obsession and I was hoping I might find a great one at SF Zine Fest. I was not let down when I stopped by the Monkey and Seal table and saw this great shirt combining two of my favorite things, unicorns and narwhals.

The Wind to My Sails by Jennifer Parks

Spread from They Met in a Dream

Unicorn puking a rainbow wallet

I was wishing I lived in Portland when I stopped by the Pony Club Gallery table. The illustrations for everything were fun and inspiring and the unicorn wallet was so amazing that my husband took it from me!

All in all, I had a great time at the SF Zine Fest and I can't wait to be back next year!

SF Zine Fest, Day 1

neon sprinkles studio (that's me) half table

Today was the first day of SF Zine Fest and, I must say, it couldn't have been more amazing. I debuted there as neon sprinkles studio selling my artsy wares. 

Some of my cards and zines

Bookmarks made from paper scraps: fun and cheap!

The foot traffic was great and my sales were more than I had expected for my first time selling. I managed to make back my table fee! Customer feedback was encouraging as well and I can't wait to get back into the studio and make more stuff.

My mini journals

Though I didn't sell any today, my mini journals in their cute French basket from Daiso Japan, wound up being great attention grabbers, drawing in folks who ended up either buying something else or at least taking a business card. 

My neighbors across the way

Fellow vendors to the left

Fellow vendors to the right

I wasn't the only vendor, of course. I only managed to visit about half the vendor tables in the room I'm stationed in but everything was amazing. My fellow vendors were also super supportive, offering constructive feedback while being amazing craftspeople. There's inspiration a plenty at this event.

View from behind my table

While I mostly only saw the back of my own sales table today, I can't wait for Day 2 tomorrow and I hope I have a chance to sneak off and visit more of the vendors.