publishing. 2 things:

Nels

1.

I wrote a piece at Underbellie: “what you could stand to know about addiction”. My brother sent me an email response that read, in part: “Holy F that is well written. Can you please get that published somewhere?  I barely relate to the subject and was still nearly moved to tears.”

Welp. Of course I am published. On my site. I think he meant publish in a way where I get paid? (or maybe read by more than twelve people?) #LOLsob because I think it is my destiny to be a largely-unpaid writer. I’ve been doing this since I could write, so there’s that.

2.

Speaking of my writing, for pay or otherwise, I have had only six customers purchase the new Tumblehome. That’s like, SIX. This kind of response is obviously not adequate for me to continue the work needed to curate, write, design, edit, print, assemble, and publish. However, I know I could make a little more effort in trying to distribute and get word out, and I am willing to do so.

In the meantime, after two printing mishaps (and therfore a late send-out), here is an alluring picture of the hand-assembled option. The zine is available in paper, or for a $2 download.

The New Tumblehome!

Our next issue comes out in April.

Family life: the other day Nels found the first crocus bloom in our neighborhood. He made me come take a photo, and he has been watching it every morning.

Yes. Spring is really going to happen.

1st Crocus Of 2013

No, seriously.

2012 02 Tumblehome

OK, the new issue of Tumbleho.me rocks. Specifically: Ralph’s piece on children and gaming (which ended up longer than he intended and is the better for it!), my how-to on sewing a swimsuit, the graphic artwork, some great local writing from poet and bibliophile Dwight Johnson, and three delicious recipes. There’s more stuff of course, these are just kind of the crown jewels of the business.

The zine will be available gratis in April, when the next issue publishes. I adore, adore! receiving writings, poetry, artwork, media reviews, and photography from committed and talented individuals. Please consider contributing!

splish splash

Swimming, today. Below: Nels is a “shark”, scooting along his bum with a (hand-) fin out the water, to get me. I waited until he got close enough I could kiss him.

Nels, "Shark"

A new suit. I started it yesterday and finished it up this morning; I am featuring a few tips on sewing swimsuits in my next zine (February 2013). So I won’t chat much about methodology here.

Racerback Suit In Blue Leopard & Stripe

I am pretty pleased with how this garment turned out. I got to make length alterations for my daughter’s very tall, weasel-belly body. As you can see here, making length alterations is not super-straightforward with all those curves in there.

But far better than my relative success at a challenging project – my daughter loved the suit and praised it vociferously. She put it on immediately and I grabbed a photo. She wore it around the house all morning.

Phee, Catbird Seat

When we went swimming she showed it to the lifeguard, telling the woman her mother made it.

Racerback Suit In Blue Leopard & Stripe

EAGLE-EYED VIEWERS WILL NOTE I lined those stripes up LIKE A SIR

Racerback Suit In Blue Leopard & Stripe

The suit is fully-lined. I sewed via a narrow zig-zag and finished on my serger:

Racerback Suit In Blue Leopard & Stripe

After this garment with its fussy little pieces, typical – and simpler – suit designs will be easy! I’m offering custom builds of the suit on Etsy, tailored especially for those who need a performance suit and don’t want off-the-rack sameness. At any rate I’ll offer them there until my mind feels bored at the thought of sewing another one. However at this point? I’m wanting to make another one right away!

Racerback Suit In Blue Leopard & Stripe

This was the second project I finished on my Pfaff. I found this machine in a new sewing shop in Mason County this summer. I purchased it via layaway for about half the going price and it feels like forever I’ve waited to bring it home! There were a few hiccups in the aquisition of the machine, once because I couldn’t make a payment, around Christmastime, and then due to tech problems in the shop – the shopkeep is new to selling older equipment. However, I am grateful to be able to use a layaway program as, let’s face it, otherwise I wouldn’t be bringing home anything at all. And so far, I am very pleased with the machine’s performance and all its cool bells and whistles!

A bit about my equipment while I am on the subject. This Pfaff is the first sewing machine I’ve purchased that wasn’t under $20 from a thrift store (I have had my go-arounds with thrift store machines and, now, I am quite wary). It is an early-80s machine. My other two working machines were gifted to me; one, the Singer 15-91, was built in 1950 and originally belonged to my grandmother. The second, a Juki, came to me as a birthday present from my mother five years ago. So if you’ve lost count, I can tell you I am doing my work on three sewing machines and one serger (a White 534 superlock I purchased on eBay for $100); I also have two machines I don’t work with, both 1950s Singers, one a treadle. They each need a tune-up so they’re waiting until I can afford one. I am actually willing to give up the treadle, but haven’t put any time and effort into finding it a good home.

My long-winded point is: if you’re a new crafter or want to learn to sew, you do not need a $2K (or more!) machine nor a bunch of fancy shit to sew amazing stuff. But the truth is, time and experience provide the right equipment; so does community and family support. Many years’ at this craft has yielded friends and family who provide encouragement, equipment, and materials –

And for those parties, I am so grateful.

Phee

get your Hoquiam aweomesauce here!

Hutch, Trillax

My new issue of Tumblehome, our third publication, is available online and in print. Anyone buying a print version or donating more than $6 gets entered into a drawing for a hand-sewn pincushion.

Additionally: archives are free. You can download a pdf for your own printing, or visit my profile at Issuu where I’ve posted the July and August issues.

It is a lot of work to envision, draft, write, edit, publish, staple, stamp, address, email, etc this zine. It helps to have feedback; particularly if anyone experiences technical difficulties, which can be tricky to troubleshoot given my resources and home environment.

And of course, I’m happy to hear about content and what you might like to see in future zines.

Thank you for your support!

Kelly, Phoenix Fire, & Nels Hogaboom September 2, 2012

local as fuck

I was in the local paper on Sunday, regarding the zine – mostly (the new zine went on sale today & ships tomorrow).

Kelly, Phoenix Fire, & Nels Hogaboom September 2, 2012

Kelly Hogaboom has always had a creative heart. As a young girl, she sewed her own clothes. And, as an adult she’s become quite a writer, recently launching a new zine in Hoquiam called Tumblehome, focused on creativity and life-inspiring stories.

“My family moved here into my great-grandparents home in Hoquiam when I was 8,” she said. “I consider Hoquiam my hometown, although I took many years off to go to school and work in Seattle and then Port Townsend, respectively.”

Hogaboom, 35, is married to Ralph, an IT specialist at Grays Harbor College, who is well known in local music circles. She and Ralph celebrate 11 years of marriage on Sept. 8. Their children are Phoenix Fire, 10, and Nels, 8.

“I am a self-published and professional writer, a seamstress and craftivist, a homebirth and breastfeeding advocate, an anti-racist and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexuals, and transgender) activist, a volunteer working with alcoholics and addicts, an engineer-cum-unschooling parent, and a B-movie fanatic,” Hogaboom said. “I have almost zero musical talent but secretly wish I was in a band, just like my husband is. I’m a good family-style cook and hustled my own micro-catering subscription service under the management of my children. My children are absolutely the most tender, fierce, and inspiring forces in my life.”

For the unitiated, explain what a zine is and the difference between that and a typical magazine. What’s the purpose of your zine?

Traditionally zines (pronounced like “magazine”) were small circulation, self-published, often countercultural, created without advertisements, and often produced on stolen time using pilfered supplies. I don’t steal anything but otherwise, that pretty much describes my Tumblehome project. The purpose of my zine is like the purpose of the millions and millions of words I’ve written: to make a connection with other human beings. In addition, this zine ships out all over the world and I’d like to think we bring some of Hoquiam’s awesomeness to those far corners.

This is not the first time you’ve done a zine in Hoquiam. What made you decide to bring it back and try it again and what makes it special? Where does the name Tumblehome come from?

I was asked by several people to start a zine back up again. Flattery gets results! Since this is my third zine project, I have learned a bit during previous iterations. I designed this publication to be within my limited abilities. The name Tumblehome comes from boat design; it’s a structural consideration that keeps a boat stable and safe. There’s nothing particularly special about my zine except I’d like people who read it to experience respite, gladness, humor, edification, courage and hope.

Is the zine exclusively written by you and your husband? If not, where do you find the content and how can someone submit content?

You can find current and archived issues at the website, tumbleho.me, or by contacting me via email or phone (kelly@hogaboom.org or 360-500-3287). You can also pick up printed copies at Gray’s General Store in Hoquiam, my sole distribution outlet. I am more than pleased to receive content; anyone with original images, artwork, photographs is encouraged to submit. If your submission is accepted you receive a paper copy gratis and my undying gratitude.

What inspires you in your design and cover choices for the zine? How much of what you do is automated?

I have always enjoyed graphic design. My greatest inspirations are my children and the other children I know, as well as the stunning physical beauty of where we live. Very little of my zine is automated. I keep track of recipient addresses and a ledger using Google docs; I personally send out thank yous to all who donate, and handletter envelopes personally. We do the folding and stapling. It’s a lot of work!

Where can I pick up a copy or subscribe and how often does it come out?

You can visit tumbleho.me/buy for the latest issue or you can contact me as per abovementioned contact information. I currently offer per-issue subscriptions or donations rather than annual subscriptions. 10 percent of all donations go to a local cause, which is then published at the website. All other funds go toward printing the next issue so my ledger balance is always zero. Donations of paper, 6-inch by 9-inch envelopes, or lovely cardstock are appreciated.

The zine comes out once a month during the summer months of June, July, August and September; then Nov/Dec, Jan/Feb, Mar/April. I print in small, hand-assembled lots, since our family spending plan doesn’t allow for large scale printing or professional services.

Besides your writing career, your creative styles spill over into the realm of sewing and producing your own clothes. Is that something you’ve always done since you were a young girl or a new talent you’ve picked up? What challenges have you faced in this arena?

I sew custom clothing, pattern test for companies, and design clothing and embroidery patterns. I’ve sewn since about age 8, I think; I can’t remember not knowing how to sew. I didn’t start getting serious about it until after my children were born (my children absolutely have brought out the best in me in every arena of my life). As for challenges, there is a misconception that home seamstresses adore sewing anything as a favor, and that they’re interested in sewing at wages comparable to overseas labor costs. I also get lonely as a craftivist around here. I make garments and it seems most crafters in this area quilt, crochet, or knit.

I teach a few classes at Grays General Store and I’m the sewing instructor up at Grays Harbor College, leading a course this fall for beginners and intermediates. I love teaching almost as much as I like creating!

You’ve also become quite an expert in the “unschooling” movement, while also explaining that children shouldn’t always be afraid of strangers. Can you explain these philosophies for people who may be interested in this line of thought?

The last time I was regaled as an unschooling “expert” I ended up featured in a national publication in the most unflattering manner! I am an expert in nothing except my own life experiences. As for strangers, far too many adults and children are taught to be frightened. Fortunately, we can unlearn these attitudes.

I’ve written extensively about unschooling at both my personal blog and my social well-being site (kelly.hogaboom.org and underbellie.com, respectively). I always welcome parents or adults who want to talk to me about raising children, frustrations and fears and the whole lot. Kids are hands-down my number one passion!

***

I received a few sweet emails during the day, and a few friends dropped off copies of the piece. Which is very nice. One of the emails:

“I am so glad I know you. You are the MOST creative person I know. When you list your activities and interests, I am astounded at the variety.”

Aw, shucks. Y’all are too sweet.

Mysteries Of The Deep (Title Page)

crafty bitch!

Aw yeah. I have been crafting it up like a madwoman. With a lot of help from my spouse, who is my tech advisor.

So first: pre-orders for Tumblehome, which ships out August 5th:

Tumblehome, 2012 08 Cover

If you order before the 5th you get free gratis my first-ever embroidery pattern (including tips and stitching directions): Mysteries of The Deep! If you order the print version or donate more than $6, in addition to the pattern you will be entered in a drawing for a bit of handsewn goodness out of my studio!

My pattern’s title page:

Mysteries Of The Deep (Title Page)Second. CHECK THIS OUT, pincushion and custom pins all made today by Yours Truly. The pincushion (100% cotton flannel & wool, with polyfill stuffing) – AND the custom pins! A first effort, but I’m pleased with the results.

Pincushion + Custom Pins

The pincushion is reversible:

Pincushion + Custom Pins, Backside

A few broaches for a friend, who admired my deep sea creature work: About 1″ across.

"Mysteries Of The Deep" Pins

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"Mysteries Of The Deep" Pins

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"Mysteries Of The Deep" Pins

Super-super fun stuff!