Quick update on upcoming Spring classes

It's been great hearing from new and returning students who have been signing up for upcoming Spring Zentangle® classes. For those who may have missed the announcement on upcoming classes, there are two date options for Zentangle® 101 Basics and two different course offerings on two different dates for Beyond the Basics classes.

• 101 Basics classes - May 10th -OR- June 7th - 1 to 3 pm - $35 per person, including supplies - This class covers how to get started, what materials work well, and hands-on instruction. It is the only prerequisite for on-going Beyond the Basics classes on all subjects. May 10th is filling up, but there are a few spaces left. If that's your preferred date, don't wait to register.

• Beyond the Basics - Tangle Intensive - April 5th - 1 to 3 pm - $35  per person, including supplies.
• Several students have asked for help in growing their tangle repertoire. Join us for a mix of organic and geometric tangles.
• If you have a sketchbook, you'll want to bring it. If not, an optional sketchbook is $6.50, plus tax.
• Prerequisite: 101 Basics class or instructor approval.

• Beyond the Basics - Made to Shade - May 31st - 1 to 3 pm - Class fee is $50, which include supplies AND your own copy of "Made in the Shade" by Cris Letourneau.
• Shading has been high on the list of requests from students as a follow-on to the 101 Basics classes.
• If you already have a copy of Cris's workbook, the class fee is $35, and you'll need to bring your book to class.
• Prerequisite: 101 Basics class or instructor approval.

If you are interested, email me at arupley55(at)gmail(dot)com with your name and contact info, along with the class and date which you would like to attend. I'll send a PayPal invoice and your payment of the invoice will hold your space in class.

Tangle on!

Tangled up in tangles? Check this out, and just breathe...

You are not alone if you have become overwhelmed with the sheer quantity of tangles and patterns available to us today. In addition to around 150 official Zentangle® tangles, there are hundreds more unofficial ones created by Certified Zentangle Teachers and tangling enthusiasts alike. (See www.tanglepatterns.com where Linda Farmer does a tremendous job capturing and posting them.)

Students in my classes will hopefully recall that I've said up front that...

• You do not have to memorize all the tangle patterns and their names and steps.
• You do not have to LIKE all of the tangle patterns.
• You will likely find some tangle patterns easier for you than others (and those may NOT be the ones that your tangling friend finds easiest).
• You do not have to USE all of the tangle patterns (and there's no guilt in that).
• You do not have to try to collect printed or e-copies of every tangle pattern that is out there. (For those who like to catalog, feel free, but don't let it consume you, because it can!)

If you are tangled up in tangles, here's some ideas to incorporate in your practice of Zentangle as you move along the journey.

• When you are looking to tangle for relaxation or meditation or stress-management, go with the tangles that you enjoy and find flow more easily for you.
• When you have a little more time, are not feeling pressed, and are open to stretching a bit, take on one of those more challenging tangles.
• Take the pressure out of the challenge by using the practice space in your sketchbook instead of a tile. (Note: If you don't have a sketchbook, I highly recommend getting one. It doesn't have to be fancy, and a relatively inexpensive, medium-sized spiral-bound with 90 lb. mixed media paper will be fine with your Micron pens.)
• EXPECT that the new tangle isn't going to flow smoothly at first.
• When you take on a new tangle that isn't as easy for you, do what my fellow CZT, Brenda Shaver-Shahin (Half Moon St. Boutique) in Ontario, Canada, recommends. Draw the tangle in a larger size. Don't be afraid to try it really big. Then you can work toward getting it down into a smaller format. For some people, this helps them get the steps in mind and smooth the flow.

Zentangle is about the process, the enjoyment, the satisfaction, the joy and wonder at what comes out almost magically in the end. It's not about the guilt, the stress, constantly striving for perfection, or doing it all. Relax. Breathe. Breathe some more. And let tangling with the Zentangle method be a bright spot of respite in your life. Tangle on and be well!

Sign up for Zentangle® 101 Basics and Beyond the Basics

Tangle time! Registration is open for April and May dates and on into the first part of June.
 
The next two Zentangle® 101 Basics classes will be from 1 to 3 pm on May 10th and June 7th. The class fee for the 101 Basics class is $35 and includes supplies. This class is a prerequisite for Beyond the Basics classes. 

The upcoming Beyond the Basics classes will also be from 1 to 3 pm.

• April 5th - Tangle Intensive - Adding to your tangle repertoire - I've had requests from several students to help them learn additional tangles, so we'll concentrate on that in this class. If you have a sketch book, you'll want to bring it. If not, I will have a supply for purchase. Class fee with supplies is $35. Optional sketchbook is $6.50, plus tax. Prerequisite: 101 Basics class or instructor approval.
• May 31 - Made to Shade - focusing on shading options - Shading has been another hot topic request from students completing the 101 Basics class. Class fee is $50, which includes supplies AND your very own copy of "Made in the Shade" by Cris Letourneau. (If you already have a copy, the class fee is $35, and you'll need to bring your book.) Prerequisite: 101 Basics class or instructor approval.

All classes will be held in the Woodinville, WA, area. Space is limited, so sign up soon to save your seat in class! Contact me at arupley55 (at) gmail (dot) com with the date of the class for which you would like to register and your contact information. A PayPal invoice will be sent to you and your payment will confirm your registration and hold your space in class. Registration is still open at this time for the Zentangle®101 Basics class I'm teaching at Bear Creek United Methodist Church on March 19 and 26, Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. This is a two-session class (not separate classes). Registration is through the church office at 425.788.2953 or on-line at www.bcumc.org. This class is expected to fill quickly, so please sign-up promptly to avoid missing out.