Ensemble tiles, 9 times the fun...

I've been meaning to post a sample of what you can do with the pre-strung ensemble tiles that you can get from your local CZT or from the www.Zentangle.com website. Below is a completed set that I tangled a while ago for an "ensemble exchange." In this exchange (which is a common thing to do with other tanglers), I kept my center tile and traded the other eight of these tiles for those tangled by other friends. We each ended up with an reassembled ensemble jointly created by the nine of us. My finished group ensemble is out getting framed at the moment. I'll post a photo at some point in the future.

 

So, here's how it works. When the tiles are laid out together in the 3 x 3 arrangement shown here, the strings in which to tangle are pre-drawn across the breaks in the tiles, leaving just the one border around the edge of the set of 9 tiles.

 

These ensembles are created from the same luxurious Fabriano Tiepolo artist's paper used for the blank Zentangle tiles, just utilized in a fun new way. On the back is space to sign your name, date, and add any notes or messages you want to, if you are participating in an exchange.

 

Interested in creating your own? Contact me. I'd be happy to help you.

 

 

Getting zen-spired and sharing it, again!

Admittedly, it's been a while since I posted, but I have to tell you (at least part of) why that's the case. In late March, I attended a gathering of Certified Zentangle® Teachers across the country from me in Northampton, Massachusetts. We spent a terrific and inspiring weekend learning from each other, sharing information, and getting both rev'ed up and a little silly. I know, that's not so zen, but it sure was fun. The only hiccup was the flight delay that caused me to spend an extra night in Hartford, CT, but hey, I had my tangling supplies, so I just chilled in the room and tangled away.

In these classes, I learned more about tangling with color, creating a tangled an "organic garden," and some additional "beyond the basics" ideas to share with my students. Our teachers included Marie Browning and Sandy Steen Bartholmew (love their books!), and I came home with a headful of tangled thoughts, but so excited.

Several of the CZTs which whom I attended certification training were able to make the trip as well, coming from places like California, Saskatchewan, and even Australia, in addition to those from the Northeast, South, and Midwest of the US, and other Canadian locales. The enthusiasm generated by being with these upbeat, sharing and caring people was nothing short of awesome.

Then, to make these last couple of months even better, Jenny, my CZT friend from Australia, made a trip through the Seattle area a few weeks later. We spent our time talking tangling, looking for patterns, shopping for teaching supplies, giggling, and eating gigantic pieces of deep chocolate layer cake at a restaurant in Edmonds, WA. The only down side was the Vegemite she brought along (wink, wink).

So apologies for the dearth of recent posts, but I'm back at it now. Working on a new list of dates for both Beginning Zentangle 101 and Beyond the Basics classes. I have some fun new ideas about the Beyond the Basics classes, which I'll explain here with an update before too long.

I'd like to give a shout out to all of my past students, as well. I've been re-reading your class evaluation forms, and while I'm enjoying that there are so many positive comments (thank you very much), I'm also taking note of what you said you would like to learn, so I can incorporate those things in upcoming classes.

If you already tangle, keep it up. If you would like to learn, contact me to start your Zentangle journey. You won't regret it!

Tangling a mermaid

Last weekend, I spent some time at a retreat at Camp Indianola on Puget Sound. A tangling opportunity presented itself in the form of a plywood blank in the shape of a mermaid. The nautical theme of the retreat and the mermaid outline got my imagination going. I decided to do a quick paint job on the plywood, which admittedly wasn't the smoothest "canvas" upon which to work, and then see what tangle patterns would suggest themselves. I only had limited pens available, so I worked with an Identipen for the majority of the project.

I tried for some patterns that suggested flowing hair and seaweed and some waves and foamy bubbles. I think it worked pretty well. I liked how the tangles just seemed to fit and grow into each other.

In the end, it was a fun experience. Next time I'd try it on a better surface with a pre-planned pen in mind to maximize the results. But here it is, warts and all, and I hope it gives you some ideas of your own. Actual size is about 24 inches in length.

 

 

If you are interested in learning the Zentangle® method of tangling, shoot me an email, and let's chat about it. Remember, "Anything is possible one stroke at a time."

Need a Tangle*A*Day 2013 calendar?

If you haven't seen Carole Ohl's newest Tangle*A*Day calendar, it's not too late to pick up one to kick-off your new year.

Carole's done an excellent job researching paper stock and has come up with a surface that's well-suited to your Sakura Pigma Micron 01 tangling pens. She's planned a nifty and useful page layout. It's a terrific tangling surface, and the daily box frames can be used in several different ways.

I'm posting some examples here to give you some ideas. You can do a solo tangle per day, or you can do multiple tangles on a single day. Try drawing a string within one day, or across two or three.

I have one copy remaining, available immediately, at $22.50. Contact me if you would like to snag it.

Tangle a couple of tangles a day for less than a month, and you will be all caught up!

"Survey says..." help, please!

Survey says... Part 1

I am currently working on updating curriculum for my Beyond the Basics class series. I would like some input from any of you tanglers who already know the basics, whether through my Zentangle® 101 Basics class, a class with another certified teacher, or your own exploration with the practice.

What topics most intrigue or confound you?
What tangles are you most interested in learning?
Is there a Zentangle Inspired Art project you'd like to try?

What would YOU like to learn?
 

Survey says... Part 2

Additionally, some of the CZTs with whom I collaborate and share resources have been asked if they would be willing to meet with some students to tangle on a regular basis, sort of a mini-class - something like a quilting group or book club - to provide some guidance for a reduced fee.

I don't presently have such a group planned for my local area, but I'd consider it. I'm interested in hearing from you if it's something that "tangles your fancy." If you are in King, Pierce, or Snohomish County, or maybe a bit further afield, let me know what you think.


You can either comment on this post, or preferably, email me at arupley55(at)gmail.com.

And thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts.

Linda Farmer's "Tangle Guide, 2013 Edition" now available

I know, I know. I JUST posted about how you don't need to know every tangle and pattern and try to corral all the step-outs. And that IS true.

But as a public service, I did want to let you know that the 2013 edition of Linda Farmer's lovely Tangle Guide has been published. Linda does a stellar job of doing that corraling of all manner of tangles and patterns for the rest of us tanglers. Her website, www.TanglePatterns.com, has all kinds of links and resources and step-outs and suggestions and lions and tigers and bears, oh my! (Just kidding about the animals...)

Linda has put together a guide with almost more tangles and patterns than you can imagine, and this updated edition covers all the new ones up until the very end of 2012.

If you are interested in your own personal copy, you can get the details from her at http://tanglepatterns.com/2013/01/the-tanglepatterns-com-tangle-guide-2013-edition-is-here.html. Linda does ask for a minimum $12 donation in return for an e-copy of the guide, which helps enable her to keep on providing us with this superb service that she has put together.

If you DO get a copy of the guide (or even if you just go to the website), remember, start small. Try the official tangles first, or if you see another one that you just love, ok, try that one, too. Patience and practice will pay off.

Tangle on!

Recommend-A-Friend program still on for 2013

Tangling the Zentangle® way is even better with friends!

With the Recommend-A-Friend program, receive $5 off of your class registration fee with each friend's paid registration. Good for all class levels. Not valid for classes taught at organized venues. Limit per class to the value of the class fee, not including supplies cost.

Grab a friend (or 2 or 3), and you’ll have a ready-made shared group activity when you get together forever after.

Contact me for available class dates.