Even though the weather has been lovely and I’ve spent quite a bit of time outside taking advantage of the sunshine, blue skies, and generally perfect temperatures, it’s still been a very productive week in my little corner of the tangling world. I’m anxious to share it all with you, so welcome to another Tangled Tuesday on Alphabet Salad!
Tangling Goodies
I wrote in an earlier Tangled Tuesday post about the plastic pages I use to store my 3.5″ x 3.5″ and also my 2.5″ x 3.5″ Zentangle®1 tiles. Hoping to find a similar product for my tangled bookmarks, I headed over to Crop Stop where I discovered some Pocketz Storage Sleeves which, while not specifically created for bookmarks, seemed as though they would do the trick. They arrived this week and I immediately put them to the test.
As you can see they’re not totally perfect for the job, as part of each bookmark is exposed and therefore not fully protected, but that had been made clear in the product description and so it didn’t come as a surprise. Since most of the original bookmarks I make end up being sent to others, the items filed here will generally be photocopies to use as part of my portfolio, and I think these pages will work just fine for that purpose.
Today’s Amazon delivery included a copy of a new-to-me book I ordered to add to my ever-growing tangling reference library – Zenspirations Dangle Designs by Joanne Fink. It’s a fairly slim book – less than 20 pages in total and really more like a letter-size booklet – but it seems to be fairly packed with instructions and examples and includes some fun ideas which I’m looking forward to trying out. I think it’ll be a good companion to The Art of Whimsical Lettering (by Joanne Sharpe), and might even be the inspiration I need to start adding some colour to my tangles!
New Tangles
Since I’ve been working through it for what seems like forever, I was determined to finally finish Totally Tangled (by Sandy Steen Bartholomew) this week… and as a result, I learned a ton of new tangles: Heartline, Alice, Urchin, Hairy, Leopard, Jay, Linky, Caterpillar, Muzic, Stubs, ButNZ, Linkd, Ramy, Bannah, Abacus, Newell, Scraper, HiRise, and Lilah Bean. It was a bit of a marathon, but it feels good to have completed all the designs in the book!
Tangling-in-Progress
It was a tangling marathon in more ways than just learning new designs – I also finished everything I started, and currently have no WIP. I can guarantee it won’t be that way for long, though!
Finished Projects
In last week’s Tangled Tuesday post I shared the first letter – A, of course! – in my new tangled alphabet series. I’m really happy to say that I completed several new letters this week.
I’m generally pleased with how they turned out, but you know, on every finished piece I’ve done there is some detail or other (usually more than one!) that I’m just not happy with – and these are no exception. I am possibly my own worst critic, so of course as soon as I look at a particular piece my eye goes immediately to the bit I don’t care for and I feel as though it’s leaping off the page! Hopefully these flaws aren’t quite as visible to others as they are to me and they’re able to just appreciate each picture as a whole.
In Case You Missed It
I am grateful for the support of my friend Becky Cochrane, who not only purchased a Zendala button from Ten Thousand Tangles but also shared a photo and writeup about it in a blog post for her regular “Button Sunday” feature. Thank you so much, Becky!
Coming Soon
This week’s tangling goals include:
- Photograph my previously-completed set of four Zendalas and set up listings to sell the originals in my as-yet-to-be-opened Etsy store.
- Carry on with my Zenletter collection.
- Continue adding products to Ten Thousand Tangles.
- Create pieces for new sponsors.
P.S.
Previous posts in this series are all tagged Tangled Tuesday.
For background on how I discovered and got involved in Zentangle, and links to further information and resources, check out my blog post For the love of tangling.
You can browse my entire tangle gallery at Ten Thousand Tangles.
And, if you’re interested in having a little piece of my art for yourself, please click on the GoFundMe button below for more information and also visit my Zazzle shop Ten Thousand Tangles. (Pssst… links to my international Ten Thousand Tangles shops are in the Alphabet Salad sidebar – just click on the appropriate flag and you’ll get to the place you need to be!)
1 The Zentangle® Method was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas and is copyrighted. Zentangle® is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at zentangle.com.

Sounds like a productive week! And the bookmarks are lovely.
Salma recently posted… 5 Tips for Visiting New Moms
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 3, 2014
Thank you, Salma!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Creating a Commenting Policy
Twitter: LeaderAndCoach
June 3, 2014
I like your work – they look really nice even though they are not my style – I’m more into colors 🙂
I also do handcraft – lately knitting and crocheting, I love to wear my own work – there is something magical about them
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 3, 2014
Thank you very much! There is definitely something magical about a finished piece.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Creating a Commenting Policy
Twitter: Sophie_Bowns
June 3, 2014
Wow! You’ve been very busy!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 3, 2014
I really have, LOL!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Creating a Commenting Policy
I love the letters- they almost look organic in a way, if that makes sense. The “E” made me think of my niece, Eliza.:) Zentangles are something I find fascinating, but I haven’t gotten over my “I’m not an artist” block yet to try them.
Jen recently posted… Behind the Scenes
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 3, 2014
Thank you so much, Jen! I hope you give tangling a try some day. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Creating a Commenting Policy
I bought “Totally Tangled” a few weeks ago. I like her whimsical pictures, but I must say I’m really struggling with some of the tangles – they almost seem like measurements are required to get some to work, and I didn’t think that was a tangling concept. In particular, Hemp on page 11 is giving me fits! I will keep at it though.
Your letters are fabulous, and you (we) are definitely your own worst critic! Nothing jumps out but awe and envy :-). I especislly like the effect of your ribbon flowing around the letters as it gives them a softened touch like ribbon on a package.
Sammy d recently posted… The French Connection
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 3, 2014
Thank you so much for your kind words! And I totally agree with you about “Totally Tangled” – I had so much trouble with several of the patterns, which is probably why it took me so long to make my way through the book. Some of them just didn’t end up working for me at ALL. Do you have “One Zentangle A Day” by Beckah Krahula? I found that to be an excellent way to get started – she provides really great step-out instructions for each of the tangles, and most of them are a lot less complicated than the ones in TT.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Creating a Commenting Policy
Actually Beckah’s book was my first – i was able to reserve it through my library and I am going to get it again. Now that I’ve been practicing, i want to look at it again. It definitely is a great beginner book. I can go a little nuts buying books snd supplies for “new passions” so I’ll use library now and wrestle a little more with Totally Tangled since I akready bought that one. I’m sorry you struggled, but happy to know I’m not alone in being stumped by some of the tangles in that book!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 4, 2014
I hear you! I’m trying to pace myself in terms of purchases. Thankfully, I guess, there are only so many Zentangle books out there!
Laurel Regan recently posted… My Blog = My Home
Twitter: 1951
June 3, 2014
The bookmarks really would make lovely and personal gifts.
Carol Cassara recently posted… Inspired by a porn star
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 3, 2014
Thank you! Some of them have actually been just that. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Creating a Commenting Policy
Twitter: Wordwrights, Ink
June 3, 2014
Definitely not seeing any flaws. These are lovely!
Diane recently posted… Ted
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 3, 2014
Thank you, Diane!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Creating a Commenting Policy
I love your Tangled Tuesdays and reading about your adventures. Your art is exquisite and I love the alphabet pieces you have shared here! ♥
Kathy Combs recently posted… The Visitors
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 3, 2014
Thank you, Kathy!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Creating a Commenting Policy
Ur creativity is awesome Lauren 🙂 Everytime I see these zentangles, I want to learn it. Maybe I will do a little research on them after my exams and try one or two on my own 😉
Swathi Shenoy recently posted… The Power of Trying – Bits and Bytes #2
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 3, 2014
I hope you do give it a try – it’s so much fun!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Creating a Commenting Policy
Twitter: jayantatewari
June 3, 2014
Beautiful Bookmarks and the awesome letters..Done with precision.
Jayanta Tewari recently posted… The Arrows from the Archer
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 3, 2014
Thank you so much! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Creating a Commenting Policy
I liked your B & W zentangles and loved the letter C. It is a great source of relaxation trying this art.
Kalpana Solsi recently posted… Bitter Pill
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 3, 2014
Thank you! It really is.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Creating a Commenting Policy
Twitter: shyvish
June 3, 2014
You are so talented! I can just sit here and gape in awe at that Zentangle of the letter ‘E’!
Shailaja V recently posted… A room with a view-Writing 101-Day 2
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 4, 2014
Thank you so much! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… My Blog = My Home
I don’t see a single thing wrong with any of your tangles! We’re always more critical of our own work than others are, I think, especially because we don’t ever think they meet our own “ideal” images. I love my bookmark, and I can’t wait to be able to get something with that “E” on it!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 4, 2014
Thank you so much, Elaine! I will have to get working on the rest of the alphabet so I can get them scanned and ready for my shop!
Laurel Regan recently posted… My Blog = My Home
I enjoy looking at your work. It is beautiful. Thanks for sharing
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 4, 2014
Thank you, Kathy!
Laurel Regan recently posted… My Blog = My Home
Twitter: pravs
June 4, 2014
Still at the tangles eh….These are very intricate
PhenoMenon
http://throodalookingglass.com/2014/06/unique-nature/
Pheno Menon recently posted… Unique Nature
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 4, 2014
Yes, I have to finish the alphabet now!
Laurel Regan recently posted… My Blog = My Home
Beautiful zentangles, lauren. You have skill, indeed 🙂
Twitter: alphabetsalad
June 4, 2014
Thank you so much! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… My Blog = My Home
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