Welcome to my Zentangle filled world. After two and a half
years of creating Zentangles and more than a year and a half after becoming a
CZT (Certified Zentangle Teacher), I’ve decided to take a flying leap into the
blogosphere. I am not very computer
literate, but I am very passionate
about Zentangle, and I do enjoy
writing (I even had an article published recently in a children’s magazine). So
the plan is to handle the tangling and writing end of this blog, and turn to my
very computer savvy husband when I need assistance with the rest.
I will be the first to admit to being addicted to Zentangle.
Now the term addiction usually refers to something problematic, and often is
linked to a 12 step program for recovery. Well, my addiction is not
problematic, except when it keeps me up at night with thoughts of a new project
I’d like to work on, a new class I’d like to offer, or what my next blog post
will be about. So I am not in need
of a program for recovery (other than the kind that my melatonin provides). But
I did come up with a 12 step program
laying out exactly what I should do to nurture my addiction. Here it is, in no
particular order of importance:
- Keep busy tangling in order to stay out of trouble. After retiring from teaching elementary school two years ago, I was a little worried that I would be bored with nothing to occupy my time. Boy was I wrong!
- Make new friends. There is an amazing online community of Zentangle enthusiasts who are friendly, sharing, and caring. And they provide inspiration to further my addiction.
- Divulge the joy of Zentangle to my local friends. Now I have an excuse to get together with them and spend even more time tangling.
- Be creative. After leaving behind past endeavors such as stained glass and beading, I welcome this new outlet for showcasing my creativity.
- Tangle to decrease stress and worries. Zentangle helps me to relax and refocus my attention, and since I worry about everything (just ask my husband), this step should go a long way towards fostering my addiction.
- Create a beautiful piece of art. I still often look at my finished work and say, “Wow, I did that!”
- Tangle to lower my blood pressure. My doctor should be happy about this one.
- Teach classes in Zentangle. This allows me to continue to do something I love, even after retiring from my full time teaching job.
- Make handmade gifts. Results in more time tangling as well as thankful recipients.
- Decorate my home with…what else but Zentangle inspired art? And it goes so well with the black and white theme in my house! Some might even think I decorated my house to go with my art.
- Show off my Zentangles. My self-esteem gets a boost each time someone says how “cool” it is or tells me I have so much artistic talent (I sure have them fooled, don’t I?). My daughter is my biggest fan!
- Attend Zentangle related retreats and workshops around the country. Not only does this give me the opportunity to meet new tanglers and learn new things, but it also gets me fired up to go home and do more of steps #1 – 11!
Please come back and take another look soon, or even better
yet, subscribe to my blog or follow it by email
(by using the appropriate link on the right), so you don’t need to worry
about missing one morsel of wisdom that I have to share. Thanks, and see you
next time.
Welcome to the blogosphere, as you call it! Have fun with your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jane!
DeleteHi Caren, Your blog looks great and I like your 12 step program. I can work a program like that with no problem. I am a CZT 8 and my blog is distangleart.blogspot.com
ReplyDeletePlease visit me when you have a chance.
Thanks Diane. I just signed up to follow your blog. I was looking back at your old posts and I love the color work you did in Marie's class. I think it's going to be offered again this summer, so I'm thinking about taking it.
DeleteWelcome to the blogospher, Caren! Blog looks great!!
ReplyDeleteKelley Kelly
www.thepathuntangled.com
Thanks Kelley. I just signed up to follow you. And good luck with Hobby Lobby. It's working out great for me so far.
DeleteCongrats and good luck with the blog. I'll add you to my list of blogs I watch! www.suejacobs.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue. I've visited your blog several times before and I just signed up to follow you. I love the tiles you did for Ebony and Ivory.
DeleteI will be retiring in 2 years from teaching... I hope to get to someday afford to become a CZT also. Good luck with your blog, and have Fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you. If you do get to go to CZT training it is well worth it!
DeleteWhat a fun list. And welcome to blogging. I know you will do great!
ReplyDeleteI am excited to be able to follow your tangle journey and thought processes through your blog :) welcome to the blogosphere!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alice. I've visited your blog many times and just signed up to follow it. I love the work you did for Marie's class - hoping to take it this summer.
DeleteGlad you are adding to the zentangle blog world. So great for people to be able to visit all the different blogs to get a good diverse look at zentangle!
ReplyDeleteI featured your 12 steps on my blog. :) cause I love it so much.
Sandra Chatelain
laughingorchidstudio.com
Thanks so much Sandra. I can use the exposure!
DeleteHi Caren! Good for you for taking the plunge, and welcome to Zentangle Blogland! What a great start, and looking forward to following you! Love to see you over at Deep Magic Tangles!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann. I just took a look at your blog, and your work is beautiful! I am adding you to my blogroll.
DeleteYour blog looks great. I just signed up to follow your posts. It is also nice to have some one a bit closer if I get around to ordering zentangle supplies. I live in Tn. I hope toretire from teaching in around 4 years, as soon as I can get social security. I have been teaching for 36 years, so even though I love it - I am ready!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy! I believe there are CZTs in TN, so you should check to see if anyone is near you.
Delete