Tangle of the Week - Flora

Hi Sandy, 
I am new to Zentangle and am working my way through the tangles in the book, "Joy of Zentangle". I am looking at your tangle called Flora. In the book it is illustrated within a small square and in the last square the petals are cut off by the edges of the square.

I can't find any example of this tangle used in any of the illustrations in the book and I am confused as to what to do with it. Is it put together in a ribbon or is it used as one design to fill a space without repeating? Can you give me some help with this or point me in the direction of some Zentangles using this pattern? 

Many thanks for your help and for sharing your beautiful work. 
Joan

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Hi Joan,

I hope this answers your questions about the tangle in The Joy Of Zentangle book. First, that book was assembled by the publisher by taking random chunks out of other books. If you notice, the "tip" on Flora's page doesn't seem relevant?

Here is the original page, from my book Totally Tangled, with the steps and examples for Flora.

Flora can be used as part of Bauer. Makes more sense, right?
Cheers,
Sandy

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Got it! 
Thanks so much for getting back to me, Sandra.
I noticed the discrepancies with other tangles as well. 
Gonna order your Totally Tangled book. ‎
:) Joan

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NOTE: If you are curious about the "Exercise" on the Joy of Zentangle page above... here is the page where the tip originally came from...

... it is from another of my books -  Yoga for Your Brain. The original page is showing how to use the trees, fence posts, etc that you see around you, as tangle inspiration. Context makes a difference.

Joy of Zentangle is a great introduction to tangling and talks about the philosophy and stuff - which my books don't really cover. My focus has always been more on the creative confidence aspects of tangling. Lately it has been a bit ...odd... to have to explain to people (and reviewers) that Totally Tangled and Yoga For Your Brain came out BEFORE Joy of Zentangle - not the other way around.

So if you are new to tangling, I encourage you to take a look at some of the "older" books too. And please DO let me know if you have questions or would like me to explain other topics - I have had some requests to do some more little videos explaining certain tangles. Anything else?

Tangle of the Week - Nebel (take 2)

I recently received this email:

Hi Sandy,
I have the yoga for your brain tangle cards. Right now I'm trying to do "Nebel" and having a hard time with the beginning steps. I was wondering if you could do more of a step out for me. I just can't seem to get it right.
I'd appreciate it and enjoy reading all your newsletters.
Sincerely,
Sylvia

I forwarded the request to my Minion, Bonnie, and she said she couldn't do that one either. That made me think that there might be quite a few people who don't "get it."

OK - I actually needed an excuse to use my new video setup! Ian, my fabulous App guy, had sent me a very cool grippy-bendy-tripod and instructions on how to film myself drawing tangles really fast... all using just my iphone. (Thanks again Ian!) It would be much faster and easier than drawing and posting step-outs.



(Click here to watch this video on YouTube.)

I have found it easier to draw Nebel if you turn the tile as you work and start by drawing all the center lines, horizontally and vertically. It starts out looking like a slightly wonky Cadent!

Hope this video helps!

Tangle of the Weak - Bannah

Ah, those typos, glitches, and flat-out-WTF moments...

The Tangle Library App was doing so well - and the brand new in-app purchase of 40 more tangles - that was fabulous. BUT - a few glitches were found: some messed up step-outs in a few patterns. Nothing life threatening for sure. And rest assured, they are fixed and resubmitted to Apple for approval. Unfortunately, Apple takes about a week to give approval. When Apple accepts the fixed version, you can "update" and everything will be AWESOME (sorry, just saw The Lego Movie, and that song is stuck in my head!!)

But one tangle, Bannah, was missing the step-outs completely. So I am posting them here.

BANNAH by Sandy Steen Bartholomew

BANNAH by Sandy Steen Bartholomew

If you are OCD like me and can't stand not having the steps in your App, you can use the camera in Tangle Library to take a shot of these steps I've posted here and "Tag" them with the tangle name "Bannah". Then when you click on the main Bannah image, you will have the step outs in the photo section.

I am not at all sure I explained that well... if anyone understands it, maybe you can rephrase it?

And some answers to a few other questions we've been getting:

• To buy the Tangle Library App, go to the Apple App store, either on your device or in iTunes.
• Do a Search for "Tangle Library" and buy the App.
• If the App is not called "Tangle Library," then it is a different App. Not mine. (Please do not hold us responsible for someone else's app!)

• To buy the Totally Tangled, 2nd set of 40 tangles... that is an "In-App Purchase"... you buy that from inside the Tangle Library App.
• Be sure your App has been updated to the latest version first. There should be a little tag icon at the bottom of the App. Clicking on that shows you whatever new packs of tangles are available for purchase. Click and enter your Apple info to buy.
• Repeat the process on any other Apple devices you own - except, on the purchase page, click on "Restore Previous Purchases". And you won't be charged each time.

• No Android plans at this moment. (The explanation is in the previous post).

• If you think the price is too much, be sure to LIKE the Tangle Library Facebook Page so you will know when there is a "Special" on the App. Also, you will know when new packs come out.

• If you are NOT techie at all - fantastic! The tangles are all available as REAL cards that you can hold in your hand and sort out all over your desk... each pack has a cool nine piece puzzle and an index card as well as helpful tips. You can get them in my shops on Etsy and Wazala. If you are interested in getting them at Wholesale, you'll want to go to my Wazala shop or contact Design Originals (if you want a lot of them or the cool display).

I think that covers it, for now. :-)

The Perfect STAR for "The Bauble Tree"

Just before Christmas, I released my ebook, "The Bauble Tree," with step-outs and techniques and ideas... and a challenge to show me what you do with it. Rita Nikolajeva took the challenge even farther by integrating the Bauble tangle with a new tangle of her own design - Auseklis.

Here is what she posted on my Facebook Studio Page:

by Rita Nikolajeva

Love "The Bauble Tree"! Here's my version of the Baubles, arranged as a star, with golden inner aura (done in my new favourite gold pen - Pilot Choose Gold 07).

Just in case, my step-out for the eight-pointed star I used in the previous ATC. "Auseklis" is Latvian for "morning star", it's an ancient symbol based on a double cross. It offers protection against evil and forces of darkness, and keeps safe the soul of a sleeper. Stars are usually female in Latvian mythology, but Auseklis is a he-star, and often referred to as the bridegroom of the Sun.

AUSEKLIS by Rita Nikolajeva

 Don't you agree, this would be the perfect star for the Bauble Tree?! And this also shows that Bauble can be used in so many different designs other than just a tree shape.

I'd love to see what you all come up with! You can get the ebook HERE and feel free to post your creations on BeezInk Studio's Facebook Page, HERE.

The Bauble Tree

It started as a "great idea" - as they often do... and turned into a major project! Now my eyes are starting to cross from staring at the screen and I realize I haven't eaten anything since... wow... it's been more than 7 hours! I think it is time to call it a day, post the new ebook, and go watch some "Vampire Diaries" to relax.

Over a week ago, I decided I wanted to create a new tangle, as a gift, and post it on here to wish you all a wonderful holiday. Seemed simple enough, right? So I created the new tangle, called Bauble, and then thought it needed a tangled Christmas Card to go with it. If this is sounding like the book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" - then you can see where this is going. Although no cookies were involved. Yet. Bonnie did leave some yummy looking cookies that will be my reward for finishing this!!

The image for the "card" grew... so I decided to take step-by-step photos of the decisions and process. I took some more photos as I added the shading... then Lilah (my little Art Director) said to do it over in color (!?) So, of course, I did. More photos. "Hmmm," I thought, "maybe you folks would be interested in seeing the steps involved?" So I laid it out in InDesign and made a pdf. And it turned out to be 35 pages long. Whoa. So I added tips and instructions and thoughts... and it kind of turned into a little book.

I asked my sister and Bonnie to take a look and say if it is OK to post. My sister has probably already gone to bed, and I don't want to wait until tomorrow, but Bonnie gave it the thumbs up.
Here is her "advance review":

I love it. It's a great tangling adventure and worth $8.50 for sure.  It's a great source of information on color, shading, and design and such a relief after looking at all the tiles posted for the class I took. It puts the fun back into tangling.  
- Bonnie, (My Main Minion)

That sounds like a thumbs up to me.

I've posted the new ebook, Inspiration Sketchbook #3 - The Bauble Tree on Etsy and on my Wazala shop. If you'd like to pay full price ($8.50), you can purchase it on Etsy.

But since I love you all and can't send every one of you hand knitted socks, I CAN give you a special code so you can download the ebook from http://bumblebat.wazala.com for just $1.00 (until December 25, 2013) The special Holiday Super-Secret Code is: V7FVMBN547. Be sure to enter it into the right spot in the shopping cart when you check out or it won't work!

Update: This is the shopping cart screen (above). After you put the ebook into your cart, you need to put the discount code (V7FVMBN547) into the box that says "Discount Code" and then press "Apply". Your total will then show "1.00" Unless... you buy lots of other things while you are in my shop. ;-D

After you pay, you will receive an email receipt in your inbox from Wazala with the download link in the receipt.
 

Yes - the images in the ebook are of Christmas trees... or Holiday trees... but there is nothing religious about the book and it is actually about composition and shading and coloring and could be applied to any artwork you do. And any season of the year. Even NON-tangled art. Gasp.

I hope you enjoy it tremendously! And if you make something cool or it helps your art in some way, I'd love to know!

Whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year - I hope it is wonder-filled. :-)

Results of Tangle Card Challenge #7 - Gewgle

I hope this kind of creepy tangle - Gewgle - didn't scare anyone away! :-) I wanted to end the series of Challenges with something fun and unusual. As usual, I was really impressed with the incredible entries - and the sense of humor is wonderful too. As you can imagine, choosing one winner, or even two, is really stressful! So - I decided to completely change the way I picked the winner for this huge, final decision! (See below...)

Arnoldo Romero

Cheryl Kroll

Debra Castaldi

Diane Yaciuk

Donna Hubbard - Bloom of Gewgle Eyes

Donna Hubbard - Gewgle Blooms

Donna Hubbard - Gewglemen

Ellen Wolters - Gewgle and Brabs

Ellen Wolters - Gewgle and Bunzo

Heather Jackson

Janneke de Lange

Kailey McEvilly

Linda Cannizzo

Melody Farrell

Pamela Wolfstone

Penny Brouckaert

Rita Nikolajeva

Sue Jacobs

Traci Frogley

And the winner is....
EVERYONE!

Yes, that's right. I wanted to reward all of you who kept entering and submitting beautiful work every week. And those who were brave enough to try this weird tangle... And, maybe it was a coincidence, but my publisher just sent me a box of my personal copies of the tangle cards... so I am feeling very generous. Each of you posted above should send me an email with the address where you would like your pack of cards sent. (Even if you think I already have your address, please send an email, so I can keep track).

My Head Studio Minion, Bonnie, is going to scream when she reads this! (Sorry Bonnie!?) because she has been doing all the packing and shipping lately. But I will find a way to make it up to her. Bribery seems to work well with her too. [Speaking of Bonnie - she was accepted into the Certified Zentangle Training for this October in Providence! I promised her I would drive her down and back, so I will be around to say "hi" too. Anyone else going?]

Feeling nostalgic for Challenge days gone by?
Entries from Round 1 can be seen here.
Round 2 is here.
Round 3 is here.
Round 4 is here.
Round 5 is here.
Round 6 is here.

Gewgle is from the Kidz Edition card pack. As I mentioned before, don't let the "Kidz" in the name fool you. This pack of cards has tons of great, non-juvenile, patterns in it. The "Kidz" just means that there are some Lilah Beans integrated into the pack. The Tangle card packs can be ordered HERE.

Tangle Card Challenge #7 - Gewgle

I've decided to pick two winners again since it seems much more fair. And I'm all about "fair". ;-)

This final Challenge features Gewgle, which is a play on words ("google" as in the wiggley eyes). Although these don't necessarily have to be eye-like... And don't worry about trying to get perfectly round circles. The slightly lumpy look just adds to the sense of realism! hee hee (eeew!?)

Post your art on the Beez Ink Studio Facebook Page. I'll choose one winner (well, Alex and Lilah will help) and the second winner will be by popular vote on Facebook. So be sure and "Like" your favorite!

The winners will be chosen next week on Thursday, August 29th, sometime after lunch. ;-)

Don't be afraid to post whatever you come up with - any skill level is welcome.
If you have been holding back and waiting for the perfect chance to jump in and give a Challenge a try - this will be the last one in this series, so let's see what you've got!

To see all the contest details, read this post.

Entries from Round 1 can be seen here.
Round 2 is here.
Round 3 is here.
Round 4 is here.
Round 5 is here.
Round 6 is here.

Gewgle is from the Kidz Edition card pack. Don't let the "Kidz" in the name fool you. This pack of cards has tons of great, non-juvenile, patterns in it. The "Kidz" just means that there are some Lilah Beans integrated into the pack. The Tangle card packs can be pre-ordered HERE.

Results of Tangle Contest #5 - Hemp

This was a fairly complex tangle, but with two weeks to attack the challenge - you all rose to the occasion! And we get TWO winners this week. So let's see what we have. Try not to drool, these are fabulous!

Cheryl Kroll

Kailey McEvilly

Nicole Kelly

Dennie York

Diane Yaciuk

Dianne Yaciuk 2

Donna Hubbard (close-up)

Donna Hubbard

Dorothy Allison

Ellen Wolters

Jean Chaney

Lena Ulses

Lila Popcheff

Penny Brouckaert

Rita Nikolajeva

Rita Nikolajeva 2

Sharon Morris

Traci Frogley

The winner is... 
Pamela Wolfstone!!

Pamela Wolfstone

The Facebook People's Choice Award goes to...
Dawn Collins!!

Dawn Collins

Congratulations! Absolutely beautiful work - and please email me where you would like me to send your Tangle Card packs.

Want to know who won Challenge #6 - Pingline? Take a look HERE.