In August,2009, while I was reading one of my favorite quilting blogs on the internet, the author noted that she was 'off to make herself a cup of tea and do a Zentangle'. Zentangle? What's a Zentangle??

Well, I did research Zentangles that day... and registered for a Zentangle workshop, scheduled for September in nearby MA. The workshop was inspiring! What a fabulously addicting experience! Yes, I'm hooked!! I was so excited about my new addiction that, a few days later, I mentioned it to my friends at our monthly polymer clay guild meeting and showed them my first attempts at making some 'Tangles'. I knew they would be interested because they are all such a creative and knowledge-seeking group.

Would I show them how to do it? Sure! I'd love to!! I gave them a very short supply list and prepared my 'lesson'.

At the November meeting of the RIPCG, I gave them a brief introduction of how Zentangles were born, (since the story was fresh in my mind from the September Workshop), and proceeded to do my best to introduce them to a Zentangle. They were great 'students'... and they made me feel so good! Their 'Tangles' were FAB-ulous! But why should I be surprised? They are all such incredibly talented and creative artists that it was easy to teach them this Zentangle concept.

For the first time in the 10-year history of our guild, nobody clayed at the monthly meeting! There was not a lump of clay in sight.......... just enthusiastic 'Tanglers'.

In simple talk, Zentangling is a method of using very basic lines, strokes and patterns with pen and paper (in a way that is comfortable and familiar to all of us) as a way of meditation. Because of this simplicity, anyone can enter the 'zone' and be relaxed and focused at the same time.

An authentic Zentangle relies on certain ritualistic steps that, (similar to more conventional forms of meditation) require minimal preparation: a thought and an intent. Preparing for Zentangling requires that a pen and paper are comfortably in hand. Each line/stroke is deliberate, intentional. (With conventional meditation, you may burn incense, light a candle, play music.) It's a bit easier to 'meditate' using the Zentangle method because it can be done on a train or on a plane; in a box with a fox; on a boat with a goat; in a house with a mouse; here, there or anywhere! ¹ And a little incense might even add some 'zen' to your tangle!

The internet has many, many sites with images of real Zentangles. There are also sites that display zentangle-ish images and call it art, or doodling. (Maria avoids using the "d" ² word...) The real story and lots of information can be found on the www.zentangle.com website where you can read all about Zentangles in the words of the creators, Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts.

Zentangles do make beautiful 'art'. But if forced to worry about what the final Tangle will look like, will a Zentangle lose its meditative and calming powers?