Will we go 'round in circles?

Simple enough: put the little wheel inside the bigger wheel and put the pen in one of the holes. Start moving the little wheel around inside the big wheel and most important of all: STOP THINKING TOO MUCH!

I loved my spiro-toy then; I love it today. But, it sometimes IS a love-hate kinda deal. When I relax and deliberately focus on letting the wheel guide me, I get great results! When I think I know where to PUSH the pen, not so much.

Sound like anything else we know? When I follow my pen, I get better results! When I push it, not so much. And this is a lesson I learned all over again in working on my first Zendalas. Focus on the space, on following the pen... not on thinking how to push the pen where I think it needs to go!

Join me? I'm conducting my first Zendala workshop on Saturday, June 30 in Plymouth Meeting, PA. Details on the class schedule page or jump directly to the registration page by clicking here.

Comes a moment...

I have an acquaintance who is a yoga instructor, and I once overheard her to say, "oh, I can't do my own practice when I teach; it's impossible." And, I kinda get that. As she's teaching postures, positions, and poses, it would be difficult to silence the sound of her own instructor's voice in her own head to achieve the meditative state that she's encouraging her students to seek.

When I am teaching, I often experience the same phenomenon. I deliver my lines, answer questions, provide feedback, encourage nervous students... juggling so many functions makes the state of Zentangle elusive at times.

Yet, there comes a moment in every class - EVERY CLASS - when the group gets "there." It's never the same pattern or technique; it's not the same time in each class. But in every class, there comes a time, when everyone is quiet, when art is being made, and when creative peace settles over and illuminates every artist in the room.

Thank you to all of my students for those moments.

AIn't it just the way?

I clicked "schedule... send now..." and the latest issue of TeeZeeTidbits went winging through the ether... zoooooooom.

Just as I extended my clicker finger to zoooooooom over to the blog to activate the poll I promised in the newsletter, the doorbell rang. (Don't worry, this is not a scary movie.)

The electrician said, "sorry, but I need to shut down your electricity while I troubleshoot some problems with the parking area lights; it'll just be a minute."

Uh-huh. I live in an old house, with old wires, and with old connections, and possibly even old watts running through those old connections and wires. So.... note to self: post only in the middle of the night when no electricians are up and about!

Note to you all: vote in the poll!

Where did February go?

You mean you do other things besides Zentangle?

Oh yes. Last year and this year, I participated in Thing-A-Day, the creative sprint for the month of February. One thing - at least one thing - every day for all the days in February.

Last year, I initiated the Odd Fellows project. This year, I continued it. You can see the work here:

http://www.hotelgaramond.blogspot.com/

But, hey! Doesn't mean I don't still want to tangle around! Check out the class schedule and see if there's room in your schedule for some artistic fun. See you soon, I hope!

Back to School?

Well, back to class anyway!

I've just posted new class schedules on the "Class Schedule" page.

I'm rolling out some new classes (Zentangle Organics at Morris Arboretum) and some new locations (Cambridge, MD and Wallingford, PA) and some new tricks and techniques (sign up and see!).

I would surely love to see you at a session soon!

Can you be both BLING and ZEN at the same time?

After MUCH experimentation, I have finally - FINALLY - achieved glass Zentangle-inspired jewelry. You do not want to know how many pieces of glass were sacrificed in pursuit of this endeavor.

At last, I'm pleased to make the collection available to the discerning Zentangle enthusiast!

I've made one collection that will appeal to the tile makers: larger squares, designed to look like the traditional "Z" string tile. The glass tile is strung on a 22" inch, double silken cord with a hypoallergenic clasp. You can see the individual designs on the Fused Glass page. Each one is $35 (US), plus shipping (which domestically will by $4.95 for priority flat rate).

I've made a collection of smaller pieces, with individual elements on each pendant, reminiscent of "rain," "printemps," and "pokeleaf." These pendants are suspended on 22" hypoallergenic chains. You can see those individual designs on the Fused Glass page as well. Each one is $25 US, plus shipping.

If you would like to order one of these necklaces, send me an email and we'll use the fine services of the PayPal organization to complete the transaction.

Whew! It's FINALLY here!

I've been working like a mad woman, preparing for the Autumn Goddess Retreat, where Zentangle will take (next to) center stage!

There will be a booth. There will be goods for purchase. There WILL BE ZENTANGLE!

It's in GAP, PA, so if you're close, drop on by.

For info about the event, go to http://www.autumngoddessretreat.com/.

I'll be posting a new schedule soon, plus news about TWO gallery opportunities for my artwork, and a fabulous line of glass Zentangle-inspired jewelry.

I promise I've been really busy on all this stuff, and not just slacking off on posting!

In other news: congratulations and welcome to CZT class number SEVEN!