Friday, November 4, 2011

Bridging the Love

I am a lucky girl.

Last weekend I was invited to teach some beading classes at Beads'N More in Akron, Ohio, which is over 3 hours away. (One of the shop owners is Estelle Goodnight, who is also a CZT!) So my other half, Daved (also now a CZT!) drove me up the road, and also acted as my 'store manager', as I was able to bring a trunk show of patterns and kits to sell during the classes.  It was a great weekend, with wonderful people, and creative energy flowing all around. It was a special experience to be in a shop that bridged beading AND Zentangle energy. (Thank you, Estelle and Alyson!)

As I was keeping very busy teaching the classes, Daved had lots of time to sit and be still. There were times it appeared that he was doing nothing, and for the most part, that was kind of true. But as I watched him be still, I called to mind something Rick Roberts had said during the recent CZT seminar: To pay attention to what is NOT there: the open space. Very often it is the stillness and not doing, that brings us to see the next step to take.

It wasn't until the second morning that I saw what was happening in Daved's 'open space' of the day before. As I sipped my hotel coffee, and pulled out some blank Zentangle tiles, we began a chat. He described to me a tangle that had come to mind in that open space of the day before. He hadn't put it to paper, and I was seeing that he would leave that up to me:)

What happened was a tangle he calls Bridgen.

There are tangles a bit like this one, but what makes this different is the process of the sequence. For instance, in Tink, the circles are drawn first inside a string section, and then randomly connected. In Bridgen, the string IS the basis of the tangle. All of your marks are made one after the other, connecting right onto the string itself. (This part is fun, as path decision is already made.) Once you have covered your string, then (step 6), make the next circle inside a section next to, or far away from the last circle you made. Then make another "bridge" mark (step 7) to connect them, letting the new line fall under the line that is already there. This will result in a Hollibaugh effect, of items falling behind. Remember, the bridges can be curved or straight. Find your own rhythm: do you like to make a circle then connect? Or do you like to make the lines and cap it with a circle? Are you in a mood to fill up the space or leave some blank and open? I love how the process of a Zentangle can show us these little things about ourselves.

Thank you, Daved and the space. I've been getting joyfully lost/opened up in this one!

23 comments:

  1. Thank you so much, Daved and Carole! I can't wait to play with this. You two rock!!!

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  2. Oooooh what a fun tangle - will be fun to try it out. Thanks

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  3. I couldn't stop doing this one, it was so much fun! Tell Daved thanks!

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  4. Barb, Angie, and I are having a Muncie-area CZT mini-retreat tomorrow - we'll definitely play with this one - it's awesome! Thanks, Daved and Carole!

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  5. This is the first new tangle in a very long time that's intrigued me, all because of your original process. I'd lost interest in Zentangles, but am going to try this one.

    Many thanks to Daved for his stillness, & to you for sharing the results :-)

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  6. What a totally awesome tangle!!! You go Daved & Carole! Bridgen is now my favorite tangle!!!Thanks so much!

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  7. I love it! I'm not sure why, but your first two graphics don't load on my computer, either in the email or the blog site. The finished products are lovely and I'm going to go play with them now.

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  8. Ummm, never mind about the loading graphics, they finally did. :-) I need to learn to be patient.

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  9. I love this tangle! I read where the Diva liked it, too. I hope it becomes a "challenge" soon. I've been looking for a tangle to use as a logo. I'll be playing with this one with the string being initials. Great job! Thanks so much.

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  10. We loved having you and Daved at our store. Our students just adore you, Carole, and have already asked when you're coming back. Thank you so much for sharing Daved's experience and I am intrigued by the new tangle, which I am now going to use in one of the letters on my new 10 x 14 "BEADS" tangle. You are an extraordinary person -- so gracious, giving and willing to share. I am so fortunate to have have you in my life.

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  11. Thank you Estelle, for the very kind words. I look forward to coming again! Love you guys too.

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  12. Thanks, everyone for your love and encouragement. Looking forward to seeing things "happen" to this tangle... carole and daved

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  13. It was so much fun trying this one. I loved your class at the Gallery, and hope to see you again.
    Mary Arnett

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  14. I would love to see this idea of creative doodling take off in Australia as it has in USA!!!

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  15. This is brilliant. I have a game on my wii console called 'World of Goo' it looks so much like that.

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  16. I love bridgen, thanks for sharing! Does anyone know if there is a CZT in or close to Fort Wayne IN?

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  17. THANKS SO MUCH CAROLE AND DAVED!!!! IM A NEWBIE (ABOUT 7 MONTHS) AND LOVE YOUR WORK AND YOUR SITE!! IM FROM DAYTON AND HOPE TO CATCH ONE OF YOUR CLASSES SOON, BUT AS I NOW AM LIVING IN FORT WAYNE, I TOO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY CZT'S IN THIS AREA?? AGAIN, THANKS MUCH! ~PEACE & PRAYERS TO YOU AND YOURS! ALWAYS~
    BOBBI J AKER

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  18. DivaRocks and Bobbi: There are a few CZTs in the Muncie area. If you email me, I will give you their info!

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  19. Whew hoo, this looks to be a sure worthy meditation tangle for me today. Can't wait to have the sit down moment to begin it! Thanks so much Carole and Daved for sharing your lovely work.

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  20. Thanks, I really like this one, can't wait to give it a go. Hugs lin

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