Monday, May 30, 2011

Zentangle, meet Peyote. Peyote, Zentangle.

I finally have started to get the hang of mixing my two favorite things: Zentangle® and bead weaving. I've been struggling for a couple of months to figure out how to get some of my own tangles onto a piece of jewelry. Not having done much peyote stitch, I felt like I had to learn the hard way how not to make a pattern! I had already invested lots of time and effort into a large cuff, that in my heart, I knew was not cutting it. My tension was very uneven, and the spirals weren't as round as I wanted to see them.
    One day last week, in a Facebook look, I commented on another bead friend's post. Another beader did also..one who happens to be a master at peyote. I've always admired her work: Carol Dean Sharpe (aka Sand Fibers for you Etsy lovers). The subject of Zentangle came up in the comments, and before I knew it, Carol and I were in a conversation, and she had given me the key to unlock the next step on my peyote adventure. (Sounds like a line from a Carlos Castaneda book, yes? Sorry, no.) She led me to a bead program that would help me turn my tangles into playful peyote cuffs.
   I feel like I'm finally getting somewhere. It's been a process of much tearing out and starting over, but that's the good stuff, and where all the learning happens, even if it is the hard way.


Thanks, Carol, for your help AND your inspiration. Thanks, Zentangle and thank you, Facebook!



13 comments:

  1. WOW!!!! How beautiful. Love to see where all this journeys to....to infinity and beyond! great job. m

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  2. Awesome Carole! A whole new adventure leading to a really great experience for us beaders!

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  3. Love it, love it, love it! What program did Carol recommend? I love her work!

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  4. BeadTool4. It's a lot of fun, Estelle. You might want to check it out. You can do a trial for free.

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  5. These look wonderful, Carole! I can't wait to see your next steps in this journey. :)

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  6. Very nice! I love the smattering of gray beads in your Unyun cuff. Nice effect.
    --Margaret

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  7. These are terrific Carole! I love doing Peyote stitch, but don't love following a pattern as I work. However, your results are so terrific, I might have to give it a try!

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  8. I feel the same way, Christine. However, I am finding that using a pattern has a meditative quality in that there is a focus that keeps me in the moment. Some days it's easier than others! Knowing an "image" is emerging from these beads without worrying about what the image will be is the fun for me. Plus, I love the peyote stitch.

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  9. WOW!! Fantastic - I'm a novice bead weaver... but like you want to try incorporate zentangles into my other crafts! Well done!

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  10. OK, this is just way too cool!! I've seen the bead programs but never wanted to invest...but wow! The effort is well worth it! Wonderful pieces!!!

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  11. Great job Carole! I've been a beader for years and done lots of peyote & brick stitch...however Zentangle is new to me. What a wonderful incorporation of the two. You really have done a terrific job.

    And thank you Carole for ALL your sharing. I am loving Tangles!!!!!

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