Lenita

My friend, Lenita, is a beader with her own style. Her work is exquisite and she chooses only the projects she is in love with. She's introduced me and my beading friends to many projects that we've also fallen in love with.

When this design evolved on my bead board, I thought of her so many times. It was almost like she was telling me what she would like me to do. So even if I've missed the mark on what Lenita would like, I still have to say, she was all over this design. As I looked for what to name it once the design was complete, that was simple. (When I started out its name was Lucia).

This design goes back to the basics of beading for me... seed beads and good ol' 4mm pearls. You can use firepolish as well. Even though these are simple beads, the look I was after was a tidy one, so getting the engineering down was tough and I was really confounded by that. Why was this pattern taking so long to develop and write???  Well, I was determined to use Toho beads, as I love the colors. But alas, the Miyuki was the ticket to success. The Toho was just too chunky, darn it. I also used 4 lb. Fireline instead of my usual 6 lb. I have a pile of these test components like you wouldn't believe!

I am especially in love with the filigree earring that is included in the tutorial. If you'd like to make this project, you can find it here:
 https://www.etsy.com/listing/698920492/lenita-bracelet-and-earring-beadweaving?ref=shop_home_active_1

The Cymbal Elements

Beading with a needle and thread has been a love of mine for almost 20 years. I began by taking a few classes at my local bead store. The owner had an amazing supply of Miyuki seed beads and lots of classes, so that's where I began. I still love seed beads, although I also am intrigued with many of the new shapes coming out. What a time to be a beader! When I started out, there were seed beads, Czech glass firepolish, some fancy Czech, and if I could afford it that week, crystals. Now the heat is on for companies to come up with the latest and greatest bead shape.

On the findings end (no pun intended but it works), not much changed.
Until the Cymbals line.

Cymbal™ is a game-changing metal component line designed to fit and integrate with some of today's most popular beads: SuperDuo, Delica, 11/0 and 8/0 round seed beads, Tila, Silky Beads, and Honeycomb. I have mostly used the bead endings and the connectors in my work and I have to say, it has changed the way I end my bead weaving projects. What used to be a struggle as to how to make a secure ending with beads, or thread guards, or buttons, has now become en exciting and beautiful process. There is a Cymbal for just about any ending.

They are new and innovative and those who use them can see how beautifully they work. Hence, at the moment, they are a little hard to get. I'm hoping that will level out once the manufacturer figures out how to keep up. I am putting together some 'Cymbal Bit Kits' that support some of the designs I have come up with. Check your local bead store!

I've done a LOT of experimenting with these babies, so you don't have to. (But I suggest you have fun experimenting as well!) I have immersed myself in this line because I could feel how they would change things, so that is my first line of motivation to stay immersed. I also own a bead store in Dayton, Ohio, so I have a good shot at stocking them. I also have an Etsy store where I sell some supplies that support the tutorials I create. I can't say I know everything about every element, but when I discover a new use for any of them, I will post them here on this blog.

This square stitch design, Cymbals and Bits Bracelet, is a good example of how to use some of them. Even though each element is designed for use with a specific bead, many of them are so much more versatile! This photo will give you an idea...

As I play, I will post specific uses for these wonderful new findings. So stay tuned for more!

Transitions

Transitions can be awfully scary and sometimes we don't even know why. It's hard to let go of things you love, things you love to do, people you love to be with. Things often seem to change on their own, but most often we've made some sort of choice about it without realizing we've done so.

This blog was primarily a spot for me to share my creative ramblings. The name, Open Seed, reflected for me, the openness of the creative force, and the potential for something to bloom from it. For the most part, this blog had been Zentangle related. I love the Zentangle method of making art. It really did change the way I approached not only art projects of any kind, but life projects. "One stroke at a time" has always reminded me that each moment, even though appearing to stand on its own, is connected to past and future of all the other moments. But past and future don't exist in the moment. SO.... the moment wins as often as I let it! I thank Maria Thomas and Rick Rogers for the gift of this art form, and for their personal examples of how this process can move through all of a life, not just the arty parts.

Over the last seven years, my art life has settled into beadweaving. I still do other things, but I have to accept my spot in the beading world. I like playing with beads and making up jewelry designs to share. I have and Etsy shop where I sell tutorials and kits that I've put together. I own a bead store in Dayton, Ohio. So this blog will change quite a bit from this moment on. Other arts may pop up, because all the people around me inspire me all the time, whether it's taking up crochet, painting, gardening. I am lucky to have so much inspiration in my life. This blog is a way to pass it on.

Bumpadox and the Threads of Inspiration

I posted one of my Tangle-a-Day pieces to Facebook last week.

January 15 contained a triangle with Puf. I had put some Crescent Moon/Diva Dance-like bumps on the auras before I had "puffed" it. Margaret Bremner commented, "Oooo, Paradox with bumps...:D".  And I said to myself, all righty then, let's try it!

Here is the fun that happened next...

It just so happened that while all this was going on, I was in the middle of a CZT gathering at my bead store. As I shared this new discovery, Cris Letourneau looked up from whatever she was doing and cried, "Bumpadox!"

So there you have it. I sometimes takes a village to create a new tangle. And of course, it all goes back to Rick for deconstructing one of our all time favorite tangles, Rick's Paradox.

Here are the step outs. You can do this technique beginning with any shape, but I suggest starting with a simple triangle. Maybe just bump two sides of the triangle on your first go, then once  you get the hang of it, go crazy with it.

I start each line away from the corner and then into the next corner. I found that working with the bumps, it was easier to start with a wider space to a corner than the other way round. Of course, do it which ever way is easier for you. Now, once the sides start to close in, it requires a little more focus to find your line end corner. But no matter, have fun and find your way. Who knows? You may end up with a whole new tangle!

Also, notice the last step is an option I add once in a while. The red lines are how I Puf the bumps. I simply connect any sharp corners formed in the auras around the bumps.

Have fun!

2018 Calendar featuring Margaret Bremner, CZT!

The 2018 Tangle-a-Day calendar is now on the presses! You are welcome to place your orders at Braughler Books.

I so very happy to announce that Margaret Bremner (CZT) is our featured Zentangle artist for the 2018 Tangle-a-Day Calendar. I've long admired Margaret's work since the day I met her at my first CZT training seminar. Margaret has so much inspiration to share through her art, and we are so lucky to have our pages graced with her beautiful tangling style. I know you will enjoy this year's edition.

For those of you who would like to purchase the calendars in bulk, there is a separate listing on Braughler's website store.

2017 Tangle-a-Day Calendars are available

We are happy to say that the 2017 Tangle-a-Day Calendars are now available! This year's theme is fragments. I've had so much fun with Zentangle's new Zentangle Primer, Vol. 1, that I had to include samples in the calendar. I hope you all have as much fun as I did.

Click here to purchase a calendar from Braughler Books.
Order quantities of 10 or more, click here.

Have a great 2017!

Fragment Fun

Create a square grid in pencil, then divide each square into four triangles. With pen, draw Poke Root in each triangle, turing your tile randomly to change the direction of each fragment. Let the Poke Root touch the edges of the penciled triangle.

Aura each Poke Root

Puf the corners, close up the outer loose ends, and shade!

Reticula Fun: Triangles

I have always loved quilting because of the way each square, when connected to the next, creates shapes and patterns that the one square alone did not. In Zentangle, the same fun can be had by connecting the same square or triangular design (fragments) in a grid fashion. There are so many combinations! If you have the Zentangle Primer, Vol. 1, check out the chapter about Reticula.

For the art below, I used a square grid and triangled it by drawing diagonal lines from corner to corner on each square. I did the grid loosely in pencil. I like when things are a little off, so I wasn't at all careful about even lines, etc.

The reason I drew the grid in pencil is so that the edges of each fragment will connect to the next one (or not!). This process makes way for new shapes to form between the fragments. I used the fragments illustrated in the wonderful chart in the Zentangle Primer: K-15 and J-15.

I alternated each fragment when drawing them in the grid. 

As I drew each one, I played off the loose end of the drawn fragment next to it...

I then connected any loose ends to each other. Notice how the outside lines connect to other outside loose ends to create complete shapes...

I then added more auras to the unfilled spaces, darkened some middles and shaded...

As you can see, the results are a little wonky and unpredictable... exactly what I love about the Zentangle process. The more I don't care about the outcome, the more fun it is when I find the many surprises the lines have in store!

Gommi Tangle

Hey everyone, I had a request to post a tangle that I offered in the 2014 Tangle-a-Day calendar. I realized I had never posted it here.  It's called Gommi. Hope you have some fun with it!

Per your requests...

The 2016 Tangle-a-Day calendar contains tangled art starts and loose ends so you can add to, connect and play any way you like. 

Each calendar day still has a box for you to fill 

with your favorite Zentangle® fun.

Order today! Special bulk pricing is available, too.

So... almost a year later...

If anyone is still out there, hello!

I can't believe almost a year has passed since my last post. I'm still tangling and beading, but posting the blog has been a little out of my range of things on my list these days. I am a slug at heart, but in the past two+ years, lots of changes have come my way to turn me into a person who is always busy.

Another grand baby came while I was away. His name is Axel Izaac Ohl. He's doing well and we are having a great time loving him up! Of course, he had to right away get his name tangled by his Nana, so here is what hung in the NICU during his first few weeks.

Also in the last year, a new calendar was born, so if you are looking for the 2015 Tangle a Day Calendar, you can find it at Greyden Press. We are still using the same lovely paper that works nicely with the Sakura Micron. You can also get special pricing on bulk orders of 10 or more.

Happy tangling!

A peaceful New Year

The new year is beginning. 2013 ended with new beginnings in our family. Our two sweet little angel grandsons are now home with their parents and finally able to cuddle together as they naturally did before they got here. Because they were premies, they spent 37 days in the NICU, where they were hooked to monitors and contraptions that didn't reach very far. They are doing well and they are, of course, awesomely cute.

I couldn't help but play with this photo of one of their first at-home after-dinner nappies. They looked so content and connected that I had to tangle this image.

Wishing you all love, peace and contentment, even in your necessary struggles, in the coming year!

Happy Merry to all.

This week's Diva Challenge covers a holiday theme. As I sat in my living room with its white Christmas tree with white lights (no ornaments) it seemed to become a blank canvas for the challenge so voila...

Some of you may wonder what tangle this is. There are no step-outs available for this one yet. Although...you can learn Aquafleur from your friendly neighborhood CZT! In fact, I am teaching a class at my beadstore (Bead Stash) in January (25th). I'm really looking forward to the class, as this is one of the most enjoyable tangles I've ever played with. (Thank you Maria Thomas!)

No matter what holiday you celebrate, bring all the joy you can to it!

lovies

A sweet kind of tired

A short post announcing my two new twin grandsons, Felix and Marsden...

The babies came earlier than we had expected, but everyone is doing quite well. Our new little punkins have wonderful parents and a whole slew of support and love from family and friends!

Because they were early, the boys are hanging out in the NICU where they are getting great care. They will most probably be there about month, so of course, the Tangling Nana had to do something to dress up the room a little...

These are only 5x7, but packed with love!

Quib(s)

I love the new tangle from Zentangle, Quib. My favorite tangles are usually ones that flow and connect back and forth and all around. (See my previous post with Shelly Beauch's Mak-rah-mee... another fun new tangle!)

I did the first one on a Zendala tile, and the second on a yummy new Renaissance tile. I love to play with the white on tan to give the tangles extra bits of light, like little miracles.

Thank you for an inspirational tangle, Rick and Maria. And thanks for the challenge, Laura!

funx2

Two new funs together:
The new Renaissance Tiles from Zentangle® (available from a CZT) and the new tangle, Mak-rah-mee by Shelly Beach!!

breath of fresh air

I love the Diva Challenges. Even if I don't get to do them on time to get on the peek list, I still welcome the weekly opportunity to get a great idea for a Zentangle® tile!

Today I'm posting 2 different Challenge weeks: 143 and 144.

First, Challenge 143: Cruze tangle. This was a little mind boggling for me. I found myself over-thinking it. I couldn't stop adding stuff to the ribbons.

Week 144: I chose our friend of the moment: the stinkbug. It's been a big year for these guys! I thought the stinkbug deserved a little beauty vibe, since he has many a human cussing him right now. I don't usually do representational images with Zentangle, as I tend to want to 'draw' realistically, and then I start to judge myself too much. I let myself go with the drawing part, since I haven't done that in a long time. It was really fun to mix the representational and the tangles. I had fun adding color (watercolor pencils)

So I guess you could say that our little stinkbug friend (and Laura Harms!) provided me with a breath of fresh air. Thank you both!

Pre-orders for the 2014 Tangle-a-Day Calendars are now available!

They're almost here.... Greyden Press says they should start shipping around November 15. Click the ad to the right, or here to pre-order your calendar!

If you'd like to order ten or more copies, click here.

Thank you!

Zoning in and out

This week's Diva Challenge is to push ourselves to do what is not comfortable for us.

Everyone has their own rhythm, and in practicing the art of Zentangle®, it's usually pretty clear what we personally connect to, and what we don't.

I had a black tile that I had started months ago. I never finished it for the very reason that I don't feel very comfortable with the white on black. I figured this would be my challenge: to finish the tile using at least one tangle that is outside my rhythm.

This tile was started by shaving some of the Zenstone onto the tile, then rubbing it with my finger to create a ghostly glow, which I loved. The white Jellyroll was a bit skippy over it, so I tried the Micron but I really couldn't see it against the soapstone. That's when I quit and laid it aside months ago.

Yesterday I picked up the white again to move forward through the 'discomfort'. I did some Huggins, and filled in some N'Zeppel that was there from before, and added some Hollibaugh strings. (I actually was having fun with my discomfort!) I love shading, and I could have used pencil over the white, but again, that was too comfortable. I used a grey Fabrico in small doses. (I like big doses of shade) I also remembered that going back in with the Micron after the white could tame a few blobs I left with the white Jellyroll. Funny thing, by the time I was halfway through, I was out of the discomfort zone, and simply in the zone of the Zentangle process. Cuz that's how it often works!

Thanks, Laura, for another awesome challenge.

More Tangled Jewelry

I found these great wooden bangles perfect for tangling.

It was a little weird to draw on a small round surface. I told the little perfectionist in me to go take a nap, that we had it covered, the project didn't require her input, and wiggly lines would be tons of fun. The Micron (I used .01) glides really nicely on the smooth surface. I used a regular pencil for shading, but then played with a furniture touch up marker I found in the hardware store. I used that on the smaller one, and on the larger one I played with water color pencil for a more subtle shade.

I'm not sure what to use to finish them. Because they are bracelets, I wanted to use something natural and non allergenic. I did get advice from a friend who is knowledgeable about these things, but the product she recommended, I would have to get online, and haven't gotten that far. I did, however, wonder about coconut oil. I rubbed some on, and it really looked nice. (photo taken before the coconut) I don't figure that will really seal it, but it sure looked great and smelled great too!

If anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear! Thanks for visiting.