Recently CZT® Laura Harms started a fun weekly Zentangle® challenge and it’s open to everyone to participate. To date these are the topics she’s posted:
Here’s my own challenge for you: tangle your name.
First pencil a border and a string on your tile. Preferably using the Zentangle® tile format of 3.5″ x 3.5″ (9 cm x 9 cm) square – I traced an actual tile into my sketchbook. Make sure to divide it so you have the same number of enclosed sections as there are letters in your name. I needed 5 sections in my tile for my first name (Linda).
Then, using “official” patterns only for this challenge (visit the page ZENTANGLES > LINDA’S LIST OF OFFICIAL TANGLE PATTERNS), fill each section with a pattern whose initial letter begins with the letters of your name.
I used:
- L = Lace (with a little embellishment – no instructions online, I used Sandy Bartholomew’s AlphaTangle for my guide) (UPDATE – this is one of Sandy Bartholomew’s tangles, it is not an official tangle)
- I = Isochor (no instructions online, ditto re AlphaTangle and without the little black pearls)
- N = Nightsbridge (which I later learn is correctly spelled Knightsbridge. I used the Legend in my Official Kit as my reference but it was incorrectly spelled on the Legend.)
- D = Drupe, and
- A = Ahh
This is one you can do over and over again, choosing different patterns and strings each time.
There are all kinds of possibilities with this concept because you can tangle any inspirational word you like … hmmm, think I’ll start with LOVE. And of course you can choose any tangle pattern you like, not only the official ones.
Now that I’ve finished my own challenge, I’m off to tackle Weeks 1-4.
Related Links
- Looking for tangles by Artist or Type? For details visit the ABOUT > HOW TO FIND TANGLES BY ARTIST OR TYPE page on the top menu bar of any page on the site.
- What is a Zentangle? — if you are new to the Zentangle Method, start here for the fundamentals.
- Zentangle terminology — a glossary of terms used in this art form.
- How to use the site — an excellent free video tutorial showing how to use the site as well as pointing out lots of useful features you might have missed.
- Linda's List of Zentangle-Original Patterns — here is the complete list of original tangles (aka "official tangles") created and introduced by founders Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, including those not published online. If you are new to the Zentangle Method I highly recommend learning a few of the published Zentangle classics first.
- "A Zentangle has no up or down and is not a picture of something, so you have no worries about whether you can draw a hand, or a duck. You always succeed in creating a Zentangle." Thus patterns that are drawings of a recognizable naturalistic or actual object, figure, or scene, are not tangles. A pattern is not always a tangle — here's what makes a tangle. TIP: tangles never start with pencil planning.
- Un motif n’est pas toujours un tangle — Qu’est-ce qu’un tangle ?
- Un diseño no es siempre un tangle — ¿Qué es un tangle?
- How to submit your pattern deconstruction to TanglePatterns
- For lots of great FREE tutorials on TanglePatterns, click on the TUTORIALS link in the pink alphabetic menu bar below the tangle images at the top of any page.
- Strings! Have we got STRINGS! Click on the STRINGS link in the pink alphabetic menu bar below the tangle images at the top of any page for 250 different (free) Zentangle-starters. More than enough for any lifetime!
- Never miss a tangle! FREE eMAIL NEWSLETTER - visit the SUBSCRIBE page on the top menu bar of any page on the site and sign up to get notices delivered free to your inbox.
- If you have questions about the TanglePatterns.com TANGLE GUIDE, visit the BOOK REVIEWS tab on the top menu bar of any page on the site for COMPLETE details!
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January 12, 2011 | 
More like this: 
Oh my, what a great challenge! Can’t wait to start on it!
This is a terrific challenge. Have to say it is not what I expected (thought we’d be putting patterns into our letters!) but this is even MORE fun and challenging! I can’t wait to get to it. (Hopefully later today since I am knee deep in a photo sorting project right now!)
Great idea Linda, much more interesting to me and more doable thn using the actual letters. Love it thanks.
Fun! I’m going to do one right now!
Thanks all, this is a really interesting and fun one to do. For me it helps break the “what pattern shall I use?” decision-making block. So many great choices!
BTW – Frieda posted the first for this challenge – and her very FIRST Zentangle – here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/friewoodart/5350560702/in/photostream/
(Yikes, having responses to this post in two places is hard to keep up with! Not sure I’ll do that again.)
Do we post our results here or on your other site?
Here, please. I’m thinking more people will see it – and I won’t get so confused. 😉
Here’s mine!
http://kimmiexo.blogspot.com/2011/01/zentangle-your-name-challenge.html
Thank you for such a great challenge! 🙂
What a beautiful name, Kimmie! To help other folks identify the patterns, can you tell us which ones you used?
Thank you Linda! I’m actually going to do another one for my middle name which is Margarette (after my lovely grandmother that passed away before I was born) Brings me great joy to carry on her name! 🙂
Good thing I posted the list on my blog;
The tangles I used:
* [K]andysnake
* [I]ntersection
* [M]eer
* [B]etweed
* [E]ke
* [R]aindotty
* [L]ava Juice
* [E]cho
* [Y]incut
Thanks! I just edited your original link to go to your blog post.
Zentangle tiles ARE small, and I think that’s part of what makes this art form a real challenge.
Wow, thats very cool I’m going to do one right now.
Hi, Linda
I just posted my Challenge on Drawing your name in Zentangle and posted it in flickr in the Zentangle Yahoo Group and my Blog.
I did one small file-up. I used two Tangle Patterns that started with the letter “C” and did realize that until I started listed the names of the tangle patterns I used.
[C] Cadent
[C] Chartz
[O] Otopo
[O] Opus
[K} Kule
[I] Inapod
[E] Ennies
I was explaining to my Husband about this cute Challenge and he thought of a couple of others Challenges that sounds fun.
Start off with a string sketch in an outline alphabet that starts with your name or chosen word, fill that alphabet with the tangle pattern that starts with that alphabet and divide the rest of the paper or tile with the same number of remaining letters in your name and fill with the tangle patterns that start with the other letters in your name.
He also thought of drawing an outline of your entire name and filling the letters with the tangle patterns that begins with those same alphabets, but that’s simular what Suzanne McNeal does with her name or a word.
He thought of a third idea, but I can’t remember it.
I started on your challenge again using my first name, “Andrea” and I want to start a third one with my Husband’s name “Dave” or “David” once I’m done with these.
I also completed Challenges 1 thru 4 in one night that I-am-the-Dive started that are posted on my Blog and in Flickr under “Cookie’s Crafts”.
Wow, you have been busy Cookie! Thanks for taking part in my challenge.
(Here’s the link to Cookie on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cookies_creations/5353011706/in/photostream/)
Fun challenge. I’m new to Zentangle – saw a display at the craft store while we were Christmas shopping, and asked for some supplies for my birthday shortly after.
Hopefully you can see this link properly:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1978725&l=6d7bc9573e&id=1042444461
I used
(P)aradox
(O)pus
(P)rintemps
(P)epper
(Y)incut
and merged the Printemps and Pepper sections together for some interest.
I sure wouldn’t guess you’re new to Zentangle, this is great Poppy!
That was fun, Linda. You should see the idea my Husband thought of that I drew. I’m getting ready to add them to my Blog, but it’s on flickr.
Another newbie here. I just found out about zentangles 3 or 4 days ago, but I had to try it. I love this! Here is the result of my attempt at the challenge. http://kimzhouse.com/zentangle-your-name
Just posted my name tangle – This was fun!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8103621@N08/5355126125/in/photostream/
I’m new as well and having just two letters in my name made me really have to think about which petterns to use and how. I used Jonqal and Jetties.
I think this link will take you to the two versions I did. http://www.flickr.com/photos/15217633@N04/sets/72157625704244537/
This was a fun challenge. Click here to see mine. I used a few tangles I had never used before!
Also new to Zentangle, found out about it from a friend in November, got the Totally Tangled book at Xmas and soon after the Zentangle kit. This is the first challenge I’ve done.
Here’s my Name Zentangle,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fyddlestyx/5358504335/
I used:
[S]quid
[A]mbler
[D]rupe
[E]nnies
[L]aced (and variations)
[L]ilypads
[E]cho
I decided to take the challenge one step further and converted my name heart to polymer clay. I changed one of the letters from my original heart to one that was easier to do on the clay. The patterns I used are:
D-Drupe
O-Onomato
N-Netting
Here is my result. Almost too big for a pendant, but I may try and string it anyway.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kpsfotos/5360314037/
Linda, thanks for hosting this wonderful website for all we Zentangle enthusiasts and sponsoring this challenge. It is one thing to Zentangle our Names and the additional request that we use only official Zentangle patterns bumped it up a few more levels. I did several versions of this challenge but had to take “artistic license” with my pattern choices on my first two tangles.
This was a great opportunity for me to try tangles I haven’t worked with yet. I haven’t ordered the Zentangle kit yet so I don’t know what all the official Zentangle patterns. That’s why your website and Alpha Tangle references are so invaluable. I’m going to be attending the February CZT training so this was a great opportunity.
DANNI:
D = Dex,
A = Ambler,
N = NZepple,
N = Nipa,
I = Isochor
My blog link: http://dobriendesign.blogspot.com/2011/01/zentangle-your-name-challenge.html
BTW – Just so there’s no confusion, the official kit does NOT contain all 102 official Zentangle patterns. By my count it contains 8 with steps, plus thumbnail drawings of 16 more. But when you attend the CZT (certification seminar) it’s my understanding that you learn them all there.
This is sure a challenge as there are not many for “R”
I am looking for a more solid tangle. Guess I will have to make up my own. :0)
As a suggestion, you could use “Rain” as a filler by repeating it side-by-side for a more “solid” look.
Hi, I zentangled Okami – will do Julie when I have a moment.
Here is the link to my blog: http://whateverzentangles.blogspot.com/2011/01/zentangle-your-name.html
Wow, I was away from the computer for the weekend and look what you all have been up to! Glad you are enjoying the challenge and thanks so much for sharing your results with everyone. I’m planning to leave this thread open so everyone can continue to join the “TanglePatterns Zentangle Your Name Challenge” and so we can enjoy more beautiful names.
Hi Linda, I love your tile! This challenge was a lot of fun! It forced me to try a tangle I hadn’t done before. You can see mine on my blog at: http://tangledinkart.blogspot.com/2011/01/tangle-your-name-challenge.html
My name tangled!
[L] Limpitz
[E] Efilys
[S] Sooflowers
[L] Laced
[I] Inapod
[E] Emingle
[R] Raindotty
[A] Ahh
[H] Hepmee
[Y] Yang
[E] Eye-wa
I incorporated this challenge with “I am the Diva’s” Weekly Challenge #5|Orbs. Thank you for pushing us to try new things! I love TanglePatterns.com!
http://leslierahye.blogspot.com/2011/01/weekly-challenge-5-orbs.html
I hope it is not too late? I was daunted at first because my name has 7 letters but after thinking on it, I am going to give it a try. I’ll be back! 😉
It’s never too late! Have at it.
Great challenge not many of my favorite patterns are a part of my name so it was an opportunity to try out some new patterns. Still working on better use of white space but it wasn’t to be with this one. lol. View it here:
http://tinkeredart.blogspot.com/2011/01/zentangle-name-challenge.html
I did it! Thank you for a fun challenge, Linda!
Patterns I used:
H Hibred
E Efilys
A Ahh
T Tortuca
H Hollibaugh
E Eke
R River
My tangle is here: http://owhattangledwebs.blogspot.com/2011/01/tangle-your-name-challenge.html
I’m a bit late posting for the challenge. I had fun with this, looking for patterns that fit my name.
Linda, I want to thank you for all your hard work keeping up this site. I also want to thank everyone that contributes & creates the patterns. I look forward to checking in daily even if I don’t always get around to posting.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dawnbeeman/5375832583/
Hi Linda, I’m a straggler…here’s my tangled name 🙂
A great challenge, thank you!
http://lonecreature.blogspot.com/2011/01/tangle-my-name-with-linda-farmer.html
Hi, Heather
I like the way you drew your name in Zentangle.
this is my first encounter with zentangle and i wanted to try the challenge. As my name is quit long I made an ensemble of four tiles.
J: japonica
e: efilus
a: afterglo
n: nzeppel
n: netting
i: inapod
n: netarts
e: elegance
http://jskunstweven.wordpress.com/my-zentangle%C2%AE-explorations/
While exploring the orbs for I Am the Diva’s weekly challenge last week, I incorported my lengthy name [leslierahye] so that I could also participate in this challenge. I really enjoyed using several tangles that I had not attempted before! Thank you for inspiring.
My Orbilicious tangle of my name can be viewed here: http://leslierahye.blogspot.com/2011/01/weekly-challenge-5-orbs.html.
I used:
[L] Limpitz
[E] Efilys
[S] Sooflowers
[L] Laced
[I] Inapod
[E] Emingle
[R] Raindotty
[A] Ahh
[H] Hepmee
[Y] Yang
[E] Eye-wa
Thank you for looking!
Took me a while, but here’s my name!
http://maggiekattangles.blogspot.com/2011/02/zentangle-your-name.html
What a great idea! Next up will be to figure out how to post! I have difficulty thing of how to put together from scratch, but by using friends names, I am forced to explore different tangles to play with and then share the finished tangle with that person
🙂 Hi
Though I found this challenge a year too late I thought this is really fun and would like to share my result here: http://janas2cents.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/tangling-my-name/
This is a really fun way to explore patterns!
Blessings
Jana
Following a life altering medical problem, I’ve had a lot of time on my hands with little I can do. I’ve never really been one to draw but lately I’ve been doodling. My spouse saw what I was doing and told me about a co-workers website (this site). I’m very grateful to all for having a site like this….I can’t even begin to tell you how much doing these patterns helps me get through each day without having to just sit around and dwell on my pain and limited mobility. Again, thank you!
How do u get instructions
Great, love it.
I not only love the idea of tangling my name but its a great idea for a gift. The string you used was one I will use too. Thanks!
Linda, thank you for keeping up this web site, the links, and the challenges. I am enjoying learning the tangles so much! I leverage your site as a reference every day as I explore these possibilities. I am learning these patterns as a way of enhancing some of my other art work, and the experience is great with your help. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
🙂
Thank you Linda for this website and tangles in general! I just discovered them, and i am loving doing them. Just found your challenges today and i cant wait to get started on my name!thank you again for everything you have done and continue you to do to get this amazing form of art out to people. It has definitely helped me keep my mind calm and focused in the last week.
What a great challenge – I’ve done it twice today and learned 5 new tangles plus a variation. Thanks Linda.
Hi Linda,
I love you work! Thank you so much for creating this site. I’ve been taking classes in Zentangle with MJ Kehne. Recently I developed a new tangle and I would like to submit it somewhere. How do I do that? Can I send it to you? I would appreciate any guidance you can give me.
I definitely want to try to tangle my name.
Betty S. Rushing
Hi Betty, delighted you are enjoying the site, tangling your name is a lot of fun. It’s also a nice way to make personalized Zentangles to give as gifts.
As far as submitting your pattern, look at the top menu bar of any page on the site and there you will find the SUBMIT YOUR PATTERN menu with detailed “how to” instructions.
Look forward to seeing what you’ve come up with … Cheers and happy tangling!