Tangle Refresher 192 – Inexpensive Zentangle®-inspired DIY crafts, our random string, plus how to draw Punzel, Strutz, Horti, Hearts-a-flutter, Brace-S

Today’s Black Friday and if you’re like me, there is absolutely no way I am going out into that melee. Staying home and relaxing, that’s the ticket!

Many primary school teachers use the resources of TanglePatterns for classwork assignments and this week’s “Buried Treasure” includes some useful links for inexpensive do-it-yourself paper crafts that are fun to do for the upcoming Christmas season. Originally published a few years ago, it’s worth repeating – and asking you to share your favorite links for similar crafts in the comments.

“Here’s another way to give the gift of love this holiday season.

There’s still oodles of time before Christmas arrives for some easy and inexpensive Zentangle®-inspired DIY crafts for the occasion that are especially fun to enjoy time making with young children, and the young-at-heart of all ages 😉

Going with our theme of buried treasure, here are a few interesting links for you to check out with ideas for inexpensive paper crafts and more do-it-yourself projects just waiting to be tangled.

DIY PAPER ORNAMENTS

18 Homemade Christmas Ornaments That Kids Can Make – links to various ornaments, some are paper, some are not 🙂 I love the reindeer made from recycled empty toilet paper rolls

Paper Ornaments – this page is a collection of links to all kinds of paper Christmas ornaments and crafts

30 more Easy DIY ornaments, Advent Calendars and more, including Pompom Snowmen (Cute, but not tangle-able)

How to make lovely Zentangle-inspired ornaments using Zentangle tiles – video tutorial by CZT Dorian Eng

How to make a ringing bell ornament using Zentangle tiles – video tutorial by CZT Dorian Eng

When you search Google for “Origami ornament instructions”, you’ll find a wide range of beautiful projects of varying complexity to explore. Click on the “Images” tab for quick reference.

DIY PAPER SNOWFLAKES

Create a Blizzard’s Worth of Snowflakes (How to Make Paper Snowflakes) – from Martha Stewart

The Essentials of Making Paper Snowflakes – including design tips and tricks (be sure to check them out, great ideas there); how to make a 5-pointed paper snowflake; how to make a 6-pointed paper snowflake; and how to make an 8-pointed paper snowflake

DIY PAPER STARS

How to Make a Paper Star – free downloadable PDF template by CZT Susan Breen Silvy, top example on right

How to Make a 3D Paper Star – no template but similar to Susan’s, make it from scratch with scissors

How to Make a Paper Star Ornament – this one’s a bit more complicated, but very pretty result

Post-it Note Paper Stars – shown on right, the red star

Kirigami Paper Stars – shown on right, the bottom star

DIY GIFT TAGS AND GIFT BOXES

Great for gifting handmade goodies or small items:

Easy and quick ornament gift tags – tutorial by CZT Sue Jacobs

How to make beautiful Zentangle-inspired gift boxes from Zendala tiles – video tutorial by CZT Dorian Eng

How to Make a Paper Gift Box – a Google search with a whole range of beautiful boxes including some unusual shapes for you to tangle then assemble

DIY ORIGAMI CHRISTMAS TREE

Video showing how to make a simple origami Christmas tree from three sheets of printer paper.

You can find lots of inspiration by searching Google for more paper crafts. Enjoy some inexpensive fun and some relaxing time tangling on something lovely that you made by hand!

If you have some Christmas paper DIY craft links you love, please feel free to share with us in the comments.”

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Many tanglers like to use these biweekly Tangle Refreshers as their Zentangle® challenge-of-the-day.

Using the RANDOM TANGLE SELECTOR in the left sidebar this TanglePatterns String was selected for today – either to go with today’s Buried Treasure or just to use as a starting point for your day’s tangling.

Think of this as your tangle Challenge, if you’re so inclined. TanglePatterns String 236 is from tangler Mary Ellen Calhoun and was originally posted here.

Right click and SAVE to your computer; then print. Pinning content from this site is not permitted. Copyright notice is posted on the bottom of every page. Thank you for respecting these rights.

Remember that Zentangle strings are always drawn freehand in pencil so that they magically disappear when you’ve finished tangling the tile.

A string is a simple device to “divide your drawing surface into sections to be filled with tangles“.

In the Zentangle PRIMER Vol 1 (now available in softcover/paperback for $23.95) there is an entire section devoted to Strings which in part explains:

“As you tangle, your strings disappear as if by magic. This adds to the charm and unified appearance of your completed art. If you had used a pen to draw your string, you would still see the initial sectioning in your completed creation.“

Strings are not intended to be the focal point of your tile.

More String advice from The Book of Zentangle (now available in softcover/paperback for $19.95):

“A string is a useful reference, but it is not an impenetrable barrier. Practice going outside your string. It will help increase your ability to think outside the box.“

To download eBooks containing all 250 TanglePatterns Strings, visit the STORE > EBOOKS page.

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The Tangle Refresher series, aka Buried Treasure, spotlights hidden tangle gems from the past. It can remind you of tangles you might not have used for a while or introduce you to some you haven’t come across yet.

Here are five more tangle pattern gems and a Tangle Refresher from a year (or two) ago for your tangling pleasure. Remember to check out the “More Good Stuff” links below too.

BTW as you visit these tangles please do leave a comment of thanks and encouragement to show the artists you appreciate them for sharing their creativity to inspire yours. And please share a link to your favorite tangles with your followers on all your social media. Thanks!

Zenful tangling!

Buried Treasure from the tangling past

	Punzel
	Strutz
	Horti
	Hearts-a-Flutter
	Brace-S
	Tangle Refresher 164

More good stuff …

• The Importance of Strings in Zentangle – and String 001
• New to Zentangle®? The Official Zentangle Kit has everything you need to get started, including a great DVD tutorial by Zentangle co-founder Maria Thomas.
• A great companion to the Kit is the new Zentangle Primer Vol 1 – your CZT-in-a-book by the founders of Zentangle!
• Everything you need to know about creating Zentangle-Inspired Art or Products
• Free Interweave eBook – Know Your Rights: Copyright 101 for crafters and artists
• Tangle Pattern Refreshers – the entire Buried Treasure series.
• Find more tutorials on TanglePatterns by visiting the TUTORIALS tab on the pink alphabetic menu bar
• Find a CZT near you – the link to the list of Certified Zentangle Teachers is located in the left sidebar of the site under the heading SOURCE WEBSITES.
• Interested in becoming a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT®)? Here’s more information.
• Linda’s List of Zentangle-original tangles — THE tangles to learn first if you’re new to Zentangle.

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