If you’ve been wondering how to preserve and store your collection of completed Zentangle® tiles, reader Angela Gamble from Hagerstown, Indiana, has found a solution that works for her and may just be the answer for you too.
Angela posted her find in the comments on “How to draw BOX SPIRALS”, and I’m reposting them here for future reference. Photo courtesy of Angela.
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“I too have been looking for a storage solution for my tiles. I’m so excited because I just found an online store that carries plastic storage sheets (they fit in a 3-ring binder) that fit 6 Zentangle tiles perfectly! I also have yet to read where everyone keeps/stores their completed Zentangles and when I came across this store with these storage sleeves, I was thrilled and called the owner immediately!!!
So here’s the scoop: The online store is http://www.cropstop.com (out of Rhode Island) The owner has created a special web page within her online store just for these storage sleeves that hold the Zentangle tiles perfectly. The storage sleeves are sold: 5 sheets per package for $4.50, 10 sheets per package for $7.50, and 25 sheets per package for $14.00. Enter the word “zentangle” in the search engine on the upper right hand side of the home page and it will take you right to these storage sleeves.
When I spoke to the store owner I explained what Zentangle is, how we use the tiles, and how this particular storage sleeve she carries fits our tiles perfectly. Guess what? She agreed to give us Zentanglers 10% off our orders by using the code “zentangle” when checking out. How great is that!!! (And just so you know, I do not work for her, nor will I receive any compensation for however many of these she might sell. I just wanted to help out all the wonderful people who like me, love to create Zentangles, but just don’t have a “place” to store all of our completed tiles.)”
How do you store your completed Zentangle tiles?
Please feel free share your storage ideas in the comments below so we can all benefit.
I store my Tiles in a photo album,
Oh my gosh! I’m so excited I have been looking high and low for plastic sleeves for tiles! I kept going to baseball card sites and they do not sell any variations in sizes. I never thought to look at a scrap booking site! Thank you so much, the search is over!
My method is not very creative. I’m currently using one of those accordion file folders. In the front is a pouch for my pens and then I use a pouch for my blank paper, mini notepad of designs, fancy scissors, circle template. This is followed by three more pouches labeled “Circles”, “Squares”, and “Other Shapes” for my finished designs. A few of the back pouches have small blocks of water color paper and then the last one has two of Sandy Steen Bartholomew’s books. I like to keep it all in one spot so when I’m in the mood I can easily grab everything without going hunting. Unfortunately this is more for function than for displaying.
I, too, use a photo album, one picture to a page. This works well for me because not all my zentangles are 3 1/2″ by 3 1/2″.
I, too, have discovered a photo album that has a 3″ square (approximate) opening on the front for my “favorite” tangle. The sleeves are for 4×6 photos but it works nicely. I prefer the sleeve idea posted here, though, and will be ordering some soon. Thank loads!
Martha
thank u soooo much , Angela, for posting the website for the storage sleeves that fit the Zentangle tiles
i like things neat, and easy to get to – so they will be perfect for me …
…and thanks Linda, for the info on the official Zentangle tiles -i will get some for sure! (my moleskine journal is NOT watercolor paper or the accordian type but i do enjoy working in the journal (also, paper is not pure white either-which is why i want the official Zentangle tiles)…
Brilliant idea, I’ll be searching this out today. I hope they ship to Australia.
I wonder if anyone would like and idea for transporting Zentangle tiles and drawing supplies around in your purse/handbag? I posted about my solution here on my blog Creative Thoughts and Inspirations.
Just ordered from cropstop.com……….the order with 10% discount went through like a dream….Thank You for the info. Can’t wait to receive my order !!! Happy Zentangling everyone
Awesome idea Angela! I was just pondering on storage solutions and was going to do a blog post to get ideas how everyone else does it. I keep all my ‘best’stuff in a portfolio album but I love this idea for all my other tiles so I’ve just ordered some pockets. Thanks for the tip!
Thank you so much, Angela. I have looked several places for something to store my tiles. I just went to your source and placed an order. I am soooo tired of carrying my tiles around in a little box.
I’m so glad you all are happy with the storage sheets I found! I wanted to also let you know that the sheets are 100% acid & lignin free & are archival safe. You can be rest assured that your tiles will be safely stored for years & years to come!
Angela
Angela You are the girl. I wanted to display my zentangles at some of the craft shows, I will be participating in and this is the PERFECT solution for folks to look through my works. You are officially at the head of the class. Marguerite W. Meara
your lovely photo of the tiles in the sleeves are on the cropstop website and your name is mentioned
thanks again i LOVE it! i will be ordering this week …
Good eye Andrea! Yes, I originally took the photo for cropstop.com to use to show the storage sheet w/ Zentangle tiles in it. Then I shared it with Linda here @ tanglepatterns.com for all of you to see. I have just been trying to help everyone!
On another note, several ppl have commented that they use a photo album. I’m curious if the albums used are the 4″x6″ type? I like the idea of using this size to be able to carry with me my favorite Zentangles.
I recently realized a photo album could hold the ZT tiles, and most of the other small tangles I have done. I originally looked for sheets that would hold the 3.5×5 photos, but they are pretty scarce. I settled for a 4×6 holder sheet size.
I didn’t like the tiles running around loose in the photo sleeve, so I used a small square of double-sided tape (archival friendly!) to secure it to the left side of a 4×6 index card. That way I have a bit of room to write the date, title and any other info about the tangle. I usually run my index card through the printer to add the tangle info. That way it’s legible!
(I just realized that I am pretty anal about the order and organization of my tangles, and tangles are anything but! Maybe tangling is my way of breaking away from that behavior?)
I found the index cards in a pale green that complemented my photo album. I didn’t want slightly off-white paper on a crisp white index card. The not-quite-white on white combo is not very pleasing to me. Maybe it’s that compulsive organization thing–the paper looks “dirty” compared to the background. Regardless of the reason for not liking the white cards, I think the green looks nice.
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I also have a pack of 5×8 index cards which I trim down to fit in a 5×7 photo holder sheet. This accommodates the tangles I have done that are bigger than 4×6. The only one I have done that is larger than a 5×7 sheet is framed and hanging in my living room.
Thanks for sharing, Jen. This is another great way to store tiles and I like that you can also display dates etc. with them. Colored cards are a nice way of matting them too.
Hi, Angela,
Thanks for discovering these store pocket pages that can fit our zentangle tiles. I just ordered the 25 page package so I can store 150 zentangles.
Could two zentangle tiles in each pocket so when you flip the page you can view a zentangle on the back of your page?
Absolutely! Two tiles fit with ease to double your storage space. Playing around, I’ve found I can store 4 tiles in each pocket. This allows me to store 24 blank tiles i one sleeve. Hope this helps!
Thanks! I ordered some of the storage sheets. I had been keeping my tiles in a portable CD holder, but this will be much better!
I placed my first order with Crop Stop last night…bought the 25-pack, and can’t wait to get it! Almost bought two, as I was wondering if they’d be a good item to have in stock for students to buy. Would it be okay to do that? (I am new to the “retail” scene) Do any other CZTs offer them to their students, and if so, how much do you charge?
I found this neat way to store my pens its a Mont Marte Pastel Box 3 Drawer Wood just perfect for storing pens and pencils and everything else you need to zentangle. its designed for pastels but just the right size for storing pens as well. single layer so you can find the pen you want easier. Especially if like me you have so many different types of pens for my different moods.
I have ordered from Crop Stop many times. I used their storage panels to hold my greeting cards and my embossing folders. I just got an email from them and I saw they had these pages to hold the Zentangles. I think I will order some right away!
Hi, I have been trying to do a bit of tangling for a few months now. I love this site but have never posted before. Does everyone keep all their Tangles? I tend to use mine on greetings cards. My latest idea was to photograph them first so I still have a record of them.