This week’s String is shared by tangler Anne Marks for your creative enjoyment. Anne has shared a bunch of Strings with us, most recently 083.
Here’s a tip if you’d like to choose random Strings for your Zentangles. The Random Tangle Selector I recently added to the left sidebar of the site was intended to be used with the 2014 Edition of my TanglePatterns.com TANGLE GUIDE (see Page 4 for instructions). But then it dawned on me that since the Strings are all numbered you can easily use it to choose Strings too!
Bear in mind that Zentangle® strings are guidelines. You can use a string exactly as it is or adapt it to suit as your Zentangle grows. Start with the string as it’s shown then, as you go, combine sections if your tangles want to, or divide a section into smaller ones. Go with the flow and enjoy.
Please help our community’s String resource grow by sending me yours to share. Remember to keep them simple, Zentangle strings are not elaborate or complicated. For your convenience, below there’s a link to a template to use if you’d like.
Lightly pencil the string on your tile and you’re good to go tangling. Enjoy!
Reminders:
- Important: Strings are always drawn freehand in pencil so they magically disappear into your completed Zentangle.
- Use any string over and over again with different tangles.
- There are so many tangles available that your Zentangles will always be different even using the same string.
- Or use it with only one tangle – a monotangle.
- Usually each string will have many options.
- The Border (if one is given) is also a suggestion – use it, change it, or ignore it. It’s your art.
- And remember, in Zentangle there’s no right-side-up!
Related Links
- The Importance of Strings – and String 001
- TanglePatterns Strings group on flickr – a way to share your finished art using these Strings for all to enjoy
- Template to submit your Strings for sharing – right click link to save this PDF (or click link to open PDF), an instruction page is included with the template
- Click on the link “STRINGS” on the alphabetic menu bar above for more Strings
- Linda’s List of Official Zentangle® Patterns – the complete list of official patterns (i.e., created by Zentangle® founders Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas), including those not published online
eBooks available from TanglePatterns.com
TanglePatterns.com STRING GUIDES, Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Sure you can download the strings from the site but this saves you tons of time and as always your purchase helps keep TanglePatterns going and growing. Each STRING GUIDE begins by describing the importance of Strings in Zentangle® and then presents 50 strings from the site’s resource. Strings are given in two formats to jump-start your Zentangle creativity: three pages contain “at-a-glance” size images of all 50 strings, followed by 13 pages of full-size traceable images. Additional String suggestions by several CZTs are also provided. As an added bonus, beginning with Volume 2 each guide also contains blank String Organizers for you to record and organize your own favorite Strings.
TanglePatterns.com STRING GUIDE, Volume 1 (Strings 1-50) |
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VOLUME 1 - STRINGS 001-050. A 22-page PDF eBook. | |
TanglePatterns.com STRING GUIDE, Volume 2 (Strings 51-100) | |
VOLUME 2 - STRINGS 051-100. A 24-page PDF eBook includes bonus blank String Organizers to organize your own Strings. | |
TanglePatterns.com STRING GUIDE, Volume 3 (Strings 101-150) | |
VOLUME 3 - STRINGS 101-150. A 24-page PDF eBook includes bonus blank String Organizers to organize your own Strings. | |
TanglePatterns.com STRING GUIDE, Volume 4 (Strings 151-200) | |
VOLUME 4 - STRINGS 151-200. A 24-page PDF eBook includes bonus blank String Organizers to organize your own Strings. | |
TanglePatterns.com STRING GUIDE, Volume 5 (Strings 201-250) | |
VOLUME 5 - STRINGS 201-250. A 24-page PDF eBook includes bonus blank String Organizers to organize your own Strings. | |
Visit the STORE > E-BOOKS page for more information and support TanglePatterns.com by getting your copies now! |
Yesterday, I numbered all my patterns in the guide so that I could use your ‘random selector’ for today’s tile. As I usually put 3 different tangles on a 12cm tile, I scored ‘Jilli’, ‘Cheers’, and ‘Oskie’, all very busy, ‘lined’ ones, which I normally wouldn’t use all together……..however seems “the fates” decree I need practice at drawing lines (!) so I SHALL use them all and just see what happens! What have you done Linda ! :-)) Created a new ‘adventure’ for us , or a monster!!! :-))
For my latest craft project, I am tangling a canvas tote bag. I chose this string for one side for its simplicity and it is a good contrast to the other side where I tangled interlocking circles. Sadly the bag is not waterproof (and white!) so I’ll have to save it for dry days with no rain or snow!
May, could you not use a fabric crayon to do your tangle on your bag. Those can be fixed with heat, so it would be permanent.
What about a micron pen? We use those on quilt labels and it hold up really well. Also check local quilt shops for other fabric pens.