Almost four years ago Portland, Oregon CZT Billie Lauder shared her delightful Tangle Folk with us, showing how simple it is to draw these continuous line Zentangle®-inspired figures in just six easy steps.
Last week I received the sad news that Billie passed away. To honor Billie and her sweet Tangle Folk, today we are revisiting her original post – please give Billie’s Tangle Folk a whirl and give thanks for the charming gift Billie shared with all of us. Our condolences to her family and friends.
Billie’s Tangle Folk are another creative way for tanglers of all ages to relax and have fun using a few simple tangles in some unique Zentangle-inspired art!
As you dress your Tangle Folk with tangles, “it’s fun to see what happens with them as they do have personalities.” Here are some of Billie’s examples.
For more of Billie’s examples and her six easy steps for drawing her Zentangle-inspired continuous line Tangle Folk, visit this page on TanglePatterns. You can also locate this tutorial any time on the TUTORIALS tab on the pink alphabetic tangle menu bar.
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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 181 is from tangler Nancy Eaton and was originally posted here.
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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 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 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!
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Finery |
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Pezember |
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Lily-Eyes |
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Spoolies |
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Puffy 8’s |
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Tangle Refresher 157 |
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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Enhance your Zentangle experience while supporting TanglePatterns: |
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CURRENT EDITION! TanglePatterns.com TANGLE GUIDE, 2024 Edition |
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The 13th Edition of the TanglePatterns.com TANGLE GUIDE is an instant-download 109-page interactive digital eBook/PDF containing approximately 2,000 tangles on the site from May 2010 through December 31, 2023. It's a great resource and a must-have digital tool for using the site. Visit the STORE > E-BOOKS page and help keep TanglePatterns.com going by getting your copy now! |
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"Linda, Thank you! I was relying on too few and getting stuck after 3 years of daily working with Zentangle. This has inspired me to ‘begin again’ with renewed excitement." ~ Barbara R. |
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| See the BOOK REVIEWS page for more details on its features and view a sample page. Note: this is a digital product you download immediately when you place your order, nothing will be physically mailed to you. | |
| GIFT ORDERS FOR ANOTHER PERSON: To give the TANGLE GUIDE as a gift, visit this page to place your gift order. | |
| If you're new to Zentangle® and tangling, my TanglePatterns.com BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO ZENTANGLE is just what you need to get started. Also available en Français and en Español. | |
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This is the only Zentangle book you'll ever need: the fabulous Zentangle PRIMER Vol 1. It's your CZT-in-a-book by the founders of Zentangle®. Visit the STORE tab on the top menu bar or click on the image. For more about the content and to read the rave reviews, visit the BOOK REVIEWS tab. |
| NEW! Now available in KINDLE format for $9.99. Spanish Edition here. Japanese Edition here. | |
| "Absolutely the best Zentangle Book yet! As an accomplished artist I used to think I did not need instruction on this art form. How wrong I was! My tangling improved by leaps and bounds after reading this book. If you think you have Zentangle down then you need this book more than ever!" ~ Kris H | |
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August 17, 2018 | 
More like this: 
So sorry to lose Billie. Every creative person is of so much value in our sometimes frustrating and troubling world. Art gives joy to others and brings joy to the creator. This is its wonderful magic. Thank you, dear Billie for giving us your splendid folk. They have given me much joy and laughter.
I didn’t know that we had lost Billie. The Tangle Folk are amazing and I have spent hours giggling over the magic they brought to the times I have been with my granddaughters. Thank you Billie and Thank you Linda for letting us know of her passing and honoring her.
Such sad news. Yet Billie lives on within her clever and whimsical tanglefolk. She’ll be remembered. Thank you Linda for letting us know.
Sad news at the start.
But a great string with beautiful patterns. As you wrote it’s a challenge-of-the-day encouraging me to take my zentangle material and to draw.
I only just saw this and I’m so sad to hear it. Met Billie a couple of times and she was always very nice to me. My mom was in ICU and Billie gave me one of her quilting books with her own notes written all over it to give to my mom, who is an avid quilter. I’ll never forget that she was kind and helpful to me when I needed it most.