Each year around this time I share a round-up of links to inexpensive holiday season do-it-yourself (DIY) projects that lend themselves perfectly to adding your own personal Zentangle flourish.
These DIY projects are easy to do and perfect for decorating your own home as well as for from-the-heart gifts for friends and loved ones.
DIY GLASS ORNAMENTS
One of the most popular DIY Christmas tutorials on TanglePatterns is this one by CZT Anna Houston: How to tangle on glass Christmas ornaments. Here are some of Anna’s beautiful examples from her step-by-step tutorial using classic Zentangle-original tangles.
DIY SEASONAL PAPER CRAFTS
Many primary school teachers use the resources of TanglePatterns for classroom 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
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
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)
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)
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 – made from paper strips – 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 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 occasional Tangle Refreshers as their Zentangle® challenge-of-the-day.
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. The RANDOM TANGLE SELECTOR in the left sidebar makes it simple to choose a String-of-the-Day from the 250 free strings in our resource. Or just click on the STRINGS tab in the pink alphabetic tangle menu bar and choose one at random yourself.
Think of this as your tangle Challenge, if you’re so inclined. TanglePatterns String 006 is from CZT Sandy Hunter and was originally posted here.
Right click and SAVE to your computer; then print. Pinning or republishing content from this site is not permitted. Copyright notice is posted on the bottom of every page. Thank you for playing nice and 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 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 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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Sampson |
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Diamond Heart |
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Sunspots |
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Ok-Rah |
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Trix |
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Tangle Refresher 178 |
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 Zentangle Primer Vol 1 – your CZT-in-a-book by the founders of Zentangle! Now available in softcover.
- 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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November 8, 2019 | 
More like this: 
Wow! Linda, I was still here catching up with the newest tangle patterns when you posted this! 😀 Wonderful. I love these Christmas tangle ideas. I’m going to try to get some of these done this month! LOL We’ll see. Thanks for everything Linda!