Zentangle ATC

Very cool! I have enjoyed some of the doodle and sharpie only ATC swaps recently...this seems like a nice progression from that!

I'd never heard of these before, but I just looked at the website and think they look like a lot of fun. I do hope people who sign up for this swap take the time to check out the zentangle online gallery and try to understand exactly what is required...

What a great idea! time to break out the watercolour paper methinks!

I agree Kessie, I didn't know anything about them either, but a true Zentangle isn't just a black on white doodle. You start with a penciled "string" that creates the areas that are filled in with "tangles" (patterns of strokes).

The "pre-strung tiles" on the website give good examples of how to start the process. IMHO, the must read info is the "Theory of Zentangle" page.

Oh...and I went to Michael's today for something else and looked at the Sakura Pigma pens that are the recommended implement for Zentangles...they are only about $2, so I bought one :)

Perhaps the swap description could be changed to include direct links to the relavent zentangle pages, as I think it will encourage people to explore (just put some text in square brackets, followed by the url in round brackets e.g. Zentangle Theory

Oops, ignore that link try this one: Zentangle Theory

Hey Kessie-thanks for the instructions on how to include a link! I'm gonna try it with the link to the {"pre-strung" tiles](http://www.zentangle.com/products-prestrung.php)

Oops...square not curly!

"pre-strung" tiles

I've always done these since I could remember... never knew it had a proper name or was an art form! Can't wait to see what you all come up with!

Me too Panda...this is right up my alley....I've been doing them all my life, got several by the phone right now, LOL! This should be great fun.

I wish the instructions were more precise as to the type of paper and pen to be used. I do Zentangles on 140 lb watercolour paper with a very fine micron pen. Mine are very fine therefore, I dont want to receive thick lines on plain paper... because that's not the zentangle way!

I thought of joining but my work probably wont be good enough for some !!

Beachcomber, I hope my comment did not put you off! All I meant is, that this is a Zentangle swap, not just a doodle swap; you will find the link inspirational, it is quite easy and enjoyable if you follow the guidelines and look at the examples. Now why didnt the live link work for me??? :-?

oh it did :-) but I cant go back and edit my last comment!

Hey -- could someone post the important guidelines from the Zentangle site? I tend to get stuck in the details and I'd like some guidance as far as what's expected for the swap. For example, the kit is sold with a pencil and eraser for shading -- are there guidelines for shading??? (I've said it before and I'll say it again -- my mother always told me I made things harder than they had to be.) This looks like a lot of fun!

"Zentangle" is actually a registered trademark. There might be copyright issues if one just copies/pastes from the website so better to look at the site itself....

I am beginning my "practice" zentangles tonight. I will have to go out and buy a black pen, but until then I'll practice in colors for now.

Oh I cannot afford to purchase a special zentangle kit to make the atc's, I better drop out of the swap! Blasted, and I was so looking forword to this to! I live in a itsy bitsy town, less than 1000 or so, and nearby there's where to purchase to heavy weight specialty papers or kits. Darn.

I am in Australia so a "kit" would take too long to get here... I was impatient to get started! I did a zentangle swap with another group, and the advice was to use white card if you cant get watercolour card, and a fine pen, you can get those at most paper shops. Just make sure that it leaves a nice black line in the paper (no "bleeding) and it will be OK. I bought an Artline Superfine 0.2 pen one day when I knew I would be waiting in the car for over an hour (daughter's medical appointment) Now I keep a pad and pen in the car for all those "wait" times! Have you thought about trying an online art supplier?

I guess I was trying to make a fun swap using the "zentangle" website as a jumping off point. I hate to hear folks not wanting to join because they don't have the exact paper, pens, kits - whatever. I don't have them either... but I will give my partners the best zentangles I can do. If you plan on not giving a 5 if they don't measure up according to the zentangle site, then I would say this swap is not for you. I want this to be fun and enjoyable, not to put pressure on anyone that they may "not measure" up. So, go forth and enjoy! susi

This is a link to a zentangle group on flickr. Like susi said it's all about having fun.

zentangle group

Thanks for the flickr link, whisperwings... those are great and very inspirational!

I did some practrice zens on paper and will post to cardstock. I will either include these as extras, or just put these into my notebook and tuck them in future swaps as extras. (I cannot get white cardstock until next week.) I bought some fine pens, and will dig in paper drawer just incase there's some burried white cardstock.

Mine are done, just waiting for the addies...they were so much fun, this is a great idea for atc's!

I purchased a package of white cardstock today. My plain paper zens are nice, but I was worried that when I went to mount them on stock they'd bleed etc. So, since I wanted an excuse (vbg!) to make more I bought cardstock to redo them on.

I still like the idea, and will still likely do this for "extras", of doing some colored zens and tucking them in the package with the swap ATC's. Just how many extras, exactly what colors, etc, will depend on my time/mood and family commitments. I am trying pink, purple, blue, red, teal, as well as the black!

Well said SusieQ. These will be my first "Zen" however i am really exited to try it out and do my best. Thank you for giving me something else to love and appreciate. You deserve loads of hearts. ANg

I need more info on the pencil string in order to get started. Is it just a penciled doodle? ATCarol

I've just been doing a pencil doodle, to create several 'sections' which can each be filled with a different pattern.

chimerix, AnkeArnold and carmel, your zentangles will be posted tomorrow.

groeten, Francis

i love these! They r totally addictive!

chimerix, TomatoStomp & Kessie, your cards will go to the post office today :)

Laurie, nickerjac, and marsin your atc's went out today! I sent out the two Black and White's, one Pink and White, and one Purple and White.

Okay, can we start making the ATC's for the next round of swapping? lmao, but seriously can we?

Thanks for this swap. I had looked into zentangles before and actually tried one but then let it go. This swap forced me to get into them, and now, I love them. I probably will always have cards with me so I can zentangle whenever whereever. i am actually looking forward to a big meeting next week, because I now have zentangles to keep me from falling asleep lol

Is anyone interested in doing another Zentangle ATC Swap? if so, please pvt msg me. If there's enough interest I'll hostess a round two, with permission, to around January sometime.

I went ahead and set up for a second zentangle atc swap. Susiqz I coppied your graphic and description, I hope that's ok if not I'll change it so let me know. Here's the address for the swap. http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/9618 So those of y'all who are still cranking out those zentangle atc's come on over and join on it ZENTANGLE ATC SWAP II!!!!!

I had technical problems and had to deleat and reset the swap for Zentangle Swap II. The new page is:

http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/9623

HHC, dorsia, and beefree16, your envelopes are on thier way from Michigan~!

Mine in the mail, although they won't be collected & postmarked until Monday doh

Hmmmm...a little concerned since none of my swap partners have sent yet :(

Sent mine on time but have only just had the chance to log on and press the button!

Has this website been active since 2007?