An Inexpensive Tangle Gift Anyone Can Make!

As I was looking for frames for the square tiles, I came across these wine glass charm frames that I think would make a great gift for a hostess or a wine lover.  They were in the wedding area of Michaels and are $3.99 (take your 40% off coupon!).  You will slide out the photo that comes with the frame and slide in your design.  I used an Artist Trading Card and traced the photo that came with the frame (four times - see below) and then added my tangles, cut them out and slide into the frames.  There is a plastic cover that you will slide your paper under.   It was so quick and easy!  I put these back on the packaging so you could find them!  Have fun!

Frame Options for 3.5 x 3.5 tiles

I have a lovely group that meets about once a month for a Beyond the Basics Zentangle class.  This month they asked that I talk about framing options for tiles.  You can find some on the  Zentangle web site and below is a listing of what I was able to find at local stores.  Hope it helps as you consider giving your artwork as gifts or keeping special ones for yourself.

Bed Bath and Beyond has this lovely little frame for $5.99 - take your 20% coupon with you!  I found this in the store and was not able to find it on their web site.  I was able to pop my square tile right in.  It has a felt back with an easel - no hanging option.
Details:  Siena Narrow Plain 3.5"x3.5" photo frame (Silver Color)

Below are some options I found at Michaels - take your 40% off coupon!

Photo Cube 3.5"x 3.5 inch -  $3.99 each.  Leave the square insert that comes with the cube in and slide your tiles in.  You might want to put a little tape over one of the edges where it slides apart to keep it from accidentally coming apart if someone picks it up.

Packaging looks like this

Another option is this lovely frame that comes in white and black for $7.99.  It is from their Hanging Collection and is a little bigger than the zentangle tiles at 4" x4 ", but works just fine if you flip the piece of paper that comes in the frame over and place it behind your tile!  Images of front and back.

The final two framing options I found are magnetic photo frames.  One is flexible and one is acrylic. I prefer the acrylic one over the flexible frame.  Both are 3.5"x 3.5" and $1.99 each. 

Enjoy!!

Patterns in Nature

I took these pictures of patterns I've found recently - any guesses what the first one is?  Think you can recreate them as a tangle?

Great TED Talks

I came across these two TED talks by Brene Brown on shame and vulnerability.  They really resonated with me and reminded me of why I enjoy the practice of Zentangle as a method of reminding me to have the courage to be imperfect. 
The Power of Vulnerability
and a follow up talk on
Listening to Shame

Negative Thinking

Take a look at this article from the New York Times Sunday Review on the Positive Power of Negative Thinking!  Interesting food for thought for when you make 'mistakes' while Zentangling.