Welcome to BLOG Zentangle. To learn about Zentangle, visit our website, read our free newsletters, take a class with a local Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT), and best of all . . . create your own!


Thursday, December 3, 2015

On the second day of Christmas, Bijou gifted me . . .

. . . some baubles for my Christmas tree. 

SAVOR
verb: To taste and enjoy completely. 

Maria writes:

How often do we take the time to savor anything? – to really savor?

 
There are so many little things that deserve this attention. With Zentangle art it is especially important to take the time, in the moment to "taste" and enjoy this treat. To savor your tile (to me anyway) means going beyond just the casual acknowledgement of creating. ​It begs us to admit to being an artist – to take pleasure in accepting someone's compliments of our art. It means saying, "Thank you," instead of listing the things that went wrong or could have been better. It means basking in the glory of the moment.


As an artist, one needs to create, savor, then move on to the next project. With Zentangle art, this is so possible just because of the simple fact of the small size of the "canvasses" used. Delight in the easy journey from start to finish; in the use of great tools; in the feeling you have when you are done.

Exhibit your Zentangle art, save it, or frame it and give it away. There's always another tile waiting to be created.


EMBELLISH
verb: To make (something) more attractive or interesting by the addition of decorative details or features. 

To embellish or not to embellish, that is the question. To me, adding those little details and tangles is just plain fun. Once in a blue moon, a tile begs to be simple. But I find such pleasure in adding a few auras or perfs around the perimeter of a tangle.


Like adding lace around a collar or etching patterns in a suit of armor, the act of embellishing has been around forever. It feels good to add your "marks" to your creations; even if your creation is a pattern in itself. I absolutely love to add patterns within my tangles: stripes, knightsbridge, circles . . . it is what Zentangle art is all about.


Never fear. Embellish to your heart's content!


BEAUTIFUL AND BEYOND 


This just says it all. The beauty of Zentangle art is that it is what it is. You don't have to compare it to anything else. It doesn't have to look like anything else. It can be as big or as small as you like it to be. It is an emotional statement. It has Heart.


These 3 ornaments that Molly has put together for us are a mixture of Bijou tiles, Bijou frames, snippets of ribbon, and old orphan or seldom used pieces of jewelry – charms from childhood, old rings that no longer fit, earrings that no longer have a mate. Temporarily attach them or sew them on – no harm comes to any of the "baubles" in the making of these ornaments.

-----+-----

We hope you are enjoying our series paying homage to Bijou and his Bijouisms.

Stay tuned tomorrow for more fun ways to illuminate and display Bijou tiles at this festive time of year.

See our website for more information on Bijou tiles and frames (limited frames available).

-----+-----

We will again send out a Bijou gift to a few lucky tanglers who have written one of these great comments on today's blog.

Yesterday's winners are
  • Victoria Melbin 
  • Phyllis C. 
  • Lorna Aaronson

AND (so sorry!!), the winners from the "Doing the dishes" blog are
  • Heather Jackson 
  • Libby Gilpatric 
  • "Weaver Chick" 

Thanks all!

Winners please send us your snail mail address to zentangle@gmail.com to receive your gifts.

 Rick, Maria, Molly and of course, Bijou

51 comments:

Unknown said...

I am always inspired by your insight. I sometimes find myself saddened at the completion of a tangle, or any finished creative project. I savor bits and pieces of yarn paper, beads and all kinds of bits and baubles. This is a wonderful way to incorporate and display them! Thank you!

Unknown said...

I am always inspired by your insight. I sometimes find myself saddened at the completion of a tangle, or any finished creative project. I savor bits and pieces of yarn paper, beads and all kinds of bits and baubles. This is a wonderful way to incorporate and display them! Thank you!

Unknown said...

I really enjoyed reading about the importance of savoring a completed tile. Savoring seems to lengthen the experience of enjoying something--moving it beyond a mere moment of appreciation. It is tough in this season with all the busy to remember to do this; and, it is all the more essential. Thanks for the reminder!

JJ --Hopeful CZT25 said...

Even MORE ways to display finished tiles! I am really digging this years Christmas 'treats'!

MartyG said...

I am really enjoying your articles about bijouxisms. It is great to take a few moments and reflect on them. I look forward to tomorrow.

Unknown said...

Thank you Bijou for inspiring not just our Christmas displays but our year round treasures. Finding my tiles in tucked away in corners, inside a book, on the dash of my truck, or perched up high brings me back to the feelings of pleasure that I felt when I finished them. It reminds me that I have control over spaces in my life when my urge is to go too fast in all directions. I can give my brain and my hands permission to go slowly and deliberately and, as you said, to savour the moments that I have. Thanks and best wishes to the whole Zentangle Team. Rae

Cathrine said...

The beauty of Zentangle art is that it is what it is. My personal fave!

Mary B. said...

I love seeing what you do with the tiles and all the embellishments. Bijou's encouragement not to be so hard on oneself and savor all that you do are certainly words of wisdom. I too often say I should have done it this way or that way and I need to just appreciate just what is.

Anonymous said...

Love this --- had not seen the frames before.
Could also be done with Zentangle-inspired wire-wrapping designed to go with the tangles, or Zentangle wire drops, or...
Uh Oh ... here I go again !-)

Diane C said...

So beautiful. I must practise, practise, practise. Maybe someday i will make something as beautiful.

Linda J F said...

Beautiful and beyond are always the creations from Maria, Rick, and Molly! The wonderful ideas for embellishing tiles are so inspirational! Your ideas make me savor your tiles and the other tiles I see people create, along with my very own creations! Thank you for sharing your creativity with us all!

Yvonne Westover said...

Dear Rick and Maria, Seeing your Christmas posts reminds me that I am a part of something bigger, greater. It is amazing what the Zentangle community has become and I savor my interactions with students, teachers and enthusiasts from all over. It is a delight to enjoy Zentangle and the peace and happiness the process brings! Thank you and wishing you the Merriest of Christmas'!Love & Hugs, Yvonne Westover

Roseanne said...

Theses are wonderful suggestions for having our work be visible throughout the day. And I love the idea of using old and orphaned pieces of jewelry. The possibilities are endless. Such joy.....

Mamie P. said...

What inspiration you all give the rest of us! Lovely ideas and sentiment that go so well with Bijouisms. We are so lucky to have you in our lives, encouraging us to do our very best. Thanks so much!

webster said...

What great ideas for last minute gifts or stocking stuffers.

Who doesn't have orphan earrings that need to be reused?

Thank you, Maria, for your gift of creativity.

Rhonda Miller said...

These are beautiful. What a fun idea.

Phyllis C said...

I love the great ideas that you put in your posts. They inspire me to continue my Zentangle art. Thank you.🐌🐌🐌🐌

Kim Mastromartino said...

Zentangle: The gift that keeps on giving! The embellished bigou tile really represents "there are no mistakes" . The embellishments are simple and elegant. Thinking about the ribbon as an aura and jewelry , buttons etc as orbs and perfs is wonderful! I am so inspired to create beautiful homes for my tiles! Kim Mastromartino

Lynn Jarrett said...

What a great idea!! With the small size of the Bijou tiles, these will be great for using as a rearview mirror hanger or string several together as a bookmark.

Sarah Hluchy said...

Embellish... I love to embellish items, like clothes or tote bags, with Zentangle! I even tangled on my yoga mat with a silver sharpie. And of course you remember my tangled Zentangle hoodie that I wore to the 18th seminar.

Unknown said...

I love the reminder to savor Zentangle...in it's entirety...the creativity, the process, the finished piece of art and the ways of sharing the vision.

Jan Brandt, CZT said...

At today's gathering of my Zentangle Club, we savored our time together, sharing delicious holiday treats while passing our latest Zentangle creations around the table. There are 3 CZTs in the group. We talked at length of our Seminar experiences and noticed the gleam of longing in the others' eyes! We all agree that Zentangle is one of the very best things that's come into our lives. And we do savor it ... particularly when we gather to share it. Thank you Maria & Rick. Thank you.

Jan Brandt, CZT XII, Reno, Nevada, USA

Anonymous said...

Always so beautiful and inspiring. Thank you and Merry Christmas

Unknown said...

This inspires me to finally use my Bijou tiles and necklace. And who doesn't have single earrings to add to the mix? Thanks for the idea.

anotherid4me said...

all so wonderful! I'm in limbo right now, getting ready to move. My supplies are packed so when I see ideas like these in today's post, I want to put pen to paper. Zentangling provides the ease of not needing a lot of supplies so, even tho not using the best supplies, I can use the art to calm myself during these hectic times.

luvhymns said...

Love opening your email all year long. It brings a smile every time. enJOY the season of love and gift giving!

Ginny Stiles said...

Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.
I can't remember who said that but ain't it the truth.

Nupur said...

'Savor each moment' is the phrase I stitched on a small sampler in January this year. It has made all the challenges of this year more bearable.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for these inspiring words. Jackie S CZT XIII

Mary Tod said...

Loved your comment about embellishing and the bit about etching into a suit of armor. I was captivated by the intricate designs in a suit of armor at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and took lots of pictures of them for inspiration.

Anonymous said...

"Savor" is a word that's come to mean a lot to me. It does take a moment to pause and savor, but oh! What joy when I remember to do it! And I find such freedom in embellishing. Thanks for the reminder.

Unknown said...

Bijou is such a smart snail! Thanks for helping keep me on my path.

Ellen said...

I love the combination of the bijou tiles with the ribbons and jewelery. Bijou is jewelery. So true. On it's own and in combination with the other jewels and ribbons. Thanks for sharing the eye-candy

Unknown said...

Thank you for your Bijou baubles idea. They are beautiful. It is so nice and inspiring that you share your zentangle projects with us.

Taz42 said...

These posts are great reminders that it is often the little things that make the difference. Thank you!

Nancy Roth said...

loving the ornaments of Bijou and getting inspired to try something new!

gobarb26 said...

Love how you embellished the fabric holding the frame. Very pretty and a great idea.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas!

Carol Graham said...

So inspiring!

LynnK said...

These ornaments are gorgeous. I love the metal frames!! Enjoying these posts!

LynnK said...

These ornaments are gorgeous. I love the metal frames!! Enjoying these posts!

CaroWild said...

I love these ornaments and metal frames! I am so truly blessed to have stumbled upon Zentangle. Thank you so much for creating and sharing this beautiful art form with the world. It has completely changed my life for the better. Love.

CaroWild said...

I love these ornaments and metal frames! I am so truly blessed to have stumbled upon Zentangle. Thank you so much for creating and sharing this beautiful art form with the world. It has completely changed my life for the better. Love.

Betsy said...

I'm a newbie and I am amazed at how beautiful my zentangles are. And it is very relaxing.

DS said...

Pretty, pretty, pretty!!!

Unknown said...

Sharing my Bijou tiles is one of my favorite things to do!! I like to give them to servers after receiving great service! ;-)

Michele Emerson-Roberts said...

Greetings,
I can't agree with you more about "savor".....we tend to rush through life and not savoring each and every moment........giving myself the gift of time to tangle....is the best form of savor.
Love and light,
Michele

Yvette B. said...

Still loving these ideas. Keep them coming.

Unknown said...

Great ideas for "finishing" the beautiful Bijou frames! My mind is percolating.... thank you for jump-starting my inspiration!

Unknown said...

I love this idea. And how perfect for my tree!! Excited to try it!

Unknown said...

I am just now, last couple weeks, branching out of the box (tangle) and adding a design within a tangle. This does not flow right now, but I like the end product. These extra swirls and zingers add whimsy and more of an artistic flare.

Zen with a pen said...

The "beautiful and beyond" really speaks to me. I love what you did with the tile. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am having a hard time getting my "Zentangle back". You'll notice, today is the first day I've taken time to slow down enough to read your 12 days posts. Life shouldn't be like this and I need to take time for me. Thank you for helping me do that.