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Bijou Speaks: Deliberate Strokes

Bijou Speaks: Deliberate Strokes

 In 2014, we were thrilled to announce a new member of the Zentangle Community. It was a celebratory time when Bijou the snail slowly and lovingly glided his way into our hearts and lives. We immediately fell in love with the unique character Bijou shared with us, and most of all we all, we embraced the stories and messages Bijou has told us that align with the Zentangle Method. 
As we move along on this tangled journey we have learned, when Bijou speaks, we listen.

In this Blog series we explore some of our favorite thoughts, quotes, stories and Bijou-isms. Enjoy!


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Julie writes...

Deliberate Strokes – a bijouism that may not roll of the tongue as easily as savor or inspire, but one that embodies so much of the Zentangle philosophy. One that I have chosen to embrace in this new year.

I have always had mixed feelings about New Year’s Resolutions. On one hand, this time of year invites moments of reflection and assessment and goal setting. On the other hand, it is full of promises to do less of this or more of that, sometimes setting unrealistic expectations for ourselves. Personally, I like to make one or two small, achievable goals or intentions for the year. Sometimes they are silly and sometimes they are things I may already do but want to focus on more.

This year, I decided I wanted to tangle more. That shouldn’t be hard, right? Considering my job and all…

For a few days though, the resolution was not sitting right with me. It was too vague – what constituted more? Should I tangle every day? Twice a day? Twice a week? For how long? I realized through all of this deliberation that I did not want tangling to be a task on my To-Do list. I did not want to end up sitting down and rushing through a tile just so I could say that I tangled.

Then, my little friend Bijou whispered in my ear, “Deliberate Strokes.” I decided that I will tangle more… deliberately. Tangle with intention.

When we are more deliberate with our strokes, we are focused on the process of tangling and not the end result. We are focused on one stroke at a time and how it relates to the other tangles on our tiles.

I began a tile with the tangle mooka. Being very deliberate with each of my mooka’s, I made an effort not to plan how all my mooka’s would look together in the end, but on one mooka at a time. I worked through my tile with the same deliberation I began with and when it came time to shade, I focused on one line, one tangle a time.

With deliberate strokes, and all those other, wise words from Bijou seem to fall into place… savor, breathe, focus…

What kind of intention are you setting with your tangling this year? Tell us which Bijiousim you are focusing on this year and we will randomly pick a few winners to receive a Bijou Box!

Julie Willand

62 comments

  • I had been wondering where Bijou was as I hadn’t heard or seen him in a while in the blogs. So, your current blog made me smile and remember how integral he is to the Zentangle process. I have my own Bijou on my desk and when I am tangling there I really try hard to remember his wisdom. “I can do anything one stroke at a time.” I tend to hurry a bit so a reminder to focus on each stroke is timely.

    Joyce Schieltz on

  • thank you Julie. I always enjoy your notes and words of wisdom. Many thanks for BIJOU thoughts. I want to take more time to fully appreciate the Zentangle Method, just slow down and enjoy each stroke.

    malka shavrick on

  • I love “no mistakes”. I’m a teacher and I tell my students, “a mistake is an opportunity to learn “. Thanks, Bijou!

    Myra on

  • INSPIRE – Bijouism
    In December 2021, I came to the realization that the snail is my “spirit animal.” I belong to a large ‘meet up’ group in Pittsburgh, PA, called Zentanglers in Pittsburgh. There are about 12 of us (out of hundreds in the group) who created a Christmas or Holiday card for each other. I stress out about my design all year, waiting for just the right inspiration. This year, the inspiration arrived on Christmas Eve. (Yes, rather late for sending out good wishes for the holiday). My inspiration was an ornament I found at Target. (And on Christmas Eve, it was still full price, but I bought it anyway.) It was a green felt snail, decorated with sequins! So on Christmas day, in the Christmas Spirit, listening to Christmas music, I created my cards. My Bijouism is the word, Inspire, as it is written in Maria’s lovely hand…. I am sending Julie the card. Love to all in this beautiful New Year!

    Jamie Herron on

  • I was there when Bijou arrived that year…I am CZT15. What an exciting year that was. So many wonderful things happened that spring in Providence. Laura Harms was our special speaker that week…a life changing week.

    Ginny Stiles on

  • In December 2021, I came to the realization that the snail is my “spirit animal.” I belong to a large ‘meet up’ group in Pittsburgh, PA, called Zentanglers in Pittsburgh. There are about 12 of us (out of hundreds in the group) who created a Christmas or Holiday card for each other. I stress out about my design all year, waiting for just the right inspiration. This year, the inspiration arrived on Christmas Eve. (Yes, rather late for sending out good wishes for the holiday). My inspiration was an ornament I found at Target. (And on Christmas Eve, it was still full price, but I bought it anyway.) It was a green felt snail, decorated with sequins! So on Christmas day, in the Christmas Spirit, listening to Christmas music, I created my cards. My Bijouism is the word, Inspire, as it is written in Maria’s lovely hand….

    Jamie Herron on

  • Slow down and enjoy the process. Seeing Bijou is a constant reminder.

    Zipporah Rosenblatt on

  • Thanks for your thoughts Julie. Before I read your post I had already decided that this year I am going to tangle more for me and less for others ie social media. Last year I found that the distraction from outside influences albeit inspiring and beautiful to see, was affecting my confidence and stealing my joy when tangling. Considering your question I think TRUST sums it up for me this year with regards to my tangling (and maybe in others areas too). Trust my own creative instincts. Let them lead me to my own style, my own pace, and so find enjoyment and confidence in what I tangle. Trust the process and thereby enjoy the process.

    Liz Gatehouse on

  • No mistakes is the Bijouism I am focusing on this year in my Zentangle journey. I’ve always struggled with perfectionism, and there have been times when I catch myself being judgemental about a perceived mistake when tangling. But an aha moment during the recent FYIC2022 made me realize it’s the process not the product that is important. This came after a tangle had been completed, and while admiring what I had done noticed a stroke I had done that was completely unintended and unnoticed until that moment. My brain labeled it as a mistake but then I realized I had changed the pattern into something amazing and my tangle took in an "Esher-like appearance. It was a magical Bijou moment. Thanks Bijou!

    Lauren Urbais on

  • ‘Give it away’ is my intention for this year. I love giving the gift of Zentangle to friends. I also love giving my completed tiles to strangers, like a server in a restaurant or leave for the maid in a hotel room. (If I ever go to one of those places again). I make cards out of my favorite tiles and send them as birthday or thinking of you cards, or just stick them in the bag with some soup for my neighbor. Bijou and I will be on the move, spreading a smile here and there.

    Susie Powell on

  • Hi Julie, So hear you on the not making a resolution as a ‘to do’, I used to do that, before I realised it caused more mental harm not good! However, I still realised you can achieve goals, with the right attitude, gratefulness, deliberation, and a smile. I may set up a timetable or a to do list, but I don’t beat myself up if I don’t get it done. This year is my year ‘on’ for UFO (UnFinished Objects) being completed, and with a deliberate attitude, I will complete those half finished tiles, those drawers than need cleared out, that pile I collected to go to a charity delivered, and as I get all those things I started, now finished, it is with a delightful sense of achievement and joy. Perhaps I add one project from start to finish, all the bijou isms on the fridge door! Great Post Julie!

    Ildica Boyd on

  • Me yet again! Please ignore my last post! I found the hyperlink. I guess its a sign that I need to “Slow down” ;)

    Kay J Naumann on

  • Hi Again- I’m wondering if someone might be able to direct me to more Bijouisms? I have seen Appreciate and Slow Down, but would love to see the others if they are readily available!

    Kay J Naumann on

  • My word this year will be „ gratefulnes „ . Every day I will think about what I‘m grateful for, even if it will be a very small thing. I think, gratefulnes is the key to peace of the Heart. And Peace is the one thing the world needs urgently at this time .

    Martina Fegeler on

  • Bijou is telling me to “Relax” this year and I want to follow it, relax with my zentangle practice and not stress about it.

    Suchitra K on

  • Savor, such a delicious word! I love how Bijou describes the word. I will savor the moments in 2022!

    Wendy Hoffman czt20 on

  • Bijou is truly a unique character in that he/she can teach us to embrace so many wonderful intentions with tangling. My word this year is Mindful. I want to be mindful to remember self care, mindful of the needs and thoughts of others, mindful of just how I put my pen to paper one stroke at a time without expectations but instead with pure enjoyment!

    Linda Elkin CZT37 on

  • Breathe, and relax Your hands, and take a sip of water. As I am doing a zoom class either teaching or taking it, I try to remind myself of those three things

    Lisa Hoesing on

  • Ah Bijou … slow as a snail and enjoying each moment! With Gratitude!

    Mary Ellen ZieglerCZT#33 on

  • Great reminder about Bijouisms! I’m looking hard at "focus " I tend to rush and jump around to a lot of different tangles. I need to focus, slow down and go in-depth with individual tangles.

    NancyW on

  • Be Present….my word of the year. Trying to focus more and be in the moment. Bijou is a good reminder!

    Lisa Anderson on

  • Commitment. This is the word I’ve chosen to focus on this year. In terms of bijouism? Not sure but I’m zentangle I’m committed to all the positive energy I gain from every aspect. It gives me focus, freedom and creativity. I apply “no mistakes” to my life & tangling and in the end, the outcome is beautiful!!! Have fun & tangle on!!!! 🐌❤️

    Jennifer on

  • Appreciate! Remember to take time and appreciate your tangle, your time to tangle and the joy it brings you!

    Missy Keller on

  • Believe is my word for the year. Not a Bijouism but I believe it should be because if you believe in yourself and believe somthing good will happen it usually will. One belief like one stroke at a time and good things with come like all of the bijouisms do if you give it a chance and believe in them.

    Sue Leslie on

  • After working for 50 years, I thought when I retired two years ago that I would be able to just relax and enjoy life. For some of us, that is not as easy as it sounds. So, I took up Zentangle at my local community center and have been learning and loving it ever since. Zentangle helps me to be “deliberate”, “slow down”, and “breathe”! Thank you 🐌 and Zentangle!

    Carol Roenbaugh on

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