Maria writes:
Well, now. How could we have ever predicted that there were so many creative, thoughtful writers in our Zentangle community? (On second thought, how could we not have!) The response to this blog post was so delightful. It took us a long time to go through them carefully and not rush. We could have chosen 50 we really loved, and yet would have struggled with even that limitation.
The selections we finally came up with are wonderful. We decided that we should have five "runners up" in each category so that it could give you an idea of how difficult it was to choose. The time, effort and passion in each story that accompanied the names was obvious. They were so much fun to read. It gave us a delightful insight into how our community thinks of their Zentangle practice and how it affects their lives.
If you haven't already, we encourage you to read through and enjoy all the comments and suggestions. It is a true treasure chest of short (short) stories.
Runners up for the group name for TANGLES:
- INKLE by Clara B.
- LUSTER by Rosemary B.
- WEALTH by Viv
- DANCE by Marita L.
- PALETTE by Sue B.
Runners up for the group name for TANGLERS:
- TANGREGATION by Darcie F.
- TANGLELOTS by Mary Ellen Z.
- SERENDIPITY by Eli H.
- ORCHESTRA by Liane M.
- DELIGHT by Ruth E. D.
So, beat the drums and sound the trumpets! Here are our picks:
An INSPIRATION of Tangles, by Elizabeth W.
and
A PENCHANT of Tanglers, by Carol L.
Rick writes:
We collected the top choices from among Zentangle HQ staff. Then Maria and I spent delightful hours together as we looked up words in the dictionary, researched word origins and checked in with the thesaurus. We appreciated the stories behind all of the suggestions. We pondered how different words would translate into other languages.
An Inspiration of Tangles
Some definitions of inspiration:
- stimulation or arousal of the mind, feelings, soul, etc., to special activity or creativity
- something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create
- a force or influence that inspires someone
- a person, place, experience, etc., that makes someone want to do or create something
- a good idea
- an inspiring agent or influence
- the act of drawing in; inhalation
We loved these definitions and the idea that tangles are both inspired and inspiring.
Some tangles are inspired by the beauty of patterns all around us. Some tangles are inspired tanglers who create new patterns. And each tangle comes with its simple step-out that inspires others to explore it in their own ways.
Tangles also inspire. We hear so many stories about how, while tangling, new ideas, insights and answers are inspired. We also know from our own lives, how the process of tangling offers a wonderful metaphor that inspires a light-hearted and creative approach to the daily art of life.
A Penchant of Tanglers
Some definitions of penchant:
- a strong and continued inclination
- a habitual liking for something or tendency to do something
- fondness, affinity
Well that pretty well sums it up! We love that idea of doing something – for instance, tangling – because we like to do it, not because we are forced to do it.
And there was one additional and playful reason we liked that name. A tangle is a pattern we draw in a series of repetitive strokes, usually with a pen. A chant is a series of repetitive sounds. So a pen-chant is a . . . (You get it!)
Once again from us both, thank you all so much for playing along.
We will send gifts and signed prints of the above proclamation to the twelve people listed above. If you're on that list, please send your shipping address to julie@zentangle.com.
Enjoy!
Rick and Maria
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But wait! There's more...
We received this lovely suggestion via email from Jody G., CZT that was too fun not to share.
Jody writes...
You will need to read betweed the beelines...
A group of tanglers is a Drather because we’d Drather be tangling than doing anything else. We sometimes like to gather in a drewery where we enjoy the local favorites such as the FlooDriver or a RootMeer if you prefer non-alcoholic.
If you get the Munchins there are usually pea-nuckles and pepper at the bar. It’s a very gneiss combination.
Once everyone is done emingle-ing it’s time to swarm to pick out our favorite tangles from the Caboodle (name for a group of tangles) so we can get to what we’d Drather be doing in the first place.
Well, that’s about it. I’ve got to hurry and close my windows. It looks like it’s going to rain.
--- + ---
Thank you, Jody for this gift and the smile it brought to our faces!
Sue (Backyard Tangles) on
H. Carol Schmidt ~CZT 2014 on
Harriet Udell on
Alicia on
LLS on
Excellent. Wonderful choices! And I’m sure it wasn’t easy, but a lot of fun! :)
Margaret Bremner on
Excellent. Wonderful choices! And I’m sure it wasn’t easy, but a lot of fun! :)
Margaret Bremner on
Excellent. Wonderful choices! And I’m sure it wasn’t easy, but a lot of fun! :)
Margaret Bremner on
Jan ~ Sailandbejoyful~ on
WELL DONE
Carole L on
WOW! Maria, the design was beautiful before, but your additions have made it absolutely GORGEOUS!!!! I am so glad it was you who had to make the decision! There were so many wonderful ideas! Congratulations to the winners! I hope that you will offer copies of that design for sale for us all, I have the perfect place to hang it above my drawing table!
LLS on
WOW! Maria, the design was beautiful before, but your additions have made it absolutely GORGEOUS!!!! I am so glad it was you who had to make the decision! There were so many wonderful ideas! Congratulations to the winners! I hope that you will offer copies of that design for sale for us all, I have the perfect place to hang it above my drawing table!
LLS on
What a fun contest with excellent results. Do you think with can get Merriam-Webster to add the new definition and pronunciation of penchant (Pen Chant) to the dictionary?
Bette Abdu, CZT 1,4,28 on
Angelina Arcari on
Becky J on
Wonderful. Congrats to winners n honorees. Hope to see Maria n the entire ZHQ gang create signature calligraphy for these words.
Nancy Needler on
Clara Brunk on
Lovely choices and a fabulous selection process, with great attention to detail which I love. Congratulations to the winners and it was such fun to be able to submit suggestions and enjoy reading other entries – thanks for sharing!
Michelle Dugdale CZT37 on
Loraine from Oz
Loraine Chapman on
Veronica Hodges on
Lianne W on
Sue Bailey on
LaJuania D on
I just love the meanings behind the words!! This community means so much to me and has rescued my soul in so many ways. Thank you, Maria, and Rick!
Rosemary on
Anica on