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.
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Thank you, Jody for this gift and the smile it brought to our faces!
Congratulations to the winners, the runner-ups, all who contributed. A big thank you to Rick & Maria and the Zentangle group for keeping us all interested and engaged.
It’s an honor to be part of such a creative community!
Carol Roenbaugh on
How fun and delightful! I will add these to my vocabulary immediately.
Jody G., I absolutely LOVE your submission, too!
So happy to be a member of the worldwide Penchant of Tanglers!
Amy Broady on
Am loving the ‘inspiration’ of tangles and being part of a ‘penchant’ of tanglers. Congratulations to all the ‘winners’. I feel we are all so blessed to be part of this wonderful process. I’m fortunate to be able to do on-line classes with Heather Gladden, CZT, and in-person classes at our senior center with her Mom, Cherie Hartwig, also a CZT. Zentangle is something I need to do every day to stay grounded…thank you.
Joyce Schieltz on
Now trying to translate penchant to Dutch, … uhm, we’ll see.
ArjadLH, CZT9 on
ruth on
ruth on
Paula on
What a wonderful start to my day! I am searching for my Inspiration of tangles right now. Looking forward to connecting with my Penchant of tangle friends at the ZenAgain2021.
Deb M CZT30 on
Great choices. I too enjoyed reading all the entries!
Betsey Youngs on
Lisa
Lisa Hoesing on