Category Archives: Zentangle Art

December 14, 2014 · 4:05 am

Certified Zentangle Teacher

Hi! I’ve recently returned from Providence, Rhode Island. I know, pretty amazing for me! Those who know me, know that sometimes I can’t even get out of my house šŸ™‚Ā  It happened very suddenly when I got a newsletter from zentangle.com that there were 4 open seminar spaces available…first come, first served! This was my dream, to go to seminar to become a Certified ZentangleĀ® Teacher but I figured I would have to wait until 2015 (it’s very hard to get in!). I would be trained by the founders of ZentangleĀ®, Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts. Well a long story shortened…I emailed but the 4 spaces were already filled and I was #15 on a waiting list. I was so disappointed to think I almost had a shot of getting in!

About two days later I get another email and I GOT IN!!Ā  That is, if I could fly to Providence, RI, and find a hotel in less than a week! The seminar is at the Providence Hotel but they were booked solid. Before I knew it I was on a plane and off to become a Certified ZentangleĀ® Teacher! No time to think how terrified I was to fly and fly so far from home for 6 days. I’m talking about Alaska to Rhode Island! It took me all day to get there, starting at 3:30am (Sat)and finally got to bed at 4:00am the next day (Sun).

But I did it! I made it to Providence only to find out they did not have a room for me! Yes, NO ROOM!! I had a total meltdown (and I mean it was bad!) and was driven across town to another hotel. I had absolutely no idea where I was or who I was with. They fortunately came back to get me the next day (I was crossing my fingers that they would!). I emailed Martha (Maria’s daughter) to let her know what happened and checked into the seminar that evening. I stayed at Biltmore that night, alone and scared.

Welcome-web

The next morning (Mon) after the morning class, Martha took me aside and said there was a vacancy at Providence Hotel and they were working on getting me over there with everyone else. OMG! I was soooooo excited, so relieved, so grateful, so exhausted! From then on I had the most FANTASTIC and AMAZING time! It was like I was living in a magical dream-world filled with beautiful tangles and warm and wonderful people. Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts and their entire ZentangleĀ® family were unbelievably so kind and giving.

Me, Maria, and Rick

Me, Maria Thomas, and Rick Roberts

I met so many people from around the world. We had 13 countries and 22 students from Taiwan who became my friends (kneehow). I had so much fun and learned sooooo much!

Zentangle17

When I got back, Blaines Art Store asked me to teach ZentangleĀ® classes and I start in January 2015 (another dream come true!). I can hardly wait!!!! I am now a Certified ZentangleĀ® Teacher!

CZT

CZT

See you in class šŸ™‚

ā™„ Donna

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December 8, 2014 · 11:37 pm

Zentangle Discovered

HI!Ā  Last summer I discovered ZentangleĀ® which has changed my life! I came across it at www.zentangle.com and was mesmerized by the beautiful art and I knew that was something I wanted to do. I ran out and bought as many ZentangleĀ® books as I could find.Ā  ZentangleĀ® is an easy to learn, fun, and relaxing method of drawing repetitive structured patterns. It only requires a 3.5″ x 3.5″ white paper, 01 Micron Pen by Sukura and a pencil.Ā  No eraser because there are no mistakes in Zentangle…just opportunities for new patterns.Ā  This was my first attempt at tangling (before I took a class) šŸ™‚

01-ZenHeart-forweb

My First Zentangle

Now, I CANNOT draw but it said it’s easy and anyone can do it and so I took a beginning class from a Certified Zentangle Teacher and came out with two beautiful pieces of art that I DREW!! Yes, I can draw Zentangle Art!Ā  There were 6 students and we did 2 ZentangleĀ® tiles each. Each tile had 4 different tangles (patterns) on it. The most fascinating thing to me was that we were each shown how to draw the same tangle BUT each of our tangles were totally different and so creative!! It was our own art we were drawing that came from our minds!Ā  Just like in life, each person’s handwriting is different.Ā  We each have different personalities.Ā  Since the first time I saw Zentangle Art I secretly wanted to become a Certified ZentangleĀ® Teacher.Ā  I was convinced if I could draw such beautiful images, then anyone could and I wanted to share this magic!

First Class Zentangle Tile

First Zentangle class tile

Second Zentangle class tile

Second Zentangle class tile

Beginners Tile

Beginners Tile

 

I recommend taking a class with your local Certified Zentangle Teacher and explore www.zentangle.com

ā™„ Donna

 

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September 13, 2011 · 3:56 pm

Copyrights

Hi!Ā  I have been silent lately.Ā  Trying to figure out what to think, what to say, and which way to go.

Recently I’ve found some of my copyrighted 1999 locker hooking photos (of my actual hands!) used on 4 blogs/websites to advertise their own products and others (not mine).Ā  My photos have actually been linked to their sites without any mention of me or my business, or the fact that they are copyrighted and used without my permission.Ā  This is just WRONG!

I just don’t understand how people can do this.Ā  It is easy to copy and paste but how can they live with themselves knowing they are doing not only something illegal, but it is just WRONG, and it hurts people!Ā  This also happened to me 11 years ago when I first started my business.Ā  My son, Justin, took several photos of me locker hooking at our patio table ( yes, these are the same photos).Ā  I used them on the front and back covers of my first locker hooking book (registered with U.S. Copyright Office and the Library of Congress), as well as in my second book.Ā  They are used as my Logo, on my business cards, used to advertise my website, blog, facebook page, my classes.Ā  They are registered under Copyright Laws.Ā  But people still steal them.

The first time this happened I pulled back and stopped sharing my locker hooking photos and the ones I did and do share are all watermarked.Ā  Over the years I gained back my faith in people and even took a class about sharing internet social media last June, because I really do want to share.Ā  I would love to have my name out there, that is what the internet is all about.Ā  It’s wonderful! Ā But when you get punched in the stomach again and again, it affects your trust.Ā  I’ve pulled back again.

I’ve sent letters to violators and some people are nice and others not.Ā  I’ve deleted my photos that I do not want to share publicly, but I continue to battle, trying to get them off permanently and I am frustrated.

I’ve changed my hardcore policies and asked people if they are going to use some of my copyrighted photos, at least ask me and link them back to me or my business.Ā  We will see……………….

So sadly, I’ve come to the same conclusion as when I started this business………………my wonderful locker hooking photos and knowledge will remain in my books only.

ā™„ Donna

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July 20, 2011 · 5:47 pm

Alaskan Crocheted Rocks

Bring a piece of “Alaska” indoors!

As you know I’ve been crocheting glass covers this summer and I got to thinking about picnics and my daughter’s outdoor wedding coming up.Ā  How do you keep the paper napkins from blowing away?Ā  So……….I’ve been having fun crocheting rocks that I’ve found on the beaches in Alaska!Ā  I soak them, scrub them, and then crochet the rock using 100% cotton thread and sign them.Ā  They are natural Alaskan rocks!Ā  A long time ago I crocheted two rocks for bookends to use in my store (for my Laurel Burch journals) and they are just as pretty now as then.Ā  But this time I’m getting more creative and adding beads, buttons, ribbon, crocheted flowers, and more and having an absolute blast doing it!

Collection of "Alaskan Crocheted Rocks"

One of my collections of Alaskan Crocheted Rocks

Jake and I go to the Alaskan beaches and hand-pick each beautiful naturally flat and smooth rock, which we lug home.Ā  We have a favorite beach but you have to go down and back up a very, very steep cliff to get back to the car.Ā  Of course it is so much easier to do in the fall when it’s cooler outside.Ā  Put them in the back of the car and they help with traction in the Alaskan winters!Ā  My husband is such a good sport!Ā  At first he thought I was crazy, but now he actually thinks it’s really cool and he even uses them at work!

I make my Alaskan Crocheted Rocks to use as napkin and paper weights, book ends, door stops, decorative and conversational pieces like in bowls and windowsills.Ā  Great for picnics and barbeques!Ā  Or decorate your garden!

And they make perfect unique little gifts!Ā  This is the crocheted rock I gave to my dear friend, Rene.

Rene's Rock

Rene's Rock

ā™„Donna

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June 3, 2011 · 5:55 pm

Beaded Glass Covers and Doilies

Hi!Ā  I’m back to crocheting glass covers!Ā  I’ve been making these for a long time and thought I would share them with you.Ā  Because I live in Alaska, when summer comes everyone gets out of their homes and stays outside until the snow comes again.Ā  Well, we have a picnic bench under some trees and the leaves, dirt, bugs, not to mention the pesky mosquitos fall into our glasses!Ā  So I came up with these colorful glass covers to protect water or wine, or whatever you may have in your glass.Ā  They work well for coffee mugs too!Ā  I also make larger sizes to cover food bowls.Ā  If you don’t want to use them on top of your glass, just slide them under your glass and you have classy glass doilies.Ā  And when they aren’t on your table, they look really pretty under potted plants, etc.

We have been saving all sorts of glass jars and that is what we use for our ‘everyday ware’.Ā  They look really cool on your table!Ā  In fact, we have so many now that our cupboards are literally over flowing!Ā  The glass covers also look quite elegant on wine glasses too!Ā  For red wines I use dark color thread and for white wine, it doesn’t matter.

I love to choose different colors and add the beads on the ends.Ā  The beads look pretty and are functional by weighting the cover down.Ā  I’ve used charms and buttons too.Ā  I’ve tried using plastic beads because they can go in the wash (inside a delicates bag), but they don’t hold enough weight, at least for outside. Ā I’ve even gotten fancier and made lacy glass covers (like doilies) but I have to keep the stitches tight so little bugs don’t sneak in.

Do you prefer a set of the same color or a mix of different colors glass covers?Ā  Each one is unique even if they are the same color because they are handmade!Ā  You can find the “Crochet Pattern” for itĀ  on my website.

Crochet Glass Covers

Crochet Glass Covers

Wine Glass Covers

Wine Glass Covers

Glass Doilies By Donna

Glass Doilies

Have a GREAT summer everyone and protect your glasses!

ā™„Donna

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August 23, 2010 · 11:57 pm

Christmas In August

Hi!Ā  Did you know Alaskans celebrate Christmas in July?Ā  JoAnn Fabrics always has a big fabric sale on their Christmas fabric in July and a furniture store gives great prices at their “Christmas in July” sale.Ā  I get flyers through the mail and I see advertisements on the TV.Ā  I never have really understood why?Ā  But the craft stores now have Halloween and Christmas items on their shelves (already!).Ā  When I was in retail business I remember I’d have to start thinking about what I’m going to buy for the store for next Christmas, like right after THAT Christmas (or earlier).Ā  Company reps would come up that winter or early spring to take Christmas orders and if you didn’t have orders in by summer, you were sunk.Ā  I’m glad to be out of that life!

So……….I’m celebrating Christmas in August becauseĀ  I recently posted some of my “Big Holiday Stockings” on my Etsy shop.Ā  It felt weird taking photos outside and no snow yet, but it was so much FUN! I put a few tree branches in the tops of the stockings and hung them from a tree (a great suggestion from a friend & locker hooker).Ā Ā  I will be making more big stockings and I’ll get some photos in the snow.Ā  We get snow in October and sometimes in September.

It all started when I drew one of my daughter’s names for a Christmas gift.Ā  She had recently moved into a new apartment and I wanted to make her something special.Ā  So I crocheted her own stocking with lots of colors and pretty yarns.Ā  I even crocheted beads into the toe.Ā  I had so much fun making it and used up some of my yarn remnants!Ā  Jake was thrilled saying, “don’t stop now, what a great way to get rid of ALL your yarn!!”Ā  OK, I do have way too much yarn, way too much!

Here are some of my Big Holiday Stockings!Ā  I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas!Ā  Thanks!

Donna

One of my "holiday stockings"

Fun with fun fur

Christmas stocking

Had fun with some novelty yarn

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August 1, 2010 · 5:34 am

A Warm Welcome!!

I want to welcome you to my new blog!

My name is Donna Jacobson, an author, teacher, crocheter, and avid crafter from Anchorage, Alaska.Ā  In 1999, I started my business called Alaska Locker Hooking Etc., when I wrote and self-published the first locker hooking book written on fabric entitled, “Locker Hooking With Fabric Strips”.

I know you’re thinking, “WHAT in the world is locker hooking??”

Well, it’s an old rug hooking technique that started around the early 1900’s in Great Britain.Ā  Using fabric strips (or thick yarn or roving), latch hook canvas, a locker hook (which is a 6.5″ long crochet hook and the other end has a large needle ‘eye’), and strong yarn (which is threaded through the ‘eye”), you can make beautiful and sturdy rugs, wall hangings, clothing, belts, blankets, pet beds, lots of kitchen items, frames, purses, baskets, and tons of home decor and accessories.Ā  Things that you can actually use and wear!Ā  It’s really easy, quick, inexpensive, portable, and just plain fun!

A locker hook

A steel locker hook used in "locker hooking"

Itā€™s really great for those who love fabric and yarn and a great way to use up those scraps!

Noā€¦.itā€™s not latch hooking.Ā  Itā€™s just different!

I have soooo much to share with you!

Donna

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