1.

For the base of my zentangle, I roll out a sheet of scrap clay



on the #4 setting of my Atlas pasta machine, then trim the

sheet to a 3 ½”/8.8cm square. This square is placed on a
tile so I won’t have to move it when it comes time to put it in
the oven.
 2.
I score lines with a needle tool to make the sections of my


zentangle. These serve as a general guide, and I may make

changes as I add the patterned sheets.
3. Pattern #1: White Polka Dots on Black
Background
I condition approximately 1oz/28.5g of white clay


and 2oz/56g . I roll the white clay into a log about

½”/13mm in diameter and 1”/2.5cm in length.
4.
I wrap several sheets of black clay around the


white center (#3 thickness) until the log measures

about 1 ½”/3.8cm in diameter
5.
I trim the excess black clay from the sides with a


stiff clay blade to form a square. I cut carefully to

ensure that the cuts are straight and the white
circle is centered inside the square.
6.
This cane is reduced until it is about 4”/10cm in
length and approximately ½’/13mm square.
7.
The cane is cut into 4 equal pieces and


reassembled as shown above to form a 1”/2.5cm

square approximately 1”/2.5cm in length.
8.
This ‘4-dot cane’ is reduced until it is a ½”/13mm square


about 4 ½-5”/11.5-13cm in length. I trim the distorted

ends before proceeding further.
9.
The cane is reduced again until it is a ¼”-3/8” (6.3-


10mm) square approximately 4 ½”/11cm long,

approximately. Trim the distorted ends. Now it’s
time to make the patterned sheet.
 10.
For the base of my patterned sheet, I have rolled out a thin


sheet (#6 setting) approximately 2”x2 ½” (5x6.3cm) of black

clay. I then cut very thin slices of my polka dot cane, and
place them next to each other. I use the tip of my clay blade
to pick up and move the slices on the black sheet until the
entire sheet is covered.
11
I use my acrylic roller to smooth and even out the cane


slices. I don’t press too hard, because I will be peeling the

sheet off my work surface to roll it through my pasta
machine.
12
Here the sheet has been rolled through the pasta


machine. I started with the #4 setting, then turned the

sheet 90 ° and rolled it at the #5 setting. I again turned
the sheet 90 °, and rolled it one last time at the #6
setting. The first patterned sheet is done. Now it’s on to
patterned sheet #2.
13. Pattern #2: Simplified Flower on
White Background
For the flower center, I roll a log of black clay


approximately ¼”/6.4mm in diameter and about 1

½”/3.8xm in length. I then wrap the black log with a sheet
of white clay which has been rolled at the #4 setting on
my Atlas Pasta Machine to form a bullseye. I set this aside
to work on the petal cane.
14.
For the petals, I make a white log of clay approximately


1”/2.5cm in diameter and 1 ½”/3.8cm in length. I wrap

the log with a sheet of black clay rolled at the #4 setting.
15.
I use the round handle of a needle tool-it’s about


¼”/6.4mm in diameter- to form a deep groove in the cane.

16.
I remove the needle tool and squeeze the sides together


so the black clay fills in the groove. I then proceed to

reduce this cane to a diameter of about ¼”/6.4mm and
approximately 12-14” /30.5-36cm in length.
17.
Here’s the reduced petal cane. This cane will be cut into 6


equal pieces-these should be the same length as the

flower center piece-to form the 6-petaled flower.
18.
The petals are arranged around the center as shown above.


Now I will pack the spaces between the petals with white clay. I
am using white clay to match the background color of my
patterned sheet, but could have also used translucent if I
wanted to use the flower on different colored backgrounds. As
you will see, I will have quite a bit of flower cane left after
reducing !
19
I make small triangles to fit the spaces between the


petals, and trim them with my clay blade so the are the
same ‘height’ as the petals.
20.
I wrap 2 sheets (each rolled at #3 thickness) of white clay


around the packed cane. It is now ready to be reduced !

21
I reduce the cane until it is ¾”/19mm in diameter (pictured at
far left in photo). I cut the cane in half, set one piece aside, and
reduce the other half until it is about ½”/13mm. I cut thiscane
in half, set one half aside, and reduce the other half to a
diameter of ¼”/6.4mm. Finally, I cut the ¼” cane in half, save
one half, and reduce the other half to 1/8”(about 3.5 mm). I will
use this smallest cane (shown on far right) to make my
patterned sheet.
22
Here’s the completed patterned sheet. I used whiteclay for the
background instead of scrap clay. I use the same procedure as
in the polka dot pattern (as shown in slides 10,11, and 12) the
only difference is that because this is a round cane, the
background is visible between the slices. Which is why I used a
white background ! On to pattern #3………
24. Pattern #3: Linoleum Floor Tile Print

I call this my ‘linoleum tile print’ because it reminds me of



the flooring that was once very common in kitchens,

bathrooms, and finished basements. This is a very easy
cane to make, no precise measuring and construction
needed. This cane starts with scrap pieces of
predominantly gray and white clay, with a bit of black.
24

I chop up the pieces with my clay blade, then compress



and shape the pieces to form a square log. This log is

2”/5cm in length, and 1”/2.5cm square.
25

I lay the log on my work surface and cut it lengthwise into



4 pieces.
26

I now proceed to turn every other piece over so the



bottom is now on top, then I press the pieces back

together.
27
I then rotate the reassembled log one turn so the uncut


side is facing up, and make the same lengthwise cuts,

flipping every other piece over as shown in the previous
photo.
 28
I turn the cane again and repeat the same ‘cut-slip-


compress’ procedure 2 or 3 more times. The face of the

cane looks like this when I am finished.
 29
I use the same procedure for making a patterned sheet as
I did with the previous two patterns. On to the fourth and
final pattern !
 30 Pattern # 4: The Checkerboard !
This is one of the most popular canes of all time, so I’m
assuming that everyone knows how to make a checkerboard. I
reduced my checkerboard to a very small size (1/4”/6.4mm), so
it was rather tedious placing all those tiny checkerboard cane
slices on the sheet. As you can see, the checks turned out a bit
irregular after I rolled the sheet through the pasta machine!
31. Assembling the Zentangle
Now that my patterned sheets are completed, it is time to


apply the patterns to my zentanglebase. I will be cutting

up the sheets to fit into the sections.
33.
I assign each pattern a number, then indicate on my base


where each pattern will be placed. I do this to avoid

putting the same pattern next to itself, and to distribute
the dark and light patterns evenly.
33
I cut and trim the pieces using an X-Actoknife. I press


each piece very gentlyover the area where it will be

placed. This makes a very light impression on the reverse
side that serves as a guide for cutting.
34
All the pieces are in place ! Finally !

35
I stretch a piece of clear plastic wrap over the completed


zentangle, and burnish it with my fingers to smooth the

surface and close some of the gaps between the pieces.
36
The zentanglehas been baked, sanded, and polished.


Time for lunch and a nap !!