Origami In Motion

Most origami is static; once created, it just sits there.  But some origami is made to move and bend, either to mimic the original design or to create a new effect.  The most common movable origami, and often the first paper-creation we make, is the fortune teller.  By moving the corners back and forth, we create a hypnotizing effect that simulates the mysteriousness of predicting the future.  Another favorite is the flapping crane.  Its design is a little different than the traditional version, but the alterations allow the wings to move if you pull the crane's tail.  There are many more movable origami creations, I will have to post more about this another time. 

Go Big or Go Home!

Most origami art-forms involve folding pocket-sized creations, but there is also the art of large origami.  Large origami is exactly as it sounds: fold the same pocket-patterns, but use very large pieces of paper.  Although impractical, the sizes of some of these creations can be magnificent!  A favorite of large-origami artists is dinosaurs, as the origami versions mimic the sizes of the real beasts.  Just be careful to not leave your creation out in the rain!

May the Fold Be With You

Origami is often associated with feminine patterns like flowers or butterflies.  But few realize that origami can also be quite masculine.  For example, Star Wars origami has a huge following, with users creating all the characters from the series.  The pieces can be easy, like the Millennium Falcon or a Tie-Fighter, or complex like Yoda or an X-Wing Fighter.  They are also great gifts for a guy friend, because what guy wouldn't want an X-Wing of their own?

A Little Water Goes A Long Way

Wet origami uses heavy paper that has been dampened with water.  The damp paper allows the folder to create smoother, more natural looking edges and surfaces, resulting in more realistic final products.  The water makes the paper more malleable, but it also makes it weaker, so we use heavier paper to avoid tears.  The patterns are folded normally, but afterwards the folder spends a little extra time rounding and curving areas to increase visual affect.  The process can be difficult, but the result is worth it!

Flutterby, Flutterby, Fly Away Home

There are several ways to fold an origami butterfly, and each pattern emphasizes a different aspect of the creature.  The simple butterfly (top) displays the wing-pattern clearly while providing just enough detail to make it recognizable.  The second butterfly looks more like a moth because of it's prominent abdomen, and it tries to incorporate more rounded wings.  The fan butterfly is probably the easiest to make and looks the sweetest.  The third butterfly shows how, as the patterns get more intricate, the butterflies begin to look more realistic, through the curved bottom wings.  The last butterfly uses the two-tone of the paper to create wing patterns that look similar to real butterflies, making it the most realistic butterfly origami pattern yet. 

Money, Money, Money

Money makes a great gift, but giving the bills in an envelope can seem boring and impersonal.  Money origami can transform those plain dollar bills into a variety of fun creations.  There is the classic money-shirt for Father's Day, the sweet money-heart for Valentine's Day, the intricate money-koi for Birthdays, or the money-bouquet that is suitable for any occasion.  So next time you find yourself giving money to a loved one, try making it personalized.  They'll appreciate the present even more!

Anywhere, Anytime

You can do origami just about anywhere: while waiting in line, while watching TV, or while on long car rides.  For difficult projects, folding while standing can be tricky.  But for simple, repetitive projects like the units of the Modular Swan, folding them while standing is easy.  The best pass-time folding projects are ones that are repetitive, almost boring, when using your full attention, but just detailed enough to keep your hands consistently busy.  Try folding something next time you are waiting in line, it will make the time go by faster!