Have you ever seen those cool-looking “coats” worn by performers in Japanese festivals? They’re called happi (半被) or happi-coats in English. This super-easy tutorial will show you how to fold one of these in less than 5 minutes. It’s perfect for beginners and, similar to the origami kimono, includes a simple squash fold, which is…
Are you on the lookout for a new origami crane project? This one might just be what you’re searching for! While it may not be as well-known as the traditional origami crane, it’s a truly elegant model that will bring beauty to any space. It’s perfect for both beginners and experienced folders, and you can…
Even though tulips aren’t originally from Japan, they’ve been popular since they were brought over during the Edo period. They symbolize beauty, elegance, and the arrival of spring. The origami tulip is a much-loved figure in Japan today, known for its simplicity and the colorful touch it brings to any space. The origami tulip is…
Imagine a lily, its petals unfolding in delicate curves. In Japan, this flower symbolizes purity, beauty, and new beginnings. Often associated with femininity, lilies add a touch of magic to ceremonies like weddings. We’re going to capture that same elegance into a paper model. The lily flower, with its simple yet striking shape, is a…
The sensu, or folding fan, has a really interesting history! It originated during Japan’s Heian period and has evolved from a symbol of aristocratic status to a versatile tool in many aspects of Japanese life. It’s used in traditional dances, theatrical performances, ceremonies, and artwork. Oh, and it’s great for staying cool, too! In this…
Let’s make a traditional origami lantern, a symbol deeply rooted in Japanese tradition. While origami is known for its animal designs like cranes, the lantern stands out with its own charm during festivals. It symbolizes guidance, protection, and the illumination of darkness. The origami lantern is super easy to fold, making it perfect for beginners….
The origami dog is a classic in the world of paper folding. With its lovely simplicity, this model is ideal for beginners and great for practicing pleat folds. Follow our step-by-step instructions and you’ll fold this simple origami dog in just a few minutes. Traditional Origami Dog Step-by-Step Instructions Step 1 Start with the white…
Looking for a creative twist on the ordinary envelope? Whether you’re wrapping a gift card or sending a special note, making your own origami envelope adds a personal and artistic touch. This easy-to-follow tutorial will show you how to fold an origami envelope. This model is ideal for beginners and fun for crafters of all…
Looking to create a rose out of paper? Today, I’ll walk you through creating your very own origami rose. Unlike other origami roses, the traditional fractal rose features a repeating pattern that’s very interesting to fold and perfect for beginners. Whether you want to add a unique touch to your paper art, home decor, surprise…
Are you in the mood for a heartfelt origami project? Folding an origami heart is not only simple but also a wonderfully meaningful craft! It’s perfect for special moments like Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or just to let someone know you care. This lovely design is super versatile! Whether you want to add a personal touch…
If you’re an intermediate to advanced origami folder and you’re looking for a great book full of fish and other sea creatures to fold you’ll definitely want to check out Marine Origami by Joseph Hwang. For full disclosure Joseph Hwang contacted me and sent me a copy of the book to review. My first impressions…
Gerardo, from Neorgami and Mini Neo, will be offering an online conference/workshop at zero cost. Attend the event through the Zoom platform on Saturday, May 9, 10:00 – 12:30 pm (New York) / 3:00 – 5:30 (London). You’ll be folding a bit and learning about the characteristics of a particular approach to the creation of…
We’re finally coming to the end of the Best Origami of 2018 posts! This time we’re going to look at the best modular models. These are pretty much all geometric shapes created from multiple sheets of paper folded into individual units and assembled together. This also includes kusudamas. You can vote for your favourite model…
There are a few more categories to wrap up for the Best Origami of 2018. This time we’re looking at insects which are always very impressive and there are a lot of great models from 2018. Like the previous posts voting will be open for 2 weeks until September 23, 2019 so vote for your…
Let’s get started and check out the best fish and sea creatures. You can vote for your favourite at the end of the post and voting will be open for 2 weeks until September 4th just like the other categories. Kei Watanabe designed a ton of fantastic fish, and we’ll start things off with amazing…
We’re back with the next installment of the best origami this time featuring mythological creatures, beings, etc. Let’s get started! 1) Yebisu, Designed and Folded by Kei Watanabe Yebisu is one of the Seven Lucky Gods from Japanese mythology and this super expressive model is folded from a single sheet of paper! I love the…
In this post we’re looking at the best origami animals I saw uploaded to the Internet during 2018. Voting is still open for the best origami people, birds and reptiles so if you haven’t cast a vote for your favourites over there be sure to check them out first. Voting for your favourite animal themed…
In today’s post, we’re going to take a look at the best origami reptiles and amphibians. This includes any sort of lizard, reptile, or dinosaur, as well as amphibians like frogs. Let’s begin! 1) Tree Frog, Designed by Satoshi Kamiya and Folded by Ji Woo Han This is easily one of the best frogs I’ve…
In this post we’re going to take a look at some of the best origami birds of 2018. If you missed our “Best Origami People of 2018” post you can check it out here. Voting is still open over there. This time we’re looking at origami birds and there are some pretty amazing models here….
We’re starting things off with the best origami people. These are anything from an entire person folded out of paper to just a face, a mask, or something person-related. 1) Charrui Designed and Folded by Rui Roda This mask was designed after Rui Roda attended a class taught by João Charrua and it kind of incorporates a…
First up a quick note about that best origami of 2018 contest I wanted to do. That’s still happening and I should be making a post with all the details for that contest soon so be sure to keep an eye out for that. Next up is a special gift from me! I’m going to…
So I’ve been thinking of putting together some kind of 2018 End-of-the-Year Origami Awards and I’d like to get some feedback. My initial thought is to come up with some categories such as “the best origami dragons”, “the best origami fish”, “the top most awesome origami models I saw all year”, “the most unique looking…
October 9th is known as Leif Erikson Day, an observance that honours the Norse explorer Leif Erikson who is believed to be the first European to ever set foot in North America. The date itself doesn’t really have anything to do with Leif Erikson. Instead it commemorates the date of the start of a large…
Over the last little while I’ve noticed more and more people folding origami playing cards. These models are super impressive because usually they use paper that’s white on one side and red or black on the other side. The designs use colour changes so you end up with a white card background and red hearts…
