Martyn - 3D Origami Fun!: 25 Fantastic, Foldable Paper Projects

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AVON, MASSACHUSETTS

For Leah, Jackie, Jaeson, and Aria

Three-dimensional origami is a unique paper-folding art. Unlike typical origami folding, where a single sheet of paper is folded into a particular shape, 3D origami is made up of hundredssometimes even thousandsof individually folded pieces. These folded pieces are joined together to create a final masterpiece that is extremely sturdyand fun!

3D origami does take time and patience, but the results are well worth the effort. You may actually find the cutting and folding process relaxing! You can even multitask, and cut or fold the paper while youre listening to music or an audiobook. The building process itself is simple, and youll find it easy to follow with the photos and diagrams in this book.

This type of origami is perfect for people of all ages, and its a great activity idea for parties or get-togethers. Choose a project that fits in with the theme of your party, and youve got a memorable activity and a party favor all in one. Hosting a beach-themed party in the summer? Invite guests to make seashells. Celebrate with cupcakes at an older childs birthday party. Baby shower guests will love creating cute little chicks to celebrate the little one on the way! (If youre hosting a party, consider cutting and/or folding the basic paper pieces ahead of time so guests can jump right into the building process.)

Since theyre handmade, 3D origami projects also make great gifts. Have a child make an apple for his teacher. Bring a colorful butterfly to a neighbor. Construct a silly monkey for a friend who needs a laugh. Surprise a wise coworker by leaving an owl on her desk. Each present is sure to bring a smile to the recipients face.

In this book, you will learn how to cut the paper, fold it into basic 3D origami pieces, and then glue the pieces together to form an adorable homemade piece of art. Each project is customizablethe photos here give you a guideline, but feel free to use your own color choices, and add small details to the finished product to really make it your own. For even more ideas, visit Stinkin Kute Origami on Facebook (www.facebook.com/stinkinkuteorigami). Lets get cutting and folding!

The great thing about 3D origami is you can use many different types of paper for folding. However, the thickness and size of the paper will affect the outcome of your structure. Paper is sold by weight, which measures the thickness and strength of the paper. For the most part, the higher the number, the thicker and stronger the paper.

Most of the projects in this book use 24-pound paper, which can be purchased online or in office stores. You could use regular 20-pound printer paper for most projects, but it might deliver less sturdy results. Construction paper (typically 6580 pounds) is not recommended for most 3D origami, as it tears easily and can be difficult to fold crisply. Scrapbooking paper is considered heavyweight and usually is around 80 pounds; therefore, its not appropriate for 3D origami.

For each project in this book, youll find the thickness of paper that I recommend within the materials list. Use cardstock (6580 pounds) for glued-on facial features and limbs.

You can purchase paper for these projects online or in office stores. I suggest buying an assorted pack that comes with a variety of colors. I have good experience using Xerox Multipurpose Color Paper and Astrobrights. Youll find them in reams of 500 sheets and the cost ranges from $9$16. Black and brown 24-pound paper is difficult to find in stores, but you can purchase it on Amazon.com. You may substitute patterned paper as long as the weight is appropriate. Keep in mind that patterned paper might affect how your art is distinguished, so plan your colors before you start.

Although you can use scissors to cut the paper, a paper trimmer will deliver quicker and more accurate results. You will, however, need scissors for some of the smaller, finer cuts. If youre going to use scissors, be sure your pair is sharp and fits your hand properly.

You can find many styles of paper trimmers at local craft stores. Your best bet is a 12" Personal Paper Trimmer from Carl, which costs less than $20. Any similar model will work and is safe for kids to use since the blade is concealed. Most models come with an extra blade, too.

I wouldnt advise spending too much on a nice paper trimmer simply because frayed edges wont show in a 3D origami structure. I have been using the same paper trimmer for more than five years, so even the inexpensive ones last awhile!

If you plan to make several 3D origami structures, its a good idea to organize your paper, whether its simply cut or already folded. Once I decide what project Im going to tackle, the first thing I do is cut my paper. To keep things neat, I store my cut paper in a zip-top bag. As I begin folding, I keep my folded pieces in a neat pile on the table, or I put them back into the same zip-top bag if Im not going to construct at that moment. I keep different colors in different bags. Even though there is a noticeable difference in size between A and B paper, consider labeling the size on the bag so you can easily find what you need.

If you are the type who likes to plan ahead for future projects, you might consider buying nifty plastic storage containers that will hold a good amount of your cut and folded paper. I use the Darice Adjustable Storage Box, which you can find at local craft storesit only costs about $10. I especially like the ones with adjustable dividers.

This technique of cutting paper is efficient because it uses a complete 8.5" 11" sheet of paper with no waste. One sheet of paper yields 24 pieces of Size A folding paper. These instructions demonstrate how to cut 1 piece of paper, but keep in mind that you can cut multiple sheets at once to increase the amount of pieces you make. The number of pieces of paper you can stack is dependent upon the thickness of the paper. I can usually cut 5 sheets of 24-pound paper and 8 sheets of 20-pound paper with my paper trimmer.

• Paper Cutter (or scissors)
• 1 (8.5" 11") Sheet

1. Start by cutting your 8.5" 11" sheet of paper in half to make 2 (4.25" 5.5") rectangles.

   

2. Stack the 2 pieces of paper from the previous step and cut them in half the short way.

   

3. Stack the 4 pieces of paper from the previous step and cut in half the short way.