In a Treasury: Thank you Brenda

Thank you Brenda from Bstudio for featuring me in your Treasury Shades of Pink   

Origami Crane Tri-fold Greeting Card - Garden Flower Pattern

The Return of West Coast Origami

Back in November 2011, I had to put my Etsy and Cargoh store on hiatus for a year.  It was a tough year as not only the store was put on hold, but also our lives as we were building our new work space. 

Now I’m easing back into handmade cards and loving every minute of it.  My favourite ones are back, my origami flower and Kimono cards.  I will be slowly building up more inventory in the next few days and will post updates on my Facebook Fanpage or Twitter

Origami Heart Box

Recently, I was asked to fold a jewellery box.  However, a plan square box wouldn’t do.  It wasn’t long to find the perfect design!  This is the Heart Box designed by Robin Glynn. 

This box is folded by one standard North American letter sized paper (8.5 x 11 inches).   The lid and base are made from making only one lengthwise cut. 

The magnitude of this fact is important.  Most of us have readily available in offices, school and at home.   Sometimes handmade or high end quality paper and sampling is often cut to 8.5 by 11. 

If you are looking for high quality handmade paper with beautiful designs, try The Paper Place, most of their paper designs will offer this size.

The original instructions was based on A4 sized paper (210mm x 297mm).  You can do a web search for more examples, but these are the ones I found for my project

• Instructions for A4 Paper
• Instructions for North American Size Letter Paper

The final size of this box ends up to be 3 inches lengthwise on the lid and 3 inches @ the widest part.  Perfect to gift a ring or earrings.

This heart box had to house a necklace so needed a sheet twice as large and I needed it in a hurry.  Lucky for me, there was Deserres!  They carry large format sheets that I cut to size.  As you see here, I put in adders so the necklace would be displayed nicely. 

This was the first origami project I invested time in since temporarily closing shop.  It was very enjoyable folding experience, and it’s a useful item to make!

Origami Caravan Project–Auction Oct 25 to Nov 10

Origami Caravan is a volunteer humanitarian effort geared toward children affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.  Read more about the Origami Caravan project here

To raise funds, top origami artists in the world are donating personally folded origami and auctioning them off on Ebay!

If you not an enthusiast but still want to help, you can still donate to the cause!  Please click here and look for the PayPal button.

I could fold some of the models they are auctioning, but it’s different when you own something folded by a world famous artist.

For me, I got my eye on this one, Ren-Jishi (Kabuki Lion Dancers) & Makoto Rose folded by Makoto Yamaguchi

Being Canadian, I also have a liking to Bernie Peyton’s Polar Bear as well.

Thanks for reading.  Please let me know if you donate!

Today, I’m going to a Wedding!

I have another wedding to go to!  And of course gave me another excuse to be creative with another personal project!

Norman and Tracy have been together for a few years now and great friends of ours.  It’s an honour to make something just for them for their special day.

Initially, wanted to have a personally designed graphic like the one I made for my cousins last year.  After all, I’m focusing on my graphics and really want to show potential clients what I can do! However, my laser eye surgery I had last month prevented me to complete that design.  It took me over a month to allow myself to look at a computer outside of work.  So, fell back on my first love, origami!

The doves were my idea, but the ribbon, heart and photo were my husband’s ideas.  I love how it turned out.

Lesson’s Learned

You can’t simply create a bow with two different ribbon that small.  I had to use a needle and thread.  Took me three tries!  The gem in the middle was actually my cop out so I wouldn’t have to sew a centre.  However, I think the gem actually enhanced the photo.

Some creative projects take two people.  My husband had to hold the ribbon so I can put adhesive on the back

Free Origami Paper from Everything in Paper Crafting

I stumbled upon this through random surfing to feed my origami addiction.  Everything In Paper Crafting is offering free origami paper!  This company is offering 50 sheets free to anyone in the US (Sorry my fellow Canadians)

I’d get some myself but I’m up to my ears in origami paper.  I should give some away, (no seriously, I really need to get rid of some…)  maybe I should offer a similar promotion one day!

Everything in Paper Crafting specializes in origami supplies and literature.  Click here to directly to the form for your request!

Happy First Anniversary!

This was made for a special lady as a gift from her husband for their first year anniversary. 

This rose was made with delicate handmade paper.  I chose this paper because of the boldness of the red and green make the rose realistic.

It was short notice so didn’t get the time I usually get to ‘tweak’ this project.  Being my own worse critic, I wasn’t sure it was up to standards.  However, my client was pleased with it.  I hope his wife like his present to her.

What I learned from this project

It’s more challenging folding with handmade paper.   Working with it for a rush project was a first for me. 

Don’t doubt.  In the end, the client was happy, even though I wasn’t sure.

** UPDATE – Aug 11**

My client’s wife didn’t like it.  I’m not happy because she wasn’t.  Overall it was the price.  I listed an old rose on my Cargoh store which is much smaller @ $10 and looks like she felt ‘ripped off’.  I don’t blame her reaction.  The photo doesn’t represent how small it really is.

I had to write an explanation on how I price, materials and the fact the rose on my store I’m just trying to destash it prior to my move next year.  Even if satisfies them, it’s disheartening because this is my first unsatisfied customer.  However, what I learned is I should always explain my pricing.  Her husband was in a rush and though he had every opportunity to ask, I should have taken that step.

Origami Money Ring

Originally my client requested an origami ring.  He wanted to re-propose to his wife.  (Isn’t that romantic?).  The rings I offered wasn’t to his liking.  He did his own internet search and brought attention a common one.

It’s a pretty simple ring so I couldn’t charge him for one without letting him know he could make her one himself.  In the end he asked me.  Since he purchased the rose, I just made him the ring no charge.  If you want to make one yourself, please click here. There’s easy step by step instructions and even a video!

Money Rose in Full Bloom!

This is an order for a wedding that is taking place in August.  It was more difficult to make than expected.  I wanted to make the bloom as realistic as possible but cannot cut or pierce the bills.  The bloom is held together by floral wire.  The calyx and leaves are of course origami!

I’m particularly proud how this rose turned out. 

** Update August 24, 2011 **

I just got a quick email from my client and complimented the rose and presentation.  Their wedding was held on a beach.  It’s a great boost as my last client didn’t like the rose I made for his wife on their first year anniversary I made in this blog post. 

She even included a picture of the bride and groom with it.  I forgot to ask if it was okay to post it so unfortunately I can’t share how happy they were

Original Post Cont…What I Learned

Use crisp new bills.  Using new bills makes the rose much nicer

Folding with money is more challenging.  They are made with cotton so it’s thicker then what I’m accustomed. 

Have the right tools at hand.  I don’t have wire cutters so it interrupted my craft bliss when I had to hunt for a pair.

There’s downsides to crafts too – I don’t like using floral tape.  When you stretch the tape, the adhesive comes out so it adheres against itself when you wrap.  It makes your hands sticky and took a while to wash off.

New Polymer Bills

It saddens me too.  The day I finished making this rose, Canada Mint announced they are introducing Polymer bills.  They are introducing the $100 and $50 in the next 12 months and the rest of $5, $10 and $20 in 2013.  I don’t know if it’s possible making a money rose is possible with this material. 

Graphics: Canada’s New Money Is Polymer In Your Pocket

I don’t disagree with the move though.  It’s all to fight the counterfeiters and it improves the life cycle while it’s in circulation.  Maybe I’ll be lucky, maybe the rose will look better made with these notes. 

Latest Projects: Origami Mini Cards

I have excess of tiny origami paper and didn’t know what to do with them.  I saw my stamps, had excess cardstock and it came to me.  Mini cards!  I always need tags for something and who doesn’t like a handmade card versus a store bought one? 

The peace crane birthday were the first ones I started making:

The tulip thank you card I started making last year. I’m thinking of discontinuing them.  I love them but they are time consuming for the prices I have to charge.  I’ll just start making them for myself to give away after they sell my last ones on Cargoh and Etsy.

I made these origami heart cards last year and mentioned in this post way back in October.  I never got around listing these.  I ended up using them!  I been meaning to restock these but new project ideas got in the way.  

These are my latest mini card.  I found inspirational stamps in a dollar store and had to figure out a way to use them.  These are so popular, I’ve listed them only a couple of weeks ago on Etsy and they already received over a dozen hearts and listed is several treasuries.

Making these cards were so much fun! I’m trying to figure out how to make more!

What projects have you been working on lately?

TEDxPhoenix 2010 Goran Konjevod - Organic Origami

This is a live speaker video of Garan Konjevod who explains that though origami has basic rules and techniques, new organic designs can still be made.

Organic Origami

My Cow is Now a Logo!

The founder of his origami club contacted me for permission to use one of my origami projects as the logo for his website.  I was very honoured.  He wanted to use my cow because the club name is Morongo Origami Organization or M.O.O. for short. 

The Morongo Origami Organization is a non-profit group based in Morongo Valley, California, USA.

Thank you Tyler, this is a great honour.

This isn’t the first time my cow got attention, last year I converted the design so they could be used as wedding invitations for a high school friend of mine.  Must be the eyes.

How to make Tissue Foil (Using Thai Unryu Paper) by Tadashi Mori

I don’t make foil paper very often because it’s labour intensive, however, how Tadashi Mori makes his is the simplest that I’ve seen so far.  He’s using high quality paper, which makes a difference. 

If you make some, please send me pictures of what you made with this foil!

Feature Etsy Shop: Origami Kou

We watched the movie Megamind over the weekend.  It started off so cheesy it was hilarious!  I recommend watching this with your family.  Like all family movies, there’s the basic moral to the story type messages.

When I searched for Etsy stores to see if there were Megamind themed products, it was a wonderful surprise that an origami artist actually designed a mask based on the main character!  I’ve heard of Jaime Kou the last few months.  His work is based on the preliminary foundations of masks designed by the late Eric Joisel.  I know many of you will wonder about the price point but remember this, it takes many hours to design and then produce this type of origami.  The paper he said he used is elephant hide paper (not made from elephants, it’s a description of the thickness of the paper) and it’s preserved in layers of Carboxymethylcellulose

I hope you enjoy his work of art, and if you do buy it please let me know, I’d love your opinion of it when you see it in person!

Megamind Mask, designed and folded by Jaime Kou

1000 Paper Cranes Mission

Sandy has a personal goal, fold 1000 origami cranes, each with a unique, positive word.  At her leisure, she places them at random places for them to be found, in hopes that someone will find one and if lucky, go to her website.  Please check her out, her mission like a karma pay it forward.  Check her out!

1000 Paper Cranes Mission

I love it when I find out personal projects like these using origami and the primary reason is to spread love out to the world!  I had to look up the word that reflects my personal mission, Happy, which happens to be her first crane.  She left this one in July 2010 at a local library in New Jersey.

Origami Holiday Tree

Annually the American Museum of Natural History showcases a Christmas tree decorated with origami.  They have been doing this for the past 30 years!  And you can purchase origami  doves and ornaments there too.  

This year’s theme is “Discovery”.  The tree will be displayed from November 22, 2010 – January 2, 2011.  Since I cannot be there myself this year, if any of you can share any photos, please do so!

The picture I believe is the 2009 tree, wasn’t it beautiful?

Framed Origami Art: Tulips and Butterflies

Back in June, I made a personally designed graphic as their wedding present.  I really liked the frame I used for that present.  So when a birthday was coming up, I remembered where I got the “LOVE” frame, there was a matching “Hello.” one, which was perfect!

I was thinking of making these for my online store but the store no longer carries these frames.  Would you buy one?  I’m now thinking of finding the wholesaler for the frames or something of equal or better quality.

 Lesson’s Learned

• Allow adequate time when making a birthday present.  I only gave myself one week, would loved to had more time.
• When taking photos, the best light source is natural light

 

Origami Crane White Dress – Design by Mariana Leung

This beautiful dress was created by Mariana Leung. 

Origami Design! GenLux Magazine 2008

Stumbled upon this stunning fashion magazine ad!  Photos are done by Bootsy Holler Photography

Origami Design: Tine De Ruysser's Banknote Jewellery Collection

A fellow member of Money Folder’s Yahoo group forwarded this article about an European artist, Tine De Ruysser, who made jewellery out of banknotes.   My favourite are the US Bill bracelets!

Ruysser folded her jewellery in true origami purist fashion.  No cuts, no glue and they will have longevity as money paper is designed to withstand years of wear and tear.

Dior 2007 Spring/Summer Haute Couture Collection in Paris

“Japan” was the theme that year and of the designs was based on the origami crane.

This dress has even inspired Ninimomo to design and develop two Barbie like dolls wearing very similar origami crane dresses.  The notes below the pictures are quotes from the original site.

Miss Chicago 2007 dons another origami inspired creation from Dior's Spring/Summer 07 Couture Collection, this time in mint green. Shalom Harlow wears the original crème gown

 

Miss France 2009, an early preview, is magical wearing a replica Dior gown that was worn by Eva Green for the Dior Poison Commercial. Notice Galliano's use of origami in his work!