Wriggling lizard

This handsome fellow looks like he crawled straight out of the American southwest. Actually, he was designed by Japanese folder Tomoko Fuse. This lizard is a multi-sheet model with a very clever locking system between the body segments, allowing the monster to move and bend somewhat realistically. It's fun to grab it by the tail, give it a good shake, and watch it wiggle!

For this model, I ended up using card stock. Paper would work well for a posed model, but I really really wanted to grab it by the tail and shake, so I figured I needed something a bit sturdier than normal. For anyone following in my steps, I highly recommend the use of a bone folder or other folding tool.


This model was designed by Tomoko Fuse and is constructed from 12 5" squares of green card stock. The completed model measures a bit over 19" long. Folding instructions may be found in Rick Beech's Practical Origami.

Leafy box

My friend Liz is moving away. *sniff, sob* So I made her a box.


The leafy box is almost exactly the same design as the purple swirly box, but made with different paper. It's very thin and delicate -- almost translucent -- with small leaves embedded throughout. I picked this paper up (as a huge sheet) and sliced it down to a manageable size.

The box is made from 8 units, each made from a 6" square of paper. I didn't have a chance to measure it before I gave it away, but ideally the lid should be 3-3/16" square. (In reality it's probably closer to 3-3/8".) The design is by Tomoko Fuse, and may be found in her book Origami Boxes.

Valentine

I found my ruler. Specifically, I found it under my foot, in two pieces. Ah, well.

This week's model is a little somethin'-somethin' for the lovers. Aw, yeah.


This Valentine was a pretty fun model to make. It actually starts life as a traditional (but versatile) bird base. Two flaps become the top of the heart (front and back), and two flaps become the arrow. The flaps are largely consumed by the folding. My first attempt at this model was with a standard 5-7/8" square of origami paper. It very quickly became too small to fold.

This model was folded from a 13-3/4" square of red origami paper. The completed Valentine is almost 9-1/2" from arrow tip to arrow tail. (I made a new ruler!) The model was designed by Robert J. Lang. Folding instructions may be found in his book Origami Design Secrets.

Hina dolls

Here we see Mr. and Mrs. Samurai at home.


These traditional hina dolls are two-piece models, designed once again by Jun Maekawa. (Hey, it's a long book.) They are a lot of fun to make, although they tend to get thick and stiff near the end of the folding sequence, making them somewhat difficult to stand. The costumes are completely separate from the dolls, meaning it is possible to make additional costumes for them. For instance, here we see Mr. and Mrs. Samurai at the discotheque.


(Yes. I know. I not only made paper dolls, I made different outfits for the paper dolls. I don't care, I'm still macho.)

The dolls themselves are each made from a 5-7/8" square of black origami paper. The home costumes are each made from a 5-7/8" square of patterned origami paper. The party outfits are each made from a piece of shiny wrapping paper cut into a 6" square. The completed models are approximately 2" tall. (Yup, still no ruler.) The folding patterns for these dolls may be found in Maekawa's book Genuine Origami.