Active Origami Posts

How To: Make an origami crab for beginners

Feeling crabby doesn't always have to be a bad thing. In fact, if you're an origami artist sometimes feeling crabby simply means you're in the mood for folding some teeny crabs! Crabs are a great project for summer and also take minimal effort and expertise to fold.

How To: Make an origami Shogun Japanese warrior for beginners

The Japanese Shoguns built their entire warrior culture around masochism. Did you lose in battle? Congratulations, you must cut off your own head! Did you dishonor your general? Punishment consists of swirling your guts around with your own sword (yes, you're doing this yourself) and then chopping off your head. As you can see, failure - and disobedience - was not an option, and to commit it shamed you so much it would be more honorable to be dead than alive.

How To: Fold an origami grand piano for beginners

These are the pianos of concert halls, of greats like Mozart and Beethoven, and of piano masterpieces that still set the standard for good music production. Grand pianos are large and a bit ostentatious, yes, but they create a deep, resonant sound that tugs on your heart strings.

How To: Make an easy origami table for a living room

Got a niece who loves playing make believe in her doll house? Then she'll get a kick out of this project. After all, every doll house needs a set or two of furniture. Make her a furniture piece that's unique and can actually hold a few light objects (like fake food) by watching this origami tutorial.

How To: Fold an origami "Jump" model by Hans-Werner Guth

The core principle of origami is folding something from a single sheet of paper. The idea is to challenge your mind to create something fabulous out of very limited material. And while this is quite the poetic journey, as you'll see with modular origami and this origami tutorial, sometimes more than one sheet is necessary to get the job done.

How To: Make an origami 3D penguin by Kawamura Akira

Our little sister nearly burst our eardrum when she squeled in glee at seeing cute as a button baby penguins tap dance and jive in the movie "Happy Feet." Baby penguins, being rather spherical in shape and super fuzzy, often become a little girl's favorite animal, and it's easy to see why.

How To: Make a cute 3D origami bird for beginners

You don't need to be an origami magician in order to spin marvelous creatures and critters out of thin air using nothing but paper and your super dexterous fingers. In fact, lots of origami projects that you've admired (cranes, roses, swans) can easily be folded by just about everyone. And yes, that includes beginners.

How To: Fold a paper crown for your head

In this tutorial we learn how to fold a paper crown for your head. First take a piece of paper and fold it into a triangle. Next, fold the edge of the paper over, then tear it off at the crease. Next, fold the paper in half and then fold in half again, so it looks like a square. After this, unfold it and fold the paper together so both sides touch the middle crease. Now, fold one half of the flap on the inside and do this on both sides. Now, fold the side back on both sides, and then open up ...

How To: Fold an origami ninja star

In this Arts & Crafts video tutorial you are going to learn how to fold an origami ninja star. Take a normal paper. Fold it diagonally from one corner and cut off the extra portion to make a square. Fold it in half and cut into 2 rectangles. Fold each piece in half along the length. Fold both ends of each piece in opposite directions to make a triangle. Now fold the ends again to make a bigger triangle at both ends of each piece of paper. Each sheet will form a 'Z' shape. Now place one sheet ...

How To: Fold an easy plane

In this tutorial, we learn how to fold an easy plane. First, fold a piece of copy paper on one side into a triangle, then open up and fold the opposite way, making creases on both sides. Next, fold the triangle further, until you have a shape that looks like a house. Next, fold the two flaps up on top to keep the triangle shape. Then, fold them both down. After this, fold the sides of the triangles into the crease in the middle of the paper. Next, fold the paper in half and make a wing by fol...

How To: Make a paper rose with a paper towel

In this tutorial, we learn how to make a paper rose with a paper towel. First, roll one end to the other, then stick your finger inside one end and pinch the tip while twisting a few inches down. This will be your bud and your stem for the flower. Keep twisting down until you reach halfway to the end of the flower. Now, fold the loose piece on the bottom so it's parallel to the stem. Then, twist the leaf and wrap it around the bud. Then, shape the bud to the type of flower you want, then enjo...

How To: Make a legit paper airplane

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to fold a paper airplane. Begin by folding the paper vertically in half. Then open the fold and fold the 2 top corners to the center crease to form a triangle. Now fold the top point down so the it tucks underneath the fold to form a envelope shape. Then fold the 2 top corners to the center crease to form a triangle once again. Now fold it vertically in half and fold the wings down so that they are aligned with the bottom of the plane. This video will...

How To: Make a triangular Japanese box for paper clips

In this video, we learn how to make a triangular Japanese box for paper clips. You will need: 3 square pieces of paper and 1 glue stick. First, fold the square into a smaller square by making three triangles. Open up into a large triangle and fold the top down, then make a crease and open back up. Do this for all the pieces of paper, then apply the glue stick to the inside of one corner of the first square. After this, stick the next piece of paper onto this, then fold the bottom paper over t...

How To: Origami a pencil cup/holder

In this video, we learn how to origami a pencil cup/ holder. First, take a square and fold it into a triangle. Give it a crease, then unfold. Now, fold in half to make a triangle from the other direction. Give it another crease, then unfold. Intersect by folding in half making a rectangle, making sure the color side is on the inside. Make a crease and unfold the paper, not fold it into a triangle. Now, take the triangle point and fold it up. After this, give it a crease and then fold another ...

How To: Make a rose from turnips and other hard vegetables

In this tutorial, we learn how to make a rose from a turnip. To start, cut at an angle all the way around the outside of the turnip. After this cut, cut a thin layer around the turnip just around the inside of the cuts that were just made. Continue to do this process throughout the entire fruit until you get to the top. Make sure to alternate from the middle of the petal, so they aren't all line up the same. When you get to the top, you will be making smaller cuts, until you finish. When you'...

How To: Fold a portion of a 3D origami kusudama rose

Use double sided paper, 12-30 parts. Six parts is too small and you can't see the form of the rose. Fold in half. Fold in half again. Fold the bottom tip to the first line and rotate. Repeat with other tip. Do your right side because that's how you attach the units. Be careful not to rip or wrinkle the paper. Fold corner under. Rotate. Fold opposite corner across. Fold down and crease. Repeat on opposite side. Should have two pointed edges. Fold each edge down to form a diamond.

How To: Make a simple and quick fan to fight the summer heat

Unless you live in Sarah Palin's home state, you're probably sweating through the hot and humid summer like the rest of us. Sweltering temperatures usually mean heading inside into cold air conditioning, but if you have the misfortune of having to be outside during particularly sweltering weather there is a way you can cool down on the fly.

How To: Origami a 3D circle-tail for a peacock

Fed up with traditional origami? Well, learn how to fold some three-dimensional origami! This origami video tutorial will teach you how to origami a 3D circle-tail for a peacock. Traditional Japanese origami is the art of paper folding, but 3D origami is a little more complex, a little more challenging... a little more interesting. See how to model and fold a 3D circle-tail peacock with these origami instructions.

How To: Make a simple and fast paper plane

In this tutorial, we learn how to make a simple and fast paper airplane. First, fold the paper in half length wise. Next, open the paper up and fold one two triangles on each side of the crease. Now, fold the paper in on each side, so it lines up with the crease on top. You should now end with a pointed arrow. Next, fold the arrow point down to the bottom of the paper and then create two more arrows on the top of the paper. Next, fold the new triangle down to the other one and then fold the p...

How To: Make a paper rose with construction paper

In this tutorial, we learn how to make paper rose with construction paper. First, take a piece of pink paper and cut a thin strip out of it. Next, take that strip and fold it in half twice. Now, cut the paper in half so you have several strips of paper. Now, fold in the strips to make them look like petals. Next, cut two thin strips out of a green piece of paper and craft them into the shape of a stem. Then, cut thin strips out of the green and shape them into leaves. After this, combine the ...

How To: Make a paper football for 1 dollar

In this tutorial, we learn how to make a paper football for 1 dollar. First, grab your paper and fold it in half length wise. Next, make sure the crease is nice and clean, then fold it length wise once more. Now, fold one of the corners up into a triangle shape, marking the crease exact. Fold this up again and keep doing this until you get to the end. Once you reach the end, fold the other end in twice into the pocket you see. Crease this, then stand it upright and flick it with your other fi...

How To: Make a paper football that flies

In this tutorial, we learn how to make a paper football. First, take a piece of copy paper and fold 1/3 of the paper and crease it. Next, do this again until you reach the top of the paper, you should have three folds in total. Next, fold one side into a triangle shape, and then keep folding in until you get to the bottom of the paper. Once you reach the bottom, fold the excess paper into the pouch that you created when folding the triangle in. You will end up with a triangle shape. Now, you ...

How To: Make a paper football with a 20$ bill

In this tutorial, we learn how to make a paper football with a $20 bill. First, take the bill and fold it in half length wise. Next, take the bill and fold one of the ends into a triangular shape. After this, fold the triangle over and keep doing this until you get to the end. When you reach the end, and tuck the flap on the end into the pocket you created. After this, you can hold the bill up with your fingers, and flick it with your other fingers. You can use any type of bill to make this, ...

How To: Make a perfect paper football

In this tutorial, we learn how to make a perfect paper football. First, fold the paper in half, length wise. Next, fold it again the same way and fold the crease. Now, rip a small section of the top part and discard. Now, fold the paper in the middle to make a sort of "l" shape. Then fold again so you have an arrow. Now, fold all the parts together so you have a diamond shape, then tuck the end arrow into the pouch you created to have an even smaller triangle. When finished, hold the paper wi...

How To: Make different kinds of paper footballs

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make paper footballs. Begin by cutting a straight strip of paper. The wider the width, the larger the football will be. Then fold the edge into a right triangle shape and continue folding the strip in the right triangle pattern. Once you have reached the end of the strip, tear off the end at an angle and tuck it in the side of the football. This video also shows viewers how to play a game with the paper football. This video will benefit those viewe...

How To: Fold a simple origami sailboat with one sheet of paper

If you love boats but hate the open waters, the best thing you could probably do is get over your fear, or… grab some paper and make an origami sailboat. You won't need to take your feet off land with this kind of boat, unless you're jumping for joy after successful completion. This is one of the simplest origami sailboat designs out there, and requires only one sheet of origami paper.

How To: Craft a delicate origami tulip leaf

In our opinion, fake flowers are much better than the real things. While we're never going to turn down a handsome lad knocking at our door with a bursting bouquet of peonies in one hand and a box of chocolates in the other, fake flowers - in origami form - last far longer.

How To: Make a cute 3D origami bunny rabbit

Bunny rabbits don't only have to be reserved for Easter. In fact, bunnies are pretty darn cute all year round. While real bunnies, with their fuzzy fur and floppy ears, are the most cuddly and endearing, for those who can't raise one in their homes, this origami bunny is the next best thing.

How To: Origami a paper heart with your kids

Origami is one of the simplest crafts you could teach your children. It's costs nothing, but provides hours of fun and excitement. The thrill of creating something wonderful is enough to keep the kids coming back for more. And the best paper folding project to start with… a heart. Folding paper hearts is one of the easiest origami items ever, which means it's great for young children. All you need is origami paper.

How To: Fold a box from a square sheet of paper with origami

Watch a person fold an origami box. This is an open box, like a drawer, but not like a cube. First step is typical, just make creases between the opposite corners. next step is to fold all four corners to the center point where the first two creases cross. next two opposite flat sides are folded over to the center so the fold is parallel to the sides. then unfold these last two folds, and redo it with the other two perpendicular sides. then unfold everything but two of the corner-to-center fo...

How To: Use paper scraps in order to make a paper flower

In this tutorial, we learn how to make a paper flower using paper scraps. To make this, you will need: 3 pieces of small pink scrap paper, 1 piece of small green scrap paper, 1/16" brad, adhesive, hole punch, ink, and a sponge. First, you will draw one different size circle on the 3 sheets of pink paper. Next, draw leaves onto the green scrap paper. Now, start tearing the shapes out of the paper leaving no pencil showing. Crumple the paper up several times, then get your ink and put it on you...

How To: Fold an origami chicken and egg

This video tutorial is in the Arts & Crafts category which will show you how to fold an origami chicken and egg. Take a square size paper and fold it in half across the diagonal. Now fold the triangle in half. Lift up the top fold and fold it back in to a square. Repeat this step with the bottom triangle also. Now you have a smaller folded square. Turn the paper around so that the open ends are pointing away from you. Fold the two top edges on to the centerline. Now fold the bottom triangle i...