Origami Connect is OrigamiUSA’s program of online classes, open to anyone anywhere in the world, whether or not you are a member of OrigamiUSA. All you need is a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Origami Connect classes are taught in two sessions, Spring and Fall, with individual classes happening approximately monthly. See the class listing below. You do not need to be a member of OrigamiUSA to attend Origami Connect classes.
Classes are around 2 hours long. All registrants will receive a link to the recording of the live event afterward. Register early! Registration and other information is in the ORIGAMI CONNECT menu at upper right.
Origami Connect uses the Zoom platform to connect. You will need to install the Zoom client on your computer. Learn more about connecting with Zoom.
All Origami Connect presenters are experienced artists, folders, and/or teachers, and all Origami Connect events include a facilitator. Presenters are volunteers donating their time and talent to share the joy of origami and connect folders everywhere. Please support us to help us keep this program affordable and accessible to as many folders as possible!
Coming Up
Cherry Blossom Box
I have always enjoyed folding boxes, and consequently you can clearly see the influence of Tomoko Fuse in this box, but I was intrigued by the idea of trying to get a petal fold on the top. It then occurred to me that a 5-sided box with the petal fold might look a bit like a cherry blossom, so I worked on that and was reasonably successful (I think!) PDF diagrams will be posted after the live event.
Paper size: anywhere from 75mm (3") to 150mm (6"). 150mm is a little large. 75mm looks great, but maybe not for the first attempt.
Paper type: Ordinary kami is fine, but slightly heavier would be better, especially for paper > 100mm square.
Eagle
Come and fold a realistic eagle with us.
This origami eagle is folded from a rectangular piece of paper with the same aspects as A4 copy paper.
You can fold this model from copy paper but if you prefer to use your favorite origami paper, I can show you how to cut a large square paper (35 cm) into a rectangular shape.
Fiery Dragon
This is a very expressive model, with lots of room for shaping to make each one unique. It is deceptively simple, but has a few complex collapses and fine shaping techniques that make it a very fun fold.
Paper Reqs: 30cm or larger thin tissue foil, or another strong thin paper that holds its shape. Kami is doable but shaping is tricky, and it tears very easily in this model. Foil is another good choice, as long as it's relatively thin, since there are lots of layers.
Virgia's Vase
This is a lovely vase folded from a hexagon.
To fold vase:
An octagon from 25/30 cm square of rigid paper (80-100 g/m2) (Elephant hide, efalin or stardream papers are perfect).
Optional: a scoring tool and a ruler, a few clips
For backcoating:
A square of tissue paper in a color that matches well with the color of the octagon (at least 5 cm bigger than the octagon); glue stick
Mountain Aven
Mountain Aven, designed May 2022 is folded from a single uncut square. It is an evergreen shrub with eight petaled white flowers and has a yellow center. It grows in the Arctic and Alpine regions in large colonies.
Paper 6" bulls eye or corona harmony paper.
Questions? Email us at origamiconnect [at] origamiusa.org.