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
Times listed below are U.S. Eastern Time Zone. Check here to convert to your local time.
Dresden Star
Autumn 2002, it was in the German city of Dresden a natural catastrophe: the water of the river Elbe was extremely high and flooded and destroyed many houses and killed many people. Some houses of local folders were damaged. Myself, I had a paper hats exhibition in a museum (Kunstgewerbemuseum). This city was destroyed from the flooding. In the same Christmas 2002, I proposed to organize a solidarity movement of sending origami stars from folders over the world. A lot of stars from many countries were sent and I hung them in a big origami Christmas tree inside of the museum. On the top of the tree was this star. For this reason I call it Dresden Stern (Star of Dresden).
1 sheet Kami 25x25 cm or larger
Rose and Butterfly
Wenhau has created a delightful spring arrangement of a butterfly on a rose.
Rose: 1 sheet 6" duo kami,
Butterfly: 1 sheet 3" duo kami
Decorating Paper
Learn how to create a variety of decorative origami papers using various mixed media techniques.
Paper: Rice paper pad or roll, wet strength tissue paper (Blick carries it), copy paper.
Tools: Rubber brayer, any mark-making tools (such as empty toilet paper roll, silicone spatula, celery stalk, old hotel key or credit card), markers, crayons, broad flat brush, water container, paper towel, sponge, stencils (optional)
Other: White gesso, acrylic paints (in assorted colors), methylcellulose or white glue
A variety of methods will be shown; no need to have everything at this session. You can still learn the techniques even if you don't have everything on hand.
Penguin and Chick
Richard will teach us his original penguin models (one with and one without a chick). He will also show how to make a scene by attaching to a board.
Penguins: 2 sheets of 6” kami, black/white.
Making a scene: One sheet US letter or A4 white copy paper
Mah Ze Dahr
Brian has created modular polyhedra and modular rings. He says this ring is one of his favorites. The units are straightforward to fold and the assembly is unique.
10 sheets 3" duo kami
Borromean Cubed Globe
This is not origami, not as most use the word. Maybe it's modular kirigami. But then, many languages do not make a distinction between 'to fold' and 'to bend'. In this model we will bend paper into cylinders and cones and weave them together into a globe. Borromean refers to the Bruneian property of this model--constructed from 9 linked loops, not one of the loops actually passes through any other. If you are familiar with the 3-circle symbol for the Trinity--or with Ballantine beer--you know the Borromean rings. We're going to cube that in a spherical way. This model will involve cutting with scissors. It will involve glue. It will involve scoffing at purists.
Before class print all three pages in this file on lightweight cardstock: https://nebula.oschene.com/index.php/s/HyXJpQRBCmYNwT9 printed out on light cardstock.
Also needed: scissors, a glue stick and a pencil.
Love Basket
In previous classes, Aldo's has delighted us with some unique modulars. In this class he will share a sweet basket for Spring. The basket is folded from 1 paper making use of both sides of the paper to showcase 2 hearts.
1 sheet duo paper (a variety of papers work well-kami will work)
8" or larger is recommended
Smart Kids
Pierre-Yves is a French origamist and photographer. He creates a variety of models including animals, characters, and whimsical interpretations of subjects. Smart Kids is a representation of school children.
A square sheet of kami (or any similar bicolor, thin paper), 24cm recommended
A pair of scissors
Matryoshka Rhombic Dodecahedron
Learn to fold an interesting geometric modular, made from silver rectangles. The Matryoshka Rhombic Dodecahedron, takes the form of the 'First Stellation of the Rhombic Dodecahedron', as seen in M. C. Escher's - Waterfall, but there's a secret, bonus model, hidden inside.
Four sheets of letter/A4 copy paper (kami is too thin). Preferably one sheet of white, and three other colors. You will also need a craft knife, metal rule and cutting mat, to prepare the paper. An 'Envelopener' style paper cutter, will also be useful, if you have one.
Origami for teachers, How to Educate through the Right Models
Dasa and Ilan are working on a book that focuses on teaching origami. From art topics to scientific ones, they cover a vast range of ideas that teachers can use in the classroom. They will teach two models from the book, and explain how to bring them to the classroom and what can be achieved educationally through them.
10 squares of kami for modular model (size around 3"-4" or 7.5cm-10cm), 2 rectangles of printing paper (A4 or letter format), and some reserve paper squares (6" or 15 cm, just in case)
Questions? Email us at origamiconnect [at] origamiusa.org.